30 Day Shred [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

But I mean it in a good way! This is, without any shadow of a doubt, the most intensive workout DVD I've ever tried (and I have a good few, including Davina, Nell McAndrew, The Firm etc etc...) Jillian and her two helpers (one advanced, one 'normal') take you through three 20 minute workouts - Levels 1, 2 and 3. Each workout is made up of three circuits which comprise of 3 minutes of weights, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of ab work.

Like me, you may well be thinking this sounds reasonable, quick and easy. It isn't! Even Level 1 is an intensive workout - lots of jumping jacks, squats, bum kicks etc., and Jillian doesn't let up for a second, constantly keeping you moving. I found I had to use lighter weights than I would for a Davina workout; the exercises are so quick and intense that I couldn't keep up with my usual ones. The exercises have a real 'military' feel and change quickly, and you are given plenty of instruction and encouragement. The music isn't great, but then you probably won't have the energy to think much about it while you're doing this workout!

Levels 2 and 3 contain harder exercises (such as burpees, mountain climbs, jumping jacks from the plank position). I've got a passable fitness level, but on finishing Level 2 I was in a collapsed screaming heap on the floor, thoroughly worked out! Jillian screams at some point in Level 2 "I want you to feel like you're gonna DIE!" - and if you're anything like me, you will! On the plus side, if you can do Level 2, I don't think you'll find Level 3 too much of a difference in intensity, unless you have weak abs as this section pushes them to the limit.

This is a fantastic workout to try if you're looking to push yourself hard, but it is NOT for the faint hearted. Jillian and her helpers are very toned, but also quite bulky - to avoid this it might be a good idea to alternate this DVD with some less intense workouts (as I intend to do!) But the fact remains - there is absolutely no doubt that if you did this DVD every day, even doing just one of the three levels per day, you would lose weight and get results very quickly.

I bought this DVD without knowing who Jillian Michaels was; I bought it because of the reviews on Amazon. I also bought her book "Making the Cut". This makes a great companion to the DVD as it contains advice on moderating the diet according to body type etc as well as lots of inspiration and instruction as to the most effective circuits to totally cut the body (not started that process yet - will post review when followed the book's 30 day plan).
Making the Cut: The 30-day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You
I was a little sceptical about exercising for only 20 minutes, but thought I would give it a go. Over the years, I have used fitness DVDs on occasion, but have never found them to be a true replacement for going to the gym or a class at the gym. I use a pilates machine at home so have no problem with strength in some areas, but wanted to raise my heart rate and really try to burn off any excess fat.
I am only halfway through the programme, so will update at the end of my programme, but I just wanted to say to anybody who is thinking about buying this DVD: JUST BUY IT AND GET STARTED!! It is amazing. As previous reviewers have said, the three levels of difficulty are set up so that you do 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes cardio and 1 minute abs per circuit and there are 3 circuits. Again, as stated elsewhere, Jillian has Natalie and Anita working out with her; Anita shows the beginners moves while Natalie really goes for it. The individual exercises are themselves fairly traditional moves that will be recognisable to anyone who has done a gym class, or even PE at school. But it is clear that Jillian has given a lot of thought as to how best to combine the exercises to get the maximum impact upon the body, which I suppose is the reason this programme works.
The idea is that you work out at 100% intensity non-stop through the whole 20 minutes. That means no pause for a sip of water and ideally no pause to catch your breath (although Jillian does grudgingly say that you can have a 5 second breather if you really really need it!). I found Level 1 very challenging for the first few days and then it started to get easier, although the aching muscles didn't seem to ease up. Level 2 has me absolutely dripping with sweat by the end - I have not progressed to Level 3 yet so will update at the end of that.
After the 20 minutes, it feels like I have worked out intensely and my muscles ache in a good way. I am not remotely overweight but my legs and arms feel so much firmer already and my clothing is a lot looser (yay!). The best thing for me is that I feel so much fitter in such a short space of time - only on day 12.
Finally, before I bought the DVD I noticed that some reviewers said that they did not like Jillian's style of instruction. I have to disagree - she might not be sweet and sappy but I like her rather blunt, witty and motivational style. As she says, if you want a 20 minute workout that gets results, you're going to have to work for it. And she's right...

Well, I said I would review when I had reached Level 3. In many respects, I found the move to Level 3 the least challenging, although that was probably because I was fitter and stronger and so the leap didn't seem as great. Level 3 will still have you dripping with sweat, though, don't worry! I have recommended this DVD to my friends, who have also bought it and are now working their way through it. At the end of the 30 day programme, I need a refund on the new jeans I bought...they are a size too big now!
I have moved on to Jillian's duo Banish Fat Boost Metabolism (Full) [DVD] [2009] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] and No More Trouble Zones (Full) [DVD] [2009] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] which is just amazing (will post a review in due course.) So to conclude, this workout is a brilliant way to get you motivated and toned up in a short space of time, but perhaps more importantly it will inspire you to carry on to the next level. Phenomenal.

i wasn't really sure what to think as a lot of the reviews i had read were written had been by people in the first week of trying out this DVD. i'm on my fourth week and it really works - i found it far too intense to do 10 days of each level, so i did level 1 until it got easy and i got bored of it and i am about to move on from level 2. it's done in an interval style so you are never doing any segment (cardio/strength/abs) for longer than 2 minutes at a time.

level 1 is a bit harsh on the knees at first but you get used to it. level 2 is so hard and a huge progression from level 1 but it shows the results! there are moves that i found it impossible to do the first time such as plank jacks - jumping jacks whilst in a plank position, but after 4 attempts i pushed myself to be able to do almost all of them. i'm not sure if i will ever get to the stage where i can do every single move as many times as jillian says and i definitely modify moves if i need to. i still can do barely half of the final plank exercise because it's SO HARD but it still works! my stomach is looking good, my arms are toned and i'm a lot fitter in general. she says that you should feel like you're going to die, and you do, especially as the cardio is so intense, but it's only 27 minutes long so it's quick and you feel amazing after you get through it. it's good to take a day off from doing it every week, and i find treating it as the '50 day shred' is more helpful.

the only thing is i sometimes find it distracting when jillian laughs or makes a joke with her 'girls' only cos i'm in loads of pain dying on the floor and it puts me off. but i like that it's fairly informal and the instructions from jillian really, really help. as cheesy as it sounds i've pushed myself more than i knew i could. if you need to lose weight you need to combine it with a diet plan but even without a very strict diet you lose some weight and tone everything at once.