Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism [DVD]

About a year ago, I was seriously overweight and decided to go on a mission to drop to a healthy weight and size and improve my fitness. I've been working out with different DVDs a few times a week ever since, have lost nearly four stone (still a stone to go!) and wanted a new workout that would be reasonably challenging. This workout has proved to be perfect - exactly the level I was looking for to help me shift that final stone now that my body has got used to the other workouts I've been doing (Hannah Waterman and Clare Nasir - both relatively tough workouts and highly effective, but probably not quite at the Jillian Michaels level).First of all, if people are looking for a dance-type workout with 'fun' choreographed moves, don't bother with this DVD and go for a zumba workout or something: this DVD is much more akin to a circuit training type boot-camp routine, or even a school PE lesson with a tough gym teacher or a military fitness type workout. The moves are very simple and don't require much coordination; there are no combinations of steps to learn or anything like that. These are tried-and-tested, tough, simple-but-tough-and-effective exercises such as kickboxing punches and kicks, squats, lunges, planks, ab crunches, star jumps, skipping (without a rope) etc. This meant the DVD was perfect for me - I can't learn dance steps or complicated combinations of moves to save my life, and I like to keep it simple while working as hard as I can. This was ideal for that.This is a DVD that a total beginner will find very tough to complete. I'm reasonably fit, and although I completed this DVD without needing to stop, there were times when I was seriously suffering! However, if you are a beginner, DON'T let this put you off. The workout is split into seven 6-minute circuits, so you could start by doing just a couple of them and then build up gradually do doing more and more as you get fitter.I would warn that there isn't a great deal of instruction on technique and form - for instance, there are lots of squats but not really much advice on how to do them without injuring your knees (Jillian Michaels' other DVD, The 30-Day Shred, has more advice about this). But other than that, I think this is a great, challenging workout based on proven principles of fat loss, mixing cardio with strength and toning and bringing the heart rate up and down a lot. Also, for some of the exercises Jillian suggests easier versions for beginners, which would be useful if you were finding it all a bit daunting.Jillian is no shrinking violet and somewhat hectoring in that super-motivational American style that I usually find irritating. Despite this, I did get the impression that she's far more sincere than most American trainers and although she does come across as being quite aggressive as she barks instructions, she's also positive and encouraging and seems to want people to believe in their own ability, which saves her from being obnoxious in my book. She's no-nonsense, but doesn't come from the drill-sergeant school of unpleasantness. She's also quite self-deprecating at times, which at least reminds us that she's human.The music is almost non-existent, but it's not like this is a dance/aerobics workout and not much rhythm is required, so it really doesn't matter.All in all, this is cracking intense workout that will leave you knackered - which is why it works. If you really want results, this is the kind of effort you need to go to, even if it takes you a while to build up to it.

The first time I did Jillian’s “Banish Fat” 40 minute (plus warm-up and cool down) workout I thought I was going to expire and couldn’t do some of the exercises. After doing it twice a week for five weeks, I can now get through the workout and do all the routines (at “intermediate” level). I have lost weight and definitely have a stronger core.Although Jillian’s chat gets a little grating after all these repetitions (you have the option to turn off her commentary), there is something about this particular workout that I like. Maybe it is the mix of exercises which give a good variety and slowly built up to the really tough ones.Forty minutes of aerobic activity like this is hard going but it is good to feel development from week to week. If you can’t do it all at the start don’t worry it will get better and that is a great feeling.I do this workout twice a week, interspersing it with shorter 20-30 minute sessions. It is helping my weight loss.Note that this workout is available free on YouTube. After using that for a few weeks, I felt was worth paying the £6 to get it on the bigger screen with much better picture quality. Worth trying before you buy though.A very good workout.UPDATE: 3 months on and this remains my favourite workout DVD. It's tough but the good range of exercises means that you don't get fed up with too much squatting (or whatever).UPDATE: after 6 months: This is still my favourite workout DVD and I use it twice a week for a tough but satisfying workout. You get very very sweaty but feel good that you have completed the challenge. However, a recent knee injury made me realise that this workout is quite impactful. There are a lot of jump squats and related exercises in there which are quite heavy on the knees. I had to take a rest from this DVD while my knee was sore, but I am back on it now and loving it. Just beware if you have knee problems.UPDATE at 11 months I still do this DVD once a week and really enjoy it. The constant moving onto a new exercise means that you are never stuck in a move that you hate. That said it has taken me 11 months not to fear the sixth segment - jump squats; nordic skiing; harder jump squats; ice skaters; standing mountain climbers. It is the toughest circuit (the fourth segment is also pretty tough) but know now that I can get through it without needing resuscitation. I guess that is proof that my fitness is improving. This is a really great DVD and recommended if you want a really tough but satisfying workout.UPDATE AT 2 YEARS: I still do this workout once a week and it remains the most intense I do, but also very satisfying. I have tried a few other of Jillian's workouts and found them quite annoying. This one I love.

Scary woman, hope I get in shape.

This is by far my favourite Jillian Michaels workout dvd, I have 12 of them. I have some joint pain so I do all of the jumping on a mini trampoline. I also like her kickbox workout which I think is a bit similar.

Aunque ahí dice, no lo pude poner ni en la como u

Vorab gilt zu sagen, dass ich schon vorher und ganz allgemein ein absoluter Jilian-Fan bin!!! Jilian Michaels ist für mich einfach die beste Fitness-, und Motivationstrainerin auf dem Markt! Sie hat eine sehr motivierende und angenehme Art und es macht einfach Spass, mit ihr zu trainieren! Und sie sagt auch oft Sätze wie: "Ich sehe euch durch den Fernseher, also nicht schummeln!!" und das sport einen noch mehr an - mich jedenfalls :)Die "Banish Fat Boost Metabolism - 6 Minute Fixes" - DVD ist sehr anstrengend und wenn man sie, wie ich, schon länger nicht mehr gemacht hat und das Workout nach langer Zeit wieder mal absolviert, ist man jedes Mal wieder von neuem überrascht, wie streng das Workout doch ist! Das Training ist eher etwas für Fortgeschrittene und Erfahrene Fitnessfans. Anfänger können sich sicherlich auch heranwagen, dann aber in ihrem eigenen Tempo innerhalb der Trainingszeiten. Es wird vor allem auf Cardio Wert gelegt und auf schnelle effektive Übungen, die den Stoffwechsel anregen! Bei regelmässigem Gebrauch plus gesunder Ernährung ist eine Gewichtsabnahme sicherlich machbar! Empfehlenswert.

Sur le même modèle que No More Trouble Zones, Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism propose 7 circuits de 6 minutes environ, avec une alternance de cardio et de travail de la musculature. Le DVD donne la possibilité de regarder et de faire soit l'ensemble des exercices à la suite, soit chaque circuit séparément. Ainsi, si vous n'avez pas 55 mn devant vous, vous pouvez raccourcir et customiser votre séance.Pris séparément, les exercices sont assez faciles et, à mon avis, réalisables même par des débutants (à condition qu'ils soient en bonne condition physique). On retrouve beaucoup de mouvements classiques de Jillian, plus deux circuits de kickboxing qui viennent mettre un peu de fantaisie. Toute la difficulté, c'est de tenir sur la longueur sans aucun temps de repos. Moyennant quoi, on obtient une séance crevante mais qui donne l'impression d'avoir bien travaillé l'ensemble du corps, avec très peu de risques de blessure ou de courbatures atroces le lendemain.On notera par ailleurs que les exercices ne nécessitent pas d'haltères et prennent très peu de place; ce Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism est donc parfait pour les gens qui souhaitent continuer à faire du fitness pendant leurs vacances et autres déplacements loin de chez eux!

I absolutely love this one , just the right intensity for me and the best thing about this DVD is that right after a tough exercise when you know you're gonna die the next exercise is a bit milder which balances the whole routine, already lost 4 kilograms in 2 weeks.