Showing posts with label weight lifting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight lifting. Show all posts

Friday, February 18, 2011

Jari Love's Get Extremely Ripped!

I do believe this DVD does exactly what the title says. Jari takes you through an hour long weight lifting workout that targets and tones your entire body.


This is sure to burn some major calories. There were times where I had to hurry and eat something in between because the burn was so great. I'd suggest drinking both water AND a protein shake during this, your muscles will need it.


The abs segment is my favorite, very extreme indeed. Only workout I've ever done where my abs actually hurt the next day. That's a rarity, folks, trust me. Especially when the tummies (and even more especially post-natal gals like me) are the hardest to rid. However doing a thousand crunches won't give you the six-pack. That comes with diet, diet and more diet. What you're putting in has the greatest effect on your midline. Biggest suggestion if you want the tummy but don't want to cut the carbs, eat your majority of carbs during the day, don't eat any after 7pm.


The music in this is especially good in this one. It's an industrial theme, so it really goes well with weight lifting. Some of her others have some weird techno music, or even tribal themes, but this is by far the best music I've heard from her yet.


She also talks a lot more in this one than she does in her others. Possibly because there are so many extras around her and so many reps that she has to fill the time somehow.


Definitely worthy of a five star review. Make sure to pick this up on Amazon.com for $9 new.


10 Mintue Solution: Target Toning

Cindy Whitmarsh, the trainer in this video, started me out with weight lifting. I saw how perfect her body was and I wanted it! So I started her workout every other day for a few weeks. I saw some minor results in my legs and biceps, but nothing significant to continue this workout.


She takes you through five segments, four workouts and one stretch. You really feel the workouts in each spot she's targeting, but not like a burn from other weight lifting workouts I've done.


The music is dumb, just basic workout music but some of it's catchy. She is pretty fake in her approach to this, I'm sure she's different in real life, but on here she just acts goofy and slurs some of her words.


Doesn't change the fact that this is a GREAT workout for people starting out weight training. It gets you familiar with basic lifting moves, terms, muscles and positions. She stresses good posture and pushing through the burn.


It's available on Amazon.com new for about $7 and available to Watch Instantly on Netflix. Really great overall, four out of five stars.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Jari Love's Get Extremely Ripped! 1000

This workout intertwines cardio and strength training (weight lifting) in one 45-minute workout. It claims to burn up to 1000 calories, but I have to find that hard to believe. Even burning 500 calories in an hour is impressive and means you're sweating your ass off.

A really nice feature of this DVD is that you can select to only do the cardio segments or only do the strength training segments. This way you can change them up according to your mood or goals. There's also an explanation of how to properly do each move.

The music is a little off. It goes from tribal to an 80s style Chacha style; some of it is fun, others are ok, and a few are just weird.

Jari is very explanatory and helpful, talking you through each move. It works out your entire body. My favorite segment is Abs- I really felt it where it counts.

It's available on Amazon.com for about $10 new. It's great for any Jari Love fan, but there are other DVDs by her that are much, much better. I give this three and a half stars out of five.

Jari Love Get Ripped! Slim & Lean

Can I get a "perfect workout" from you all? This DVD is AMAZING. I have seen the most amazing transformation of my muscles in just one month of doing this (I do it about 3 times a week.)


It's around one hour, if you pause to take a breath like I do. Make sure you stay well hydrated before, during and after this. Follow up with a chunk of protein too.


Jari is so sweet, as I've said before. She motivates you and keeps you focus through every exercise. The variations are endless- from doing more reps, lighter/heavier weights, no weights (you use only your body weight,) etc. During the push-up track (my least favorite exercise) she even says "And if that's all you can do, I'll take it!" Talk about making you feel good, and understanding that not all people are at the same fitness level.


She works every part of the body: arms, legs, glutes, shoulders, abs, obliques, etc. The stretch is just the right amount, as well. Music is good, well-focused. Great for men & women of all fitness levels. Always consult a physician (but how many of us actually do?) especially if you're over 40. It can get intense, always stop if it hurts too much. However when it comes to weight lifting, no pain no gain. Once your muscle builds up lactic acid to break it down (this is a good thing) it starts to burn and hurt- try your best to work through this.


My legs and butt look fantastic thanks to this. For the first time in my life I'm not self conscious about a single part of my body and it's all thanks to her. Amazon has this for around $10 new. BUY IT!!

Chalean Extreme


Well, I'll come right out and be honest with you, I haven't tried the entire workout package. My friend gave me a trial DVD, which is pretty cool. There is a 30-minute cardio segment, 20-minute stretching/yoga segment, and  a preview of her Turbo Jam workout.


The cardio, BURN IT OFF!, is wonderful! It really hits all those spots and gets your heart pumping. She gives s few seconds in between each exercise to catch your breath, which is definitely needed. You go through five exercises, a one-minute break, six more exercises and then a cool-down. The music is pretty powerful, keeps you on your toes. She tends to talk a bit too much, but it fits in with how fast-paced the workout is. The cool-down isn't much of a cool-down; you barely stretch and after a workout like this one you should take time to stretch everything. Always stretch when your muscles are warm, this prevents injury. I usually skip that portion and go right to the yoga/stretching segment.


The yoga section, RECHARGE, is a 20-minute segment where you calm down, close your eyes, and relax. The stretching goes from basic to advanced with plenty of variations for people of all levels of flexibility. The music here is really nice, a little Asian inspired. I always feel better after I do this stretching, and it's not too long that you can't fit it in a few times a week.


Now the part where this review won't do so hot: bonus TURBO JAM work out. Don't get me wrong, it's very popular and lots of people have seen results, I only got frustrated and lost interest. I'm no dancer, and I hope that a dance-workout would take you by the hand and help you figure out the moves. This does not. It goes very quickly, the music itself is an adrenalin rush, but she does not do a very good job at explaining what the hell is going on. I've never been one for dance-workouts, other than Zumba, but this one is ok.


I could not find anywhere to buy this specific trial DVD, but the entire set is available at Amazon.com for $80 used and $120 new. I would suggest asking your friends to borrow theirs or watch some Youtube videoes before commiting to something so expensive.


Overall it gets four out of five stars.

Jari Love Get Ripped!

I first found out about Jari's workouts on fitnessmagazine.com where they raved about her, and they very well should have. She delivers not only a wonderful, body sculpting workout, but a kind and polite attitude. Sometimes she answered my questions while I was thinking about a certain posture for a particular exercise.

She is the only one that I have seen immediate results with, as well. After the first workout my skin looked tighter and I had that "pumped" feeling all over.

In this particular workout she takes a few minutes to work each major section in the body: thighs, glutes, abs, abductors, arms, shoulders, etc. She doesn't talk too much during the exercises to help keep you focused (that was a major selling point for me because a lot of instructors seem to gab on and on.)

The music is my only complaint. It leaves something to be desired and just doesn't motivate well. The same style seems to carry on throughout all of her workouts. The beat is steady, which helps keep the pace with each pump, but it's not the type where you say "I just have to illegally download this!!"

Amazon.com has this DVD for around $6 used, which is what I went for. New is only a few dollars more, however. It's a great workout to have in your collection, and Jari is just a sweetheart. Overall, I give four and a half stars out of five.