Kettlebell Solution Workout

The 2-DVD set includes a workout video and an instruction video. On the workout video there are four 15-17 minute segments that you can mix and match with an excellent menu system. Also, it includes a 6-minute warm up that is perfect to use before you start any of the segments. You will get results even if you do one 15-min segment a day! This is an excellent workout set and I would give it a 10-star if i could :-) I also love the upbeat music from yesfitnessmusic dot comI like to breakup my workouts during the day; typically yoga/meditation in the morning, aerobics (running, elliptical, cycling, etc.) mid day, and weighted workout and a bit more cardio in the late afternoon. I can get an hour to an hour and a half everyday with this routine. This dvd makes it really fun and easy to add that afternoon weighted workout for a 15, 30, 45, or 60 minute workout (plus 6 minute warm-up)The four segments are:1. Upper Body2. Buns and Thighs3. Core4. Fat Burning (overall body)...Plus 6 minute warm-up.With each segment you can choose to have Kathy Smith give verbal instruction, or just have music. Kathy is not too animated in this production like some of her other dvds, yet she is upbeat enough to keep interest and she provides a lot of variety with the exercises to keep your interest. The 15 minutes flys by!The second dvd is instructional only and provides an additional workout just by following along. It includes all of the exercises used in the segments on the workout dvd. For each of the exercises Kathy Smith narrates and explains form, while student (who is really Kathy's instructor), Mia Finnegan shows the moves. Mia is in excellent shape from working with kettlebells. Also, beginner, intermediate, and advanced form is provided. This is one of those instruction videos that you can keep going back to as your improve your skills to learn better form. This DVD includes everything you need to know about starting a kettlebell workout. I only wish it had a better menu system like the accompanying workout dvd to choose individual exercises. This dvd just runs from beginning to end 25 minutes. The exercises include:Standing exercises, kettlebell swings are included in all exercises1. Swing with thrust (squatting up and down)2. Hip extension (called "Bull" kicking alternating legs back)3. Step forward, step back, then add leg lifts4. One Arm Swings, then alternating hands, then add catching (fun!)5. Clean with hip action (very important). Swinging down, rack it, and hold it, then add press overhead6. Overhead snatch: down and up overhead7. Standing Circles, moving to standing ribbon (taking around your body with a chop, stretch. I love this move, very creative and makes core/ab work fun!)8. Twist side to side (more core work)9. Chop (up and down, then sweeps, then dynamic10. Reverse lunges with arm swing. Then, add pass-through under the lunging leg to other hand to add intensity)11. Bicep & Tricep work with added lunge (whole body workout)12. Deadlift13. Lateral lunges, then add arm swing and leg lift (another fun one!)14. Skater side to side15. Upright row, then add overhead press16. Bent-over rows17. Alternating Kettle Drops18. Ballet Plie swing side-to-side, zipping it up formFloor exercises for the core/abs, starts on your back1. On back, roll down, roll up2. Pull-overs3. Pull-overs with crunch4. Imprinting spine (Pilates move), then add moving alternating legs up and down5. Pull-overs with leg lowering6. Plank using heavy bell in one hand on floor so you're elevated on one side (I didn't really get the point of the kettlebell on this one) Plan beginner and advanced (raising alternating legs, then to chest)7. Side plank. Beginner has one leg bend on knee, advanced has both legs outstretched. Extra-Advanced, then raising kettlebell overhead to your side, wow, hard!!!Recommended weight for kettlebells:Kathy uses a 3 lb. and 5 lb. soft kettlebell. This is a good weight for women starting off. For some of the arm exercises a 3lb. might be a little too heavy, so you can you a regular dumbbell weight if needed. As you get better or if you are pretty strong already, you may want to use heavier weights. I have a Universal 3-weight set of 5, 7.5, and 10 lb. which works well for me (average weight/strength).Kathy Smith has some excellent DVD workouts and this one is becoming one of my favorites. Produced in 2009 (I'm reviewing in 2013), it will be usable for years to come with upbeat music and excellent instruction. The clothing is really beautiful and Kathy is amazing for her age; she was born in 1951 and was 58 years old when she made this video. She's in amazing shape and I hope to look that good at her age! Kathy is really enthusasit and it makes me enthusiastic too. She is so funny in one segment she said "boom-shak-a-lak-a"; cracked me up!This dvd is well worth the $14 on Amazon...well worth the money if you want an excellent kettlebell workout!

I wanted to review this as soon as I tried 2 parts of the workout because I loved it so much. (upper body and fat burning sections) But, I thought, 'no you have to try out the rest to give it a fair review.' I've since tried out the lower body and core solutions. It is these four sections along with a good warm-up section. Also, very importantly, there is a separate instructional video which I sat and watched, then grabbed my 5lb kettlebell and tried some of it out with them to make sure I was doing things correctly. That is very important with kettlebells but once you've got it - you've got it! It's pretty easy really. None of the sections take too long, so you can survive them pretty well without wearing yourself out needlessly. Also, I'm excited about working out with kettlebells for a few reasons. A) they work! they trim and raise the heart rate like nobody's business! B) the workout is doable. I can hang with everything in its entirety except I will have to work up to a couple of the core exercises but, I did most of it, which frankly does not hurt in the self-esteem department of exercise C) Kettlebells give you something to concentrate on while you workout so your mind is occupied and not telling you - hey, let's go do something else.Kathy Smith is a fitness doll - I'm 45 and I know I did a workout video of hers when I was in high school and I swear she looks better than ever - if that was possible. She's a true inspiration! She's not overbearing, she's informative and she keeps it simple and just gives you a good solid workout. This is a good workout with kettlebells, beginner or intermediate. She has some challenging moves for the advanced AND it is fun. That is the best part. I actually look forward to it. Also, and someone back me up on this - I notice just after a few times of doing this my energy levels are off the chart. I do other types of workouts (boot camp type stuff along with walking or jogging...) Anyway, just curious if it really seemed to boost other people's energy to the point of noticing the differences. Good stuff - order it! Enjoy. 3 - 5 lb kettlebell is enough in beginning. I do a 5 lb. I may use my 10lb for a couple of the exercises. I believe Kathy uses a 3 and a 5. You can gauge what's best for you.

I like doing kettlebell workouts as it gives you strength and cardio workouts in one. I was using a different trainer that was too beginner for me. I was able to add my own spin, but somehow it was not enough of a pace and I prefer using a lighter kettlebell. I find this workout challenging and with a lighter kettlebell. Kathy explains the steps but does not slow the pace

Positives first: this dvd has effective moves - if you're looking for quick moves to do with a light kettlebell - for a day when you're pressed for time or don't have the energy to face a big challenge. It's even a little fun.It is divided into 1 unweighted warmup and 4 15-minute workout segments focusing on different parts of the body. (This does not include the tutorial dvd, which I haven't actually tried). The biggest problem is that the dvd doesn't give an option to create a play order. You either play all or play one and then go all the way back to the menu. Neither of these options is all that attractive. 15 minutes isn't a long enough workout. Playing all ends up with a lot of repetition. Stopping and starting in the middle of a workout is distracting and annoying. Who puts a dvd together like that, especially an old pro like Smith?Honestly, I think Smith and co phoned this one in. Her form is inconsistent. Some of her chatter makes it seem as if she's doing the moves herself for the first time. Her rhythm is sometimes off. The bleah music was probably added after the fact (just a guess). If you have limited patience, it will grate on you. I still use it mainly because I hate for my light kettlebell to sit in the closet gathering dust, and the moves are actually pretty good, but if I find another dvd that does the same stuff, this one is heading to Goodwill in a heartbeat.

I am a huge fan of Kathy Smith and have almost all of her DVD's. I was tired of traditional weight exercises and decided to try kettlebells. They are now in my opinion the best light weight exercise routines you can do. They work your entire body in fluid motion for an all over sleeker muscle definition. Plus it just feels good to do them, that's half the battle to staying motivated.This is a 2 DVD set, one is entirely instructional, the other is the routines. The instructions on the first one are a must see before you start. There is a quick learning curve to doing this right but you must learn proper form to avoid strain and possible injury in handling the kettlebell. (She has an expert showing the proper form and she explains it.) The 2nd DVD is broken into body section routines or you can do the entire DVD at once. I caution you to start with very low weight( she uses 3 and 5lb. which is ideal) until you get the full range of motion and build strength. It is very easy to injure your muscles by building too rapidly, plus if you want to do the entire program it is long and you will tire out too soon with heavy weights. I have purchased Bob Harper's and Gillian Michaels' kettlebell DVD's and while they are okay they are certainly not anywhere close to the workout with Kathy Smith. She gives you a true total body workout and fabulous instruction. Hers is not the easier one of all of them , in fact I think she is the toughest and you try very hard to do well. Why would I not want to get the best workout for my time? I should mention that I am 55 years old with one weak knee and fairly stiff lower back but can still do this and am loving every minute of it and see muscles again.I am now using 8lb. kettlebells and sometimes 10lb, but going slowly with the increasing. Do not hesitate if you are looking for a dynamic workout that will cater to your personal level of fitness and build up your strength, at your pace. Enjoy!

This may be a good workout but Kathy Smith is very hard to follow because she doesn't work out to the music. Too bad - this ruins it for me. Why have music to work out to if you can't follow the rhythm?

I do Kettlebells on regular bases to complement my Spinning program. I use various KB weights - from 5 kg to 12 kg depending on the moves in the workout. This DVD has moves that are not possible to perform with a heavier Kettlebell but are totally OK if you were using weights. As a matter of fact it makes for decent workout with moderately heavy free weights but forget about the KB-part. Better buy Angie Miller's.

I love Kathy Smith's workout. Her DVD is very informative and easy to follow.

Good