Jillian Michaels - Extreme Shed & Shred - PAL, UK Region 2

I had really high hopes for this one - I've pretty much already got the full JM collection and thought this would be another high octane addition to it - it only half delivered for me.The format is as it says on the box - two workouts (claimed to be 45 mins each but without the warmup/cooldown they're only just over 30 min) level one and level two with the option to do them both back to back.I'm going to start by saying that I'm looking at this from a fitter persons point of view (if you're an exercise newbie then consider this a 5 star DVD and get cracking!!!!) and having both 30 Day shred and ripped in 30 and having reached the stage where I link levels 1,2 and 3 of 30 DS and tend to do 3 levels of ripped in 30 together - this was the standard I was looking for here - more of a BFBM or No more Trouble zones longer but intense workout.The format is ccts around 6 minutes long, (30 secs each of 5 different exercises then repeated to make up a cct)and for most of the ccts they consist of a couple of cardio intervals (whether they be kickboxing style kicks, punch combos, plyometrics (jumps) or calisthenics (jacks,butt kicks etc)) and a couple of toning exercises (mostly without weights - but adding weight to make them harder) and a core/yoga/pilates style of movement.Level 1 has me a little confused, it doesn't quite hit the mark with the cardio as 30 seconds just isn't long enough to get you gasping however hard you work, then there's a much slower move following the cardio that isn't quite hard enough (no matter how much you push it with the weights) to be strength work. As ever with Jillian there are some great original takes on some old classics as well as some combat moves thrown in for variety so level one is a fun workout and the time flies - my gripe - I come out of it having barely broken sweat (and I never thought I'd say that about a JM workout!!!!)Level 2 is a whole different ball game - there are some tough (and a couple of whacky contortionistic moves to get your body round - a rolling plank pressup as an example that had me in a complete tangle!!!) The cardio isn't much more intense than level 1 but there is a lot of quite tricky core work in here that will get you breathing harder and sweating freely. Again it is fun and the time vanishes.When you link the two workouts, it takes around an hour and 15 min with the WU and CD, the time goes quick and you will work up a sweat, but for me you just don't quite end up with that traditional wiped out, OMG that was a great work out feeling you usually get from Jillian. (Or maybe I'm just a lot fitter now?????)Think that level one is perfect for a beginner who can work up to level two (quite a big gap between them) but for fitsters who want a hard cardio blast or a big strength workout it just doesn't quite hit the mark, its toning with a bit of core and cardio thrown in!

If you are already a fan of Jillian Michaels then you will love love love this DVD. I think the title "Extreme" might be slightly misleading as anyoone who is at the tope of their fitness and can do a couple of Jillian's workouts back to back then areobically you will not find this more challenging than any other of her DVD's BUT saying that I just loved this DVD, and I had the most fun I have ever had during a Jillian workout, usually you dont have the time to breathe or think about whether its fun or not, its just GO GO GO !! The description of 2 x 45 minute workouts is rubbish, it's 2 x 1/2 hour workouts but they are meant to be done together for a longer workout but if you are beginner I would only start with level 1 !! You need to work up to Jillian's workouts ! So aerobically this might not appear more challenging than her other workouts but strength wise, this is awesome and after doing this workout both levels back to back for the first time the next day my butt and core hurt, so I know it works, and thats after spending a year doing Jillian's other workouts including six week six pack (ignore that title too :-) for over a year now !!I couldnt recommend this highly enough for those days when you dont want to go so insane with your workout but you want a longer and more FUN workout.I love this DVD and I adore Jillian Michael's, she has transformed my body and my mind :-)

Like almost everyone else reviewing her DVDs, I am a die hard Jillian fan and await each new release from her with excitement and anticipation of getting me butt kicked in new and wonderful ways! The title of this new release offers a lot and the cover states "2 insanely effective 45 minute workouts" which you find out in Jillian's introduction is a bit of a fib- the workouts are 30 mins each. This was a bit disappointing because I was looking forward to two long, hardcore workouts in the vein of No More Trouble Zones/Banish Fat Boost Metabolism, as opposed to the short, intense workouts of Ripped in 30. She does however, recommend doing both levels consecutively, and i would have to agree because Level 1 never really takes off. It was only towards the middle of Level 2 that I found myself cursing Jillian, and for me that was a little disappointing.In saying this, I must point out that I am pretty fit and enjoy regular exercise, I am also familiar with Jillian's style. Those new to circuit training should find this enjoyable and challenging enough. I would also stress that I have previous yoga experience, which Jillian kind of takes for granted in this particular workout. There are sun salutations, Warrior poses and even full wheel, and not much guidance as to proper form and alignment that only those with some yoga training would be familiar with.For the most part this is a fun and varied workout but it just didn't live up to my expectations and there just wasn't enough sweat involved! I would love to see Jillian do another No More Trouble Zones style DVD in the future.