30 Minutes to Fitness: Muscle Definition

My most recent fitness effort has been to go through all of my workout DVDs to decide which ones to keep and which ones to get rid of. This is a DVD that I had, got rid of, and then reacquired. I decided that it's time for me to come to a final answer on this DVD. And, it's a keeper. I got rid of it orginally because I was turned off by the fact that the two workouts are longer than the usual 30 minutes for this series, 35 and 41 minutes respectively. I just couldn't fit them in back when I first got rid of the DVD. Now, however, I am doing longer workouts and I value this innovative heavier strength workout.It is hard to classify these workouts because it's a cross between two styles - heavy strength work and innovative moves that define your muscles. Many of the moves have a twist on the traditional version of the move. I enjoy that innovation, but some will not. Also, many of the moves are compound in nature - upper body and lower body together and/or a couple of upper-body moves strungh together. The general pattern of the workout is to do a set of moves - on both sides, if necessary - and then a lower-body move to rest those muscles, and then a repeat of that first set of moves.Kelly leads the workout with two background exercisers, including Lauren who modifies the moves. Having her modify is helpful in several spots except at the end of the workouts when they are lying on benches and she's not on screen. The music is pretty good - instrumental, but upbeat and includes some recognizable songs. I thought it fit the workouts well.You'll need two sets of dumbbells (heavy and light) and a bench. You could do some of the prone moves on the floor, but there are a couple where it's helpful to be up off the floor at least a few inches.Usually, I enjoy the premixes on a 30MTF DVD, but not in this case. The premixes include two parts premixes and two workouts that combine both workouts. I just do total body workouts and can't imagine doing a workout at this point that has a little over 76 minutes of material.

I consider myself at an intermediate level of fitness.I have tried other workouts by this instructor. She is upbeat but not over the top smiley-peppy, which works for me. I like her other weights routine and dislike her cardio workouts. To me, weights seems to be her speciality because this is another winner.Good cues, good mix of moves, music with good beat to follow, non-annoying backup people. All good. I do not have a step and was able to modify moves around it with no problem. I got in a little cardio, not a lot, but with high enough weights it was enough to make me work up a serious sweat and feel like I got a good workout, overall.I think the only con is that I do not care for the backdrop in this workout series --- it just seems so odd. I find my mind wandering sometimes wondering why there is so much glass and pottery in a workout room. The room almost looks like an oriental decor themed living room with Kelly posters hanging at odd intervals. A very minor con but sticks out enough to mention.I will also mention that my DVD seemed to be faulty because the mix section kept freezing up annoyingly and I ended up playing workout 1 and 2 separately. I do not count this toward the rating since I assume this to be a random defect.

I have quite a collection of workout DVDs that I've accumulated over the years; however, this one is the ONLY one I've ever had that had such immediate results... I read all the reviews before I bought it with high expectations, and it does not disappoint. The exercises are not "easy", but I didn't want "easy", I wanted an effective workout that would challenge me to push myself, and that would show results. Even though it's not typical cardio, I also get a cardio workout that I can feel by my increased heart rate and amount of sweating I do. I have issues with my feet, knees and back, so I have to be careful what kind of exercises I do. This workout worked me without injuring me, and in fact, my back and knee problems have noticeably improved since I started using this DVD. The muscle definition I'm getting in my arms, biceps and triceps is phenomenal and I could feel the changes after about the second workout... Overall my body feels stronger, is leaner, and my usual clothes started feeling too loose after the first week or so of working out... I can do some of the exercises with 10 lb weights, some with 7, and some with 5. Sometimes I can do one set with a heavier weight, but will have to use a lighter weight for the second set... All that matters is that I'm pushing myself, feeling good, and getting visible results. My body is stronger, my posture has improved, and I'm even feeling better mentally and psychologically. I use this DVD about 3 times a week, and may do either workout #1, #2, or a combination of the individual mixes, and do non-weight exercises on the other days. Depending on how long I workout using this DVD, I might add some sit ups and push ups using my fitness ball, and always end by riding my recumbant stationary bike so that I'm working out for about 1.5 hours, up from 30 minutes about 4 weeks ago when I first started using this. Kelly inspires me to push myself, but she doesn't "chatter" a lot like some do on my other DVDs; she doesn't irritate me like some do either. Something about the muscles I see developing in my arms, shoulders, back and chest that inspire me to keep at it.... Glad I invested in this DVD for sure!

It was a decent workout but the workouts are not 30 min If you are looking for 30 min these workouts are much longer

I have a rather extensive collection of Kelly's DVDs. They're all really great but after a while, we plateau (yes, I already have "Plateau Buster"). This DVD does exactly what it claims; it defines muscles. I noticed the difference within a couple of weeks of using it regularly. My arms, back, shoulders, abs, and thigh muscles are now nicely defined which encourages me to keep at it! What a great motivator when you see such results. The workouts don't seem as tough or demanding than some of her other videos (that may only be me), but they sure are effective!

I had suspected for sometime that I was not getting enough out of my home exercise DVDs for a while, the reason I suspected for this lack of improvement in muscle definition and form was because I simply lacked strength in my upper body and core. I was lucky enough to discover Kelly's DVD's and I am now completely hooked. The results so far after several weeks have been really amazing, my shoulders and back really look shapely and the biggest surprise has been the transformation of my core strength. I am one of those people who hates abs work, crunching it out week after week is a drag and as a result, abs are one of my problem areas. But after completing this workout over 5 weeks the results to my core have been nothing less than spectacular all due to the fact that I am using heavier weights and every exercise means I have to engage my core in order to complete the moves so I am working on my core strength without even realising it. I am now adding on the separate abdominal section after each workout (which is tough) but I can just about get through it without stopping.What I also love about this DVD is that there are a number of pre-mixed workouts included so you can work on separate body parts or longer workouts making it a great value purchase. You only need two sets of hand weights even though she uses a step for some exercises you don't need it. Kelly's instruction is motivational without being irritating and she always reminds you about positioning so that your form is correct something other instructors should pay more attention to. Kelly is also joined by a modifier so that you always have the option of doing the easier version of the exercise which is useful when you start off.I would highly recommend this workout to anyone who is seriously looking to reshape their body. As Kelly says herself don't waste your time with light weights go heavy and see the results.

I've been working really hard at incorporating weights into a fitness routines and now have 4 or 5 of Kelly's DVDs. I really like her style - she isn't chirpy, but does encourage. Some of the editing in the pre-mixes is a little choppy and be warned that the "30 minute" workout (at least, for workout 1) is actually more like 42 minutes. I'm 53 and have bad knees and often a bad back so I'm very careful to follow her instructions/form, but I've definitely have fewer bad back days since I've been working on increasing my strength. Enjoy!

Bought this DVD as I have been doing Kelly's older '30 minutes to Fitness, weights' for a long time and was on the look out for a new weights workout when I came across this, this a good step up from the older DVD, more innovative moves and more challenging. Kelly is lovely, never annoying, very encouraging and always reminds you of good form and posture just as you are letting your abs go!! there's a few combinations you could do for variation, I do one 30 min work out (it is longer than 30 mins I noticed) followed by the abs routine every other day between my cardio DVD's. A great buy as good routines for home use using weights are hard to come by.I give workout itself a 5 star rating but I dropped a star as the disc itself has been temperamental, sometimes takes a couple of trys before my player recognises it, most likely as its an 'all regions' import.

My wife says easy to follow. Good instructions. Highly recommended