Disapointed in AOS Providence

fitnessluvr

fitnessluvr

Cathlete
So I got a kettlebell for Christmas and Providence - at first I previewed the DVD and was a little disapointed in the quality. This morning I did the workout and I have to say I really didn't think it was all that hard. There were a couple of rounds where I was breathing pretty heavy, but I wasn't overwhelmed.

Are the other AOS better than this one? I spent 39.99 on this DVD and not sure if it was worth the money......

Any suggestions??
 
What size kettlebell are you using? I use a 20 lb for most of Providence, and I'm dripping sweat. Maybe kettlebells are just not your thing.
 
Actually AOS workouts are the better made Kettlebell productions unless there are lots of improvement in the newer ones. I have not seen any of the Iron Core workouts to compare those. Providence is Anthony Dilugio's easiest workout I use a 26.4 lb kb for most exercises and I get an excellent workout. I have also jump roped through the rest periods but if you don't like it you won't do it, I would see if they would accept a return or you could sell it on the Yaya Swap. IMO he is the best teacher of kettlebell training and the vids on his site are invaluable when you want form pointers which is where I first learned to put a kettlebell workout together.
 
Seriously??? Seriously??? No, really...seriously??? :D I had been having a very bad few weeks. Felt very down and needed something. Providence arrived and I was in love - I do need to use heavier though - I am going to get at least a 35lb. Maybe even the 44lb, I think it is. Watch some clips of Anthony explaining form. You have to go heavy to get correct form, and to get the most out of it. I burned between 550 and 600 calories (can't remember the exact number) and I would consider myself to be rather fit. Then again, as the OP suggested, maybe KBs just aren't your thing - but try it again with heavier if that is the case, and really, really watch your form. That said, Providence is supposed to be the "easiest" of the AOS DVDs.
 
That's what I thought. About 2-1/2 days later the soreness started. By day 3 I could barely get out of bed and was beyond sore (from the waist, down) for five more days. Yea, I did the workout and kept thinking 'This is a piece of cake.' I was sure I'd never do it again and had wasted my money. Oh man.

One thing: I agree about the production values. It's not the most impressive looking work out and I have to make a real effort to tune out the annoying music, which would drive me up the wall if I let it. Every time I do Providence the recovery period gets shorter by one day - but it still kills. And I'm only using 10lbs!

Seriously, come back and tell us what you think in a day or two. I'm so impressed now I went ahead and got Newport during the 12 Days of Xmas sale.
 
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SirenSongWoman said:
That's what I thought. About 2-1/2 days later the soreness started. By day 3 I could barely get out of bed and was beyond sore (from the waist, down) for five more days. Yea, I did the workout and kept thinking 'This is a piece of cake.' I was sure I'd never do it again and had wasted my money. Oh man.

One thing: I agree about the production values. It's not the most impressive looking work out and I have to make a real effort to tune out the annoying music, which would drive me up the wall if I let it. Every time I do Providence the recovery period gets shorter by one day - but it still kills. And I'm only using 10lbs!

Seriously, come back and tell us what you think in a day or two. I'm so impressed now I went ahead and got Newport during the 12 Days of Xmas sale.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah -- my experience resembled this comment -- BWA HA!!! :eek:
 
Miss Lee said:
Oh yeah -- my experience resembled this comment -- BWA HA!!! :eek:
Click to expand...

And I totally agree. I completely enjoyed the workout and felt like my HR got up really good, but felt like I would not be sore...all the while keeping SSW's comments in mind;)...sure enough, yowza!! The soreness hit me and I walked funny for a few days. The next time, I did not have that same feeling - just felt really good.
 
Fitnessluvr,

Sorry you weren't thrilled with Providence. Perhaps, as the previous posters suggested, a heavier kettlebell would have made a difference for you. Can you exchange it?

All in all, I would say the equipment and DVDs are too pricey to continue with kettlebells if you don't absolutely love it.


meowracer said:
Providence arrived and I was in love - I do need to use heavier though - I am going to get at least a 35lb. Maybe even the 44lb, I think it is.
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Wow, Shana!!! That is an incredible weight you're swingin'...hat's off to ya!

SirenSongWoman said:
One thing: I agree about the production values. It's not the most impressive looking work out and I have to make a real effort to tune out the annoying music, which would drive me up the wall if I let it.
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True, I see the AoS workouts as "no frills"...BUT...Anthony isn't too bad to look at. :D
 
To the OP, I agree with the others to go heavier. Also add some cardio during the rest period. Maybe go through the whole workout, twice?? :eek:
I don't find it as hard as Newport or Firepower but I still enjoy the workout

meowracer said:
Seriously??? Seriously??? No, really...seriously??? :D I had been having a very bad few weeks. Felt very down and needed something. Providence arrived and I was in love - I do need to use heavier though - I am going to get at least a 35lb. Maybe even the 44lb, I think it is. Watch some clips of Anthony explaining form. You have to go heavy to get correct form, and to get the most out of it. I burned between 550 and 600 calories (can't remember the exact number) and I would consider myself to be rather fit. Then again, as the OP suggested, maybe KBs just aren't your thing - but try it again with heavier if that is the case, and really, really watch your form. That said, Providence is supposed to be the "easiest" of the AOS DVDs.
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Shana,

I have 35lb and 44lb kettlebells but I usually don't use them for dvd workouts. I use them when I'm in my backyard with my "made up" workouts. I can do most exercises with the 35lb but the 44lb is HEAVY!! I've only managed a couple of swings so far with it and I do upright rows but that's all right now.

Have fun!
 
I agree with some PP about upping the weight. I've done some of my KB workouts with 18 and started thinking it was too easy then upped to 25 and it was all the sudden hard. Also when I thought it was easy I also had that delayed reaction with soreness. I felt great at first then I was beat for like 3 days lol. I love KBs. I have a 35 but I've not tried using one that heavy yet. Right now I'm almost 6 mo preggo and scared to pick up my KBs but I want to. I'm definetly going to after baby cause they do alot in such a short time.
 
I am amazed you think Providence is too easy ( in a good way!)

Before I started kettlebells, I deadlifted and rowed 90# and can bench press 85#, I also use 20 or 25# dumbells for bicep curls. The first time I did Providence, I did it with my 20# kettlebell and was able to get thru it, but it in no way was easy. I was totally humbled....So now I use my 25# and it is CHALLENGING! Is your form correct? Are you using a heavy enough kettlebell? Even if you don't like kettlebells, they may not be your "thing";) I still think its a challenging workout.
 
I agree with others that...

1) if you thought it was easy, you need to increase your KB weight (even seasoned weight trainers find KB workouts challenging the first time they do them especially). I'm interested in finding out what weight you did use for it.

2) you may not have felt it was tough while doing it, but it may catch up to you later. The way KB training spreads the work through pretty much the entire body makes the exercises feel less challenging than they are at times.


3) maybe KB's aren't for you. Not all modalites of exercise suit everyone, and there's nothing wrong with that. "Different strokes" and all that.

I personally don't have an issue with the film quality, as what I'm looking for is a good workout, not necessarily the 'prettiest' workout (though I do wish Anthony would get some different music! He uses the same stuff on all his workouts. Though IIRC, there is a choice of two music tracks in Providence---if not Providence, then it's another workout--and he sometimes offers a 'no-music' option).
 
I would try it again with heavier kb's. And jump rope, do burpees, mountain climbers, etc. during the rest periods. Providence can really be as easy or as hard as you make it. Please give it another shot and use a heavier bell - I think you will change your mind.

Also, try Steve Kotter's Extreme Kettlebell Workout dvd series. It comes with 4 different dvd's - upper body, lower body, core, and kb circuits. They are all butt kickers, and he give great form pointers, etc.
 
Cathy and Jane - I am pretty sure I could not use the 44 yet!- not for the entire set of swings definitely - but want to have it here to build up to. I tried a 35 in the store and it felt great. I think I am going to order from Perform Better. I still use my 10lb for parts of the w/o so my form won't suffer...my shoulders and elbows give me too many issues sometimes. Now that I am learning the moves, I want to start doing my own things too, like you mention, Jane. Just wanted make it clear that I have no crazy thoughts of my ability to swing 44lbs properly for 2 minutes :eek:
 
I haven't done Providence for a while because I've been concentrating on strength gains with FF rotation. Anyway, I pulled Providence out today and my 18 lb bell was way too easy, so I used the 26 lb bell for most of the rounds. Whoa! :eek: That upped the intensity!

I think some have recommended to use a heavier bell, if so, I concur!
 
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