Ilaria Forza review

[janie1234]

Hello everyone! Happy weekend! Well, I've seen a couple of posts regarding Ilaria and I can't remember who I need to send a huge kudo's to for showing me her link to Powerstrike, you know who you are, . . and thank you very much. Any hoo, . . I ordered and bought the new Forza workout with the Boken wooden sword. Did it last night. Okay, I actually liked her and this workout. I didn't own a single Ilaria DVD prior to this. I wanted her kick box but saw mixed reviews saying that it wasn't hard enough so I decided to hold off, . . since I've pre-ordered STS and just bought P90X and all. This seemed so different I just was dying to try it. I was fun. It is low intensity so we're not talking full out cardio high heart rate workout here but it was really about concentrating on form and holding in your core. I felt this in my core and my shoulders. The production I thought was really good quality but I did hate how whoever was filming would zero in on the girls abs. I mean I know they want to show that they're working their abs and that with persistance we can get there too but I felt like they did this to often during the workout, . .it is a 60 minute workout after all. Also her queing was not that great. I know I've read that some people here hate when queing is off. It wasn't off she just wouldn't tell us what was coming up from time to time. I didn't mind so much I felt it kept my mind working as well as my body. It sorta reminds me of my dance days when teachers would show you once and expect you to get it, . . . on both the right and left sides. At any rate. I've found a new instructor that I just love. Ilaria has a really great and fun personality. She's someone who you can tell has worked hard all her life. Basically she's ripped to shreds and can kick major butt, . . . at the same time she seems really "real" and nice. These workout have tremendous potential and I hope she comes out with more. I definitely plan on buying her new DVD's when they come out. Oh, . .also the reviews about how you can't really navigate though this DVD easily are true. You can't just push play and you have to fast forward to get to the work out and get past the testamonials and the instructions on form.

 

[Iris_g1]

Hi Janie,

I love Ilaria, and Forza I recently acquired Forza from a friend. Love this workout. Which bukon did you end up getting? I bought mine from Ebay, and unfortunately, it was the wrong choice. I've only done the workout twice and love how it worked my upper body. Enjoy your new workout

 

[janie1234]

Hi Iris. I got mine from Amazon. I too wish I bought mine else where. The sword did not look like it did in the ad. I also would have bought a cord wraped handle. The one I bought is not very comfortable and you need to have the good grip to have good form. Do you own any of her other newer workouts? I keep trying to find out more info about them but just can't find them anywhere. Her website said that they would be selling in August. I always get nervous when I buy a new DVD from a new instructor. Cathe has been the only one that I've never been unhappy with. I've discovered that what is good for one person is not always good for everyone else. I just bought P90X and as much as everyone loves Tony I don't care for his style of teaching or the format of the workouts.

 

[Iris_g1]

Janie,

I almost ordered mine from Amazon, and it was the one with the corded handle. Unfortunately, I thought the buy I found on Ebay with free shipping was to good to pass up. The problem is, the handle is very wide and hurts my hand after a few minutes of using it. I also developed a blister in my hand, which means the next time I do the workout, I will wear cardio gloves.

I have Powerstrike 1, 2, 3 & 4. Powerstrike 1 & 2 I bought directly from Ilaria by contacting her via email. Unfortunately, 1, 2 & 3 are only available in VHS. Collage has Powerstrike 4, so you can preview the clip. I love all of the Powerstrikes. I feel like they are workouts, that force your mind to continue working. You need to stay focused. The combos are not difficult, but do keep you on your toes. I also find they are a great full body workout. I would say you have to love your kickboxing to really enjoy these and most any kickboxing workouts. Kickboxing is my favorite type of workout, so I am always looking to add to my collection. I can't wait for her new workouts to become available

I did a P90 rotation starting in January. It was ok, but I also didn't love Tony Horton's personality, and I would say by the end of the 90 days, I was more than ready to put it to rest, I definitely found the workouts effective, just not as fun as Cathe by any means.

 

[janie1234]

Janie,

I did a P90 rotation starting in January. It was ok, but I also didn't love Tony Horton's personality, and I would say by the end of the 90 days, I was more than ready to put it to rest, I definitely found the workouts effective, just not as fun as Cathe by any means.

I am soooo happy to read that. I am extremely particular about my home DVD instructors. I know that there are MANY a persons who think Tony is just the icing on the cake. I totally don't doubt that the workouts are effective. Just watching makes my muscles twitch but I personally don't like it when the instructor does not do the workout with the rest of the workout team. It is very distracting to me. I can understand a little bit of this but when it happens throughout the entire workout it just becomes irritating. Billy Blanks does this to and it really bugs. I don't doubt that his workouts or Tony's workouts work. I've done a Billy Blanks DVD once and felt it the next day but I can't get past teaching style. Cathe just seems so personable and genuine. I found that I learned more just watching Cathe and Ilaria talk about form and by demonstrating what I shouldn't do. The Turbo Jam person freaks me out too, . . it really creeps me out when she over gyrates her hips and with the FIRM workouts do you notice how everyone talks like robots when they are cueing?
I also LOVE kickboxing. I just may pick up Ilaria's but I was hoping to get her newer stuff. Who else do you work out with?? Can you recommend any other kickboxing DVD's?

 

[Iris_g1]

I am a kickboxing junkie, lol. Anything kickboxing I can't resist. That includes Billy Blank's earlier workouts, although I can certainly understand how you and many others would not like his style. I workout to turbo jams too, but don't do those too often.

I would recommend Kimberly Spreen's kickboxing workouts. She has good form, and her workouts are very doable. You can check her out on Collagevideo. I have all of her kickboxing workouts. My favorite of hers is Absolute Kickboxing. Do you have Cathe's KPC? That's a great one. I like that one better than Kick Max. Definitely look into getting Powerstrike Mil. 4. That's a great workout. Not as intense as the Powerstrikes 1 & 2, but better than 3 in my opinion. Although I did 3 just a couple days ago with weighted gloves and it really worked me good.

I can also understand how you feel distracted when the instructor isn't working out along with you. I find myself stopping sometimes when they do, thinking it's break time, when it's not. That is very annoying

 

[**Autumn Whisper]

I've been hearing bits and pieces about this subject as well and admit I am intrigued.

I googled around a little bit and looked at the workout reviews and bokkens on amazon i think.
Some of the reviews said if memory serves correctly that there was poor production quality for the videos (i can't tell you specifically which one i read about unfortunatly but MAY have been forza) and people were'nt happy with some of the bokkens.
CollageVideo had only one Ilaria video clip to view and the reviews on it were mixed.
So I'm in wait and see mode.

Can something else be substituted for the bokken as my workout room in the basement doesn't have high ceilings. I could just see me getting out of control and the bokken damaging our suspended ceiling. Dh would have a FIT!

Anyway Ilaria looks awesome on her website.

This spring I started doing a NRol4w rotation and I just couldn't get past the 1st 3 weeks. Following the book was hard for me. the workout seemed all over the place. I need videos. So I dropped that and got p90. It's a good program I'm sure but needs more variety. I was into about the 3rd week of that and decided to move from 1-2 to 3-4 about 2 weeks ahead of schedule thinking the workout would change and add more variety only to find the 3-4 is the same thing except it just adds another round. I was board to tears with it. So I've deviated and started inserting some Cathe workouts here and there.
Tam

 

[Iris_g1]

Tam,

I have the same problem with the ceilings in my workout room being too low. My workout area is in the basement, and hubby warned me right away, that I shouldn't attempt Forza downstairs, or I could burst a pipe, lol. I did try it downstairs once, and I didn't have a bukkon then. I tried using my Amplifier bar from my Tae-bo Amped workouts, but it kept opening up on me, and I had to put it down in disgust. I then just picked up a 3 lb. dumbbell and did the rest of the workout with that. It was safe, didn't hit the ceilings, but wow, that 3 lb. dumbbell got heavy quickly, lol.

I've learned to get creative with my workouts. Just be open to explore the posibilities. You can even wear weighted gloves and still get an effective workout in my opinion. Actually, at the end of the workout, there's a portion where you put down the bukkon, and just use your hands. I'm sure weighted gloves would give you an effective workout.

I can deal with not soo good film production if it's an instructor like Ilaria. I think she's worth it, and I've learned soo much from her workouts

 

[Dela]

I'm very tempted to get Forza, after hearing this review, I'm thinking that's the next purchase.

My cardio is almost exclusively kickboxing, I really love it. I think you would really like Powerstrike 4, it's a very energizing workout, and what's great is it really improves your form for all the other kickboxing videos. I find her personality and style very appealing.

I agree with another posters recommendation of Kimberly Spreens Absolute kickboxing, I had a great time doing that one. I'm looking at another one of hers now called Kickbox Boot Camp.

I like Amy Bento's Rumble, but the third time I did it, I was feeling a little bored during the heavy bag drills, but then again I don't have a heavy bag, so I'm probably losing a lot in translation there.

I also just got Amy Bento's In the Ring, I liked this one too, and I have one more, Kickbox Extreme that I have not tried yet.

Of course I LOVE KPC, I do like Turbo Jam, but I've been favoring the more "serious" workouts over TJ lately. I can't stand Billy Blanks videos, which is a shame, because he has tons of them.

The Powerstrike people said the new Ilaria videos should be available on Amazon sometime this month and they are looking to add a shopping area on their website soon as well.

 

[Dela]

Well that didn't take long! I just ordered Forza and a Boken from Amazon. Thanks for the review!