Jillian Michaels

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
I really dislike the show "Biggest Loser" so I paid no attention to Jillian Michaels, until I heard a few people say that her workouts are worth a look. What do people here think about her workouts? What about Target Trouble Zones? I hate the title, but I'm thinking maybe that's just marketing.
 
Nancy, the workout you are talking about is called "No More Trouble Zones".

I love Jillian's latest 3 workouts! I do them all the time now. I have seen a serious improvement in my core definition and core strength, as well as good shoulder definition, since using these. They are enormously effective.

The workouts I use are: 30 Day Shred, which has 3 levels of 25 minutes each. (I do 2 levels back to back). No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat Boost Metabolism.

These are fairly high impact (30DS & BFBM) circuit workouts. They are very intense. I use 5 lb dumbbells where she uses 3 lbers and this gives them an extra kick!
 
I don't watch the show, but I have her Shred workouts (previewed them first on On Demand). I like them a lot. I've seen the workouts you're talking about on OD, too, and I may just purchase them. I have no idea about her persona on TV, but I like her on her videos.
 
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I have Shred, No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and very much like them all. I've always loathed circuits until these.
 
I agree with all of the above postings! I have Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism, and No More Trouble Zones. I hadn't used her workouts in a while but recently pulled them out again. I re-discovered my love for them!!

30 Day Shred has three 20 minute workouts (three levels of intensity) that are circuit style 3 minute cardio/2 minute weights/1 minute abs and then repeat. This one moves a little too fast for me though, as I tend to get kind of dizzy from doing cardio & heart pumping weights to the floor and them jumping right back up again. It is effective though! I did it for 30 days once and got some nice definition in my arms. However, I prefer her other two workouts, No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat/Boost Metabolism.

No More Trouble Zones is my favorite by Jillian. It's a 40 minute (50 total with warm-up/cool down) circuit style weight training using compound movements. There are seven "six minute" circuits where you work upper body in combonation with legs. For example: shoulders/legs, biceps/lunges, triceps/legs, etc., and there are tons of different core movements that are very effective! My arms are always burning by the end of this one!

Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism is another circuit style workout similar to NMTZ, but for cardio. It definitely gets your heart pounding, but not all of the circuits are tough (in my opinion). There is a 5 minute warm up, seven "6 minute" cardio circuits, and a 5 minute cool down. There's nothing fancy or any choreography you need to think about. Jillian does 3-4 moves for a minute (give or take) and then repeats them within each cycle. Each cycle moves right into the next, so there's not much downtime. Overall, it's a good sweat fest!

Overall, I think they're a really nice, inexpensive investment if you're looking for a change! Hope this helps!
 
30 Day Shred

Hi -
Jillians is a pain in the ass, but here workouts are really good. I rent them on Netflix, so I can try them before I buy. I have been using 30 day shred and it's pretty kick ass.
 
I just got no More Trouble Zones. Have not done the workout, only previewed it. Does it keeps your heart rate up? and what weights do you suggest using with it? Thanks
 
Hi Magda!
I just happened to catch your post and wanted to respond. Yes, it definitely keeps my heart rate up because of the compound moves. You do get a good cardio effect with this workout! I use 3lb and 5lb weights. It moves kind of fast so I feel like I can't control anything heavier without really concentrating on my form and the muscles I'm working. I use the 3lbs for my shoulders & triceps (she really burns them out!!), and 5lbs for everything else. It may sound like light weights, but that's the point of this workout. It's endurance based and made for leaning out/toning, not building. If you can handle more or even less, go with what feels right for your body. It works!!

Good luck! :)
 
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I concur! Jillian has said that her workouts are *not* designed for size but for leaning out and getting "shredded." When I first did NMTZ my instinct was to go heavy because that is what I was used to but you don't need to at all. I use #5 (maaaaybe #8 on some) and still get a good workout. For me, the proof is in the pudding. Since using her stuff I've dropped 15 lbs and gone to 12.5 percent body fat. Of course I also eat clean (mostly) and rotate in some heavier lifting like p90x, but I've never had results like these, I must say.

One thing I really like about her workouts is how straightforward they are. The cardio is not dance move-y AT ALL - I mean NONE - and the strength moves are old-school and involve a lot of body weight exercises. Also love all the plank work.
 
Okay, I'm intrigued. How often are you supposed to use Jillian's workouts (the ones mentioned in this thread). Can you use them with Cardio Coach?
 
I have been thru STS 3 1/2. Now I am doing a second round of STS. I am advanced exereciser. Do you think these workout will still keep me from boring (too easy)? Also, like Ms. Lee, I would like to know how you use her workout. Can I use it in between STS days?

Thanks
 
Nancy,

I only have Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism which I did for the first time last week and loved it. This is my first Jillian. I got it because I read all the rave reviews (especially Jeanne Marie's) and felt I had to get it. I've watched Jillian Michaels on the Biggest Loser and am not a big fan of her or her style but she wasn't that way at all on BFBM. She was quite encouraging and actually made me work harder. BFBM was an all cardio workout clocking in at 54 minutes. Here is some of what I posted in my checkin:

It's not as tough as an IMAX but you get out of it what you put into it. There are 7 circuits where you go through each circuit twice. One of them is a core circuit which has plank work, supermans, toe touches lowering feet 3" from the ground, mountain climbers and walking pushups (spider pushups). This is totally basic choregraphy (not my usual favorite). Reminded me somewhat of P90X Plyo X and Kenpo X. Jillian was very encouraging and actually made me work a little harder. She wasn't like her usual persona in Biggest Loser. There was lots of kickboxing in it: fan kicks, crescent kicks, side kicks, back kicks, a punch combo (only bad part she did it to one side twice but I switched and did the other side), upper cuts, punches to ceiling, squat kicks. Also lots of plyo stuff: plie jacks, squat jumps, plie jumps, jump rope, 180 jumps. Then there was the cross-country, standing mountain climbers (high jog with alternating arms), butt kicks, skaters, burpees. Also lots of standing core work. There was pretty much no rest between circuits. Overall, a great workout in under an hour.

Jillian has two background exercisers. One shows the more advanced version and the other shoes easier modifications. Jillian does the workout but also walks around to instruct.

Hopefully, that will help with your decision. I also plan on getting 30 Day Shred and No More Trouble Zones.

Marcy
 
I have 30 day Shred, BFBM, and NMTZ. NMTZ is my favorite! My HR stays moderately elevated throughout the workout. I use 5s, 8s, and even 10s on the deadlift +bicep curls. I did a 3 month rotation of STS and while I did get stronger, I didn't see a significant change in my appearance so now I'm trying the opposite approach - low weight, high reps to see if my body responds better to that.

I only did BFBM once before but felt it was more cardio based but not intense enough. I probably need to give it one more try, though. I have 30day Shred also and have done it several times - although not recently. I laid off of it because of the high intensity and my shin splint issues but I do remember it being a pretty good workout.
 
magda said:
I just got no More Trouble Zones. Have not done the workout, only previewed it. Does it keeps your heart rate up? and what weights do you suggest using with it? Thanks
Click to expand...

It does keep your heart rate up, but I think BFBM keeps it higher, as does 30 Day Shred. NMTZ is the least intense of the 3 in terms of heart rate.

I use 5 lbs throughout the entire workout (NMTZ) and really feel the burn, especially in my shoulders. There are a couple of places in this one (and 30DS) where you can go heavier on the weights, but I don't much see the point in going any higher than 5's. None of these are strength workouts. They are perfect for cardio, endurance and toning. Like I said above, I have really noticed a defining of my core since doing them.

Also, I agree with whoever said that not all of the circuits in BFBM are tough, but it's the combination that makes the workout so effective. The easier circuits come right when you need them... after a pretty intense circuit. If you keep going full intensity, and really put your all into it, this is an excellent workout!
 
Jillian from biggest loser Wii Program

WE just got Wii Fit and the balance board. I noticed Jillian has a Wii Fitness Program. Has anyone tried it, and what do you think. Wii Fit has been the best thing to get my 8 year old exercising. She loves the feedback she gets from the Wii and the choices she gets to make. She is soooooo cute doing yoga! So serious!!! For me it's okay, but the aerobics section or at least what i've unlocked, haven't thrilled me. I do like the yoga since I've never done yoga. It is a great way to learn at your own pace, especially something you are totally unfamiliar with. I was hoping that Jillians program would be more engaging for adults.
 
I'm going to have to stop reading all these threads. Thanks to you enablers, I now need to try some Jillian... :p

...but hopefull, I've tried her Wii game and it's horrible. I tried it and sent it back. Check out all the negative reviews it got on Amazon.
 
Ok so I caved. Her DVD's are a great price! I ordered the No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism.

Will it be easy to incorporate them with Cathe's workouts?
 
I LOVE Jillian!

I love love love Jillian's workouts! The big surprise for me was that I didn't think they would be my "thing" at all. Was I pleasantly surprised!

I have lost about 13 lbs. using her workouts that I could not lose otherwise. I love her no nonsense approach which uses very little equipment. For 30 day shred, I do use from 3# up to 15# depending on the exercise. But the results speak for themselves! After spending years trying to lose weight with my other workouts; Jillian definitely delivers! I hope she continues to put out many more workouts!
 
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