The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max

I have never seen the TV show and I'm not overweight. I lift three times a week here at home and since I canceled my gym membership I haven't been doing any cardio (I used to use the elliptical machine for that). I hate cardio and since I'm pretty lean to begin with, I didn't mind dropping it from my routine. But then I noticed a teeny bit of a spare tire beginning to form which freaked me out so I figured I better buck up and find a cardio workout. I didn't want to have to get all kinds of new equipment and I didn't want an overly-perky, irritating instructor barking orders at me. I went through a couple of other DVD's (which sucked) before reading the reviews here and since they were generally all very positive reviews, I decided to give it a go.I have not been disappointed so far. The exercises are simple to learn but are also extremely challenging. Bob's warm up and level one workouts really get me sweating. Even though one of the cast members demonstrates a low-impact version of the workouts, I would definitely not recommend this for complete novices. You should already be familiar with your body and what it can take.The other two workouts might not seem that challenging by themselves, but all three are supposed to be performed in a row (eventually). You start with the warm up and level one workout, then add level two, and finally level three. There is also a cool-down workout so in the end you'll be doing five workouts in a row for a total of about 50 minutes. That's a tough workout! I'm only on level one and I can't wait to get through the whole thing.The instructors are fairly tolerable and not over-the-top Barbie dolls, but I find that the cast members make the workouts more fun. Being a pretty cynical kind of guy, I was ready to "make fun of the fatties", but they're clearly having such a good time and I can really appreciate that they've done something to get themselves into shape without slavishly trying to become "skinny". A section called "Inspirational Stories" showcases some of their success stories from the show and their journeys are quite impressive. So I liked that rather than robotic fitness clones, there were some real people with different body types and goals all there having fun and working up a sweat along with you and sometimes goofing or falling behind. It lets you know that this isn't a choreography lesson, it's a workout, and that it's more important to keep your heart rate going than worry about staying in lockstep with everyone else.The coolest thing about the DVD is that you can design your own workouts. You can select the pre-set workouts for weeks 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 that take all the guesswork out and play the workouts in the appropriate order. But you can also create your own workout kind of like a video jukebox. If you have your own warm up routine and want to skip the one on the DVD, you can, then select level one, or levels two and three together, or levels one and three, etc. This makes it very flexible and keeps you from getting too bored with the same workout. I do yoga after cardio, so I generally skip Bob's cool-down workout. At some point I might want to replace the level one workout and do level two twice, plus the warmup.You can also play the workouts with or without the instructor's voice track and have just the music, which leads me to my one quibble... the music is NOT very energetic. It's got a tempo you can use to keep time, but it's just "dramatic" instrumental reality show music, not really something to get you moving. I prefer high-energy dance music or at least something fun that I know the words to, but this is easily fixed since I just turn down the video volume and play my own cardio playlist on itunes. But still, I think a good cardio workout should have some high energy music behind it.I haven't given it five stars because of the music and because I'm too new at it to see if it really yield results, but if my first two weeks are any indication, I'm sure it will work great and I'll be back soon to change the rating.

I ordered this expecting it would kick my butt and I have not been disappointed! I have yet to make it all the way through level one and it is very hard! For those reviewers who say it's not for beginners, I would say "You're right, if you're a beginner who has never seen the show and have no idea what to expect!". This video is cake compared to what those folks on the show go through. You will hurt, you will sweat, you might even swear, but you will see results if you keep with it! I am not discouraged that I can't make it through Bob's level one because he is constantly reminding me that I am doing my best. I appreciate that I am not the only one struggling as I watch the real people in the background sweating and huffing and puffing. While it can be a tad distracting that they have problems with timing, I find it a comforting reminder that they are not toothpick skinny Barbies and have really struggled to get where they are. They are giving 110%. I can't say this is a FUN workout, but is effective and I am proud of myself when I collapse on the floor in a puddle of sweat because I have gotten just a little farther than I did last time and blasted some nasty fat!I really like that you can customize your workout, though Kim's 10 minute cardio left me cold when I previewed this. I don't care for her personality, but that's just me. I like that you can add levels as you work up to them and don't have to try for it all at once. There is even a maximum results feature that tells you about how many weeks into the program to add the next level. I am one of those who can do the same thing forever, even if I am no longer getting any benefit, just because I'm finally comfortable with the moves, so this is great for me! A reminder that it may be time to move on.Bob does level one and he is great, very motivating and always free with encouragement.Jill is your level two instructor and she's a bit rougher on you. She is encouraging, but also quick to tell you to get your rear in gear. If you've ever seen the show, she is much nicer here!Kim is level three and, as I've stated above, she leaves me a bit cold. Her workout flies by, and may be the most fun of the three, but she's a bit perky and artificial for me. Sorry Kim! Again, that's just me.Bob's yoga cool down is wonderful, though I would love more there. You work yourself silly no matter how much you do, then the cool down doesn't quite stretch and relax enough.All in all, a great DVD for the price, I highly reccomend this if you have any clue about the show and know what to expect!

Let me preface this by saying I have lost and maintained a nearly 40lb weight loss through eating and working out. I've completed a half marathon, run 20 miles weekly and have done numerous workout DVD's...including the original Biggest Loser DVD and even Jillian's separate workout DVD's. I don't say this to toot my own horn, but to give you a gauge as to how someone who's in good shape views this DVD.At least I thought I was in good shape until I popped this DVD in. This is a crazy hard workout that will workout every fiber in your body.Bob starts with Level 1 and gives you 20 minutes of heart pounding, lunge screaming and weight lifting cardio...at Level 1??Jillian is next and she doesn't fail at delivering a 10 minute, high intensity level 2 cardio workout. Like I stated earlier, I've got her whole collection of workout DVD's and this 10 minutes with her, is just as bad (good) as a few of the 20 minute DVD's I've got with her.Bringing up the rear is Kim...and this one is a let down. For a level 3 cardio workout, she barely breaks even with Bob's Level 1. Now, if you do all 3 in a row like I do, then it does get a little tiring at the end with her, but if you just pop in her section for 10 minutes, I don't think you'd be pushing yourself very hard. In my own opinion, the workout difficulty would have gone Kim, Jillian and then Bob...do those jumping lunges and tell me that's not Level 3 cardio!All in all, this is a great workout DVD to add to your collection. The ability to customize your workouts is great and the some of the moves are new and I've never done them before.Start 2008 off right and lay down the cash for this. You won't be disappointed in the workout it gives you.

I usually like all the Jillian Michaels DVDs and some of the BL DVDs too; but this one does not do what it says on the tin. Level one is very basic exercise with only minor variations on the moves an dhardly any movement from the one spot. Good if you are a complete beginner and seriously unfit.Level two: This is the only good level as demonstrated by JM. She even gets out of breath! This one certainly gets you sweating with moslty jumping-based exercises. Definitely a Cardio Max!Level Three: This is no way a level 3 workout. It is almost on par with level one. It is extremely boring and repetitive with mostly punches and some side kicks for variety; and then persistent speed ball. Very little elevation in heart rate.Overall disappointed with this DVD. If you are looking for a good DVD from the BL franchise; I would recommend Last chance Workout. Good for everything except abs.

Great workout and fun to do. Brilliant motivation and showing you how to do the exercises. Can recommend.

I like this workout quite a bit - a nice break from sometimes monotonous treadmill, elliptical, weight, etc. workouts. I thought the "buy this with PowerSculpt" was a gimmick at first, but actually they do complement each other nicely. CardioMax is a leg-intensive cardio workout (that sneaks in strength training) and PowerSculpt is a whole-body strength workout (that sneaks in cardio training).You won't develop big muscles or a ripped body just from doing the workout, but six weeks will make you a lot firmer.A few quibbles:- even the first level can be quite challenging if you are new to working out - start slowly!- the 'warmup' is inadequate in my opinion. I suggest you hop on a stationary bike for 10 minutes before you start, you'll feel better and the workout will probably be more effective too.

good use to reach your goal

excellent