Jillian Michaels DVD Glory

I am a Jillian Michaels fan. I feel like I know her. Week after week I’ve heard her voice bossing (and encouraging) me through intimidating weight moves, heart bursting cardio, and painful abs toning. Up to this weekend, I had 4 of her DVDs. Although I liked all of them, my favorite by far was “The 30 Day Shred.” I loved the challenge, the do-able length, 20 minutes, and the results. I had never in my life toned a muscle until I ‘met’ Jillian. Yes we are on a first name basis; she’s my trainer after all.

But after almost a year of rotating through her DVDs and running, I needed change. When I found “Ripped in 30,” her newest release, waiting for me on my local Target shelves, I was ecstatic. “Ripped in 30” is another workout that utilizes her 20 minute intense workout formula. I’ve decided to review each of the four levels as I progress, lucky you. Here’s level one in a painful nutshell.

Move Variety

A small sampling of the many level one moves.

After 4 DVDs worth of interaction I’ve come to recognize several of Jillian’s favorite moves. And that is understandable. Her workouts usually just require a workout mat (which Buster hogs nearly every time) and a set of hand weights. So, I can imagine it would be tough to constantly revamp the lunge, bicep curl and plank pose, but Jillian does in this workout. In level one she promises that no move will be repeated in any of the 3 remaining workouts, and I already endured some new moves like ‘quick feet’. That means she will be hitting my muscles and heart rate from every angle. I like the sound of that even if it also terrifies me. She also makes sure to provide an ‘easy’ and hard version of each move, meaning each move has variety built in. That’s what makes these workouts so rich and re-doable.

3 -2-1 Intervals

She structured this workout in the same “30 Day Shred” interval format. That means 3 circuits of 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs. She is a genius. Even if a certain move sucks, the longest you will have to do it at one time is 30 seconds. That knowledge gives me the willpower to stick to an icky chair pose or to continue doing pushups. Plus, according to Jillian, this is the fastest way to build muscle and eliminate fat.

Positive Message

Just after I completed level one, I still had strength to smile!

Despite her no nonsense attitude, Jillian exudes positivity. She constantly teaches that pushing yourself in a workout is a microcosm for pushing yourself in your daily life. If I can push through the sweat and pain, I can push through a stressful situation. In level one, she said that most people don’t show up in their own lives, and taking action and working out is one way to start living. Again, I love the positivity.

Soreness Report

Buster's favorite spot during my workouts.

A person is supposed to progress through the four levels of “Ripped in 30” in one month. I don’t plan on taking it at that pace. When I went through the “Shred” I did each workout for 30 days. I’m not sure if I’ll need to stretch this DVD out that long because thanks to Jillian, I’m in better shape now. But I do think I’ll spend two weeks on level one, or at least until I can do most of the moves in their unmodified form. My shoulders and legs are the sorest, but I can still walk and go down stairs without pain. So I’d say level one’s purpose is to get you conditioned for much harder moves in the future. I’ll be able to tell just how bad it is, when I repeat the workout today.

That’s my take on “Ripped in 30.” If you are looking for a new workout, try Jillian out. She’s got a lot to offer your muscles and your mind.