Jillian Michaels Killer Cardio

I'll be honest, this wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. This is my 23rd DVD of Jillian's, so it's safe to say I'm familiar with her other workouts. Each of these workouts are literally only 25 minutes. Often, the times attributed to the workouts don't include the warmup or cooldown. The entire first workout was 24 minutes, and the second, 25 minutes. They're done in a HIIT format, 20 seconds of work, and 10 seconds of rest for each exercise. There are 4 circuits in each routine, and each circuit is repeated twice. None of the exercises are too hard, or drastically different from any of her other workouts.Because these workouts are so short, I'd recommend them for a day you are truly short on time or are traveling, as no equipment is needed for these! These would also be a good addition to a resistance training day, in order to squeeze in a little cardio, without it becoming a full blown cardio day. They can also be done back to back for a cardio blast without the workout being unbearable.

I'm giving this 5 stars because it's perfect for what I wanted it to be. Two workouts, each 25 minutes. Level 1 is slightly easier than Level 2 but I was "glowing" slightly by the end and a little sweatier by the end of #2. There are 4 circuits of exercises that repeat twice. Each exercise last 20 seconds with a 10 second rest. I like this because I can do anything for 20 seconds and then I have time to get a sip of water.I have many of Jillian Michaels' workouts and they all work me out pretty damn hard and deserve the "Killer" title. This one isn't so much "killer cardio" as it is "slightly challenging cardio". Tomorrow I'll move on to JM's "Killer Abs" and that is more deserving of the title as is "Killer Buns & Thighs". They are 30 minutes and the exercises are 30 seconds long with no namby pamby 10 second rest between. But now that I'm older (early 60s) I'm ready for a little more fun and a little less sweat. I hesitated to buy anymore "killer" workouts, but I'm glad I tried this one.The other thing I really liked about this video is the price. Please keep a workout DVD under $10 and I'm more likely to try it. (Are you listening Kelly Coffey-Meyer sellers?).

**Review Killer Cardio Level 1**I will review Level 2 tomorrow.Kenta, Rocky & Madeline will join us in Killer Cardio & Jillian recommends that we do these on our "off" days ie non resistance days.The workout is comprised of 3 circuits which repeat and tabata style (20 seconds on and 10 seconds off.) Now I didn't write down all the moves and they're not in order but here's the gist:Jump ropePunch comboKareokeTwisting mountain climbersCrab kicksSurfer get upsLunge skipsSide lunge chopButt kicks in plankKnee thrustsSkatersButt kicksRockstar jumpsThe workout itself is just under 20 minutes with a 3 minute Cool down. There is no warm up needed since it's cardio.The set is very minimalistic and volume very low. There's upbeat techno in the background but it's so low I didn't even notice it during my workout. It didn't seem blurry but I have an astigmatism so I may not have noticed and once I'm working out I don't look at tv too much. Of course, Jillian is coaching us through and cheering us on in only the way she can. I liked it and thought it was a little easy but following BS I didn't know what to expect so I took it fairly easy. Can't wait to do level 2 tomorrow!!😀

Is this better than most non-Jillian Michaels workouts? Sure. But it's not really a Jillian Michaels workout DVD. Rather than the standard focus on intensity and keeping us moving through moves that range in intensity and type to provide recovery time while still moving, this DVD just gives you breaks. I found myself having to keep moving and replace moves at regular intervals just to keep up the intensity. Plus, inconsistencies between reps and insufficient modifiers makes this rife with needing to do your own modifying without examples to watch—one of my pet peeves, as I've found it lowers my intensity to not watch someone doing what I'm doing well. I adore the rest of the Killer series, and I really love having Jillian Michaels cardio workouts so that I can double and triple down on workouts in a day without doing too much strength training...so, I can't really tell you just how disappointed I am.I hate to say it, but don't waste your money or your aspirations on this DVD. If you want good cardio from Jillian Michaels, here are some better options:1. Bodyshred Cardio (2 intense, advanced cardio workouts, but inside an expensive series)2. Body Revolution Cardio (3 excellent workouts for beginner to intermediate-advanced; can be purchased on their own as "Cardio Kickstart")3. Biggest Winner: Cardio Kickbox (still one of the best; don't confuse this with "Cardio Kickstart," which is a Body Revolution excerpt)4. One Week Shred (Workout 2 is cardio, intermediate-advanced)All of the above are excellent. I'd say depending on your goals, Body Revolution, Bodyshred, and Biggest Winner: Cardio Kickbox are all #1. Beginning or returning? Body Revolution. Sustaining or advancing through and past the intermediate: Body Revolution or Biggest Winner: Cardio Kickbox. Advancing: Bodyshred.Come on, Jillian. We love you. Please give us more amazing cardio options so that we can double down and shred it!