The Biggest Loser PowerSculpt: Level 1 & 2

So, it's been a while since I've shared my workout tales of joy with my readers. I'll be honest. It's just not funny anymore. I wake up, put on my sports bra and workout shorts (which, I will have you know, are sagging more than a bit, but I am too lazy to get new) and when Turtle goes down for his nap, I pop in my Shred and knock out my 20 some odd minutes.

I spend a lot of time on Level 2, because it hates me the most. This means that it's probably the most intense workout. I've been consistent with 5lb weights and I am planning a jump to 8lbs by summer's end. I'm all badass that way. Five days a week, Monday through Friday, pretty much without fail.

See? Wasn't that dull? It was so much more fun when I was casting death glares at Glamazon, and praying that once, just once, the dumbbell would fall on Jillian's head. So I've spared you the boring rundowns.

Until now.

I've been eyeing this Biggest Loser Power Sculpt dvd for a while. I got the Cardio Max one a while back, and I did it a few times, but really couldn't get into it. I felt it was poorly organized and totally chaotic. But I figured, for $13 at Target (it is less on Amazon, but add in shipping and waiting for that box to show up on the doorstep, and it all balances out), what the heck?

So, here it is: The Biggest Loser Power Sculpt.




According to the box, it's a 6 week program for maximum weight loss. Fair enough.

This time, Jillian does the warm-up and cool-down (5 minutes each). I got a heck of a lot more out of her exercises than I did with Bob's pseudo-yoga nonsense in the Cardio Max. Her warm up is good and strong. There are some stretches, but she blends in a nice mix of cardio to get the heart rate up, even though we were going to be focussing on toning. The cool down was also very concentrated, and she paid attention to pretty much every muscle group. Excellent.

I customized for the 20 minute Level 1 and 10 minute Level 2. Just to try them out. I figured if Level 1 was too much, I could just skip to the cool down. If not, I could go ahead. No rules, just right. Which makes me think of Aussie Cheese Fries. And ranch dressing. Mmmmmm. Ok, I'm back. Hi.

Jillian does Level 1. The DVD claims this level will "incinerate fat with Jillian's calorie-burning combo moves that strengthen several muscles at once for a total-body sculpt." Doesn't that just SOUND compelling? But it was good. Really good. I used my 5lb weights (I was going to be a pansy about and revert to the 2lbers, but figured why not go for it?),and in some cases, Jillian asked that you double up. So at some points, I was doing 10lbs at a time. Not bad for my first time out.

A lot more attention is paid to form in this DVD. Obviously, there are many more ways to get hurt, so it's good to see not everyone is just working out all willy nilly. I got through the 20 minutes and was able to do each and every move. Yes, there was some pain, but clearly, I'm in much better shape than when I started the Shred, so it's more that good pain you get when you've accomplished something. Not that awful, I'm just going to lay on the floor in fetal position for a few weeks pain.

So on to Level 2 I went. "Turn up the burn with Kim's favorite muscle-blasting routine, that sculpts the upper and lower body while targeting the core." For ten minutes, I could handle this.

It was a little harder. Kim is hyper and she moves fast. And I still get distracted by the disparity between her face and her body. There's just something not right there. She's demanding and she pushes. Which is all good. She does a few moves that are .. awkward... but aside from that, it's a good quick workout.

The results? I love it. I will be doing this on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while shredding the other three weekdays. Of course, my opinion of this may change in the morning when I can't move).

Honestly, get it. It's worth it for Level 1 alone. I'm curious to see how Level 3 is ("Experience the power of Bob's signature boot-camp moves with this dynamic strength-training workout" - 10 minutes), but I guess that can wait til Thursday.

Enjoy!