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Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training

The last time we reviewed one of Jackie Warner’s DVDs, we gave it four stars. Four stars! We rarely give anything four stars. (To see our fave DVDs, click here.) So we had high hopes for Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training, especially after yesterday’s behind-the-scenes interview. And after doing the DVD a few times, I’m gonna call it love. L-O-V-E. This DVD rocks. Jackie really outdid herself.

In the DVD, you get five workout options: 15-Minute Total Body Circuit, 40-Minute Total-Body Circuit, 15-Minute Abs-Only Circuit, 15-Minute Upper-Body Circuit and 15-Minute Lower-Body Circuit. I love having options, as it you to fully customize your workout to your life no matter how much or little time you have. In each option you also get a quick warm-up and always end with a quick stretch.

Although you get your heart rate up with the DVD’s quick pace, it’s definitely a strength-based workout—and an effective one at that. There are a total of nine circuits on the DVD that are featured in the five different workout options: quads, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, bicep/triceps/shoulders, upper abs, lower abs and obliques. Each circuit is about four minutes long and includes three moves to work the muscle group. You do each move for about a minute, and then, at the end of the circuit, Jackie combines the three moves for a final one-minute “Power Burn.” And, dear Lord, does the Power Burn burn.

There are two fantastic things about the circuits. Number one: They all feature moves that you rarely see in DVDs. It was so refreshing to do a workout DVD that wasn’t the same old crunches and lunges you’ve seen over and over again. From Sissy Squats (squats with your heels up on your weights) to UFCs (drop down to one knee, then the other knee, then up on one knee, up on the other knee—killer!) to Single Leg Jack Knife (opposite hand touches opposite toe while laying on the floor), you’re challenged in new, innovative ways. Number two: Because you never do an exercise for more than one minute, you never get sick of any exercise or feel like it’s too impossible to complete. Don’t get me wrong; the moves are challenging, but you can do anything for a minute, even if you have to modify it.

Which brings me to my next point: instruction. While Jackie’s first DVD was strong, you can tell that she’s much more confident and comfortable in this second DVD. Her instructions are clear, and she’s hella motivating. She’s not perky, but she is encouraging, and she really does make it fun. In the lower-body portions she shows a lot of modifications for beginners. I wish she did this more in the upper-body section, but that’s about my only complaint. (An easy upper-body modification is to do each exercise just one arm at a time or grab lighter weights.) I could have also used a slightly longer warm-up and cool down, but when you’re short on time, I get it. The music in the DVD isn’t fantastic, but it’s pretty good, and it doesn’t really matter because you’re focused on the instruction anywho. Jackie is joined by a two gals and a guy for most of the sections, one of which I recognized from a previous review.

All in all, workout DVDs are a dime a dozen, but this one is definitely a must-have for your collection!

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Music: ★★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★

Fit bottom line: We gave it 5 stars! Need I say more?! BUY IT NOW!Jenn

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!