We Love Bob Harper’s New Workout DVDs
We love Bob Harper. And after somewhat objectively reviewing his DVDs (we tried to remove our googly eyes, but it’s hard!), we’ve decided we love his workouts, too. He’s just so darn cute. And sweet. And holy crap he works you out in new ways!
Pure Burn Super Strength
When Bob says “Pure Burn” he means it. This strength DVD has two workouts: one hour-long full-body workout that works every body part and will make you cry uncle and an easier 25- minutestrength workout for beginners. Both workouts use weights, and both will most likely leave you sore the next day, although they aren’t impossible.
You need dumbbells for both workouts. I used 5-pound weights and was challenged, as was my hubs, who used 10 pounders. Bob runs you through a gamut of moves including killer combos like weighted plank rows, matrix lunges (forward, side and back lunges) and bicep curls to shoulder presses. Ouchie ouch ouch! If you thought Jillian’s strength moves were tough, it’s time to take on Bob, too.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Best for: Those who wantsolid long and short strength workouts that will challenge ya!
Cardio Conditioning
Now I have a slight qualm with this “cardio” DVD—it has A LOT of strength in it! And if you’re someone like me who lifts regularly and never works the same muscle group two days in a row, working this DVD in as your cardio is a bit misleading. Sure, you get your heart rate up (oh, do you), but you use dumbbells and do enough push-ups and deadlifts to consider it a strength workout.
With that said, I still love the DVD. Both of the DVD’s workouts are EXTREMELY challenging. The first, an intense hour of crazy-arse moves, left me dripping and the second, well, it was 25 minutes of lower-body and standing core work that had my muscles talking (read: screaming). From mountain climbers to squat jumps to scorpion push-ups (from a push-up position, you lift one leg up high, shift it toward the opposite side and then do a push-up—yeowsers!), Bob takes you to a new level of crazy.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Best for: Those wanting a seriously challenging workout that gets you both your cardio and your strength in one session.
Bob’s Workout
I know it’s ridiculous how I keep saying these workouts are hard, but this Bob DVD takes the cake in the insanely difficult department. In fact, this one is so hard that the fitness models in the DVDs even struggle doing it. And by “struggle” I don’t just mean they sweat or take a short break—they darn near can’t finish it! Which, believe me, makes you feel so much better about almost dying during it.
There are, again, two workouts on this DVD. Each are 30 minutes of circuit training: one more upper-body focused and one more lower-body focused. Both are killer, but the upper-body one is slightly more intense in my mind (mainly because the fitness model doesn’t take as many breaks and keeps you moving NONSTOP—told you it was hard!). From explosive plyometric moves like jumping lunges and burpees to push-ups done every way imaginable, you NEVER rest. I guarantee it’ll be the hardest 30-minute workout you’ve ever done.
Oh, and if you do both workouts back to back, that’s actually the workout that Bob regularly does. Boy works hard for his body. Impossibly—and awesomely—hard.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★1/2
Best for: The fitness insane.
Yoga for the Warrior
Okay, I’m not saying the two workouts on this yoga DVD are easy, but compared to the others, it’s by far the most friendly and least intense. It’s also the one that leaves you feeling totally rejuvenated (the others make you feel more proud of surviving the workout, which is also a good feeling, just a different one).
The full hour yoga session with Bob is seriously heaven. You’re challenged, but nothing is impossible for intermediate exercisers, and since the pace is slower, you have more time to appreciate the finer things in life. Like Bob.
Then there’s the 15-minute workout that focuses solely on the abs. Again, it’s not easy, but with a few times practice you can do most of it without cussing up a storm. I like it so much, I actually do it two to three times a week after my runs. It’s not really yoga, but it sure does work every single part of your abs. Plus you don’t wear shoes during it. Yay for going barefoot!
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
Best for: Anyone who likes to do yoga, wishes they liked to do yoga or wantsto do yoga. Or those wanting the perfect quick ab workout. Five stars, baby!
Have you tried these DVDs? If not, go get them! They’re definitely in heavy rotation at FBG headquarters! —Jenn