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Ultimate Bootcamp vs. Ultimate Body Blitz

October 15, 2010 by  

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Both of these workout DVDs call themselves “ultimate.” But which workout DVD really deserves the title? We decide in this head-to-head review!

bootcamp DVD10 Minute Solution: Ultimate Bootcamp

Historically, we’ve liked the 10 Minute Solution workout DVDs, and this Ultimate Bootcamp DVD had just as much good stuff as the others have had. With five 10-minute workouts on the DVD, you get a nice selection of short cardio and strength workouts that you can mix and match for your perfect sweat session. From a full-body, upper-body, lower-body, cardio and ab workout, each section includes a short warm-up and cool down (like 30 seconds short). The instruction by Jessica Smith is solid, and she manages to be encouraging without being overly perky most of the time. My only complaint is that, over time, the cutesy bootcamp phrases could get very, very old. Sure, the first few times she calls you “soldier” is fun, but after doing a few of the 10-minute sessions, it started to annoy me. Or maybe that had more to do with the hard walking-plank sequence in the ab workout…

The best part of this DVD though is the moves (even if they made me curse Jessica). They were much harder than I expected, and I wouldn’t recommend beginners try this DVD without getting at least a few months of working out under their belts. Jessica does a lot of explosive exercises and combo moves that work your lower- and upper-body at the same time, so you really are making the most of your time. From jumping through imaginary tires to simulated crawling through the mud (that was those walking planks I cursed at), it’s different, challenging and kinda fun.

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

Overall: ★★★★

Best for: Intermediate exercisers who want a quick, challenging workout. Also good for those who need an excuse to wear camo more often.

fit in 5Fit in 5: Ultimate Body Blitz

This workout DVD is truly a smorgasbord of exercise. From strength to yoga to Pilates to dance to cardio, you get a little bit of everything. (I guess “Ultimate Smorgasbord” wasn’t as catchy of a title as Ultimate Body Blitz?) Which is good and bad. The idea of the DVD is that you get five workouts, which are a “full-solution training system for your week.” Sure it sounds good, but ideally, you’d get at least two strength workouts a week and in this DVD, you’re only getting one. So, yeah, that made my fit bottomed butt twitch some. However, it is a fun mix of workouts and each workout is about 30 minutes long, so you get a lot on one DVD. Just don’t expect it to be your full fitness package.

One of the pros of the DVD is that each section is taught by a different instructor. You get to spend time with Violet Zaki (whose accent is totally endearing, especially when she says “abs” and it sounds like “ass”), Hemalayaa (we love her!), Kristin McGee, Desi Bartlett and Petra Kolber—all fitness rock stars in their own right. So you never get sick of just one person. The con? None of the content on this DVD is original. It’s all pulled from other Acacia workout DVDs. Which is fine if you don’t have a big workout DVD collection, but if you already own Weight Loss Cardio Sculpt, Yoga for Everyone, Weight Loss Pilates, Latin Groove or Cardio for Beginners, you’ll probably want to pass on Fit in 5: Ultimate Body Blitz.

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

Overall: ★★★

Best for: Intermediate exercisers looking for a good mix of 30-minute workouts without any Acacia DVDs in her collection.

FIT BOTTOMED LINE: THIS IS A CLOSE ONE AS BOTH DVDS HAVE SOLID INSTRUCTION AND EXERCISES. HOWEVER, I’M GIVING THE SLIGHT EDGE TO 10 MINUTE SOLUTION ULTIMATE BOOT CAMP AS ITS UNIQUE AND NEW MOVES (NO REPACKAGING OF CONTENT) WERE CHALLENGING YET FUN!

—Jenn

Want to try 10 Minute Solution: Ultimate Bootcamp or Fit in 5: Ultimate Body Blitz yourself? Leave a comment, and we’ll randomly select two U.S. readers to win! Winners will be notified via email.

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