The Biggest Loser’s Last Chance Workout & 30-Day Jump Start
Yesterday we had the chance to talk to Tara Costa, former fierce competitor on The Biggest Loser and overall awesome chick. In that interview, we mentioned that she appears in one of BL’s workout DVDs and actually leads the workout in another recent BL release. Today we put those two BL workout DVDs to the FBG test! (And it’s a tall test because we already loved and reviewed these DVDs and this one as must-owns…) May The Biggest Loser DVD fun begin!
Last Chance Workout
If you regularly watch the show, the phrase “Last Chance Workout” is one that you know and you love (so fun to see what the trainers have them do) and you can only imagine what pain it inflicts on the BL contestants. Well with this DVD you can get a small idea of what they go through for last chance workouts. I’m sure this hour-long DVD isn’t half as tough as what they do on the show, but it ain’t easy.
The DVD is broken down into chapters so that you can easily mix and match workouts (a must-have feature these days). You get an 8-minute warm-up (the DVD says it’s 5 minutes, but they lie!), a 27-minute last chance workout that alternates cardio drills with strength moves, a 10-minute upper-body sculpt, 10-minute lower-body sculpt and a quick 5-minute cool down. If you’re a glutton for punishment, like me, you do all of those segments—back to back.
After some dynamic stretching, you get right into the last chance segment. With basic jacks, jabs and kicks plus rows, bicep curls and raises in a circuit format, it’s not easy, but it’s not terrible. Your heart rate is up but if you work out regularly, it’s doable. Then the final circuit comes with mountain climbers with mean variations. OMG, the terribleness. And that terribleness carried over into the upper-body sculpt when my arms were shaking like leaves. The lower-body section was a little easier, but still had enough versions of lunges to leave my quads tender the next day.
I should not have been surprised though. Jillian is the instructor. And it’s well known that Jillian doesn’t disappoint in the kick-your-ass department. Plus, she’s joined by past cast members Daniel, our Tara (I think we can call her “ours,” right?), Allan and others, which is super fun to watch, and you really get a feel for how much fun these guys have on the show, even though they’re literally working their tails off.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Best for: Those who love the show—and need a more accessible and doable last-chance workout to do at home.
30-Day Jump Start
Now this DVD is the one that Tara instructs. And for not being a trained fitness professional, girlfriend does a pretty good job. She gives solid modifications, is encouraging without being annoyingly perky and she really makes you want to do it! Success! Ali Vincent (our other girl) also does some instruction, along with Sione. All good. So of the four people shown on the cover, three of them are actually IN THE VIDEO. Meaning that Bob is not in the DVD. What was that noise? Oh, that was the sound of my heart breaking. Yes, Bob is in the tips, but that ish does not count. Fast tear. Slow tear.
So despite the tears, I really enjoyed this one. Having the BL threesome lead the workouts gives it a very real feeling, and it was refreshing to work out with normal folks versus fitness models. They sweat, they jiggle, they giggle and they’re out of breath. It’s pretty awesome. And with five 10-minute segments of cardio (two of those sections), upper body, lower body, ab/core, it’s easy to mix and match your workout. On this DVD though, you can’t program your workout like you could in past BL DVDs. Sad face.
This is definitely the less-hard of the two BL DVDs we’re reviewing today, but I still really liked it. It’s a solid workout with plenty of good strength and cardio moves, plus a lot of planks. Advanced exercisers will find it pretty easy, but for you beginners and intermediates, it’s juuussst right. Even without Bob.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★
Overall: ★★★1/2
Best for: Those who want a workout with normal people in it!
And overall, if you’re a fan of the BL workout DVD series, these are a good addition to your collection! —Jenn