Best Jillian Michaels Workouts: Kicking You into Extreme Shape for 2012

If you’re a fan of the Biggest Loser, you will have heard of Jillian Michaels.

Sure Jillian may be a household name now, but back in the day she was just another larger than average teenager who experienced bullying due to her weight.

Jillian’s lived your pain, she feels your pain and now she’s making it her mission to turn your pain into personal gain. And that my friends, is what sets Jillian’s workout programs apart from most of the celebrity personal trainers out there.

Today Jillian Michaels workout DVDs are sweeping the market. But with so many options available all geared to getting you fighting fit how do you know which one is going to be best suited to tackling your specific problem area(s).

In no particular order, let’s take a look at 10 popular Jillian Michaels workouts.

Based on the 3,2,1 principle (that’s three minutes of strength work, two minutes of cardio and one minute of abs work), this workout sets out to get your body physically and nutritionally fit within in a month.

Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 takes things a step further than other fitness DVDs by presenting you with a free 30 day diet plan to accompany your exercise program.

In total there are four 24 minute workouts spread over four levels which become progressively more difficult. You benefit from an excellent blend of cardio, abs work and strength training to help you achieve your weight loss and fitness goals within the 30 days.

Expect to participate lots of plyometrics (high intensity jumping around), compound exercises and yoga moves with this one. You’ll also need a set of weights and mat or towel for ground work.

If you’re serious about sorting out your diet and fitness regime quickly, then this is the workout for you.

Summary

Great for: High intensity workout program with focus on nutrition

Level: Intermediate but modifications for advanced and beginner level

Length: 135 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you’re looking for a low impact moderate workout

Once again Jillian bases this workout on 3,2,1 methodology.

The workout combines’ plyometrics with compound exercise (where you move your upper and lower body at the same time).

Expect to see a lot of jumping jacks, squat thrusts, butt kicks and simultaneous bicep curls with lunges/squats.

You'll need a mat, some dumbells and lots of water for this one.

Find that you don’t have much time in the day to cram in any exercise? Well each workout in 30 Day Shred can be completed in well under half an hour.

The DVD comprises of three 20 minute workouts which you can do on a stand alone basis, with each workout progressing you through three different levels of fitness.

30 day Shred is one of Jillian’s most popular DVDs. You only have to look at the reviews on Amazon.com to see it has received just under 2,000 five star ratings. Now that is saying something!

Summary

Great for: People who are time limited but still want to get fit

Level: Intermediate but modifications for advanced and beginner level

Length: 60 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you have weak knees, the exercises are high impact

Fresh on the scene (released 6 Dec 2011) Extreme Shed & Shred is already picking up quite a following.

It’s a crazy mix of yoga, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, calisthenics, weight training and kickboxing which is guaranteed to get your heart pounding and your muscles burning like never before.

The workout is geared towards intermediate to advanced users although it does offer adaptations for people who are new to exercise.

There are two levels which last approximately 45 minutes in length; level one consists of four circuit training sequences incorporating burpees, side plank crunches, various squats, speed bag and an assortment of punching and kicking exercises. Level two consists of five circuits and although the types of exercises are similar, this is without doubt a more difficult workout.

The ideal goal is do the two 45 minute exercises back to back to intensify your workout. In reality, it’s probably not achievable for people who are very unfit. However, there is the option to do each 45 minute set as a stand alone workout.

Summary

Great for: All over body toning and cardio workout

Level: Intermediate but modifications for advanced and beginner level

Length: 100 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you don’t like yoga

The main focus of this DVD is to get rid of those problem areas we all love to hate; namely flabby arms, muffin tops and saddlebags.

You get to work through seven grueling six minute circuits (five different exercises in each circuit) consisting of various exercises including; shoulder, chest and leg presses, squats, lunges, crunches, planks, kicks and leg raises.

The cool thing about No More Trouble Zones is that not only will you get to tone up all those impossible bits, due to the rapid pace of the workout, you will also get a good sweat on -- meaning you’ll benefit from some cardio at the same time.

The workout is predominately weight based, so you will need some light dumbbell weights approx 2 to 5lbs (Jillian uses 3lb weights in the DVD). You could of course find something around the house that is weighty enough for you to feel the benefit of the workout.

Jillian also uses a mat but you can supplement that with a towel or blanket.

Summary

Great for: Problem area toning with minimal cardio

Level: Intermediate but modifications for advanced and beginner level

Length: 58 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you have bad knees be warned as there are lots of lunges in this DVD

This 57 minute cardio workout is designed to get your metabolism burning up those calories like there is no tomorrow.

Again based on pylometric exercises, this DVD is made up of seven six minute circuits which are to be performed twice before progressing on to the next circuit.

Exercises include squats, jumps, burpees, kickboxing moves and as well as some abs work.

This is a brilliant high impact workout for anyone looking to achieve all round fitness.

Summary

Great for: Toning and cardio workout without weights

Level: Intermediate but modifications for advanced and beginner level

Length: 57 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you have problems with your knees as the exercises are very high impact

Don’t be fooled, although the aim of the DVD is to get the abs into shape, this is not your run of the mill ‘abs only’ workout. It’s a highly fulfilling fast paced mix of weight training and cardio which is certain to get you burning fat all over.

You get two vigorous workouts which last 30 minutes each, so you can either do them as stand alone exercises or do them jointly. The theory being with this workout is that in six weeks from commencement, you will have abs as hard as rock.

You start off with level one for a minimum of three weeks which is designed to define your waistline and abs, before moving onto level two.

Summary

Great for: Strengthening core muscles and toning abs with a good measure of cardio

Level: Intermediate but modifications for advanced and beginner level

Length: 71 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you’re expecting to only lie on your back the whole time

Based on the same principals as 30 day Shred, this workout uses a mixture of strength training and cardio but this time incorporating the kettlebell.

For those of you who are not familiar with kettlebells, they are basically cast iron or plastic weights which look a lot like a cannonball with a handle.

Now before you rush out to buy a kettlebell (they are GREAT if you’ve got the spare cash) you can do this workout with your regular dumbbells.

Thankfully the DVD shows you how to modify the exercises if you’re are using hand weights.

Shred It With Weights is designed to promote maximum fat burning and body sculpting. The DVD consists of two levels which each last 30 minutes.

Both levels feature three circuits of differing exercises that are repeated twice. It’s probably best to start off with light weights, say 3-5lbs but if you want a more rigorous workout increase the weight.

One criticism of this DVD is that it doesn’t show you true kettlebell techniques and some of the more advanced moves can be potentially dangerous.

Jillian does provide some instruction on how to use the kettlebell however she is no expert, so take care and do your research into how they should be used properly.

Summary

Great for: High intensity body sculpting with weights

Level: Intermediate to advanced ideally but room for the beginner

Length: 60 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you’re after a technical kettlebell workout

Do not expect to hear classic yoga chants or mantras with this one.

Yoga Meltdown is presented as a fast paced strength training DVD; a semi aerobic exercise version of yoga if you like.

Yoga Meltdown consists of two 30 minute workouts focusing on yoga type poses, balances and twists in an attempt to burn fat.

You’ll see typical yoga poses such as the plank, high crescent and warrior III although Jillian adds her own high powered style to them.

Admittedly Jillian is not a certified yoga instructor and therefore does not have the level of flexibility to perform the moves with the precision and pace demanded of yoga traditionalists; many of whom have questioned her ability to teach the exercise.

That said if you’re someone who has always found yoga too slow and boring, Jillian’s ‘pepped up’ version could be just the fresh approach you’ve been looking for. Try it for yourself.

Summary

Great for: Strengthening core muscles and toning abs with a good measure of cardio

Level: All levels should be OK with this

Length: 66 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you’re only interested in technical yoga

With Killer Buns & Thighs you get three fat busting booty toning workouts which are designed to get results and fast. Each workout lasts approximately 40 to 45 minutes including warm up and cool down with three levels providing offering varying degrees of difficulty.

As with her other DVDs, the exercises combine a good range of pylometrics, compound movements with floor work, so you will be doing lots of tough squats (with and without weights) and exhaustive jumping. Be warned!

Some people have commented that Jillian seems to be prone to incessant chatter in this DVD. But if you’re looking for a challenging workout specifically focussing on your lower body and don’t mind the banter, then this workout could be for you.

Summary

Great for: Leg and butt sculpting with cardio

Level: All levels should be OK with this

Length: 135 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you’re looking for a total body workout

This is a short high energy fat burning cardio workout based on basic kickboxing and aerobic movements. Not only do you get some pretty powerful cardio training, you also pick up nutritional tips and healthy recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In addition to that you’ll receive a six week bikini workout plan in the form of an article from FitnessRx magazine.

Jillian suggests using this DVD just once a week, mid week ideally. The rationale being it will give your muscles a much needed ‘day off’ from your regular workout schedule as well as provide an extra injection of cardio into your plan.

Whilst the majority of reviewers gave this DVD five out of five, there are many people who did not feel this workout lived up to the standards of some of Jillian’s other DVDs.

One thing I will say is that $35 for one 25 minute DVD doesn't seem to offer the best value for money, especially in comparison to Jillian's other DVD workouts. Not convinced it's worth it.

Summary

Great for: Low impact endurance training with short blasts of cardio

Level: All levels should be OK with this, although very fast paced

Length: 25 minutes (inc. warm ups & cool downs)

Steer clear: If you’re looking for a longer workout/value for money