Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones - DVD

(******Scroll down for 3-month update and... ******NEW NEW NEW 12-month update***************) Review at One-Month: Okay, so I've been waiting to write this review, hoping it would earn all five stars... and it has! So, okay... First about me: I am already a slender person within my healthy weight range. Minus the muscle and add a little soft girly flab, I am very near the size of Jillian. However, I am soft... really soft! I am the kind of girl who needs help opening jars in the kitchen, and I basically am never asked to carry anything. I am the person who holds the door as other people carry stuff in and out, right?! Well, that is me - I haven't always been enthusiastic about exercise, but in the past couple of years, I have liked it more... if only because the years are beginning to show. I realized I must relent at some point and exercise. So, I was cycling for about 9 months straight every night for about an hour each night. Before that, I was doing various repetitive exercises. I am religious about this stuff; I want to be fit. Well, when the temperatures started dipping, I decided I wanted an indoor option for exercise. Enter Julian Michael "No More Trouble Zones." So, I have exercised to this streaming video (via Amazon) every night for just over a month. At first, it killed me. Wow - Although my legs are very strong from the cycling, virtual NOTHING else was strong. Past tense being the emphasis there. The first four days or so, I was so sore that I didn't know if I could continue. However, I persevered, and the soreness subsided. The first few weeks, I started feeling stronger, but I really wasn't seeing a lot of results. I felt better, yes, but in the mirror, it looked about the same. I decided around the 1-month mark that I needed to cut more calories in a day. After all, I had been burning serious calories cycling every day, and although this video gives you a solid workout, it doesn't equal the calories I was burning cycling. So, I cut about 200 calories out of my diet daily, and lo and behold... I am seeing results. Jillian is cute as a button but tough as nails! Here are just a few observations I've noticed along the way: -- Knees: If you have bad knees, then is may not be the workout for you. There are several exercises that may compromise your situation. -- Abs: I can feel every part of my stomach by the second round of Circuit 2. Lord, that one is killer, but it's so worth it from what I can tell. -- Side lunge: To me, this one is so difficult, not because it hurts but it seems like something could go wrong easily. Jillian is barking so many orders about how to do it right, that I am always afraid I am doing it wrong. The producers may have benefited from showing the audience a profile view of one of the girls doing this lunge. I am always afraid I am not leaning back enough. Just my thoughts. -- Sumo squat: Okay this one is killer if you try your very best to keep your elbows pointed at the ceiling. That is the trick to make this one burn like holy hell. -- Plank: For someone as muscle-challenged as myself, the plank moves really are tough. Even after a month, I struggle with them. However, I feel the burn like crazy in my abs after the push ups, so I recommend suffering through them. The Plank Twist and Toe Taps are very tough if only because you have to stay in plank for so long, and the chick moves into plank so quickly. This is just my experience. -- Very quick water breaks: When her two helpers take the mat, I always grab a quick sip of water. This is just about the only allowance of time you have to stay hydrated apart from pausing the tape. Just my observation. So, okay... I recommend this one for sure if you are disciplined enough to stay at it and cut calories if you don't visibly notice results within a few weeks' time. I will definitely continue using this, and I shall try to update this again at the beginning of the year to report progress. Good luck to all - I welcome your comments or questions. ***Three-Month Update**** I have used this video everyday for three months now, missing only a few days total. I am still in love with this workout, and most importantly, it really is working. I think it's important to note that I do feel thinner, although I'm not sure if I actually am thinner. I am, however, stronger, and the shape of my body is much more toned than it ever has been before. My stomach is always flat, my arms looks kind of "muscly" even when they are not flexed (but very strong looking when flexed), my legs are firm, and my bottom is definitely super toned. In this time, I have tried other workouts, but I must say that not all workouts are created equal. Jillian's No Trouble Zones is great because even when it feels like it's getting a little old, you always feel like you're getting a workout. At about 2 months, I upgraded to 5 lb. weights, which was a real challenge; however, I adjusted and the results are showing. I would suggest building up to 5 lb weights, though. I definitely could NOT have done taken the extra weight sooner, and I think it may have been discouraging enough for me to quit. I have made a few modifications other than the incorporation of 5 lb. weights, which I'll itemize below: -- Radio - Once I became familiar with the workout, I turned the video volume down to "just audible" and listened to a streaming Internet radio. This is nice because you never know what you'll hear, and it makes the workout a little more interesting, especially when you hear an old song you love. I listened to the comedy channel once, and be sure not to do that! I was laughing and it was hard to keep my pacing or positions. -- Surrenders - I know some people really struggle with "surrender," but it was a little boring to me. I know pump my arms up and down just as I do in "sumo squat" while I execute the surrenders. I just find it to be much more difficult than holding the weights upright. That makes for one tough circuit! -- Windshield wipers - After your second set of windshield wipers, Jillian has a rather long set-up before "plank with a row." I use this time to do about six more windshield wipers. Usually by the time she pounds on her abs with her stomach (see the video), I stop and then set up for "plank with a row." I find windshield wipers to be challenging and effective... might as well sneak a few more in! I still love this workout, although I have watched and done it every day for three months. I can definitely see the results, although I do think you have to be VERY thin to see the actual six pack abs. I think I likely have six pack abs under a thin layer of girl fat. I guess if I were going to the beach, I might eat super, super lean that week and be able to see them! But, I still have definition in my abs where none was before, and that is pretty amazing. This is a great video! I'll update again soon. I check for comments, so please be sure to send them my way. ************ NEW! 12 Month Update! ************ Okay. So, here's the story. At about six months of doing this workout every day, I realized that YES I was firmer and better toned; however, I felt like I was gaining weight - as if I were thicker in places that I didn't like. Things weren't fitting quite right, and I thought it was probably best to jump on the scale. Well, sure enough, I had gained weight. The inevitable thought... I've added muscle. Yes, I do believe I did - HOWEVER - not this much muscle. So, I decided to clock how many calories I burned during a workout using a heart rate monitor. I burned around 250 calories during the 60 minute workout. I decided to get a stationary bike and see how many calories I could burn in the same amount of time, not being too crazy but definitely breaking a sweat. Well, it was more - by about 200 calories more, and at times, even more than that. So, truth be told, this workout is great for muscle and toning; however, you aren't burning a lot of calories here. Sad but true - It was sad for me, because I had to lose that weight all over again : ( But, a stationary bike and watching my calories had me back to the size I had aspired to maintain when I started the Julian Michaels workout.

The first Jillian Michaels workout I did was her 30 Day Shred. I liked it so much, I went on to purchase "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" as well as this DVD. I love all three DVDs and rotate between them each day. This is a sculpting workout as opposed to a straight cardio workout, like in Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism or the cardio circuits in 30 Day Shred. But, I wear a heart rate monitor, and I find I burn just as many calories doing this workout even though there is no cardio involved. That means I'm getting a GREAT workout. What I LOVE about this DVD: it is a whole body sculpting DVD. You're working legs and arms simultaneously (similar to 30 Day Shred, in fact, a few of the moves are the same or similar), and there are two great ab circuits. The plank moves are killer. But when I'm done, I feel I've worked every muscle in my body. I also like that the time spent doing each exercise is shorter because you do each exercise twice, so I find I can get through them more easily without wanting to stop. For example, in 30 Day Shred I will start to lose my steam and motivation because I'll feel like we've been doing squats or lunges FOREVER, and Jillian will say, "halfway there, don't quit on me now!" and I'm like, aaagh how many are left?! But with this DVD, because the circuits are set up differently, you'll do a set of four to five exercises twice. So, you'll do each exercise for a little bit of time, twice instead of doing a whole bunch at once. Make sense? This helps me psychologically because just when I'm starting to lose my steam on a certain move, Jillian switches to another move. I also like the menu option of picking one circuit. Sometimes I'll want to jog, and come in and do the ab circuit. Or the triceps circuit, etc. It's a great supplemental tool if someone doesn't want to do the entire workout, or if they want to focus on cardio and just do a little bit of sculpting. Jillian is very motivational, she's a great instructor, and shows you how to do the exercises properly. I feel confident in my form when doing each exercise (some exercise videos go too fast and I'm not sure I've got the proper form down and worry about injury). I highly recommend this DVD.

I knew Jillian would offer a great workout when I ordered this DVD since I'm a fan of hers from The Biggest Loser show and I wasn't disappointed. She is at her amazing best with a flow of modivating talk that instructs and keeps you focused on the target muscle groups. She seems to intuitively know just when you need to hear something to keep you going. The workout is 40 solid minutes (plus 5mins. each for warm up & cooldown) of high energy upper and lower body exercises alternating just when your muscles beg for it. Jillian's approach to battling the Trouble Zones is through circuit training with cardio. Each circuit lasts roughly 5 minutes and offers about 5 exercises using weights, which are repeated before moving on to the next circuit. The pace is kept up to keep your heart pounding. I liked this for two reasons: I had time to master the movement and the second time around I really feel the burn! My opinion of this workout is that it's not for a beginner. By beginner I mean someone that only gets off the couch to saunter to the fridge for another snack. She offers another DVD "30 Day Shred" that might be better for the devoted couch potatoe looking to make a change and wondering where to start. This workout is definately challenging and should be worked up to. I am in my 50's, in good shape and recently canceled my gym membership to save money. This DVD coupled with Jillian's cardio blast, "Banish Fat Boost Metabolism" is filling that daily fitness requirment for me now. I also own the before mentioned "30 Day Shred" which I use if I'm in a time crunch, that DVD offers three 20 minute workouts each one harder than the last. I've done all three and it's true but she shows you the "cheats" to make some of the more difficult moves easier until you work up to them. I think the "No More Trouble Zones" DVD is a perfect, stand alone exercise DVD if you have other sources of exercise like walking, biking, swimming or a gym. However if you want a variety of motivating, challenging, mind/body changing regimen I suggest getting all three of Jillian Michaels DVDs.

30 Day Shred is the first of about a million workout dvds I've tried to actually get visible results for me. I love it, but I had been searching for something a little bit longer. I've tried others of her videos, but I couldn't stick with them - I didn't like them as much as 30DS. I read a review that mentioned this video as a close second favorite to 30DS so I gave it a try. I've only done it twice, but so far, I really like it. I am sore in my "trouble zones" - tush, hips, saddle bags, abs, upper back. The moves are simple, if you've done her videos before, and there is only one set of alternating side lunges (which I hate) with a bicep curl- the rest (and there are several) she does one leg at a time - you're still going from standing to the lunge position, but you're doing one leg at a time instead of alternating. I'm sure alternating is much better cardio, but I feel like doing one leg at a time gives me a better opportunity to really focus on form and targeting the muscle/s. I also don't lose my balance and miss a rep or two. This video is less intense that 30DS, but because it's longer, I still feel like I'm getting a great workout. There are more exercises but fewer reps in the circuits than in 30DS and no cardio intervals so my heart rate doesn't stay as elevated, but I do feel like more of my body is getting strength training. As I said, the moves are pretty simple (if you've done other JM videos) so you're getting targeting training from multiple angles to fatigue your muscles. I especially like the targeted abs/glutes circuits. Some reviews have mentioned that there is too much emphasis on abs, but that's definitely one of my trouble zones, so I expected and appreciate that. I've also read that this video isn't challenging for some. For reference, I am a mother of two, and about 50% jiggly. ;) I'm 5'6" and 153lbs. I try to workout 5 days a week when I'm consistent (and then I go down to 40% jiggly or so), but about once or twice a year, I'll go one or two months without working out and all the jiggles come back. I consider myself to be pretty strong, in terms of lifting things, but I'm not supertoned...or toned at all really. Ha! I still have to do push-ups on my knees, for example. I can finish most of the reps on most of the circuits. I use 3lb weights, except for the bicep/glutes circuit when I use 5lbs.

Of all the workout videos I have amassed over the years, this is without a doubt the best. It is tough for the beginner yet it challenges the seasoned athlete. I have been working out probably ever since I was born, and I can tell you that this workout never really gets easier. It remains a challenge and I am usually always a bit sore the next day which is a good thing! I run, I bike, and I swim and I am in excellent physical shape yet doing this workout kicks my butt every time. That's why I always sigh a little before I pop it in -- b/c I know that it's so tough! I own the other two Jillian Michael's workouts as well and they are also equally as challenging as this one -- they never get any easier to do -- the workouts are tough each time. Another important aspect of these workouts is that I have never been injured doing one and that is a very strong testament to what a great trainer Jillian is. Believe me, I have done some pretty awful videos with so-called top trainers and got some bad injuries -- you don't want to go there. Trust Jillian; she knows her stuff and she is very motivating. She makes you want to do your best. When you are trying to get through a tough workout to get in better shape or to lose a few pounds or whatever your goals are, you need a good coach who encourages and pushes you to do more. I would also strongly suggest buying any of her fitness/diet books -- I have the Master Your Metabolism book and it is wonderful. The 2 week healthy eating plan is extremely effective (it's really hard to do though but it works!) at burning off the calories and getting your body toned. Quite simply put, Jillian rocks and these videos and her books will get you in the best shape of your life -- no joke.

I definitely like a lot of the moves and find them challenging, so I'll probably integrate them into other workouts (maybe sometimes changing out the moves in "shred" or "ripped" for variety). BUT, if you've been doing "30-day Shred" or "Ripped in 30" for a while, well, you'll barely break a sweat on this one! (I just finished, and I'm really not sweating, nor do I feel absolutely SPENT, like I do after "ripped" - in a GREAT way!) What I really missed was all of the cardio that you see in her usual 3-2-1 circuits in "shred" and "ripped", because THAT'S what KILLS you on TOP of everything else, when you feel as if you can go no further but then you HAVE TO - and then you're right back into the exercises again!! Guess I just love that whole format! So, I guess if you're new to Jillian or are just starting out exercising, this is a good place to start. Or, if you're looking to incorporate some new exercises into your routine, it's good for that, too, and has some great ones to target the areas you need! After this (or perhaps at the same time, doing the modified versions), a beginner should probably move to "30-day Shred" and then to "Ripped in 30". Overall, LOVE Jillian's stuff (with the exception of her new kickboxing one - at almost 43 with prior shoulder, hip, and knee repetitive use and heavy weightlifting injuries, it's just TOO hard on one's joints with all of the pivoting and twisting, and I just think the learning curve is way too high for me to want to invest my time in learning all of the punches and kicks, even if I WERE physically capable of doing it!) ADDENDUM: One day after doing NMTZ, I have changed my opinion slightly. While I DID miss the cardio and the lack of a 3-2-1 format, BOY DID I FEEL THE EFFECT ON MY MUSCLES THE NEXT DAY, especially lower body! I felt tighter everywhere (even to TOUCH, including my hamstrings and butt!), and when I tried to do a higher level on "ripped" (level 3), I HAD to stop, because I simply COULD NOT do it - my legs were BURNING from NMTZ! (And I NEVER quit ANYTHING!) So, definitely a good workout to incorporate in your usual routine!!

I have just about every DVD of Jillian's, approximately 10 of them, and this is my favorite! Mainly, because it works EVERY muscle in your body, all in 50 minutes. Sure, there are day's I don't have that time, so I'll instead do Ripped in 30 or Killer Abs...but when I DO have the time (and I MAKE the time because I enjoy this one), I do this workout! People before me have detailed the circuits, so I won't do that, I will say, there is a circuit that targets every part of your body: abs, legs, but, arms etc. And for abs there are 2 great circuits, one in which is very intense, and I have very strong abs, it's about the only Jillian Ab circuit of all her dvd's where I actually FEEL the burn at that time. The first circuit on the dvd I consider mainly arms and it's a KILLER...however, since doing this, I have never gotten SO many compliments on my arms!! I know over-all this one has really helped my strength and tone me. I like that my heart rate gets up, so I'm burning calories. According to my garmin, I burn between 250-275. But I also like that this isn't as intense and high intensity as The Shred or Ripped in 30. I would definitely recommend this DVD to friends. Don't be nervous because it's Jilllian and it's over a half hour, I was at first, but was happily surprised that due to how she does these circuits and the exercises in them, I had no problem keeping up for the full workout. Which reminds me, this dvd does offer you the option to choose a circuit, so you could skip one you don't like or if you are short on time only do 3 or 4.

So I'm just getting into workout tapes. I run once week (because I have to) but I mostly work with weights, the ball and kettle-bells. But I'd rather do a routine than run anywhere so I've been looking into these fitness dvd's. I settled on Jillian after getting the Biggest Loser Workout about 3 weeks ago. I did enjoy Bob (he's hilarious) but Jillian's workout did get me pretty winded...and it was only 10 minutes long! LOL. So I said, "I wonder if she has any cds of her own'. Based on the reviews and my initial impression of her I bought this workout and the (Banish Fat Boost metabolism) dvd I really do like this dvd. --Her exercises are challenging. --She utilizes circuit training. Each segment is only 6 minutes long. --She works multiple muscle-groups at once. Which I like. --I like her 'let's get down to business' attitude. Great motivator. --She has some KILLER arm/leg exercises (circuit 4, in particular). There's this one move where you hold 2 dumbbells in both hands over your head and you drop to your knees and come back to a standing position (one leg at a time, of course!). I. WAS. BURNING! I had to drop one weight to stay in the game. During the ab/leg circuit (can't remember which) my boyfriend had to come into the room because I was making so much noise. He just stood in the door and laughed at me nonstop. I was on the floor squirming around from plank position to my back...struggling, whimpering and 'panting' like a little animal! He said, "Baby...is it THAT serious?" LOL Y'know how it is--when your body is tired and you're fighting through an exercise to squeeze out one more...? I was DETERMINED to get through that circuit! LMBAO! I'm not exactly sore. But I personally don't think that this would be too challenging for a beginner. Listen to your body. Slow the pace if you must. Just keep moving if you can. Do as much of the circuit as you can until you're able to complete the tape. Also, thanks to be military, I have bad knees and stress fx's in both legs. Jillian incorporates jumping jacks/jump into her cardio exercises/warmups. It keeps your heart rate up but it can be hard on the joints (if you have problems in that area). I can't always hop on one leg. My solution? Just modify the exercise. I still perform the jumping jacks movement but my feet don't leave the ground.

Sehr anspruchsvoll aber besser für die Knien als 30 Day Shred. Man kann auch circuits auswählen und muss nicht das ganze Programm am Stuck machen.

このイタリア系のお姉ちゃんは、じつにかわいくない。なぜなら、プログラムのエクササイズがどいつもこいつもキツイ。それだけなら、こちらの責任だから、がんばってやるっぺ。けれど、納得のいかないキツサなのだ。そんなに心拍数をあげてなんなの？ ということが多い。なんのお愛想も口にしないし。軽すぎて効果の疑わしいエクササイズもタイミングの悪いところでやってしまう。心拍数が上がったら、間髪入れずにやってくれるといいと思うのだが、そんなことは頭にないって感じ。・・・それなのに、たしか彼女のDVDを3枚ほどすでに所持している。さらに、今回、当のプログラムを入手してしまったのだ。どういうことかというと、これは完全にプロデュースに乗せられた典型例というところだろう。キライなのに購入しちゃう、って、オラがいいヒトすぎるべ。しかも、悔しいことに、今回は乾杯だ、いや、完敗だ・・・いや、やっぱり乾杯だ。オラの求めていたプログラムだった、これが。しっかり腹筋の入った、全身運動。しかも中程度の強度だから、毎日でもできる。 例えば「ジリアン・マイケルズの30日間集中ダイエット」これは、レベルを初級から上級まで三段階に分けられているが、三ついっきには、とてもできるものではない。心拍数を上げることがダイエットだ、有酸素運動だと信じている風である。これは体調のすこぶるいい元気溢れるときにチャレンジすべきもので、日常堅気な仕事をやっている者には、とうていできるものではない。ただし！ その代わり、誰かが50分といっていたけど、オラのプレーヤーでは完全に60分は超過している長編大作なのだ。ラクなエクササイズで、それなりのカロリー燃焼させないといけない、ということで時間が必要になってくるというわけだ。短い代わりにキツイのをやるか、ユルイ代わりに長いのをやるか、もちろん、後者を選ぶのがお奨めなわけでして･･･。

Este DVD presenta un entrenamiento de 1 hr. Trabajas todo el cuerpo al estilo de Jillian, circuitos de fuerza mezclados con cardio. No lo considero para principiantes, sí para alguien intermedio que quiere avanzar o avanzado que se quiere mantener. Es de mis favoritos. Es región 1.

Don't think about it, if you want to increase your stamina and "get shredded" as Jillian would say, get this DVD along with Banish Fat Boost Metabolism (Full) [DVD] [2009] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC A few basics that you should be aware of: if you want to play this on your television through your DVD player, you will need a multi region player or a code to unlock your particular player(as mentioned in previous reviews). Or do what I do and just play the thing on your lap-top, much less hassle. Secondly, the seller that I bought from was very speedy in getting the DVDs to me, with no problems and great packaging (and such a good price). If you have bought and used Jillian's Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred [DVD] [2007 ]then you will know to expect a circuit format; other reviewers have explained the system, which is a set of 5 (I think!) exercises per circuit, repeated twice, for 8 circuits. The workout (excluding warm-up and cooldown) is 40 minutes as opposed to the 20 minutes of the 30 day shred. You will need handweights (3lb should do it - that's what Jillian uses for this workout) and an exercise mat. This workout (unlike 30 day shred) is solely strengthening and toning and so you will need to couple this with a cardio workout (hence Banish Fat Boost Metabolism). This workout is all about strengthening and toning, but don't for a minute think it's all deep breathing and stretching. These exercises are hard, definitely up a level from the 30 day shred and of course the workout is twice as long. The bum exercises are particularly punishing and for the first couple of days that I did this workout, I felt like my bottom might actually fall off, it felt so achey! There is a lot of emphasis on the core in this workout and your abs really feel as though they have been put through their paces. The plank twist from 30 Day Shred is in here unfortunately, there is no escape! Your arms will feel as though you have been stretched on a rack. And look forward to my favourite, the "surrender", which targets the arms and legs in a way that leaves you feeling as though you may never walk again. As other reviewers have said, it is of course possible to pick and choose between circuits rather than just do the whole workout; but what is the point? If this workout is too challenging, I would suggest you start with the 30 day shred, get through to Level 3 and then move on up to this workout along with Jillian's cardio Banish Fat Boost Metabolism for a fully rounded workout. I was desperate to try this combo of workouts when they arrived and for the first week I alternated Banish Fat with this workout, then a day in between with the Level 3 workout of the 30 Day Shred, then alternating this with Banish Fat once more. I would say that this workout combo gives even more dramatic results that the 30 Day Shred in a shorter time. After only one week, I could feel my muscles seemed tighter somehow. I feel more energised. This workout is not easy, as Jillian herself acknowledges. It's not meant to be because it does actually work if you do it properly and regularly; Jillian does show you modifications to the exercises depending upon whether you are a beginner or more advanced, which helps you feel that you can complete the whole workout rather than segments even if you are a beginner. I am a complete Jillian convert!

I would recommend this product anyone looking to build muscle and get toned. I started working towards my fitness goals with JM 30 Day Shred and it was a great intro to build muscle and get you fit to do slightly harder and longer workouts like this one NMTZ. On the last 10 days of the shred I started switching it up with NMTZ on days I wanted more of a challenge the Level 3 of the shred. This is a challenging but effective workout. It is primarily strength training. There is a 5 minute warm up and 7 circuits, which are 5 minutes long each. She offer various moves in each circuit and does 2 sets within a 5 minute circuit (2 and a half minutes doing the routine, then repeat). Each circuit focuses on different trouble zones, so its fun to pick a couple circuits that you need to work best on and do them more. Within the last couple days of the shred I did the Shred Level 3 + 2 or 3 circuits of NMTZ for a longer more effective workout, because the shred really built up my stamina to handle this. Very happy with this product and I am now addicted to JM dvds.