DVD Review: Jillian Michaels "Shred-It With Weights"

Posted on Sep 13th 2010 2:00PM by Kristen Seymour

Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews & Products

Jillian Michaels' newest fitness DVD, "Shred-It With Weights" was released this week. This video features the use of a kettlebell, although hand weights can be used instead if you don't own or care to purchase a kettlebell (they're not cheap!).

The DVD features a tutorial and two approximately 30-minute workouts that can be played in either English or Spanish. Now, I've mentioned before that I don't fawn all over Michaels just because of who she is -- if anything, I tend to hold her workouts to a higher standard to make sure she's living up to the hype. So did the newest DVD in her collection meet my expectations?

Level of Difficulty
Intermediate to advanced, but beginners can find a place in this workout and move up.

Post-Workout Soreness
Moderate, but I only finished the workout a couple of hours ago. I won't be surprised if I'm hobbling tomorrow morning.

Who's It For?
If you've enjoyed (and possibly mastered) some of Michaels' other DVDs (like the "30 Day Shred"), this is a great addition. As usual, she incorporates strength training with enough cardio to keep your heart rate up, only this time, she uses a kettlebell to do it.

Likes
I liked the format of the workouts -- a quick, dynamic warm-up, followed by three circuits consisting of several exercises done twice, then a short cool down and stretch. In addition to the Level 1 and Level 2 workouts, Michaels offers a kettlebell tutorial that, as a relative newbie when it comes to using a kettlebell, I found extremely helpful. Plus, she had one girl showing the advanced moves with a kettlebell, and another girl showing modifications using a regular hand weight, which is awesome since not everyone has a kettlebell lying around.

Both levels have challenging moves, and I like the fact that you can always go back through the levels with a heavier weight to increase the challenge. There were moves that, if I'm being honest, I'm going to have to work up to in order to do them properly, and at the risk of sounding cocky, that's saying a lot.

Dislikes
The kettlebell Michaels uses is adjustable, so she can add or remove weight. That's awesome, but it retails at her store for $119.95. I don't have that kind of money to spend, so I purchased a single 15-pound kettlebell. She really doesn't offer any insight into what weight would be best other than to say that, if you're using a hand weight, you can use one that's three to eight pounds, a recommendation I think is rather light.

Bottom Line
I expected a challenge from Michaels with this DVD, and she delivered. I definitely enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to a friend at any level of fitness.

Love working with kettlebells and want to check out another workout? Try this 10 Minute Solution DVD.

11 Comment

Tags: dvd-reviews, jillian michaels, JillianMichaels, kettlebell, shred-it with weights

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Wayne 9-14-2010 @ 11:12AM

But what about the ugly mess on her right ankle. I just realized that the ugly mess on her ankle is a tattoo. Ugly.

Sandy 10-04-2010 @ 6:22PM

According to the Parade.com article http://www.parade.com/health/2010/08/04-jillian-michaels.html stated the following about the tattoo on her right leg:
8. I have a tattoo of my grandmother
I have a huge tattoo on my ankle. It’s a guardian angel with a picture of my grandmother, Renee. My grandmother passed away when I was 10. I was very, very close to her. She was always there for me. She would have loved to have seen what my life is like now. My mom is like, “Honey, you’re going to get run-down. You’re going to burn out.” She’s proud, but she worries. My grandmother would have said, “This is part of the ride, enjoy it!”

Troy@pimpmylook.com 9-14-2010 @ 11:45AM

I have used Jillian's other workouts and some of the equipment she recommends. My wife and I have both benefited. So much that we started a website to help others with Jillian's routines. The structure and the positive way she pushes you is the key.

Troy & Holly
http://pimpmylook.com

RS 9-14-2010 @ 12:27PM

Hmmm ! I may have to check out her videos. I'm in the process of trying to lose weight, and I need all the help I can get. I'm not severely out of shape, but I have a muffin top and a half. Most of the weight centered itself in my stomach, and it just looks horrible. You know it's bad when a former co-worker who spots you shopping asks if you're pregnant. UGH ! At 32 I should be in better shape than this, and I intend to do what I can to correct the problem.

Claudia Cummings 9-14-2010 @ 12:32PM

All Jillian Michael products are expensive. This woman is out to make money by fooling low esteemed, overweight people into thinking they can become slim like her. With all the products out there for weight loss, realistic people should just cut back on eating, walk 20 to 30 minutes once or twice a day, and stop looking for a miraculous weight loss. Take it slow and be patient. Buy some inexpensive weights to use to work the arms to keep skin from beicoming loose and flabby, eat veggies and eat fish, chicken and turkey. Cut out sugar as well. Your price: The cost of buying grocer stocked fruit and veggies and chicken and fish, maybe 10 dollars for some weights at your local dept. store.

sharp914 9-14-2010 @ 1:01PM

Ok lets be real. Everyone knows that Jillian Michaels can help you drop weight fast. But can you handle her work outs. I tryed her work outs on demand and it turns out that her work outs will kick your ass and she isin't even here with me by yelling at me. Just here video. I don't even have her dvd. Now just think about what could be on that dvd, Oh crap could it be some more ass kicking on that dvd. I would have to say her training work outs will work and they get you in shape and i'm sure you get meal tips on her dvd's as well. Her biggest loser results for her team is good at losing weight that's beacuse they don't have to think about there job there bills, just work out 8 hrs a day m-f at the biggest loser camp. In real life you can drop the weight easy because i know i have done it 5 times on my own i am now on my 6th time to stay. I only did it to show my mother that it can be done i offered to help her work out but she dose not trust me but she trust some trainer and the trainer hurt her to a point she needed to see a docter and have some repaires done.I told her go on the show biggest loser but she thinks she can't it would be really nice if Jillian showed up and asked my mother to be on the show biggest loser and that would be really cool. I love my mother and i help support her efforts to lose weight any way i can, I really would like to help my mother lose the weight so she can be happy with herself. Hey, Jillian what do you think, I'm just saying.

Andrea 9-15-2010 @ 9:50AM

The purpose of the JM dvds, Claudia, is not necessarily for "low-esteemed, overweight people"... it's for those like me who have no one to work out with, limited time, and cannot afford a trainer at the gym. The variety of exercises demonstrated teaches users how to properly execute the moves while ensuring that each muscle group is used. Dieting alone may improve some health issues (ie, eating fish, poultry, and veggies), but for many of us the dvds are sound exercise options for our time constraints and wallets both. Also, studies have consistently found that those with a workout buddy are more likely to continue their workouts -- since my friends and family work shifts opposite of mine, I'll take what I can get, Thank you.

Roy 9-14-2010 @ 9:56PM

i like Jillian, because shes a no nonsence kind of trainer. she works you hard and makes sure you know how to keep off the weight when you are done. which i think is important and lacking in some trainers.
she also has a heart. she wants you to get results and feel good and look your best and wants you to live life to the fullest.(i mean whats life for if you can enjoy it)even though she looks outstanding . i dought if id even notice if i was trained by her. i would definatley not have time to. ive had a couple of injusys ive come back from and could use the video to help me get back to what i was before the injurys

Joan Strong 9-15-2010 @ 11:29AM

Just to let anyone know that is interested, the kettle bell that Jillian Michaels uses in her video can be found at Walmart online for $89.00. A little bit of savings for those that really want to use this piece of equipment.

Sarah 9-15-2010 @ 1:05PM

Her products may be expensive but her DVDs actually seem quite reasonable price wise, particularly when you compare them with the cost of an exercise class or a gym membership.

They helped me lose weight on a small budget.

While I certainly wouldn't buy stuff just because she says to (I do not see expensive kettlebells in my future), she generally does put together a good, hard workout that helps you get in shape as long as you get up and do it.

There ARE lots of crazy weight loss scams and gimmicks out there. Jillian Michaels has some too but her videos tend to be less about gimmicks and more about hard work.

Sandy 10-04-2010 @ 6:23PM

I'm a huge fan of Jillian Michaels. In October 2008 I was at a very low point in my life with how my body and mind was at. I purchased her 30 Day Shred DVD and worked out 5 times a week while getting back on track with my Weight Watchers program. By May 2009 I lost 24 pounds and to the day have maintained it using her 30 Day Shred and recently added her Shred it with Weights DVD. In addition, I watch the Biggest Loser to keep me on track and utilize the helpful tips of exercise, heathly habits Jillian and Bob give each season. Again, Jillian saved me and I'll continue to use her workout methods. (Being empowered is a wonderful thing and now my outside matches the inside). Thank You Jillian... ; )