Biggest Loser workout requires some familiarity

Biggest Loser workout DVD
Biggest Loser workout DVD

— Trainer Jillian Michaels talks a lot without actually saying much in The Biggest Loser: Last Chance Workout.

She’s all about making sure exercisers give it all they’ve got. She drill-instructs her way into our hearts with sharp words and perfect lip gloss. “Do you wanna be skinny or not, shut up and do your mountain climbers!”

Ma’am, yes, ma’am.

Michaels is the brunet trainer on NBC’s whip-the obese-into-shape “reality” show The Biggest Loser, on which the workout is based.Those who prefer the other trainer on the show, blond Bob Harper (apparently many viewers have a favorite), have another option called The Biggest Loser: 30-Day Jump Start. (Both DVDs are $14.98 from Lionsgate and became available Dec. 1.)

Harper’s DVD is apparently geared for those who are just starting out. I’m partial to brunettes (hey, ifthe fans can do it, so can I).

And I was slightly irked at the suggestion that viewers should progress from Harper to Michaels when surely one new “energizing” workout DVD should suffice in this tight economy. So I picked sides, joining Michaels’ team.

There are no weigh-ins here. No grueling mountain runs or temptations that the show uses to increase the entertainment. No one cries. No one goes home.

But those who watch the show will recognize Michaels’ cadre of contestants.

The Last Chance Workout runs about 40 minutes, including the warm-up and cool-down. There are also sessions called upper body sculpt and lower body tone, which each last about 10 minutes.

Viewers can select workouts to build their own programs, which would be useful to target one area or squeeze in a short workout. The shorter programs include many of the same moves in Last Chance Workout.

There are also suggestions on when to do each workout and training tips, although those are simply commercials for Biggest Loser merchandise, such as resistance bands and water balls.

Michaels starts the Last Chance Workout with stretches that keep the body moving while warming up the muscles. Moves like twists and pivots, side and back lunges.

She progresses to a series of circuits targeting specific areas of the body. She’ll do a few cardiovascular moves followed by weight lifting. For instance, the first sequence incorporates three types of jumping jacks, two types of rows and chest flies.

For those who watch the show or exercise already, the moves - from staggered pushups to squat kicks - may be familiar. But Michaelsdoesn’t give the rest of her audience a chance to catch up. She doesn’t demonstrate the moves; instead, viewers must either know what they’re doing or watch the contestants to catch up.

The problem with watching the contestants is that they’re not always on the same page. During one sequence that involved biceps curls, it was hard to tell whether to do regular biceps curls or hammer curls.

The cardio kicks up toward the end of the routine as Michaels incorporates moves like mountain climbers and plank jacks, a move in which the exerciser holds a pre-pushup position and jacks the legs back and forth. (That’s about 10 times more explanation than Michaels gives any move.)

The workouts are sufficient, but those who have trouble keeping up may want to watch them before doing them. It’s a shame Michaels can’t see all her viewers. They may give her a bit of her own medicine: “Shut up and show us a mountain climber. Please.”

A WORD FROM SUSAN HYATT

After reviewing Susan Hyatt’s Rockstar Workout earlier this month, I got a note from the rock star herself.

She said that the calorie counts on the DVD - which I’d questioned - had been tested. The DVD cover says exercisers can burn up to 800 calories an hour.

Here’s part of what she wrote:

“Several women I tested burned 800 calories. I had them wear heart rate monitors and tested each exercise to see how many calories they had burned, where their heart rate was, etc. How many calories you burn has everything to do with how tall you are, how much you weigh, what kind of shape you are in and how intensely you are performing the exercises and if you are taking rests, etc. ... The box clearly states, ‘Burn up to 800 calories.’ It doesn’t say everyone will.” Assistant City Editor Katherine Benenati is also a certified personal trainer. Her blog, Hot Mama: Finding Time to Break a Sweat, is at littlerockmamas.com.

ActiveStyle, Pages 23 on 12/28/2009

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