The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max Reviews

• One TOUGH workout!

  
  By A1OMXVXXP07F05 on 2007-12-31
  Let me preface this by saying I have lost and maintained a nearly 40lb weight loss through eating and working out. I've completed a half marathon, run 20 miles weekly and have done numerous workout DVD's...including the original Biggest Loser DVD and even Jillian's separate workout DVD's. I don't say this to toot my own horn, but to give you a gauge as to how someone who's in good shape views this DVD.
  
  At least I thought I was in good shape until I popped this DVD in. This is a crazy hard workout that will workout every fiber in your body.
  
  Bob starts with Level 1 and gives you 20 minutes of heart pounding, lunge screaming and weight lifting cardio...at Level 1??
  
  Jillian is next and she doesn't fail at delivering a 10 minute, high intensity level 2 cardio workout. Like I stated earlier, I've got her whole collection of workout DVD's and this 10 minutes with her, is just as bad (good) as a few of the 20 minute DVD's I've got with her.
  
  Bringing up the rear is Kim...and this one is a let down. For a level 3 cardio workout, she barely breaks even with Bob's Level 1. Now, if you do all 3 in a row like I do, then it does get a little tiring at the end with her, but if you just pop in her section for 10 minutes, I don't think you'd be pushing yourself very hard. In my own opinion, the workout difficulty would have gone Kim, Jillian and then Bob...do those jumping lunges and tell me that's not Level 3 cardio!
  
  All in all, this is a great workout DVD to add to your collection. The ability to customize your workouts is great and the some of the moves are new and I've never done them before.
  
  Start 2008 off right and lay down the cash for this. You won't be disappointed in the workout it gives you.
  
  

• Pretty good :-)

  
  By A24ZFFRQ4MG3XL on 2007-12-24
  As you can tell by the cover, this workout is led by the three Biggest Loser trainers, Bob, Jillian and Kim. They are all outgoing and motivating and in this 50 minute workout, you will definately burn calories.
  You can play any segment in any order which I like to avoid boredom, or you can choose some of the challenging premixes. Bob leads a bootcamp segment where you can do the moves with or without weights to make it tougher if you want. Jillian doesn't mess around with her high intensity drills. They are tough, but stick to it for a while and it will get easier. Then at the end, Kim does kickboxing (which really gets your heart rate up). Some of seasons 3 and 4 are here too and they look great.
  I like this workout because it's tough and yet fun and I've only done it once so far, but I'm still feeling it and can't wait to try it again because I know it will get easier and it's a definate calorie and fat burner.
  
  

• somewhat misleading

  
  By A10JTQY1DLJ3K6 on 2008-01-20
  As someone with weight issues, I have bought several DVDs over the years with moderate difficulty. So, when I saw this DVD was coming out, I was excited to get a workout that would be challenging, yet in line with the needs and abilities of someone overweight.
  
  All I can say is: OW. The "Level 1" work out and even the warm up are very hard core. In fact, all I could think about was the thought of whether or not some of my friends in average shape could even do these work outs without falling over. Like someone noted earlier, there is pretty much NO warm up...it is basically an intense mini work out.
  
  My main reason for writing this review is to warn people about the push up exercise that Bob has you do in the Level 1. Seriously?! I found that to be more for someone in the higher-end moderate to advanced level of fitness. After doing that workout, I pulled something in my chest and it hurt for a good 2 days.
  
  The style is nice and not too cheesy, and I did like the Yoga cool down. However, for a show that caters towards helping obese people become fit, I was disappointed in what I saw as unrealistic expectations for a beginner.
  
  

• An improvement on the first Biggest Loser

  
  By A23O8T3LNL9YY8 on 2008-01-11
  I liked the first Biggest Loser Workout DVD. This one has a few improvements. First the customizable option is truly customizable. If you want to do the the first 20 minute workout (lower intensity) 3 times in a row you can. You are able to truly choose your workout level and time.
  The first 20 minute aerobic section includes some strenth training (with light weights) which I like. I don't like doing Push-ups in the middle of aerobics. I think lowering to the ground while your heart rate is up, is detrimental. This is easily fixed, but just doing the other moves while the TV group is on the ground.
  The second and third sections are higher impact and intensity 10 minute sessions. Again you can do these once, twice, or three times if you want.
  I will keep this in my library
  
  

• Motivating!

  
  By AT8S32VQIOZ9F on 2007-12-28
  I just got this DVD last night and tried it this morning because I couldn't get to the gym. Loved it! Did it twice in a row! I love feeling like the Biggest Loser trainers are right in my own home. It's also very motivating to see the Biggest Loser contestants from this season and season's past. The trainers allow for variations in the exercises for easier to hard. Another thing I loved about it was that there were real people doing the exercises, even they screwed up once in awhile which made me feel more comfortable when I was off beat or didn't move along when everyone else did. Make sure you keep your eyes on the trainers as real people also don't always have the correct form, so you don't want to get injured. It was just nice to see the different stages different people were in also, in case there was an exercise I didn't feel comfortable with. Another plus to the DVD is that you have the option to either listen to the trainer talk through the DVD (which I listened to the first time) or you have the option to just listen to music (which I did the second time). The music was pretty motivating :) Can't wait to do this again and I'm going to get the Powersculpt DVD today to mix it up a little! Perfect for those days when it's too cold to go outside to jog/walk OR you just can't make it to the gym! Enjoy!
  
  
• Future Big Loser
  By A2073PEUUJG6WC on 2008-04-08
  So I am hugely overweight, and just had a baby. I thought that I would give this video a try, and I LOVE it. I am still on the level 1 work out, but am getting better every day. I can now do the whole 30 minute level 1 work out. Next week I am going to be adding level 2. In only 2 1/2 weeks I have lost 14 inches and 12 lbs. Now I still have 80 to go, but it is a good start. Bob does the level 1, and he keeps me motivated thru the whole work out. Right when I think I am about to die, he starts counting down, and tells me I can do it, and I believe him. Rather than sitting on my couch hoping the Biggest Loser comes and casts me, I decided that the more logical option would be to bring the biggest loser trainers to me. I would recommend this to everyone, from those who only have 10 lbs to lose to people like me who have 50+.
  
  
• Unexpected Surprise!
  By A2308WDLQDZE4L on 2008-01-14
  Wow! I am quite impressed with Cardio Max.
  
  I lost and have kept off nearly 100 pounds for the past 5 years. I am a competitive runner, enjoy workouts from The Firm, TaeBo, and Cathe F., and I also jump rope for at least 1 workout session per week.
  
  I purchased Cardio Max to add a bit of variety to my routine over the winter months and because the contestants are so inspirational. I was not, however, expecting such a heart pumping workout. I enjoy that you can customize the workout into various combinations of the 3 levels. I thought Jillian's session was the most intense. A suggested "hour of power" is the Warmup, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 2, and then the cool down.
  
  I could probably talk my boyfriend into trying Cardio Max with me one day. The workout is not dancey--at all--and there are equal numbers of men and women.
  
  
  
• Same as the original
  By A3R74EHB34JTTP on 2008-03-06
  The workouts mostly increase in intensity by increasing the time spent. For me, I have a finite amount of time available, so I'd rather face more challenging moves that trying to add on more time so for me this was a negative.
  
  I had the original Biggest Loser workout DVD, and as I said in my review then, it was distracting that everyone was off-rhythm. For some reason, the producers of these DVDs must think that's a plus, because it's even worse here, where they're all *obviously* out of sync and all over the place. "Do I have my arms up or down on this beat? The woman in front has her arms down, but the guy right behind has his up...' It looks sloppy and it's harder to follow than it should be. Using real people is fine, but they should cast people who have a sense of rhythm. Either the DVD exists to help you work out, or it exists as an extension of the TV show, for you to just sit and watch. This looks like the latter.
  
  
• Good workout
  By A26LD9FQHTM8ZH on 2008-01-23
  This is a good workout, it really made me sweat and I feel it the next day. The only thing I skipped on it was Jillian (because her bully style of training isn't for me and I end up annoyed watching her and it takes away my focus). But even without that, just the Bob workout alone is intense and the end with Kim is effective too. If you are just beginning, it's still a good workout, just use common sense and adjust the exercises you aren't comfortable with to fit you. Like Bob says, just keep moving.
  
  
• Good, would like a few additions
  By A3ANBC0V9UDRKT on 2008-01-03
  All of the workout sections of this video are great... quick, effective, and will always provide a challenge regardless of your fitness level. The only negative I would add, is that the "cool-down" section is not much of a cool-down. Instead, it is a mini yoga session that doesn't stretch many of the muscles used in the work-out, and which does NOT sufficiently bring your heart rate down. Additionally, the workout sessions themselves don't include any sort of cool down. It's work, work, work, boom, "cool-down" (mini-yoga) session. I have to pause the DVD, bring my heart rate down on my own, complete the yoga cool-down, and THEN do my own cool-down/stretching. If you are new to working out, this may be a problem if you don't know how to manage your own heart-rate, etc.
  
  I own the first Biggest Loser workout and noticed that in this one, they make no effort to keep the participants in the background synchronized. I'm just anal enough about a musical beat that this bugs me a bit, but fortunately, the music is non-descript enough that it doesn't really matter. The non-descript music does allow you to fairly easily set your own pace if needed.
  
  Last, but not least, for the ladies... Bob's a babe, and you get to see plenty of his smiling face. :)
  
  
• Great workout!
  By A3QDJ5F5J7ZQ4 on 2008-04-08
  A little background; I've been working out religiously since the second week of Jan 08 combining 3 days of cardio with 3 days of circuit training with weights. My cardio consisted of 30 min of interval training on my elliptical and 30 min on my bike. Weights are a total body workout with dumbbells. With a combination of working out and eating right, I've managed to drop 15lbs but just recently I've noticed I hit a plateau. I was talking to my sister about my recent stall in weight loss so she let me borrow the Cardio Max DVD to give me a change of pace.
  
  Last Friday, I pop the DVD in, strap on my heart rate monitor (because I wanted to make sure I was working out intense enough) and arrogantly decide to jump into the the "Week 2-4" intensity level (which is Level 1 and 2). I think I was about 10 minutes into the Level 1 workout with Bob and I was dying. My heart rate was reaching 170 bpm and my legs were burning; and I wasn't using any weights!! After the warmup and Level 1 I had to quit. I woke up the next morning and my legs, hind end and abs were sore! It was great!
  
  This is a great workout but will require someone new to the world of fitness to work up to fully being able to complete the levels (which is the whole point). The DVD is mapped out for a 6-8 week timeline. The instructors make it very clear if you can't keep up, then somehow move to keep your heart rate up and join back in when you're comfortable. There's one specific girl in the video (sorry don't know names) that does an alternative version of the exercise for someone less athletic (i.e. push-ups on your knees, fake jump rope, no weights). Trust me, if you keep up with this DVD you will see results and feel better!
  
  
• Not for beginners
  By A228CW8YZG7KP4 on 2008-03-07
  When I put this DVD I was pumped for a great workout. There were regular biggest loser people on. But as I started working out I realized this is not for beginners and it's only level 1 out of 3. I am relatively active, but this had moves that are not at all for beginners. I don't recommend this to anyone who is just starting out.
  
  
• Cardio to the MAXXXXX
  By A1OT5FPWMW4O5I on 2008-03-10
  I Love this workout. I am a moderate excerciser, I powerwalk and do pilates 4-5 times a week. I have never been a runner, or done much cardio, so for total fitness I decided I really needed to add in the cardio. This is it! I did the Level 1 for a few days, and then needed to up it to Level 2. What an amazing challenge! I aim to lose about 15 lbs to be at my ideal weight and I'm confident that between this workout and it's companion DVD "Power Sculpt" I am well on my way! I've done the workout 4 days so far, and I already notice my butt firming up! WOW!
  
  
• An Amazing Workout
  By A1E6OF8KH7T1LT on 2007-12-30
  This is the most amazing workout ever! I highly recommend this video to anyone who is looking to bring their workouts up to the next level. I work out 4-5 times a week and always do at least 40 minutes of intense cardio at each workout. After the first 10 minutes of Bob Harper's workout, I was sweating and my heart rate was definitely up! It is nice to see real people doing the workout along with you and they even mess up from time to time. Bottom line, you have to get this dvd!
  
  
• Best workout tape for all levels
  By A1DQONCRBELCCI on 2008-01-05
  I've only used this dvd 4 times and I already notice a difference because some of the moves are getting easier. I also love the fact that you can cater pretty much any of the moves to what you can handle. You can make it super easy or super hard, depending on how you feel. And Bob the trainer is great. I've never watched the show (Biggest Loser) but he really makes you feel comfortable and motivated regardless of your level of fitness. I haven't done the female trainers parts yet (levels 2 and 3), but just based on Bob's warmup, 20 minute level 1 cardio and yoga-stretch cool down, I give it 5 stars.
  
  
• The Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max
  By A35R3MMOSISYTQ on 2008-01-14
  Early December 2007, after watching the amazing results from the Biggest Loser Television show, I decided to purchase both the The Biggest Loser Workout: Power Sculpt & Cardio Max.
  
  They came in the mail later December so since January 1st of 2008 I have been working out with both DVDs and have since lost a few pounds and my friends have noticed a difference in my performance in sports and walking and thinning around my face. With 155 pounds to lose I am on a good start. Working out and eating correctly is the biggest key. The DVDs will not help you trim up and loose weight. You have to work out and manage your food intake as well.
  
  On a personal note, I believe in a few months i will look back on this experience and say they (the Biggest Loser Club DVDs) saved my life. You have to get these if you want to see some at home changes in your life.
  
  
• Excellent, except.....
  By A1YU3COWZC1CUY on 2008-05-12
  I think several of the excellent reviews have established that this is definitely a challenging workout even for those of us who think that we are in relatively good shape. I think this is a great workout if you've hit a plateau--it's definitely helping me and inspite of the negatives I'm going to list, I still am using it because the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. You will feel parts of your glutes and quads for several days!!
  The reasons I didn't give it 5-stars are as follows.
  Cardio level 1: Bob is great with the routines--they are definitely challenging. Just like the previous Biggest Loser workout, there's no sense of 'being in sinc'--I just choose my pace and stick with it because nobody keeps up with the music--not that the music is much to begin with. I am also used to the 'mirror image' concept, i.e, when the trainer says got to your right they are actually going to their left so both the viewer and participants are going in the same direction. Not so here--you have to pay attention if you want to stay somewhat syncronized.
  Level 2: Jillian is quite relentless and you get no breaks for 10 solid minutes. No major problems here.
  Level 3: This is the disappointing one. As noted in other reviews, it's not harder than the other two levels--I am honestly a little grateful for that because I don't think I could do it if it was harder--after the first two levels, my legs are protesting big time. It does get a little hard towards the end. I found Kim irritating. She appears unnaturally happy. I counted 6-8 times that she repeated, 'This is your cardio session/workout'--it gets very annoying. I am a big Turbo Jam fan so I found the kickboxing routines somewhat awkward at times. In one of the routines, you have to watch your knees if you are on carpet otherwise you could twist them causing injury.
  All in all, definitely worth buying.
  
  
• tougher than it looks
  By AF0NFGZWJ5WJO on 2008-02-13
  When I bought this workout it was more for the people in it than what I thought the workout would actually contain. I workout atleast 1.5 hours
  a day , every day, and this was tough. I realized later though, that with this workout, they don't warm up, they don't stretch beforehand, so you just jump into very intense cardio which just about killed me.
  
  Warm up and stretch on your own before you start, this was a good buy.
  
  
• Great Motivational Tool!
  By A2FNPOFDCV5PK2 on 2008-04-07
  I have been using this tape for about 1 month now and I have managed to loose like the biggest losers, 32lbs in one month....
  
  
• A few problems with this workout
  By A1GXS5Z0IUPUGX on 2008-01-19
  I was surprised by the "warm up" section. It's more like a mini workout! Bob has you jumping up and down immediately. I wonder, if someone was really overweight, if they could even get thru the warm up. The Level 1 workout was harder than I expected from the perspective of a tape that caters to overweight, out-of-shape people. I would hope it wouldn't turn people away from working out with this tape a second time!
  
  I was disappointed by the cool down. I am a stretch class teacher, and would have liked to see a longer cool down, with more actual stretches rather than a standing yoga class. During the workout segment we worked our quads heavily, but didn't stretch them at all during the cool down!
  
  
• Feel the burn
  By A1ASDHO4EVEDWB on 2008-01-22
  This video surprised me. I started using this a week ago - and boy does it get your lower body burning!! A great workout. It uses former contestants from the biggest loser (instead of professionals), so don't expect a perfectly syncronized group of people. The first time I watched it, my timing was all off (as was everyone's on the video). Now I am used to it, and it no longer bothers me. This is definitely a good beginner/intermediate workout.
  
  
• Awesome and difficult work-out
  By A1JJ1RZMYD4Q0B on 2008-02-10
  I work-out avidly using other body sculpting routines and running. I bought this DVD in conjunction with the sculpting DVD. "Ouch, WOW!, Man is it over?" are the only thoughts that came to mind during this work-out. I worked up quite a sweat and was out of breath after level I and level II. However, I did not find level III with Kim very challenging at all, perhaps because my other work-outs incorporate the moves already. I am sore after completing the 50 minute work-out, but I did do it back-to-back with the sculpting DVD (yesterday). Unlike the sculpting DVD, I found the instructions on this work-out to be much better. My back does not hurt after completing the routine, but weights were not used as much either (plus I only used the 5lb weights today). Bob does the level I, 20 minute work-out and he regularly reminds the participant to consider the core to prevent back injury. He is very thorough and quite tough. Of course, Julianne also kicks butt. Kim was all right, but I am not a huge fan of hers anyways. I do feel the warm up is intense, but the cool down using Yoga feels great after the work-out. I like the ability to select the order and levels to include for your work-out (I did maintenance). I do recommend this work-out DVD for all levels. The trainers do indicate how to keep the intensity lower if you are not in great shape. All you have to do is watch Julie during the work-out and follow her. It is important to remember that if it was not difficult, then there would not be a benefit to doing it. I purchased these work-out DVDs to help mix up my rountines a bit, since I think my body has become stagnant at the moment. It is an awesome work-out that you should give a try, only if you are really serious.
  
  
• Excellent Workout!
  By A3BEU6UDTI8D36 on 2008-02-26
  This is cardio workout will make you work. I love it! Though I hate push-ups - they work. I can tell you that you will sweat!!! I alternate this workout with The Biggest Loser Workout: Power Sculpt 6 days a week and Fat Free Yoga - Lose Weight & Feel Great w/ Ravi Singh & Ana Brett NOW W/THE **MATRIX** MENU OPTION!!! and Crunch - Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend at least 2 times a week. I have been doing this routine for 5-6 weeks now and have dropped 15 lbs. Hallelujah! I am grateful to have established a routine that works and can do it in my own home. P.S. I ignore most of what the instructors say that is not pertinent to the exercise at hand. If you get to involve in what is spoken in general to the biggest loser's contestants it gets a bit annoying. Remember the goal... The workout does work :-)
  
  
• Progressive workouts at your own pace!
  By A3SEDSAATS5JBI on 2008-01-01
  My wife and I purchased BL Cardio Max and Power Sculpt and worked up a sweat from the beginning. Just like there other videos the option to set your own program or workout under there preset program offers a variety while becoming more confident with the exercises. We believe the Biggest Loser videos will produce results for us as they have for those have inspired us to make a change.
  
  
• Great Workout!!!!
  By A6BHFXE6SHGA3 on 2008-01-08
  I was a little reluctant to buy this video because I felt it was just "another video" trying to make money of a show. However I was pleasantly surprised. It's not your "typical Cardio" workout. I love the fact it has increased levels for your progress, and level one isn't easy. I am in pretty good shape but I want to tone and maintain my weight. What's also great is that you can tweak the workout easily to your own level with weights or no weights etc. It was definatley worth the purchase. In fact I may even get my husband to join in because it is a great cadio/resistance workout, not your past Jane Fonda.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A1GHE64PQ27ULP on 2008-02-06
  I was disappointed in this video. I own the Power Sculpt one, which I love and thought this would be a great compliment to it. After reading all the reviews, I also thought it would be really intense and would give me a good workout. I was disappionted. First of all, there are WAY too many strength moves. Too many squats and Bob has you using weights. I wanted cardio, not strength. Secondly, I don't think that it gets your heartrate up enough. As someone who runs several times a week, I was barely breathing hard. Out of all the workouts, Jillian's is probably the best in this DVD for doing what is advertises-Cardio and Max. If you are new to exercising or looking for a challenge from your moderate workouts, this is probably for you. But if you already workout very intensely and lift weights, this probably isn't what you are looking for.
  
  
• cardio max is just enough cardio for me!
  By A2N2QWXHWQRUPN on 2008-04-03
  I recently got hooked on the biggest loser show. I thought I would check out this DVD to get in shape after recently having a baby. I figured it would be easy but I was wrong! I could not even keep up with the past contestants on the level 1 setting and I think I am in pretty good shape. I love how quickly the workout goes by and the ability to change the levels for your workout. I hate doing cardio and this is so much fun and much better than being stuck on a treadmill - with the same results - getting your heart rate pumping! I also love the yoga cooldown because I am a yoga fantatic. This boot camp style workout is fast paced and hardcore! It does not bother me that it is not in sync like the other people mentioned - I am hardly coordinated myself! You can follow the different people for modified versions of the workout. I have lost all my baby weight (20 lbs) and still feel challenged and I am not even on the third level yet! This is a great workout paired with the power sculpt, you can switch off every other day and get in top shape!
  
  
• Great Cross Train for Marathon Runners!
  By A2B0DWLPTUKHDM on 2008-04-12
  I'm training for my 8th marathon in 4 years. I'm always on the look out for effective, fun cross-training activities to do on non-running days.
  
  This DVD delivers! It's fun, the moves are easy to do and very effective. What I particularly appreciate is that they're great for any workout space. I was in a small apartment when I first started using this & unlike other DVD's-space was not a problem. This moves were choreographed away from walls and furniture - a refreshing bonus!
  
  It's also made me a better runner - my quads and core have gotten much much stronger!
  
  Had the pleasure of making it to Bob's book signing tour for his new "Are You Ready Book" and he was wonderful - the real thing - just like this workout- Enjoy! !
  
  
• What a workout
  By A2GNSQTWRNRHKF on 2008-05-17
  
  
  I love this DVD!!! Let me first say I am not by any means excessively overweight (I am 5'2 and 146lbs). I used to be 120lbs until I had my son and I never lost the weight. Im tired of being big so I bought the dvd thinking that if these people are over weight then this would be a good pace for me.
  I like that the people in the videos are people from the past seasons. One thing I hate seeing in a workout video is people who are already in shape. They make me fee like I wil never get to where they are. Seeing the sturggle that these people have gone through give me assurance that I can do this too. I also like the way that it breaks it down in to seperate weeks. Also no one is ever together in the workout and the instructor is really funny.
  The only thing I think is negative about the video is, as I said I am not too terribly big but I am out of shape. These people on the dvd may be bigger but since they were on the show they are in better shape than I am and when you pick up the dvd your thinking it will start you out with baby steps.... DON'T think that because you are wrong!!! Even the first weeks exercises are brutal, I poured sweat and had to take a couple breaks to shake off the muscle burn. All in all a very good buy!!
  
  
  
• WOW!!!!
  By A3NMCC0XHK90FT on 2008-05-18
  This dvd ROCKS!!! I thought I would do this one no problem. I was very wrong. I was drenched when I got done& when I got up the next day I felt every muscle in my body & they were all sore. I can't wait to try out the other one!!!
  
  

• The Biggest Loser Workout: Power Sculpt
• Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred
• The Biggest Loser Workout, Vol. 2
• The Biggest Loser Workout, Vol. 1
• The Biggest Winner - How to Win by Losing: The Complete Body Workout (5-Disc DVD Set: Shape Up - Front, Shape Up - Back, Cardio Kickbox, Maximize - Full Frontal, Maximize - Back in Action)