10 Minute Solution - Ultimate Kettleball Fat Burner [2008]

This is my first 10-Minute Solution DVD. My fitness collection goes as far back as the late 1980s, and it is made up of about 70 DVDs featuring over 150 workouts, some of which I have obviously outgrown over time and no longer use. This is just to say that I have seen a wide variety of teaching styles and, although I'm no fitness expert, I recognise a good workout when I see one. And the 10-Minute Solution is definitely a good concept, as far as I'm concerned. The idea is that everybody has got 10 minutes to spare to take some exercise and, maybe, just maybe, once you've started, you will feel you want to do 20, no 30, no 40, oh-what-the-heck, the full 50-minute workout. And, if you're REALLY pressed for time, at least you will manage to keep the exercise habit alive and move a bit, or a lot, every day.Now, on to the Kettlebell workout. I have just done it this morning, and have managed the 5 sections back to back (I do make time for exercise by getting up very early, as I have three young children and work full-time). I understand why some people feel misled by the title and the cover, as there is not a kettlebell in sight, but it must also be said that this is made very clear on the back cover ("no kettlebell required") and, in the introduction to the video, in which the instructor gives very clear indications as to what weight to use for both dumbbell and kettlebell. Throughout the workouts, she also explains very clearly how to hold the kettlebell if you're using one. Now - I'm using an ordinary 5kg dumbbell, so I can't say whether some of the moves are awkward when performed with a kettlebell. I can only san that a dumbbell leaves you feeling thoroughly worked out.As for the individual workouts:- MAXIMUM FAT BURNER: This is probably a bit of an overstatement. This workout introduces the most basic kettlebell moves and I find it useful as an extended warm-up for what lies ahead (each workout gets more and more intense).- UPPER BODY POWER SCULPT: Again, the instructor uses the basic kettlebell swing as the basic, transition move, but she then goes on to emphasize the upper body. I've got strong arms, and I usually find workouts aimed at women too light for me. This is not the case here. The 5kg dumbbell has made me break into a sweat, without having me huffing and puffing the way Jillian Michaels does, for example, and I'm feeling quite sore afterwards. I can feel muscles on my back and my shoulders which, clearly, had been ignored for a long time without my being aware of it.- THIGH AND BUNS BLASTER: The same I've said for the previous workout can be applied to this one, but focusing on the lower body, of course. Concentration and form are emphasized over speed and, in particular, my bum feels really sore at the moment. I have quite strong legs (or so I thought!), as I run 15-20 km a week, but this workout has hit all the right areas.- TOTAL BODY SCULPT: Things get more intense in this workout, which is probably the most aerobic one in the series. But, as it is only 10 minutes, the pain is over before you know it. Lots of multi-tasking, combining leg and arm moves. However, as the instructor introduces a movement first and does not combine it with another one until you have had time to get the form right, there is no problem there, even for those who believe themselves to be very uncoordinated.- ACCELERATED AB TONER: Once again, this IS intense. Concentration is favoured over speed, and your obliques, often neglected in ab workouts, work really hard here. After the Total Body Sculpt, this can be quite tiring so, as the workout sequence can be customised, next time I will probably start with the Fat Burner, continue with the Total Body Sculpt and finish it off with the less aerobic workouts (upper and lower body, and abs).The instructor has a PhD in Exercise Physiology, shows expertise and is encouraging without being patronising. She comes across as a serious, pleasant person who knows when and how to encourage you through the pain. I've finished the entire workout with a pleasant soreness in my entire body, and I will certainly include this DVD in my rotation alongside The Firm, Jillian Michaels and Billy Blanks.

My kettlebell has been lying about for months and finally I had the opportunity to put it to good use; hence my purchase of the 10 Minute Solutuion Kettlebell workout. I wasn't sure what to expect since I don't work out with Kettlebells but rather with dumb bells. If you take the time to watch the introduction the instructor does specify that she demonstrates the routine with the aid of a dumb bell for those who do not own a kettlebell. I consider this to be an advantage in two ways. Firstly, if you don't own a kettlebell then you can just as easily reap the rewards from using dumb bells and consequently if you do own a kettlebell then you are at an advantage; however the kettlebell does take some getting used to. All in all, it's a great starting point. The instructor guides you through each movement and does specify where to hold your kettlebell if you are using one. That being said, you get the best of both worlds either way; if you are a beginner and have never used kettlebells before then it may be worth starting off with the dumb bell until you feel more confident and then progress to the kettlebell. As I said before I work out predominantly with dumb bells, however the kettlebell has added a completely new dimension to my workouts. It really works your entire body and you will feel the effects after one workout. One doesn't consider 10 minutes as being a substantial amount of time but believe you me at the end of each routine your heart is pumping as every part of your body is working hard as you are using multi-rotational movements as opposed to single joint movements! As this is my first kettlebell workout DVD I am happy to carry on with it as I consider it to be quite a challenge. The good thing about this DVD is that you can either do the entire workout from start to finish or you can break it down to 10 minutes; 20 minutes etc. whilst mixing and matching whatever workout takes your fancy depending on what body parts you want to work and whatever your time constraints allow. I do think it's good value for money and well worth the investment if you are willing to put the effort into it. Don't judge a book by its cover and don't always go by what others say. I have loads of exercise DVD's and this one will definitely remain at the top of my pile!

OK. Let's settle this.Yes it says it's a kettlebell workout dvd. Yes she explains the correct technique for using a kettlebell. Yes she exercises using a dumbell.Guess what folks you CAN substitute a dumbell for a kettlebell. I did this years ago when I was doing weight training and martial arts. Whilst it would be best to use a kettlebell I suspect the dvd is targetted at those who are curious about KB's and who may have a dumbell lying round for them to try this workout before buying a potentially expensive item.Just to throw something else in to the mix, I have also used two 5lb ankle weights in place of a kettlebell. Just fold the Velcro over to form a handle. This way you get some of the 'swing' motion of a kettlebell.As for the workouts. I can feel a sweat starting to form in the brief 10 minutes which is great if you are short on time. The only down sides I can see is that there are lots of squats which if you have knee problems you will need to adjust, most likely by not going so low or by doing fewer reps. I would also have liked to have seen a little more variety in the workout segments but as a nuts and bolts workout it gets the job done.