Body by Jake #1: The Back to Basics Total Body Workout (DVD, 2004)

I absolutely love this video! The total body workout is tough yet I recommend it for all fitness levels because you can easily customize it to your own abilities (# of reps is based on amount of time spent rather than a precise #). How it works: several minutes of cardio work alternating with several minutes of weight training, then a brief stretch (so nice!) then more cardio work etc. The cardio is not a lot of hopping around like you see in so many other home fitness videos but rather tons of squats and lunges with weights to fatigue - it's a wonderful welcome change!! Jake is extremely likeable, very motivating and the best instructor as far as perfect form in every move. Time counts down during each new exercise so you're much more likely to go ahead and push it because you know you only have X number of seconds til you're through. Men will enjoy this video as well (no girly aerobics) - my teenage son picked up his weights and joined me and we had a great time together! In addition to the total body workout there is also a separate lower body workout (I haven't yet tried it) and a separate abs workout. The abs workout is actually 2 15 minute sessions so you can alternate between them - less boredom equals better results. What you need: some dumbbells in the 2 - 15 pound range and a bench (or use a chair instead for some exercises, everything else can actually be done on the floor). Bottom line, this is the only video I've reviewed that deserves 5 stars. Keep smiling!

Yes, Jake is a little goofy, but if you can past that, you can get a good workout out of this DVD. I bought this mainly for the Total Body Workout, and for the most part, I like the routine. What I don't like about it is how quickly they transition from one exercise to the next...you have no time to pick up another set of weights and end up missing some reps because of it. Jake even mentions in the beginning about using different size weights for different exercises yet forgets some might be doing that during the routine. What I do like about it is it will get your heart rate up and help you build muscle. It's got a great mix of strength training and cardio. I would definitely recommend the Total Body Workout. I would NOT recommend either of his ab workouts. You do way too many crunches to work the upper abs and just a few oblique and lower abs. My arms were sore from holding them behind my head for so long! I haven't tried the lower body workout yet. I would say the DVD is worth it just for the Total Body Workout.

This is a very fast pace workout. what I like about it, is that Jake knows what he's doing! Its a little too fast. what i dont like and can't understand, is that there is no ab work! and because of that I dont use this workout.

This is my first Jake video and I will definitely purchase others; I feel like I'm getting a great workout. I like the timer that displays the length of each exercise and Jake does a great job of explaining proper form and keeping you motivated.

I love that this dvd is low impact and I get a great cardio and strength training work out.
As all videos, the people can get annoying, but it's a great work out

This work out by far is the best dvd that I have in my collection right now. Talk about a workout using weights, this is ultimate. My body is going to shape up real well, I can tell you this!
Each exercise is timed and it is thirty seconds each. After a few thirty second exercises then a two minute one comes along for cardio, again using weights then back to 30 second periods and so on. It's not too frighteningly difficult. My muscles tell me the next day or two that it is very effective!
All is very well explained for proper control.
There are three catagories and each has a warm up.
1. All over body
2. lower body
3. abs
You can do all three,(if your up to it) or choose one of them like I do.
You need hand weights, bench, (I use a chair, and a step aerobics step)
and a weight bar, (or a stick,or a broom)
And you're good to go!

This is an oldie but goody. It contains a cross training workout with cardio and weights using mostly leg exercises to get the heart rate up in-between weights for the upper body. It also contains a great separate abdominal workout. Jake is a very pleasant instructor who knows his stuff.