Review: Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred

People the world over are becoming more and more health conscious as our jobs increasingly require us to sit in a chair in front of a computer all day. It’s clear that our health suffers when we do so little physical activity, and as a result a huge industry has developed to help people get healthier through physical exercise.

The Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred program is one of a number of fitness programs that aims to help people get into shape with the minimum amount of time spent exercising. This appeals both to those who are somewhat lazy and those who are very busy. So does it actually do the job? Let’s take a look.

Key Features For Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred

RRP: $14.98
Year of Release: 2008
Instructor: Jillian Michaels
Focus Areas: Strength, Cardio, and Abs

Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred: The Pros

1. 20 Minute Program: The Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred program's biggest selling point is that the program is based entirely on a workout of no more than 20 minutes a day. That sounds like a dream come true to many people, and rightly so. Having to exercise for just 20 minutes a day is nothing.

Those who’ll benefit most from this are busy people who struggle to find the time to go to the gym, or even to do more typical kinds of workout at home. It’s not hard to set aside 20 minutes of your time each day no matter how busy you are, and that’s all this program asks of you.

This is also a benefit to those who are unmotivated or lazy and don’t like the idea of having to work out. Only taking up 20 minutes of your time each day, this is a far easier program both to get started with and to stick to in the long run than many longer workouts.

2. Short Bursts of Intensity: The program differs from others in that it uses a series of short bursts of intense activity to get the exercise done. That means that the 20 minutes which each workout lasts for can be pretty exhausting, but gets things over with quickly.

This kind of exercise keeps the workout varied, as you move from one exercise to the next fairly quickly. For those who get bored easily, this will be of definite benefit. However, short bursts of activity (interval training) are also known to be an excellent way to train for both stamina and strength. In short, this will get you fighting fit, and quick.

3. Different Levels: This program offers three different levels of intensity through three different workouts. That means you can ease into things, and then as you progress you can stretch yourself and work harder and harder so that you continue to improve.

It’s worth noting that even the beginner level is far from easy, and that’s true for veteran athletes as well as total novices. Although that means it can be a tough start, it also means that you don’t just whiz through the start, so you’re getting better value for the money.

An additional advantage of having several levels is that each level offers a different workout. That means you can switch things up to keep your workouts fresh, helping you to fend off the boredom that can often come when you get used to a workout.

4. It's Simple: Many novices are easily put off workout program because they’re complicated. However,  Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred is one of the easiest to follow, using simple yet effective techniques to target key areas of the body. Whatever your previous fitness experience, you should be able to follow this program without trouble.

Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred: The Cons

1. May Exacerbate Back And Knee Injuries: This is a serious point that all potential users should be aware of. The exercises in this program may make back and knee injuries worse, or could even cause them if proper form and technique are not followed. You should be very cautious, listen to your body while working out, and consult your physician before engaging in this program to make sure you are appropriately fit to start a fitness program of this intensity.

2. Requires Accessories: Okay, so this one may not be a big deal, but to do this workout you do need a couple of accessories. These are some small hand weights and, if you’re working out on a hard floor, a mat. Although these aren’t going to cost you much, you will want to be aware that they don't come with the DVD.

3. Loud Music: This will vary depending on your personal tastes, but the music can get annoying. Sure, it’s energetic and motivational, but it could get annoying if you don't like this kind of music. Dealing with annoying music shouldn’t stop you from working out, but it might demotivate you over time.

4. Limited Variety: If you need a lot of variety to keep you interested, this workout DVD may fall short. There is only one routine for each of the three levels, so in total you have three routines to choose from. That’s a very small number, and might not be enough for some.

Is Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred Worth Buying?

This is a great workout program that obtains results quickly without eating into your free time too much. You just need to be careful of your back and knees, as some of the exercises can put a lot of strain on them and may cause injury. With this in mind though, this is a program that can definitely be recommended for its motivational style and great results in a short amount of time.

You can find Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred program in many stores as well as online via Amazon.com.