This workout by The Firm, for once, didn't disappoint me. This was the first kettlebell workout I've ever tried, and I thought it was a blast. It's not for those who have a lot of experience with kettlebell workouts, but it's a great workout for those who are just starting out (like myself!).
Here's the breakdown:
GOOD:
1) If you are an experienced exerciser, you can actually keep up with the moves! Usually, this is a problem for me when I try a workout by the Firm--any of the ones involving dance moves just go too fast for me to keep up, because they change up the moves so often. I had no problems catching up to Kelsie Daniels even if I was unsure of the moves. Also, the moves were not overly and unnecessarily complicated.
2)The moves with the kettlebell are definitely tailored to people who haven't used the kettlebell before. There is even a "Learn the Moves" segment in the Bonus section of the DVD so you can familiarize yourself with basic kettlebell moves.
3) The kettlebell is used a lot (I hate DVDs where they say it's a sculpting or weight-training DVD, and then hardly use the weights!), and is interspersed with some brief cardio sections. However, I found my heart rate up even while doing most of the moves with the kettlebell, because compound movements are used.
4)There are modifications shown for beginners; again, I liked these because if I did get a little lost when Kelsie switched up a move, I could follow the beginner moves and still get a good workout.
5) I liked how the kettlebell was incorporated into the brief abs section at the end of the workout. I especially liked the Turkish Get-Up and the pushups with overhead flies.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT:
1) As other reviewers have said, the kettlebell is a little hard to grip and handle, especially for people with big hands. I found it a bit difficult to get a good grip on the thing during the moves where you had to switch what hand the kettlebell was in between moves. In one move where you swing the kettlebell in front of you with one hand and switch it to the other, I was worried the whole time it was going to slip out of my hands and crash into my flat-screen TV. I would suggest buying a different kettlebell if you love the workout but are having issues with gripping the one sent with the kit, or get lifting gloves to get a better grip.
2) I love Kelsie Daniels as an instructor, but I've noticed her workouts involve a LOT of lunges (some of them jumping lunges). I began to feel pains in my knees after a while; be careful with this. I made my lunges a little smaller because of that.
3) The stretch at the end could have been a little better; I would have liked to see more hamstring and glute stretches since you do so many lunges. I added these in after the entire workout was over.
4) As with most of The Firm workouts, Kelsie does add on to moves fairly quickly. You have to pay attention to when she switches; but again, I didn't find it hard to catch up to her, as the moves weren't complicated to follow or do to begin with. I don't mind some fast switches between moves every now and then, as long as I can eventually catch up and keep up pretty reasonably!
Overall, I LOVE this workout; the good outweighs what needs improvement in my opinion. It was a great introduction to the kettlebell, the moves were pretty easy to do and follow, and Kelsie Daniels knows her stuff. If you want to vary your routine and try something new, then I would definitely recommend this workout. If you are experienced with the kettlebell, you may want to pass on this one.Get more detail about The FIRM 5-Pound Kettle Bell Kit with Transfirm Your Trouble Zones DVD.
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