Maximize - Full Frontal

I do this workout regularly and I think it's very helpful in maintaining my fitness and most importantly gaining strength. I wanted to know how much calories are burnt (on average) while doing this whole DVD - 30 minutes.

Here is a breakdown of the workout:

Warm Up

30 tap backs on step

30 high knees

30 cross over toe touches

30 squats

repeat

20 flat chest presses

10 ea single leg squats

30 side lunges off step

10 push ups

10ea side leg lifts in planks

10 plie jumps

30 alternate jump lunges

10 W presses with squat

30 jumping jacks with side lateral raises

20 reverse crunches on step

repeat

10 V flies standing for chest

10 front raises with chair squats

10 lying overhead tricep with crunch

10 bicycles

10ea side leg lift with squat

10 plyos over step with shoulder raise

30 jump rope

repeat

cool down + stretch

I find this more of a metabolic workout since it moves too quickly to heavy up other than on one or two moves (chest presses). The time seems to fly with the workout in this set. There is a modifier and the step is used for some of the cardio and strength moves.

These two cross-training workouts are part of Jillian's Biggest Winner series. They are both about half an hour each and follow the same format: you do one set of reps each for about ten exercises, repeat the circuit, and then do a new circuit (twice) with some new exercises. Short cool-down, and the end. Each circuit (of the two) takes about 15 minutes.

The time flew by on this one, and I felt like we were constantly working and moving. I do have circuit-style workouts which involve heavier weights though, and on the whole I think I prefer it this way. I started Full Frontal with 5's and had to drop to 3's by the second circuit. Aerobically, that's fine, but I think I prefer *weights* right now! I also preferred the mix if exercises in Full Frontal. Backside seemed to have more jumpy-type stuff, and I am not sure how safe plyo is (for me, anyway) if done while carrying weights.

I enjoy Jillian and like circuit workouts, so I can see myself using this as a breather day as part of a larger rotation, for example I might do two days with a heavier-weights circuit and then two days with this one. But I am not sure I would do a full rotation just with these. I like the instructor and the format, but was not crazy about the day 2 option, and in general I do prefer to use slightly heavier weights.

This is a little gem. I was gasping for air at the end of the 30 minutes and I'm in pretty decent shape (I can do all the cardio coaches at fairly high settings and full ramp on the elliptical, and I can do most Cathe workouts).

She has some interesting cardio bursty moves with reasonably-tempo'd weight work.

You really get about 28 good minutes of hard work with no rest breaks.

This is one to own, as far as I'm concerned. I did it on a cardio coach day. I could easily see alternating the two maximal workouts every day with cardio coach tacked on for a really good fat burning workout regimen.