When Jillian Michaels announced some time ago that she was reuniting with Anita and Natalie from 30 Day Shred for a new DVD called Jillian Michaels Killer Buns & Thighs, I was excited. And not just because of my beloved Anita.
Ahem.
I still feel like 30 Day Shred is the best short workout around, and was looking forward to her getting back to that feel with Anita and Natalie. I wanted the old Jillian I love so much.
Unfortunately, this DVD completely misses the mark for me.
Why? A couple of main reasons.
I have to modify too many moves
Yes, I have bad knees, but I’ve been working out regularly and none of Bob Harper’s workouts make my knees hurt, nor does the Jillian Michaels “trifecta” (30 Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones, or Banish Fat Boost Metabolism). But this DVD killed them. Level 1 is very dynamic and works the legs a lot. There was even a weird twisty move in the warmup and from there my knees just hurt. I watched the next 2 levels and could tell that I was going to have to modify so many of the moves it wasn’t going to be worth it.
But I wasn’t only modifying moves for my knees – there were a lot of the moves, even in Level 1, that were just too insanely difficult (even with her modified version). These, along with a few moves that were too easy for me (like deadlifts) got me out of the groove of working out. I never felt that magic balance of strength and cardio that her earlier DVDs hit so perfectly, despite the workout being much longer (40-45 minutes).
I’m not a fan of the commentary
I can’t explain it, but in this DVD Jillian kind of feels like a caricature of the old Jillian. Some of it was good, but some of the joking around with the models was just annoying. The talking about how she doesn’t want to hurt the models, about how she didn’t want comments on twitter about it being easy…I can’t explain it. Obviously it’s all personal taste, and her persona is similar to her other latest DVDs, so if you enjoy those this won’t bother you. And maybe I was just annoyed at not getting the workout I wanted. But it was distracting to me.
A second opinion
I felt bad about my reaction when I did the DVD some time ago, so I sent it to @xtremeparnthood to get a second opinion. I know she’d been working out a lot with Jillian and wanted to get her opinion. In her words, “to tell you the truth I REALLY didn’t like it. I found it much more difficult than her original 30 Day Shred. As in ‘OUCH I think I just tore my miniscus’ hard. I watched the second and third [levels] but didn’t actually do them. I knew it would do me in.”
Overall conclusion
Take this for what it is (my personal opinion), but unless you’re a big fan of the “newer” Jillian, I’d pass on this.
Instead, if you’re looking for a 45 minute workout, I’d recommend either Jillian’s No More Trouble Zones or Banish Fat Boost Metabolism, or Bob Harper’s Totally Ripped Core or Beginner Weight Loss Transformation.
Thanks for the getting the review up.
I didn’t care for the preview of it that I saw but you just cemented me not getting it. I could handle the strange Jillian in Shred It w/ Weights and Six Week Six Pack, but Ripped In 30 I seriously was not into BECAUSE of strange Jillian. I hope she’s more normal in the upcoming Extreme Shred and Shed.
No More Trouble Zones has got to be my all time favorite.
Wow! I am very surprised by your reviews! I have been using KBT since it came out in Sept. I found level 1 too easy. I was sweating and burning calories, but I was never sore the next day. Level 2 is killer for me. I can follow the advanced moves, but have to modify a couple out of lack of condition (one legged burpees? seriously?). Level 3 is a bit shorter and I have to modify many more moves, and because of that I like Level 2 the \”best\” even though it kills me!
Granted, I don\’t have any joint issues, but I do have problems with my piriformis muscle though. I can only do KBT 1 or 2 times a week without bothering it. Jillian is a little wacky in this one, but I appreciate the lower body workout she gives me. I have gained leg muscle from KBT, which is sooo worth Weird Jillian!
Yes, it’s definitely lower body oriented…one of the reasons I like Shred, NMTZ, and BFBM is that they all incorporate more upper body as well. Well, that, plus I don’t need a knee transplant afterward. LOL
I figured there would be a lot of people who like it, I’m just not one of them. Thanks for the opposing viewpoint!
I’m so glad to read that i’m not the only one who does not like the moves – I’m 24 and have never had any problems with knee (or other joints) but Level 2 of Killer Bun & Thighs really make me feel like I’m putting my legs in some positions that they are not supposed to get into.
The commentary doesn’t annoy me (maybe because i’m tuning out her talking?) but the moves! I’ve given level 2 a fair chance (I’ve done it three times) and I don’t think I’m going to do it again.
I am soo surprised at some of the reviews and negative comments about this dvd. I would like to point out that this is 1. a jillian micheals workout and 2. a killer BUNS and THIGHS workout to be done at home… As such there is def going to be some moves that put strain on your lower joints.. I found that I could do plenty of the moves in level one with very little modification outside of what she gives (I am 8 months pregnant too). I can do the moves in level 2 that do not require me to be on my stomach and and find them effective, hard but doable. I think that it may be more of a lack of insight into what it means to work your butt and thighs that has lead to so many negative comments.
I am VERY surprised at the reviews and negative comments about it working the bottom half of the body, THAT IS WHAT IT IS MEANT TO DO! Seriously, what do you expect from a Kill Buns and Thighs DVD????
I don’t mind that it works the lower body – of course it’s supposed to. But I’ve got plenty of good lower body workouts that don’t destroy my knees.
I’m surprised with this review as well. I started with Jillian Michaels’ 30DS, then ripped in 30 and now killer buns and thighs.. it’s absolutely amazing. works your ass off, her attitude is light and funny. think of how motivated and changed Jillian must feel. She’s made such a name for herself plus she’s in great shape. If she wants to joke around in her video let her.. Personally, i bought these DVDs for a work out that would work – and they do. If you can really let someone’s jokes and personalities upset or bother you in a work out DVD… REALLY? really? at least find another excuse or just move on. Don’t bring your insecurities and negative attitude to it!! If you like a hard working, sweat dripping work out, GO FOR IT!!
Ive done No More Trouble Zones and Ripped in 30. Now Im on level 2 of Killer Buns & Thighs and I have to admit, I HATE it! I was able to level 1, it was easy but doable although I felt I was wasting my time with what she calls deadlifts. That did absolutely nothing but let me catch my breath. On level 2, most of the moves are extremely hard and Im modifying the modified version, if that makes sense. You can see the two ladies in the back struggling, legs shaking, etc. and they are built like brickhouses. If I cant do half the moves, why do the workout? Another thing about many of the moves is the balance requirement. Its hard to get good balance if youre working out on carpet or an area rug. Im not trying to be a ballerina, I just want a workout. On many of her moves, if you dont have good balance, youre falling constantly trying to gain balance.
Not that my opinion counts, I actually do enjoy this workout. I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t get much of an abb workout, but than again it is Killer Buns and Thighs. This works out my butt and legs amazingly! My knees don’t bother me so much, but before the workout I did have to work on form for my squats. Overall I love this workout, Jillian made me go from a size 8 to a size 2 in a matter of months. This workout along with a few crunch sets, and possibly a set of weights is a killer workout on my days where I just don’t feel like hammering in 2 or 2 and half hours.
I have done 30 day Shred, then ripped in 30 and now i’m doing killer buns and thighs. I love all of them. As far as the balance requirement you get better the more you build up your core. Start by putting a hand on a chair and then work from there. I have terrible knees, and injured back and I have not had any trouble doing these workouts. I think it is crucial that people don’t necessarily move to the next level because it’s been a week. Do each level until you can comfortably do the excercises then move to the next level. I think Jillian is great and if she wants to joke around or act goofy who cares. She has transformed me and made me stronger.
I love all of her workouts. It seems to me that the people who hate it are the ones who just can’t do the moves…… Don’t call it a horrible Video just because you can’t do it. It really does sculpt your lower body and it’s a killer workout. Instead of complaining it’s better to just do it and get stronger.