Be Fit in 30 Extreme

***Update–I just posted this review today, but I already received a comment (below) giving me information I did not have before I posted it. Apparently, everything on the YouTube BeFit channel is free! I had no idea. Since this was posted before I had that information, I am not changing the review post, just adding the update below***

***7/16/16 Update–I just reviewed the entire BeFit in so Extreme 90 day program which is free on YouTube***

I saw this workout while browsing at the library. I actually had it on my Amazon wishlist for a long time then removed it. I don’t remember why I removed it but probably a routine clean up–realizing I will probably never buy it. Then I saw it at the library and decided I should check it out for free! Be Fit is a YouTube fitness channel you can subscribe to and get all kinds of workouts–ones they create and ones by popular trainers such as Jillian Michaels and Denise Austin. BeFit in 30 Extreme contains 3 twenty minute workouts created by the Be Fit channel trainers Scott Herman and Susan Becraft. The DVD clamshell states that a 30 day workout calendar is included but it must have been a paper calendar because it isn’t included digitally on the disk. The clamshell also states “the toughest workout you will ever do!” and that all 3 twenty minute workouts are “total body workouts.” Having done all 3 workouts none of this is true. I do not want to discount them tho! They are all very good, intense little workouts but nowhere near the toughest workout I’ve ever done and only one would qualify as a total body workout (Legs, Thighs & Butt). So… some false advertising going on. And I have to rant a little but I will make it quick. Workout DVDs are a huge market with tons of trainers. With trainers like Cathe, Shaun T, Michelle Dozois, Bob Harper, Jodi Hendrix, Patrick Goudeau, Steve Uria, Toby Massenburg and Jillian Michaels out there making far more advanced workouts (heck–Jillian is on their channel!)–why would they make such an obviously false claim? There are many more advanced and “tough” workouts on the market. So, the fact they would write that on their DVD cover is irritating.

I did really like all of the workouts and I will probably end up buying the DVD. The workouts function great as finishers for other workouts (in the same fashion that Weider Ruthless functions and many of my Tracy Anderson workouts–to round my morning workouts out to an hour and either give me some cardio, or finish off whatever body part I happen to be working). This workout also has a play all option so you can combine all 3 into an hour long workout and that wouldn’t be a bad idea either. That would be a much more intense and thorough workout. If you chose the “play all” option it is 65 minutes long and the workouts play in the order they are listed below. Personally, if I were to do all 3 in a single workout, I would change the structure and finish the workout w/ Total Body Weight Loss rather than have it in the middle.

As for the trainers, they do a good job. They aren’t incredibly motivating and none of the exercises are innovative. But they lead the workouts well, the workouts are solid intermediate level workouts and I do think it is a good collection. Although I am making an effort to not buy anymore workout DVDs for a while, I did watch their “Also from Lionsgate” trailer, showing other workouts they offer, and well–I was intrigued! One in particular looked like something I might enjoy–“Be Fit in 90.” So I am putting it on my wishlist but who knows when I will actually purchase it. Not for a while! (**see update below–BeFit in 90 is also free on YouTube–so  won’t be buying that either!) I was also really interested in the 10 Minute Yoga Fix they produced but when I looked it up on Amazon–everyone hated it! So that one will not be moved to my wishlist!

***Update: It was brought to my attention by a commenter below that these workouts are actually offered for free on YouTube and that these 3 workouts are actually just level one of 9 twenty minutes workouts (plus a bunch of challenges). That makes a lot more sense to me–though they should have given that information somewhere on the DVD cover, or perhaps included the intro on the DVD. Nevertheless, here it is if you are interested: BeFit 30 Extreme workouts on YouTube. I may be reviewing more of these BeFit workouts now.***

Legs, Thighs & Butt is 22 minutes long; 2 minute warm up, 14:20 minute metabolic strength circuits, 1 minute abs and 2:15 minute stretch. This was the second workout I did in this series (Total-Body Weight Loss was the first) and it was definitely more of a total body workout than the first one I did. This workout is also mis-titled–everywhere. But when the workout starts, Scott (who leads this workout) states it is for your butt, legs and back–and this is actually what it works, with a bit of shoulder and core work, too. Overall, for only 20 minutes, this is an excellent metabolic strength workout. Just like in Total-Body Weight Loss this workout is set up in circuits. There are 3 circuits and each circuit contains 3 exercises. You do each exercise for 60 seconds and get a 30 second recovery between each exercise. Once you finish a circuit, Scott previews the next 3 exercises before you start the next circuit. Warm up consists of jumping jacks, butt kick run, side to side jumps, lateral lunge stretch, and “worlds greatest stretch”–start in plank, bring one foot up to hands (so deep lunge/stretch) and raise same side arm as front leg to ceiling.

Remember, each exercise in each circuit is done for 60 seconds with a 30 second recovery between each exercise. After one circuit is complete, Scott demonstrates the next 3 exercises. It ends with one minute of core work done as 2 exercises done for 30 seconds each. You need a variety of dumbbells for this workout. I used 8, 12, 15 and 25 pound dumbbells. Scott and crew each only had one set of dumbbells and I do not know the weights they used but I will list my weight below. Since you are doing each exercise for 60 seconds, it is a high rep workout so you cannot lift super heavy. The pace of Scott’s reps is usually pretty brisk, too.

Circuit #1: 1. squat press (squat w/ overhead press) 12# DBs, 2. stiff leg deadlift (25# DBs), 3. bent-over T row (bent over and raise arms to the side, elbows bent as they come up, as if you are trying to get your shoulder blades to meet) (12# DBs)

Circuit #2: 1. split squats (alternating squat jumps), 2. bent-over alternating row (piston row) (15# DBs), 3. alternating side lunge (12# DBs)

Circuit #3: 1. alternating reverse lunge w/ straight arm overhead raise (one 12# DB held in both hands), 2. rear delt fly w/ alternating deadlift (8# DBs), 3. swimmers (on belly on floor, swim/paddle straight arms and legs)

Core: (30 seconds of each exercise) 1. Russian twists (one 8# DB held in both hands), 2. lay on back still holding DB in both hands, raise DB to ceiling and raise head/shoulders off ground; scissor legs from ceiling to a few inches off floor

Total-Body Weight Loss is 20 minutes long; 1:45 minute warm up, 14:25 minute cardio circuits, 1 minute abs, 1:40 minute stretch. This workout is not a total body workout. It is a cardio workout led by Scott. It is also not “toughest workout” I have ever done, so the DVD clam shell statement must not have been referring to this workout. But it is a decent little cardio workout for being only 20 minutes. My heart rate never got sky high, so this doesn’t qualify as a HIIT workout. Just an intense little cardio workout. It is set up in circuits. There are 3 circuits and each circuit contains 3 exercises. You do each exercise for 60 seconds and get a 30 second recovery between each exercise. Once you finish a circuit, Scott previews the next 3 exercises before you start the next circuit. Warm up consists of jumping jacks, butt kick run, side to side jumps, lateral lunge stretch, and “worlds greatest stretch”–start in plank, bring one foot up to hands (so deep lunge/stretch) and raise same side arm as front leg to ceiling.

Remember, each exercise in each circuit is done for 60 seconds with a 30 second recovery between each exercise. After one circuit is complete, Scott demonstrates the next 3 exercises. It ends with one minute of core work done as 2 exercises done for 30 seconds each.

Circuit #1: 1. high knee run, 2. jumping jacks, 3. burpee

Circuit #2: 1. skaters, 2. squat, squat, tuck jump, 3. toe jumps w/ hands over head

Circuit #3: 1. Heisman (two runs and knee raise/pause); 2. fast feet w/ alternating reverse lunge (when you lunge, your hand will touch ground); 3. mountain climbers

Core: (30 seconds of each exercise) 1. bicycles; 2. windshield wipers

Fat-Burning & Abs is 22 minutes long, 2 minute warm up and 1:20 minute stretch. This workout is led by Susan Becraft and the first thing she says when the workout starts is that this is a “abs, chest and thigh workout.” Her workout is set up basically the same way Scott’s is set up–3 circuits of 3 exercises, each exercise is done for 60 seconds with a 30 second recovery between each exercise. What is different about Susan’s workout is that instead of finishing the workout off w/ 60 seconds of core work, she has two minutes of “finisher” exercises. For this workout you will need some dumbbells. Susan and crew each only have one set of dumbbells but I used 7, 8 and 12 pound dumbbells. I have no idea what the weight of their dumbbells were, so the numbers listed below is the weight of the dumbbells I used for the exercise. This is another effective little workout. Again, nowhere near the “toughest workout” I have ever done but still a great little workout.

Just like Scott’s workouts, the warm up consists of jumping jacks, butt kick run, side to side jumps, lateral lunge stretch, and “worlds greatest stretch”–start in plank, bring one foot up to hands (so deep lunge/stretch) and raise same side arm as front leg to ceiling. Remember, each exercise in each circuit is done for 60 seconds with a 30 second recovery between each exercise. After one circuit is complete, Susan demonstrates the next 3 exercises. It ends with 2 minutes of finishers–however, during this finishers Susan doesn’t demonstrate the exercises before you do them and you get very little recovery between the exercises.

Circuit #1: 1. alternating curtsy lunges (12# DBs), 2. push up rotations (one push up, side plank, one push up, side plank other side), 3. alternating V up (legs and arms straight, V up, tapping hand to opposite toe)

Circuit #2: 1. squat shuffle outs (hold one DB in both hands, lower into squat and quickly shuffle feet out side to side) (12# DB), 2. forward presses in deep lunge (holding a DB in each hand, torso leaned forward, start w/ palms facing ceiling, press DBs in front of you while rotating palms downward) (7# DBs), 3. side plank “kick out” (get into side plank on straight arm and bring top elbow to top knee; 30 seconds each side)

Circuit #3: 1. deep lunge chest flys (holding a DB in each hand, torso leaned forward, do a chest fly, “scoop” DBs from sides of body to overhead, palms facing ceiling) (7# DBs), 2. plank fire hydrant (in high plank, bring one knee under body to same side elbow, then outside of body to same side elbow, then back under body to same side elbow then bring it out straight behind you and lift; alternate sides), 3. bicycle maneuver

Finishers: 1. tire flips for 60 seconds (hold DBs in underhand grip (palms facing ceiling), squat, bringing DBs to toes then swing DBs up overhead while standing and raising up onto toes) (8#DBs), 2. plank knee drives for 30 seconds (in high plank, alternate bringing knees to opposite elbows), 3. tabletops (while in tabletop/crab, raise one foot and tap w/ opposite hand, alternate sides)

 

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