Lauren Brooks' The Kettlebell Body DVD

UPDATE: After a week of working out with this one, I still say it's NOT for beginners and all ages as advertised. So if you're new to kettlebells, significantly overweight or have physical limitations of any kind, try the actual Kettlebell Body workout first, modifying it to suit your fitness level. It's the last of three workouts on the DVD, and features a "reverse pyramid" routine that will challenge even those who've worked out with kettlebells before. If you're a newbie but you really want to get to that next level fast, that's the one for you.If you're an absolute beginner who hasn't worked out in ages, start slower with Amy Bento's "Kettlebell 3-in 1" or for Boomers my age, "The Kettlebell Boomer" by Andrea DuCane is a great confidence booster will make you want to stick with it. Brooks is tough, but you'll be really proud of yourself when you finally make it to the end of these workouts without too many modifications.So buy this one when you're sure you're ready!

This DVD was very highly rated so I went ahead and purchased it. I work out regularly, so I thought that this DVD would be a good addition to my collection. Wrong... It seemed to be really disjointed. I enjoy DVD's that flow. I normally would appreciate the instruction, but it was so slow and tedious, that I just got bored. Sorry.

I am a male certified personal trainer through ACSM and am currently studying to be a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through NSCA. While I have enjoyed some good male trainers, such as Michael Skogg and Pavel Tsatsouline, since first working with kettle bells in 2011, and more recently Keith Weber, frankly, I was tired of looking at a bunch of dudes training doing what I enjoyed and was hoping there could be a good (aka tough, technical, and not afraid to go heavy) kettlebell training DVD of an attractive female instructor as a way to change things up further in my workout routine.Lauren Brooks' "The Kettlebell Body" definitely fulfills this niche; I have thoroughly enjoyed it! In fact, I have it readily available in my "go-to" training stack of DVDs. I like the way she combines her attractive female form and excellent kettlebell knowledge base and applies it to this classy and professional-looking kettlebell DVD that would be more than sufficient for anybody, including men! Her DVD has excellent step-by-step demonstrations of how to perform 12 key kettlebell exercises.Many of the existing female instructor kettlebell DVDs are really meant for only women - they tend to go easier, use lots of calisthenics, and so forth. I am sorry, but I recognize these for what they are and know they are not meant for me. But, I love Lauren's material in that she stresses the importance to go heavy, plus her kettlebell exercises are purely hard-core! However, her DVD includes three complete workouts that cover both definition/endurance and power. Ironically enough, I use this DVD’s workout titled, “Kettlebell Body” over any of the other male-instructor workouts I have when I go for my power workout days!!I truly believe you will appreciate this quality kettlebell training DVD; I am an older/middle-aged male who has lifted weights for the past 34yrs - I respectfully admire Lauren and her excellent instruction and training!

I have to admit, I worked out with this DVD for just 15 minutes and turned it off. I'm not sure if I'll ever use it again. I've got A LOT of workout DVDs (Jillian Michaels, Shaun T, Shape, etc.) and was just not engaged in this workout. It's primarily because there's just no energy from Lauren - just dry instruction. There was also a lot of repetition in those first 15 minutes that just wasn't engaging. Maybe one can get a good workout and strengthen their muscles and heart with this workout - but I don't care if I'm not engaged in the presentation. Others (like Jillian M) do it much better.

I've been using Lauren Brooks' products for a few years. I have her Volume 1 and 2 DVD, her book, Kettlebell for Women, and her program called, BeSlam, available from her website.This is an excellent strength program. This DVD is focused on strength. Her previous DVDs are a combination of strength and cardio for efficient calorie and fat burning. This DVD is different. The goal is strength. For me, this is perfect. I run, so I get plenty of cardio. For right now, what I want is a strength training program that I can do at home. I enjoy using the kettlebell for strength training, and Lauren's products have helped me make solid strength gains.You can use this in combination with her other DVDs in order to mix up your routine, or you can just use this to work on your strength goals.The DVD covers the basics. There are not complicated exercises, but they get the job done. I find the DVD motivational and effective. And one more word. The DVD features "real" people, not actors or people who do this for television. Lauren is a certified kettlebell trainer, and with her are people who are training. Other fitness DVDs can come off as more polished, but this one is focused on a solid workout and demonstrating proper form. It is very important to have correct form when you handle weights.