One of the Best Workouts!
592701
This workout is intense, but very effective.  Katrina is an excellent instructor; focused and straightforward.  This routine was taped in a gym, so there are no frills or fancy sets.  The workout makes you sweat, and Katrina's style of instruction pushes you and makes you work harder!

One of my best investments in a fitness routine.  I recommend this very highly!!!!
3078574
I've owned this workout DVD for a long time, and I finally pulled it out this summer and started using it. I wasn't doing a great job of keeping up with my workouts and wanted something new to add to my routine. I really like this DVD, and use it about once a week. I like to mix up my workouts throughout the week. I do Bikram yoga, circuit training with weights, pilates/ballet, and HiiT cardio. So I can't tell you that any results were solely a result of this DVD. However, this has quickly become my favorite Tabata workout. Other reviewers have given you the breakdown, so I will just share what I feel sets this DVD apart.

Highlights
*Amy does a really good job of reminding you to breathe. She emphasizes exhaling during the move, and you can even hear her breathe out when she is moving. Breathing in sync with the moves really helps your muscles (especially the abs!). A lot of pilates instructors will emphasize this, but most cardio instructors don't.
*Although there is only one video on the DVD, there are three different levels for each move. Each is demonstrated between sets, and you can move between the levels within your workout. For some moves, I'll do one set at the easy level, then a set at the medium level, and switch back and forth for all 8 sets.
*This is more than just a cardio workout. It will also give you legs a workout. Between the lunges and the squats, my legs are usually sore the next day.
*This video has a true warm-up and cool-down. Not only does the warm-up get my heart rate up, it also opens up tight spots by using moves similar to those that I will be doing in the video. No need to warm up on the elliptical!

Music: Has a beat, but nothing special. Not as much fun as a TurboJam DVD, but not annoying elevator music.
Instructor: I like Amy's approach. She does the moves with you, and consistently applauds your efforts and reminds you that you are "almost there." She does not have the extreme perkiness of Chalene Johnson, nor the hardcore-ness of Jillian Michaels. Overall, she is positive and hardworking.

**TIP for Beginners** - When I was just getting the hang of this DVD, I would do four sets of a move, then hit the "Next" button on my remote and go to the next move. It will take you to the next chapter, which starts at the rest period when Amy models the next move. By doing this, I was able to practice all the moves with about half the actual work. It helped me work up to doing the whole DVD, without having to quit halfway through. I still do this sometimes when I am pressed for time.
127836
I used this DVD for the first time today and I can say it is one of the best workout DVDs I own. I am in fairly good shape and this workout rocks. I have several LesliDe Sansone DVDs; this is by far the best to date. It is a total body workout.....my legs felt like wet noodles by the time I finished.
2601382
Love this series of workouts. The instructional DVD is a must to watch first. I'm only half way through the series, but the it is easy to follow. It's like having a personal trainer in the room with you, reminding you of proper form, etc. One of the best home workouts, and believe me, I have many, many of them. Worth every penny.
1131476
I have many exercise dvd's. this one is by far one of the best! it's fast paced yet easy to follow- great cueing- probably does burn allot of calories. this is an advanced workout for those looking for looking for a challenge,
1457613
One of my favorite videos! This video pretty much replaced all my other exercise videos. It's fun and fast results. i have recommended this video to all my friends and family and they have come to like it too.
126443
One of my favorite workouts - full of energy and fun Richard makes you want to move!
821365
I've been doing this one for years - first as a video, now as a dvd; it's so good I bought a copy for my cousin for her b-day, and I'm buying another one soon for another cousin's b-day.  ANYone can do this workout! It's only 25 minutes long, and it's only hard for 2 minutes - anyone can get through 2 minutes! :-)  A must have!!!!! :-) :-)
612173
This is  the best workout I have ever done!! It really works you will not regret buying it... would recommend it to a friend any day.
2596350
I have completed 28 consecutive daily workouts (2 more to go!) so I feel like now is a good time for me to write a review. My backstory is that I used to be in fantastic shape and kind of let myself go over the past few months.  I'm in my 40s, am a working mom, and wasn't overweight.  I could just feel like I wasn't as strong as I used to be and things were getting a little saggy.  I had done other Jillian programs in the past so I know what her style is.  I LOVE this program! She shows a slightly gentler version of her "America's toughest trainer" persona.  She takes the time to explain good form.  You move fast enough that your heart rate gets ups there but slow enough that you can complete the moves with proper form.  The two women in the background have been in other Jillian videos.  I like that they have personalities, unlike some other fitness videos where the background people just smile like Stepford Wives!  One of my favorite things about these workouts is that they are packed with a lot of different exercises, i.e., you're not doing a hundred repetitions of each one, so you don't get bored.  Each workout is challenging, but by the 10th time you do it, it's easier and you're ready to move onto the next one.  After 28 days, and not changing my diet at all, my stomach is a little flatter and my backside is a little higher.  I'll be moving onto her "regular" 30-Day Shred next.  If you stick to this program, you will get results! It's difficult enough to be challenging, but it's do-able.  I love that she offers lots of modifications and doesn't make you feel guilty if you opt to do them.  Be warned that it's 20 minutes of actual work, but it's really 25 minutes because each workout has a warm-up and stretch.  If you are significantly overweigh, some of the floor work that requires you to lie on your stomach might be difficult but you could just skip those exercises.  There's not too many of them.  All in all, a fantastic program that WILL help you get back into shape!
884609
I purchased this dvd a couple years ago and it's a great workout for yoga beginners. The poses may seem easy but don't be fooled! After a couple seconds of holding these poses, you start to sweat! That's a good thing though because it means it's working. The poses are very do-able but in the same breath they challenge your body--you WILL feel it afterwards--in a good way! It's also perfectly narrated to follow along easily. On the days I don't feel like doing a strenuous workout, I bust this dvd out. You obviously won't burn as much fat doing this as you would doing--say, P90--but it's better than not doing anything at all! It's an awesome yoga workout for your whole body and you are SO relaxed by the time the dvd is done. Give it a try. Namaste!
1722027
This is a fantastic cardio workout.  I understand those who are disappointed b/c they can't master it the first time they pop it in the DVD player -- but this is not a quick fix work out that you get bored with after a month.
This DVD was designed for the long haul, for a great workout that uses all your muscles -- IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO TEACH YOU ALL THE COMBOS IN ONE VIEWING.
The eight routines are unique and fun and I'm SOOOO glad she doesn't litter the actual workout section with instructions (don't you get sick of hearing the "beginner instructions" everytime you work out with other DVDs?).
Yes, it takes time to learn, but it's not hard IF YOU SPEND TIME DOING THE INSTRUCTIONAL SECTION (which is actually fun!).  Now that I've mastered the combos, I can just do the dances and get in a killer workout.
2086118
Jillian has done it again! I have a lot of her dvd's and consider her my trainer. I have shelled out hundreds and hundreds of dollars for trainers that were GREAT but Jillians dvd's are honestly just is good. If you allow her to push you and you push yourself which you have to learn how to do anyway to get results.

I am probably now at an intermidiate level so I STILL have to stop often during the DVD. But it gets my heart rate up and keeps it there. This dvd is great because it shows you how to use your own body to lose weight. No gym, no equipment just you! And it really does work. After one week of alternating between this and the no more trouble zones I can already see and feel results. It is a great additon for your cardio routine. It is not boring at all and you still get some strength moves in. Its not about just jumping up and down, you are working all parts of your body all through the workout. GREAT DVD. Just be ready to SWEAT
4438957
This workout is so much FUN and so doable, I was able to get everything down and keep it up with them, sure there are a couple of moves that I need to master better, specially during the Hip Hop portion, but all in all I did awesome, and by the end of each routine I was able to add my own flavor and all. The warm up move fast and is a little bit tricky, but I was able to catch on later, the cool down was pretty good too, a lot of ballet moves, it looked very graceful, there is also a bonus "Dancer's Abs and Bootylicious Buns" which is 5:30 min. long, again very graceful, challenging and it gets the job done in such short time, I love that it is choreographed to the beat as well. I loved the whole thing, the music is fantastic and Ilyse Baker (the instructor) is just so awesome to workout with, I hope she will come up with more workouts DVDs. You can check for previews on YouTube, to get an idea of the choreography.  If you love to dance and you are up for a nice challenge, you need to add this workout to your library! As Ilyse says..:  You will thank me later! ;-)
2070505
The Ultimate Dance Workout is what me and my workout buddy call "the hard workout" and we try to do it once a week. The dancers are all gorgeous and the soundtrack is amazing, pulled right from the dance scene.

Far before the cardio portion you will be sweating, beginning with the very fun workout and into the dance portion. The ten minutes of pure cardiovascular activity is killer, but totally worth it! The workout is so complete it has a "bums and tums" section that focuses on the two main trouble spots we are all trying to work. Even this section is set to great music. It ends with a nice cool down.

The whole workout runs about an hour and is worth every minute. If you are willing to put the time and effort in, you will see amazing results. It only helps that the dance moves are fun and there is NO WAY you can be bored!

Definitely purchase!
203766
This is a fantastic workout!  Each of the dances really works a different part of your body to provide a complete workout.  That said, do not expect to be successful quickly if you don't have prior dance experience.  You will be able to learn it but it will take a lot of repetition.  Some potentially difficult aspects of the DVD: I agree that camera angles aren't always conducive to seeing Julianne's feet and there wasn't an explanation at the beginning for whether she was mirroring or not (she is) so I was a little thrown off for a bit.  I am a "counter" when I dance, so I did hate that no counts were provided.  Luckily, I could pretty easily figure them out on my own (but didn't always know when Julianne was going to start dancing since there was no count off).  Finally, although the music was well stylized and fit to the music, I kept feeling like I was off the beat of the music.  Something just didn't quite gel for me there.

Now the positives!  The workout moves along quickly, so once you've gotten comfortable with the steps, you can still do the video without feeling like you're constantly getting a beginner's lesson in what you already know.  The routines flow nicely, like a real dance, and are made up of steps that you will actually see Julianne doing on Dancing with the Stars.  So you can sit at home and throw out "he wasn't low enough on those flick kicks in the jive" or "what lousy hip action for a cha cha" in your best British accent and actually know what you're talking about!  Seriously, the routines are fairly short (4 8-counts) but they're legitimate ballroom dance.

The cha cha works your hips and abs primarily.  I didn't know my hips could get such a workout!  I really like this routine and feel like you could take a lot of the moves straight over to a Latin dance club and fit right in.  The jive is a killer for your legs and cardio.  For the first week, I couldn't make it through the whole jive sequence and resorted to hitting pause and gulping water.  It's super fast with lots of quick leg kicks, but once you get a hang of it, the moves fit together really well.  The paso is mostly an arm workout, but I also found that it really worked my core as well because of how strong and rigid your frame needs to be.  I thought I would feel really stupid pretending to have a cape and dancing the "man's dance" without a man, but I actually really love this routine!

Even though the workout does move quickly, once I really learned the routines fully, I didn't have much interest in going through the whole video.  I'm not so into following a strict workout plan but enjoy doing the dances themselves.  Therefore, I made a playlist of songs at the right tempo and with the right beat for each style (most of them being songs that couples danced to on Dancing with the Stars!) and now just put it on in my living and dance for a quick 15-20 minute workout.  It's great for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to dedicate to a workout video but still wants to get something in to tone up, get the heart rate going, and have fun!
987907
I cannot say enough about this workout, the step portion is so much fun - it really gets you moving and you can feel the benefits as you are doing it.  I do this one once a week (working out 4-5 times per week with other vids also).  The music is motivating, as is Keli Roberts - I wish she had more videos.  The strength training intervals are also great in that the reps are longer than most videos, but not boring. I use 5-8 lb. weights right now, but am looking to move up to 10lbs soon (except for shoulder work, which for the normal exerciser, requires lighter weights). My hamstrings are always sore after this video and that is hard for me to accomplish at my current stage of fitness.  Do yourself a favor, and get this one - you will be hooked!!