Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Phase 2 Workouts (Part 1)

For the past two weeks, I have been using the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Phase 2 workouts 5, 6, and Cardio 2. According to Jillian’s schedule, I should have stayed with Phase 1 workouts for a month, but I switched early because I am not a beginner when it comes to home workouts, and I wanted to challenge myself a little more. OK, this is more like it!

Sumo Squat and Press

Workout 5: There is a yoga warm up (Sun Salutation), then it’s time to work out “The chest, shoulders, triceps, quads, and a little bit of abs.” I have to admit, the warm up reminded me of Tony Horton, since he first introduced me to yoga in P90X, and he uses that warm up in particular for several workouts. After the warm up, the circuits include a lot of Jillian’s signature “super sets” which work the same muscle groups for two sets in a row. For example, two intense arm exercises! The plyometric exercises are back, just as in Phase 1. There are more combination moves, such as Tricep Presses in a Crescent pose (forward lunge). There is an abdominal exercise at the end of each circuit, but many of the exercises include a twisting or core-related element as well.

Jillian and Natalie Encourage Us

Workout 6: This one is worth watching because of the interaction between Jillian and Natalie at the very beginning. I guess they were having a conversation about motivating us to keep going, even as it becomes more difficult, and Natalie doesn’t seem convinced. Still, it’s nice to see the end of their chat, and hear Natalie speak. Anyway, this is a workout for “The back, biceps, glutes, hamstrings, and a little bit of abs.” I noticed Jillian’s use of the light, medium, and heavy weights here (very specific). I even pulled out heavier than usual weights for bicep curls, where Jillian was using the resistance band. There are familiar moves here from 30 Day Shred, such as Superman (now with light weights), and new ones, such as a Dumbbell Row in Stork Stance. The “Stork” is what Jillian calls my nemesis, the yoga Warrior 3 pose. This is similar to one of the common exercises in P90X2, which I have mentioned many times in my P90X2 blog entries.

Hey, Lana, how YOU doin’?

Cardio 2: This is similar to Cardio 1, but some of the exercises are more difficult, such as the Burpee at the end of each circuit. There are two sets of jumping jacks (one normal, one crossing arms and feet). There are plyometric moves, including a Plie Hop. Cast members are featured at various points of the workout, such as David, Mimi, Hayley, and Lana (my personal favorite). There are a couple of boxing moves, and I decided to use my light weights for those, even though Jillian did not suggest it. I wonder if the punches with weights (as seen in 30 Day Shred) will make an appearance in later workouts?

There is a noticeable increase in difficulty from Phase 1 to Phase 2, but it is not a huge difference. There is always someone demonstrating a more challenging version of the exercise. More combination moves, and more “super sets.” Some days I did the scheduled workout followed by Cardio 2, but most days I was happy to do the scheduled workout all by itself.

I’ve done these workouts for two weeks, as the schedule recommends, so I’ll be switching to workouts 7 and 8. I think it was just enough time to get used to the workouts and almost get tired of doing them. Well, I won’t get tired of Cardio 2, for some reason…

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Body Revolution Phase 1 Workouts
Jillian Michaels vs Tony Horton Comparison
Cast Profile: Natalie