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| Inside Out Method Collection |
I’ve been a fan of Jillian Michaels for a long time, but I only recently purchased several DVDs from her best friend Bob Harper’s workout series called Inside Out Method. I say Bob is Jillian’s best friend because they have spent so much time together as trainers on The Biggest Loser, but I know from Jillian’s podcast that they are in fact close friends. I have followed MyTrainerBob on Twitter for a while (also the name of Bob’s website) and on Facebook. When he advertised a $5 sale for his videos, with free shipping, I couldn’t resist! I’ve been on his website several times since then, and it seems the sales are pretty frequent, so price is not an issue if you want to try one or more of the workouts.
What I Like
- Variety: Bob’s Workout (2 parts), Yoga, Strength, Body Rev (cardio with weights), and two Kettlebell workouts
- Calorie burn is high for a strength training workout
- 30 and 60 minute versions of each workout
- Small group or one-on-one workout format
- Full body workouts
What I Don’t Like
- What is the Inside Out Method? Is there an overall philosophy which led to this video series? Is it just a marketing label?
- There is no recommended workout schedule. There are six videos in the series, and no overlap, but does this mean I can do one video per day, six days a week and repeat until I achieve the desired result? Should I avoid doing certain workouts on consecutive days, to allow proper recovery time?
- Bob’s introduction to each video features him walking into the gym (with video special effects), and a tough-sounding voiceover which can be summarized as “You wanted me as your trainer? Well, now you’ve got me. Let’s do this!” I don’t know if it’s motivational or just cheesy, but it does take a moment to skip past it after you’ve seen it the first time.
- Video editing tricks including stop-action and slow motion, sometimes for emphasis, sometimes for entertainment.
- Bob uses certain exercises a lot, such as kettlebell swings and tricep presses. If you have lower back issues, be careful with the kettlebell exercises! Done properly, they can strengthen those problem areas.
- Which weights should I use? All the videos use weights, for arm exercises, deadlifts, and kettlebell swings. It’s hard to decide which exercises call for heavy, medium, or light weights, because Bob doesn’t provide too many cues. Also, it’s up to you to keep track of which weight works best for each exercise. If you try to stick with the same weight for the entire workout, you might not be working hard enough, or you might get tired too quickly.
Coming Soon
I have been using the “Complete Collection” videos for a couple of weeks. This includes Bob’s Workout, Yoga, Strength, and Body Rev. I am working on a detailed review of each workout.
Note: As I indicated above, the best prices for Bob’s videos are available at his website. I don’t have an affiliate link, but I want you to get the best deal possible! If you would like to support the blog, please visit our featured advertisers as well.
Related Links
Bob Harper Inside Out Method (workout reviews)
Jillian Michaels Body Revolution (workout reviews)
Jillian Michaels or P90X? (comparison)
Thanks for this post! It’s nice to hear from people who have tried the dvd’s to see what the pro’s & con’s are. I’m surprised he overlooks simple things like telling you what weight range to possible work within…or at least what weight he is using for each move.
Now that I said that Bob isn’t too specific with the weights, I will have to go back and pay closer attention. For example, in “Bob’s Workout” Part 2 he tells us specifically what weights his victim (Zac) is using, not that we would use the same, but as a reference. In Part 1, which is primarily a body weight workout, he has Stephanie use three different kettlebells for one exercise, a 5 lb dumbbell for another, and a set of dumbells (your choice?) for plank rows. Sometimes the transitions are quick, and I was left behind. Maybe other people are a little faster. 🙂