• Cardio Level 1: Don't be fooled by the beginner's level of this workout. Tara takes you though five different sets that each include two different moves and a 30-second cardio blast. I was huffing and puffing halfway through. What I like about this kind of cardio workout is that it teaches people you don't need a treadmill, a special gym class, equipment or even a lot of time to get a great cardio workout. Just move.
• Cardio Level 2: I was less thrilled with the advanced cardio workout taught by Ali. The addition of weights combined with the speed of the moves made it feel a bit sloppy to me--like I wasn't maintaining proper form. It may have been that I only had a medicine ball and had to make modifications when resistance bands and hand weights were needed.
• Upper Body: Sione takes you through the arm workout which, honestly, was a little forgettable. But I feel it in my arms so something good was happening.
• Lower Body: This is another one taught by Ali and another one that I wasn't as crazy about. I have a bum right knee though, which probably explains my complaints about lunges. You'll feel the burn in your thighs and calves.
• Abs: Loved the abs workout with Tara. It combined standing twists with more traditional floor work as well as bodyweight resistance and weighted moves for an extra challenge.

Equipment Needed
Lots of equipment is needed for this DVD. Check the "Training Tips" bonus feature for a run through of each. They call for hand weights, water ball (or medicine ball), body ball, resistance bands and body bands throughout the video, but you can make modifications. I only had a medicine ball and two cans of Miller Light that I modified as best I could. Yeah, Miller Light. I don't recommend it, but you can use canned or bottled drinks as your light hand weights. You definitely don't have to have a body ball for anything. I used my coffee table for those moves.

Effectiveness
Though some sections were better than others, I'd say that overall this is an effective cardio and strength training DVD for beginners. It can be made appropriate for more advanced participants by adding extra weight or even repeating the sections twice. You will be panting in the cardio routines and will feel the burn in your arms, legs and abs by the end of the strength routines.

Safety
The addition of weighted resistance can sacrifice posture in some of the moves. If you aren't able to complete the move properly or are feeling paint (other than the desired workout burn), your weight is too heavy. People with bad knees will have trouble with the lunges in the Lower Body Workout.

Cast/Instructor
Ali Vincent, winner of Season 5, teaches Cardio II and Lower Body. She is the most energetic of the three (and appears to have lost the most weight at the time of this taping) but is also borderline annoying. Season 7 finalist Tara Costa takes you through Cardio I and Abs and is an enjoyable TV trainer personality--encouraging but not overbearing. Finally, fan favorite from Season 7 Sione Fa teaches the upper body workout and chides the other two instructors throughout his routine and when they're trying to teach. Friendly competition? Or bitter he didn't win?

Since they're not trained TV personalities, all the instructors had some pretty entertaining slip ups. Ali coughed in the middle of her motivational closing speech and was visibly flustered. Ali made fun of Tara for her light weights and she fought back with, "But I'm a girl!" Sione also joked that the girls "love pushing up on balls" during the balance ball pushup. Oh and Ali said verbatim: "If you don't look good in your jeans, you don't look good period." Luckily, there is a music-only sound option that will mute their nonsense.

Music
The music is nothing special--just your standard thumping techno beats in the background.

Set
The set is simple and minimalistic. Far less annoying than some of the flashier workout videos out there. But it's not Biggest Loser ranch...

Video
The DVD is in 1.78:1 widescreen and looks fine.

Negatives
All the necessary equipment is a big negative for me. If you're just starting to work out, you will probably be fine without any weight at all. But as you improve--or if you are starting at a more advanced level--you'll have to invest in something. You don't need all the pieces, but you'll want some sort of resistance in the form of weights, bands or weighted balls.

I also found the free Pocket Cookbook to be pretty disappointing. Though Trainer Bob preaches anti-artificial sweeteners in his bonus feature Diet Tips, most of the recipes included call for "artificially sweetened" everything. Gross. Don't eat that mess.

Conclusion
Though this video had its downs--too much equipment and inexperienced instructors--I felt that there were enough positives to make it worth recommending. The workouts are short and sweet and can be made more challenging by increasing weight over time, making it appropriate for any fitness level. Even if you don't choose to stick with the full 30-day workout plan, just completing each workout once will give you lots of ideas for new moves to incorporate into your own routines. You could even pick a few different moves to do during commercial breaks while you're watching, oh I don't know, The Biggest Loser.

Katie