What I didn’t like about this workout:

Few form pointers: Bob briefly performs each exercise, and mentions form pointers, but out of all the exercisers, only 1 or 2 are even approaching proper form, which is not good as the camera is usually focused on the others who are nowhere near it.

No indication of the correct pace or cadence at which to perform the exercises when you do get up to speed–it is very easy to overwork one side at the expense of the other. He seems to be working in 30-second segments at times, but not all the time. He also counts backwards, which is fine except you don’t know where you’re starting from.

If you have knee problems and/or are in similar physical condition to the BL contestants on the DVD you will want to modify the movements somewhat. There are a lot of squats, knee bends and some jumping.

The other two workouts with Jillian and Kim have the same problems with lack of proper form pointers and a lot of squats and knee bends, and some jumping. They are only 10 minutes each, so it may or may not be an issue for some people. Bob’s workout uses light weights, the other two do not. You can do most of the workouts on carpet if you have to, but be careful.

The cool down did not have nearly enough stretching in it to be worth doing.

When they come out with the next DVD they need to have a short section where Bob demonstrates proper form (both from the front and the side), include some exercises which can get your heart rate up without being so hard on the knees, and put more actual stretching into the cool down.

3.5 stars, but rent it first.

Wow. This will really work you hard. Considering how much the cast members of “TBL” have lost, that shouldn’t be a surprise.

I could feel myself getting stronger with each workout, and everyone commented that I was in great shape within just a few months of having given birth. That was a year ago, and last fall, I started going to the gym, running and working out on the elliptical. I really like a challenge, so when you read that, don’t think for a second that I was going easy on myself. But I recently had to drop the running due to back problems, so I started adding this workout back into my routine once or twice a week. And every time I do it, I wish I’d never stopped. You just get real definition and visible results from it.

I feel like I can confidently recommend this for people of all fitness levels because of the “customizing” workout options. I will say that I’m not a huge fan of the cool-down (I usually skip and do my own stretches). It’s called “Yoga”, but there just isn’t enough real honest-to-goodness stretching, just focusing on your breathing, which is nice and all, but… I also think that there are some gaps between the different exercises — usually I can squeeze in a couple extra before they start doing it. But if you do that, if you seriously give it your best effort, you will definitely see whatever results you personally are looking for.

How they’ve structured the DVD is that Bob is easiest, then Jillian, then Kim. But it should be the opposite. So for someone starting out maybe they’d be more comfortable doing Kim, Jill, then Bob. I did all three the first time and lordy was I glad to get to Kim’s easier section!

You will NOT be disappointed with this DVD. IT ROCKS!!!!

Let me say this, level one (20 mins) just kicked my butt!! I was sweating and could feel every muscle in my body being worked! This was without even using the weights (which I did not know this video incorporated).

I am beyond satisfied with this workout DVD and can only imagine what level 2 and 3 are going to bring. I will definately be purchasing more biggest loser DVD’s!!

All I can say is: OW. The “Level 1″ work out and even the warm up are very hard core. In fact, all I could think about was the thought of whether or not some of my friends in average shape could even do these work outs without falling over. Like someone noted earlier, there is pretty much NO warm up…it is basically an intense mini work out.

My main reason for writing this review is to warn people about the push up exercise that Bob has you do in the Level 1. Seriously?! I found that to be more for someone in the higher-end moderate to advanced level of fitness. After doing that workout, I pulled something in my chest and it hurt for a good 2 days.

The style is nice and not too cheesy, and I did like the Yoga cool down. However, for a show that caters towards helping obese people become fit, I was disappointed in what I saw as unrealistic expectations for a beginner.