This low-impact, hour long DVD covers all the bases, from warm up through cardio, weights, strength training and cool down, directly targeted at very beginning exercisers.
What worked for me: The focus is very clearly on beginner exercisers who are unfit and new to working out - each part of each exercise is explained, with nothing taken for granted about form. Every exercise is demonstrated with varieties of difficulty, from the opening warm up where viewers can opt for walking in place rather than in a circle, to the plank (where the easiest option is lying supine and pulling in the abdominals. With one, optional, exception, the entire workout is no- to low-impact, and there's frequent reinforcement that the aim is progressive improvement - sweating and huffing are desirable signs that you're working hard, and the overall approach is supportive rather than aggressive and confrontational. There are explanations about how some of the exercises work, which muscles are being used, and discussion about balancing work on one muscle group with complementary work. There was also a caution about people with hypertension seeking medical advice before attempting to use handweights above heart level.
What could have been improved: I didn't buy a couple of the instructor-as-viewer moments (Michelle saying during a stretch that she couldn't reach her toes, or that she found doing the stage 2 pushups hard), but appreciate that this could be reassuring for the intimidated novice.
Overall: I think this is an excellent introduction to cardio and strength exercise for unfit novice and beginner exercisers (like me), or those re-entering exercise after a break. I was breathing hard during the boxing section, and worked up a sweat during the floor work. This DVD introduces exercises used later in the series, and though I've started out of order I imagine the three Australian Biggest Loser DVDs segue nicely as one's stamina and strength increase. - Alex
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