Ripped in 30

in Workout DVD

While at the grocery store this morning, I got sucked into the workout DVD section.  Apparently, I was feelin’ motivated at 8 AM.

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I’ve outgrown my at-home strength routine and had been thinking about ordering a new Jillian Michaels DVD.  After all, I saw pretty fantastic results when I did her 30 Day Shred Challenge way back in 2009 (my review of the DVD remains one of my most-Googled posts). 

 

After reviewing my options, I decided to go with Ripped in 30.

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I chose Ripped in 30 for several reasons:

 

  • Heeeello, Jillian.  You are lookin’ mighty awesome on the cover.
  • The DVD includes four different workouts (30 Day Shred had three), a new one every week.  Hopefully, this will minimize boredom.
  • As with the 30 Day Shred, I really like the idea of a ‘deadline’ with this workout.  30 days?  I can handle 30 days (realistically, I’m just going to do this whenever I feel like it, but it’s nice to know it’s not going to last forever unless I want it to).
  • The workouts are only 24 minutes long.  I totally waste 24 minutes a day on Twitter.  I can find time for this DVD.
  • I own all the necessary equipment (I’m using three pound hand weights).
  • Henry naps in approximately 30 minute segments, so this is perfect to do while hanging out with the bebe.
  • The format (3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs) was intriguing.  Again – I can do that.  3 minutes of strength?  No biggie (hah – famous last words).

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I rocked Week 1 of the workout this morning.  It was typical Jillian Michaels – very challenging and sweaty.  I did pretty much all of the modifications, especially for the push-ups and ab work.  I’m not looking to pass out on the first day, thank you very much. 

 

Also… it’s only been four hours, and my arms are already showing signs of soreness.  I may not be able to brush my hair tomorrow morning.  And that, my friends, is the sign of an excellent Jillian Michaels workout DVD.

{ 76 comments }

 

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance August 15, 2012, 1:51 pm

    Are hand weights the only equipment needed? Do you do the same routine every day for a week, and then switch DVD’s? I’ll be curious to hear what you think about the program as you continue it!

    • Alex @ Brain, Body, Because August 15, 2012, 3:11 pm

      Yes, hand weights are the only equipment needed. Although, I found it useful to have 3lb and 5lb sets for different exercises.

      All of the routines are on the same disk. I’m pretty sure JM says to do one routine per week, for a total of 4 weeks.

  • Samantha Angela August 15, 2012, 1:56 pm

    I love that sore arm feeling after a new workout.

    When I change workout routines then my first upper body day usually feels so tough that I can hardly turn the steering wheel on my car to leave the gym. Intense.

  • Erika August 15, 2012, 1:58 pm

    I have this DVD and love it! Heads up… week 2 is the hardest of all 4 in my opinion.

  • Ashley // Our Little Apartment August 15, 2012, 1:58 pm

    So! How did it compare to the 30 Day Shred? I LOVED the 30 Day Shred. My husband and I did it when my son was about 8 months old. It helped me lose those final pounds and was so fun to do together! (And yell at Jillian together…)

  • Kelli August 15, 2012, 1:59 pm

    Ok you convinced me I need a change anyway I’m bored with my routine!

  • Emily (@EmSemm) August 15, 2012, 2:00 pm

    Good to know! I LOVE Jillian – what a beast.

  • Hayley August 15, 2012, 2:04 pm

    Love this DVD, way more than 30-day shred. I found one-minute of the same exercise non-stop exercise to be too much. I much prefer the 30-second intervals in ripped in 30.

    I haven’t exercised in a while and tried level 1 last Tuesday. My arms also felt sore for the rest of the day, but it was my hamstrings that were screaming for 4 days afterwards!

  • Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot August 15, 2012, 2:08 pm

    I just got this DVD a few weeks ago and really like it! I like the 3/2/1 intervals the best – they really make half an hour fly by. I also like that none of the moves are repeated from week to week so each workout is really, truly different from the weeks before/after!

  • Kelsey Y. August 15, 2012, 2:08 pm

    I have almost a full collection of her DVDs, and Ripped in 30 is what made me change my life around when I first started college. I did the DVD in August of 2011, and it probably gave me the quickest results I had ever had! I also was running as well. I would also recommend her Extreme Shed and Shred for maximum intensity! I’ve been doing the workout for over 2 months, and it still leaves me sweating! Also, the KickBox FastFix, with 20 minute workouts is AMAZING!

  • Barbara August 15, 2012, 2:11 pm

    I love Jillian DVDs!! I don’t own this one – but i have 3o day shred, 6 week 6 pack, banish fat,boost metabolism, no more trouble zones, super shred and shed, yoga meltdown…i try to do 2 or 3 a week. Extreme Shed and Shred is awesome, I have to say, but hard! I was so excited that you posted this, I’ll have to add it to my collection.

  • Becca August 15, 2012, 2:11 pm

    This DVD is awesome. I did the full program last summer, and I truly saw visible results. I went through it again this summer, and I still do the workouts 3-4 times a week with 5 lb weights to stay toned. I really do feel that this workout gives you maximum sweat/workout/intensity in minimum time. I can’t do other workout videos anymore because they feel like so much wasted time!
    Level 3 makes me want to die. So much pain. Good luck. 🙂

  • Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut August 15, 2012, 2:14 pm

    I’m not a big workout DVD person, but you have me psyched to try this! Although…my jerky neighbors below me already complain about noise. Hmm…is there a lot of jumping around required?

  • Catherine August 15, 2012, 2:15 pm

    Yess. I am doing Ripped in 30 now as well, and I love it! In fact, I like it more than 30-Day Shred because (as you found out this morning) while the structure is similar, the 3 minutes of strength is divided into 3 30-second exercises rather than 2 30/60-second exercises… those minute-long exercises in Shred were KILLER (which, I guess was the point :-D)

  • Julianna @ Julianna Bananna August 15, 2012, 2:26 pm

    i absolutely love that you’re not saying that you don’t have enough time to work out – even being a busy working mommy! there are so many people out there who say that they don’t have time to work out, but in reality if they spent 30 minutes just doing SOMETHING instead of going on the computer or watching a tv show, they’d be shocked at how much better they felt.

  • Elisabeth August 15, 2012, 2:31 pm

    Headed to Amazon to buy this ASAP! 😉

  • Ali August 15, 2012, 2:38 pm

    Love this DVD! For me, Level 3 is harder than Level 4. I also LOVE Shed and Shred, which is longer (~45 mins). If you don’t want to me able to stand, sit, move, etc. for a week, do Shed and Shred! These shorter DVD’s save me when I don’t have time to do an hour or two of working out certain days! I always feel like they go so fast and when you are done, you feel good!

  • Lindsay Nagele August 15, 2012, 2:39 pm

    That DVD sounds great. I’ll have to try it out. I just had a baby the week before you had Henry so I am trying to find some new at home workouts to keep me motivated to workout in between feedings. It takes up so muh time when both the husband and I take turns going on runs!

  • Kelly August 15, 2012, 2:44 pm

    Home DVD’s are awesome when you just don’t have the time to go to the gym or need to fit your workout into an odd time slot. I love Jillian’s DVD collection. I own 30 Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones and Yoga Meltdown. I don’t do them every week but it is a nice backup game plan when I need it and they are effective. I always feel sore the next day AND I am always a sweaty mess when I finish. So I am totally on the Jillian bandwagon. Totally.

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat August 15, 2012, 2:51 pm

    I am a huge fan of JM’S DVDs for that quick sweat outcome! Enjoy! 🙂

  • Nadine August 15, 2012, 2:51 pm

    I’d be interested in a post about your “most googled” posts. I’m curious about them!

    • Caitlin August 16, 2012, 11:55 am

      Good idea for a post series!

  • Jessica @ New Girl, New City August 15, 2012, 2:53 pm

    I own almost every one of Jillian’s DVDs… it’s the only at home workouts I’ve found that TRULY kick my BUTT!

  • Allison August 15, 2012, 2:55 pm

    I love the Jillian videos! I did them religiously to prepare for my wedding because I was moving, starting a new job, etc. and didn’t have time to find a gym. I definitely saw results!

  • Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See August 15, 2012, 2:57 pm

    I’ve never done a jillian michael’s dvd, but I’ve definitely been thinking about a 30 day challenge! Do you know of anyone free ones out there?

    • Elizabeth August 15, 2012, 10:53 pm

      check out bodyrock.tv — tons and tons of free at-home workouts (with videos!), and they have archived 30-day challenges 🙂

  • Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life August 15, 2012, 3:11 pm

    I love Jillian’s DVD’s! I like how they are doable and challenging all at the same time! They really push you and I found myself being impressed with what I was capable of doing. It may only be a 24 minute workout but you know her approach is, “if you expect to get results after only 24 minutes of exercise, those 24 minutes better be intense!” Good for you!

  • Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries August 15, 2012, 3:12 pm

    I bought Jillian’s Ripped in 30 DVD several months ago, and I really enjoy it! Some of the higher levels are INTENSE (I guess that’s a given considering it’s Jillian Michaels though!). I really loved how she incorporated some moves that aren’t so traditional to mix things up and keep it fun!

  • Kyla August 15, 2012, 3:19 pm

    My roommate was doing Ripped in 30 and 6 weeks to 6 pack. She loved both of those! I did 30 day shred and enjoyed it a lot.

  • Annette@FitnessPerks August 15, 2012, 3:23 pm

    I am not a big workout DVD person, but they’re nice to travel with–and she does have some good workouts!

    YAY for weight training in da house 😉

  • lola August 15, 2012, 3:39 pm

    What exactly do you mean by Henry sleeping for 30 min? That sounds exhausting!

  • Sarah (The Social Eater) August 15, 2012, 3:41 pm

    I’ve been curious about Ripped in 30. I do like the format of 30 Day Shred (which sounds like it’s the same for this dvd?), so I’ll be interested to hear your feedback as you go through it.

  • Vanessa August 15, 2012, 3:57 pm

    I love Jillian Michael’s DVDs. I think they are such a super option for moms with wee ones. I NEVER thought I’d be a workout vid kinda girl, but after my daughter was born, and I found it hard to make it out of the house for trips to the gym (and after I cancelled my gym membership when money was tight), 30 Day Shred is what got me back on track. Once I was done with it, I needed a new goal, so I completed C25K, and was able to run 3-miles for the first time in my life! I ran for an hour straight recently! OMG!

  • Laura @ My Pink Thumb August 15, 2012, 4:25 pm

    OOO I just LOVE ripped in 30!!! I did it this past January rightt after the 30DS and saw some great results! http://mypinkthumb.com/2012/02/06/ripped-in-30-week-4-recap-beforeafter-results/ Jillian rocks my socks! 😉

    • Kris August 15, 2012, 5:32 pm

      Thanks for sharing! Great results!

    • Eve August 15, 2012, 9:39 pm

      Wow, motivating! 😀

    • Vikki August 16, 2012, 12:01 pm

      I echo the other wows…. You can really see a difference. Good job.

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs August 15, 2012, 4:46 pm

    I have a few of her DVDs and I love them! I rotate through them to keep things fresh, so I don’t get bored. I love the 3 – 2 – 1 method too!

  • Sally August 15, 2012, 5:25 pm

    Love Ripped in 30! It’s by far my favorite Jillian Michaels workout. The results are amazing, especially considering the how short the workout is. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

  • Hillary August 15, 2012, 5:31 pm

    Jillian’s workout DVDs are my absolute favorites. They’re the only ones I’ve tried that I feel give me a legit workout!

  • Whitney @ Whit Likes Fit August 15, 2012, 5:32 pm

    I LOVE Jillian’s DVDs. Pretty sure I have her entire library and 30 day shred and ripped in 30 are my fave. I’ll actually do 2 workouts in a row to get a 45 min workout (and once I did 3 and that was a crazy plan. I was sore for days). Hope you enjoy it.

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) August 15, 2012, 5:46 pm

    I have this one! It is pretty challenging, and I also like how there are four workouts on one disc!

  • jen August 15, 2012, 5:52 pm

    i love that DVD! its so good! I actually just got her body revolution series, and before i could even get it in the mail i found out that im pregnant, and my dr recommends not doing HIIT right now….so its on the shelf patiently waiting

  • BroccoliHut August 15, 2012, 6:08 pm

    Thanks for the review! I often wander into the workout DVD aisle at Target but never feel sure enough to buy one. I love reading a real review!

  • corrie anne August 15, 2012, 7:01 pm

    That’s my FAVORITE Jillian dvd!

  • Dani August 15, 2012, 7:03 pm

    I have Jillian’s shred book, and I tried it for a while, I just found I had a little trouble following the diet plan. I found that I’m not really budgeted to buy all of the things I would’ve needed, and just said eff it.

    Now, I DO own Carmen Electra’s Striptease Fitness DVD collection. Those are VERY interesting and they actually had me sore.

  • Jenn August 15, 2012, 7:45 pm

    I’m so glad you posted this today. I had started the Shredded DVD a couple of weeks ago. Got through the first week fine but when I hit Week 2, it got tough and I actually stopped and went back to JM’s Yoga DVD. Your post today inspired me to keep going. I just finished another round of the Week 2 workout. Thank you!

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More August 15, 2012, 7:59 pm

    I’m in need of some new workout DVDs. I love getting a good workout at home. 🙂

  • Cara August 15, 2012, 9:22 pm

    I have been on again off again with 30 Day Shred…. but I actually just bought this DVD and Extreme shred & shed per recommendations of my sister-in-law. I cannot wait to try them after everyone has been raving about the results!

  • Lindsay @ Fuel My Family August 15, 2012, 10:36 pm

    I may need to look into this dvd…I like the format and I want Jillians bod!

  • Heather (cakeandgreenbeans) August 15, 2012, 10:46 pm

    Heeey I am doing that too! Jillian is hardcore.

  • Katie August 15, 2012, 11:12 pm

    I ALWAYS find myself wandering to the workout DVD section of a store whenever I go! Haha, I guess I’m just curious if there are new popular workouts or something.. 😉
    Jillian Michaels is the bomb. She’s my hero. <3

  • Beth (i run like a girl) August 15, 2012, 11:13 pm

    Great minds think alike?
    I just picked this up at Target last week… Week 1 was awesome (definitely had spaghetti-arms after the workouts). Some of the moves in Week 2 aren’t as good (I don’t like crow push-ups. I can’t seem to get the form right!)
    But so far I LOVE IT.

    Hope you enjoy the DVD as much as I am!

  • Sonia th mexigarian August 16, 2012, 12:51 am

    I have a Jillian michaels DVD on my shelf and did it religiously for a few weeks before the apartment tenant below us complained. 🙂 I haven’t tried it since we moved and now I am inspired to get my shred on. Perhaps I can challenge the husband to join.

  • Ruby @ Focus, Woman! August 16, 2012, 3:19 am

    I LOVE Ripped in 30. I also love alternating 30 Day Shred/Ripped in 30: 7 different workouts in less than 30 minutes each? yes please! So not boring 🙂

    I also love Yoga Meltdown for those evenings when you want to do something challenging but without the plyo. I eventually overstressed my body by combining JM workouts with running: too much impact in the week with too little rest. Yoga Meltdown is also quiet (for those who have light sleepers).

  • Laura @ Happy Sugar Habits August 16, 2012, 6:02 am

    I am seriously tempted to get this DVD now, sounds good. I have only really done one which was Davina’s Super Body Workout but got seriously bored as I think I did it over 50 times! It’s the best well known one to do in the UK though if anyone fancies another change.

  • pam August 16, 2012, 8:41 am

    body rock.tv..they are no more than 15 min. and they do a new workout daily(weekday).

  • whitney August 16, 2012, 8:51 am

    love love love this dvd! i use it all the time…just did it last night actually! the workouts are hard for me even after i’ve been doing them for awhile, which i love! but not so hard that i give up…i keep telling myself “ok, it’s only 3 (or 2 or 1) mins of your life, you’ve got this!”

  • Kattrina August 16, 2012, 9:03 am

    I have that DVD but bought it right before I found out I was pregnant. And I then realized I didn’t have a DVD player and so would have to play it on my tiny portable player. So, never used it. I am hoping to try it out after I give birth and need to get back into shape. Glad you like it. I will probably have to do ALL of the modifications!

  • Kim August 16, 2012, 9:13 am

    Hi Caitlin,
    I think you are doing a wonderful job with Operation Beautiful at raising awareness to the important issue. But don’t you think it’s ironic that the first reason you purchased this DVD is the way Jillian looks on the cover? (that is half naked and looks like she is having sex?)
    Not trying to judge, but it just shows that even when we try to avoid those feelings they sneak up in our vocabulary anyway!

    • Jess August 16, 2012, 11:03 am

      I thought the exact same thing when I read this. Isn’t the point of Operation Beautiful to focus on what’s inside and not outer appearance?

      • Whitney August 16, 2012, 11:53 am

        And the cover is clearly airbrushed!!! Not realistic!!!

        • Caitlin August 16, 2012, 12:01 pm

          It’s airbrushed (i.e. blurred and skin tone goldenized) but she actually looks like that in terms of muscle.

  • Amanda August 16, 2012, 9:57 am

    Have you ever tried Dave Farmar’s podcasts? They’re FREE and give you an excellent yoga practice. So sweaty. So good.

  • Joy August 16, 2012, 11:36 am

    Im surprised you of all people listed one of the reasons you bought Jillian michaels is because of how she looks. I am sure they don’t airbrush or edit that photo at all.

  • Tracy August 16, 2012, 11:50 am

    If you have watched her videos, you would know there is no airbrushing there. She has an amazing bod. I have done the 30 day shred a few times when I get bored with my own rountine. I’ve also done some of her segments on TV. She really pushes you, and I always feel like I had a good workout after exercising with her.

    • Lisa August 16, 2012, 5:44 pm

      Jillian isn’t credible to me! She has never been pregnant and decided to adopt a child, so she wouldn’t have to gain weight for pregnancy.

      • Julie (A Case of the Runs) August 16, 2012, 7:05 pm

        I highly doubt that’s the reason… at any rate, it’s great that children are being adopted in the first place!!

        • Ashley August 16, 2012, 7:11 pm

          Oh no, that is absolutely the reason. She said so herself in an interview with People magazine. Now that is her prerogative of course. Her career IS about being toned and looking fit (which of course can happen after pregnancy as well), but maybe she didn’t want to risk her muscle tone changing. At any rate though, she did say that.

          • Nicole August 17, 2012, 8:50 am

            She did say that, but she also has PCOS which makes it incredibly difficult (although I know not impossible) to get pregnant.

            I don’t see what the big deal is about not wanting to gain weight for pregnancy when there are many different ways of bringing a child into your life. For those among us who have battled our weight all our lives, the idea of putting on (intentionally, healthy) 25 or more pounds to carry a baby to term isn’t exactly appealing. At least Jillian is honest about that.

          • Caitlin August 17, 2012, 9:00 am

            Also…. I mean, Jillian is a lesbian. So it’s either her or her partner carrying the child. Maybe her partner REALLY wanted to carry a child and Jillian wasn’t that into being pregnant. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t want a baby.

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles August 16, 2012, 12:06 pm

    Love that DVD!

    I have pretty much the entire Jillian Michaels collection – it’s great.

  • Meshell August 16, 2012, 1:59 pm

    Argh, I do NOT like Jillian. She has a great workout, but her philosophy in fitness is so… destructive. She isn’t body positive nor accepting of different body shapes or sizes. I get that being told you are a fatty works for you, but the destruction of the self esteem isn’t worth her workout. That and she embarasses her clients into feeling weaker than her. Woopwoop, she can do things people who have never worked out can only dream of and then she asks them to do it.

    Internal positive motivation leads to the greatest results. She is simply packaging the same “Skinny is pretty” crap that have been shoved down everyone’s throats long enough. IMO, try P90x on Light for a week. The main guy is a bit silly and says goofy things, but his approach is always positive and provided with modifications.

    Jillian Michaels is not body positive and shames people into fitness. Yuck!

    • Charlie October 11, 2012, 2:52 pm

      I agree. I was more demotivated doing JM’s program than anything else. I had to return the DVDs and could not work out for almost a month!!!!

      Margaret Richard isn’t glitzy, she’s low key, had a show on PBS for years; and is in her 60s. But there’s one thing MR has over JM: and that is: proper form is always key and Margaret has provided me some serious intensity and has NEVER injured me through her workouts.

  • Marysa August 17, 2012, 2:00 am

    I just bought Ripped in 30 over the weekend and have managed to do it twice this week. I was so sore after the first time, but it’s true, force yourself to work out in soreness and you’ll be better! Jillian is hardcore but so awesome, I love that I feel like I got an amazing work out in just 30 minutes. So much nicer than going to the gym and lolly gagging around.

  • Charlie October 11, 2012, 2:48 pm

    I was a fan of Jillian up until the point I got injured. I have had a healthy back all my life, and because of some of her dangerous moves, I got badly injured to the point of having spasms for over two weeks and not being able to work out at all. We’re talking someone who is a former Pilates teacher and knows all about proper form and technique.

    Although I like Jillian, I don’t condone a lot of her movements which I feel are dangerous and not conducive to long-range healthy goals. And she needs to stop stepping into peoples’ backs as they train. That in itself gives me pause. (I did Body Revolution, up to workout 7-not the 30 day shred) I have lost my trust in her, sorry to say.

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