Power Body: Kettlebell Bootcamp with Angie Miller

Like some other reviewers here, I thought I was in reasonably good shape. Wrong! I just received the DVD today and tried to do the whole workout. Whew. Background: I am 53, I work out regularly, and I am not overweight. I am "skinny-fat" meaning I look OK, but I can, shall we say, "pinch an inch" here and there. Since it's not going to get any easier, I've decided to get super-fit (zero flab) once and for all. I read in Shape magazine where a marathoner who was also "skinny-fat" worked with a kettlebell trainer and got into great shape, so I decided to give it a try. I got a different dvd, IronCore, from the library because I didn't want to spend $ on yet another exercise dvd that I can't stand/don't use. Well, that one is fine for a beginner. I didn't feel as though I was getting much of a workout with the 10lb bell and I didn't want to injure myself by going to a higher weight too soon. I came here and saw the reviews and ordered this dvd, and I'm so glad I did! It is much more thorough, and functional - meaning you move in ways that you really do move in real life, lifting a suitcase into the overhead bin etc. as Angie states in the introduction. Really true. I have to say, I could not do the entire dvd the first time out. And really, I work hard on the rowing machine which is basically a combo weight/resistance training plus cardio, several times a week. If you are truly a beginner, I would do this dvd with no weights first (yes, you read that right) and then start with a light one, even 5 lbs. Or start with the IronCore dvd (although I think you'd get bored with it quickly, and her tone of voice sounds like she's addressing a 2 year old which I found quite annoying.) Angie on the other hand sounds like a real trainer, or a friend - very pleasant, although you have the option of just choosing the music with no prompts. And I love that Angie and the girl who demos the "easier" versions are super-fit - they are the first video presenters I have seen who look as though they got into shape using the exercises on the video. Their long, lean shape is very motivating. I should also state that I really do not like to exercise per se. I'm fine with activities, but when I want to get in shape I have to negotiate to get myself to do exercises, especially later in the day. Let me just say, I love the kettlebell!!! I typically don't even wait until 4 p.m., my scheduled time. I even feel like doing it on my "day off". This is unprecedented. Seriously. I have a drawer full of exercise videos that I have to force myself to do (so you know they don't get done often) and I am truly excited now to get in shape with the kettlebell. I was sweating like you wouldn't believe, and this continued for 15 - 20 minutes after I was finished. I'm sure I will see results with this. It is probably the best overall workout I have had, and I have been exercising since I was 24. I also think it's a great workout for bone strength, which sure beats taking drugs at some point. Oh, one reviewer states that the sequencing is not good as there are some harder sets up front and easy ones toward the end. Well, yes, ab work and stretching are typically done at the end of a workout, and yes, they feel easier than swinging a lead ball around the room and over your head. This is not poor sequencing, it is good exercise protocol. I otherwise liked that review though, and it is the one that convinced me to get this dvd. This is a super-efficient way to get weight-training plus cardio plus toning plus abs. I couldn't recommend it more. Good luck and fun training!

I started this workout on Monday 11/21/11, the week of Thanksgiving. I even completed this workout on Thanksgiving day while visiting my mom. I just put the dvd and kettlebell in the car and hit the road. I love the fact that even though this video is over 50 minutes, it never feels as if it's over 50 minutes because the workout is broken down into clearly defined sections. Here's the rundown of the run time:Warm Up 4:21Set 1 4:35Set 2 5:48Set 3 8:35Set 4 3:55Set 5 8:40Set 6 4:06Set 7 3:55Set 8 3:25Cool Down 4:20Total Run Time: 51 min 45 secHere's the bad and the good.Bad:Volume isn't recorded on a high enough volume. It is difficult to hear her, & she even has a microphone attached to her shirt. I changed computers, and the volume got better. Just be mindful that you will need to keep background noise, i.e. tv, radio, kids to a minimum while working out.Angie clenches her teeth. This stood out the first couple of times I did the dvd, but you get used to it after a while.Bending over to perform the deadlifts. Based on previous kettlebell dvds that I have completed, I keep my back straight and "squat" into my deadlifts. I am not sure about bending over for the deadlifts.Good:Long stretch at the end. Good over the head lengthening ab work.You get a good workout that challenges all major muscle groups.Nice job of verbal encouragement both during & at the end of the sets.The workout is sectioned off well, so you don't feel as if you have been working for almost an hour.Great back of arm exercise.Your form will continue to improve with time.This is an excellent apartment workout. There is little to no jumping (slight pouncing to do a plyometric squat), so this is really saving me a lot of money in gym fees. I am already looking forward to purchasing a heavier kettlebell soon (I use a 20 lb kettlebell at present), so that I can continue to be challenged by the exercises.Surprising:No Turkish getups or snatchesI was sore after the first 2 workouts, and I continue to be sore sporadically. I rarely get sore. In the last couple of weeks, I continue to have soreness, especially as a result of deep squats. I put on an old pair of pants today, and they are almost too big. :)The introduction of exercises that are "new" to me even though I have completed more than one other kettlebell dvd, i.e. deep curtsiesClosing notes:I agree with another poster, Angie and Chris barely break a sweat. The only sign of sweating is that Angie's hair seems a little droopy at the end of the workout.Thanks to Beth Cholette for the recommendation of this dvd.

Amazing work out and really deserving of 5 stars rather than 4, but... Even in this price range, one should expect better production.... and Angie's voice and instructions sorta "grate" on you.Having said that, the results are amazing!I am a guy. Working out to a female led instructional video requires a bit of a mind stretch.... as well as extra effort to closing the blinds and locking the doors. Still, I gotta say... Angie delivers.My heart rate hits the fat burning zone with, seemingly, little effort! I have energy for hours after the workout. And the results are visible in 7-10 days! Seriously, I am use to the heavy weight lifting experience (I can't do it now more!). At 184lbs (5'10")I was able to burn 3 pounds (of fat) per week and see definition in the abdominal region in the first 7 days, and I am 50 yeas of age!With the results I am experiencing with this single $20 DVD, I am not sure I would pay $89 for someone else s "system"... I may, these Kettle bells are pretty addictive. But I am not sure I really need too.

Holy cow, this is boring. I have never made it to the end of the work out because Angie Miller is just so dull. I knew I was in for a "seriously?" workout when during the warm up, she says, "That's it, looking good. Keep going". Keep going?! The warm up is honestly practically nothing; there is no way you would work up a sweat and yet she's saying "keep going". If you can't do the simple warm up, you can't do the work out and your fitness is of major concern and I'm by no means a fitness fanatic. "Keep going". Pffft.With regard to the moves themselves, they are standard kettlebell moves and do give you a good workout. It's the general format of this dvd with a boring instructor, an 'assistant' who has a fake smile plastered on her face and music that is monotonous and dated that has sentenced this dvd to a lifetime of dust cover.

Angie Miller's Kettlebell Bootcamp is excellent. the format of the DVD is divided up into 8 sets each building a little harder and longeer than the other, her instruction is excellent with a good knowledge of body anatomy and how the correct stance and posture is vital interms of core, back and shoulders, this enables the trainer to achieve results quicker and safley. Her voice is gentle yet firm not loud and brash and proves there is no need for shouting and screaming to achieve a good workout and get fit fast. I have been training out with this DVD for only 2 weeks now interspersed with Suzanne Bowen's body blitz and belly Blitz, I have 6 Kettlebell bootcamp workouts done in all and already I see the difference especially the arms,belly and legs.I recomend this DVD to other trainers wanting to start with Kettlebells, Note Angie uses a 15lb/6.8kg this could prove a little heavy for beginners and so drop down to 10lbs/4.5kg its important to perform the excercise correctly and then when stronger move up.

I am fit, I regularly cycle 50 - 80 miles on a weekend, however my first go at this nearly killed me! I would suggest if you are used to a class type exercise you would not have as much trouble. It is a good all round workout, but after my first zealous leap into the DVD, and being unable to walk upstairs or get up off the loo without using my arms to help, I decided to work up to the full set slowly. I would suggest unless you are used to Boxercise or other type of high impact class you start slow and work up. I have only just got to a full session in the last two weeks.On the plus side its a good workout and Angie is not really annoying (despite the American accent) and she is encouraging and pleasant. I love this DVD and I love the youknowyou'vedoneagoodworkout ache the next day, well worth buying.

I had never done any kind of kettlebell workout but wanted to get into it and after reading other reviews thought I would give this DVD a go. For me, it's been a great starting point for kettlebell workouts. Angie Miller is an encouraging instructor and doesn't get on my nerves! I haven't tried all of the sets on the DVD yet, but the ones I have tried are good for beginners I'd say, not too complicated but certainly tough on the muscles! (I've been using a 5kg bell) I'll definitely keep working away on this DVD as I've far from perfected any of the sets!EDIT: 18/8/14 - After this DVD collecting dust for a while, I raided it out again and had a go yesterday. I worked out muscles I forgot I had, I have very sore muscles today but it makes me want to do it all over again when I can! Great DVD and works out your legs, arms and core. Would definitely recommend!

I have several kettlebell dvds and this is one of the toughest. It's presented by Angie (who has a scarily fixed smile and equally scarily rigid chest!) and Chris who is a very tall woman with an equally fixed smile. These eccentricities aside, the exercises are in mercifully short sections but are VERY tough and will give you a good workout. I tend to do them a couple at a time - I'm working up to doing all 8 (there's also a short stretch section at the end). My only criticism would be that the introduction section doesn't actually show some of the more complex moves that appear without introduction or coaching during the other sections. Angie just says, 'you know what's coming next,' and launches into a complex move - the first few times I had to freeze the dvd and practice the move before I could perform it alongside Angie and Chris. Apart from that, I would recommend this dvd for anyone who's been working with kettlebells for a while and would like a new challenge.