I have to start this off by saying that because of how hot it was for awhile (which means steaming in our house!), I wasn’t able to stick with KettleWorx for a whole three weeks. It was mostly off and on, so keep that in mind throughout this review.

When I was asked to try out and review a workout program, I was pretty excited. I’ve mentioned it several times before (sorry – lol), that I’ve packed on some pounds since I met my husband and I’m now technically overweight. This is something I hate about myself but I lack the energy and ambition, apparently, to do much about it. I’ve tried working out but it gets boring fast, and I give up.

Enter KettleWorx.

I received the whole system to try out, which consists of twelve workout DVDs (yes, 12!), an introduction DVD, a Kettlebell (the hand weight), and a Fat Free in 42 e-book. I started with the introduction DVD.

The intro DVD is just what it says, an introduction to the KettleWorx system by creator, Ryan Shanahan. Ryan also gives the viewer important information on how to use the Kettlebell.. including a great piece of advice: Put your pets (and probably babies) in another room. You really wouldn’t want to be “swinging” that thing and someone or something walk into that. Ouch! Anyway, Ryan was fantastic at getting me motivated just in that DVD. This guy is good!

The basic workout package consists of Core, Cardio and Resistance.

The first one I tried was Cardio. This was the first cardio workout I’d had in a while, so don’t be surprised that I was whipped before the second set started. It kicked my butt! My heart rate was definitely up and it’s a great workout. Resistance and Core were just as great, except I was able to make it further.  I was able to make it through the second workout I tried.  I can’t imagine that after six weeks of this (three workouts a week) you wouldn’t see a difference.

I definitely needed at least a day of rest between workouts at first, because it just killed my muscles (in a completely awesome way), but after the first week it’s easier to do three a week. I imagine that anyone who is more active than me – which is almost everybody – would complete the full 25min-ish workouts and have no problem with one day of rest, or even working out every day.  Ryan explains in the intro DVD why resting for a day can be important, though.

As you can see, this full package covers everything. You have the basic DVDs, as mentioned above, and a “level two” for all three of those.  There are also quick workouts and DVDs for targeted areas.  This full package at the link provided above is priced between $90 and $190, depending on the Kettlebell weight (there are many packages available, including one without the Kettlebell if you already have one).  In my opinion, those are great prices for a personal health investment, if you’re serious about kicking your butt into gear and getting into shape.  (Some people pay those prices every month for a gym membership!)

The Fat Free in 42 e-book is a nice companion guide which includes many ways to eat better, a very do-able meal plan (see more about this in the pro’s, below) and great recipes.  I actually loved going through it, and even showed it off to my husband. 

The 69 pages also include KettleWorx information, a story about about a guy, and info on additional equipment you may want (wristbands, etc.)  Pages 37-69 are the “workbook”, which has a before and after pictures, a fitness test, a shopping list, places to write down your goals and keep track of your progress, weekly challenges, recipes, testimonials and info on Ryan Shanahan. 

My only complaint there is that it would be a lot more useful if it were a booklet rather than an e-book, but I think it is when you purchase a package.  I did print out a lot of the pages, though.

To keep this short-ish, here’s a quick rundown of additional pro’s and con’s:

The good -

Ryan shows and explains how to do the moves throughout the DVDs and most are easy to pick up right away.

You can really feel your muscles working during the moves, which is something I love.

It’s easy to add an additional workout on or between days. (We tried a Fast Fat Burn after a workout one night. We only made it half through though – lol)

The meal guidelines are simple because it includes a list of foods in four categories and you basically take one from the first three (the fourth being healthy fats) and can make a meal (or snack) and it’ll be delicious, filling AND healthy!  One example of a dinner suggestion: chicken breast, baked potato, mixed salad and strawberries and cantaloupe.  I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a great dinner to me!

The “Ryan Shanahan Super Shake” inspired me to buy protein powder for shakes.  We bought a bottle of vanilla powder and it’s so good!  We use it in our green smoothies now too :)

The e-book also has great tips on eating out, using spices, cutting your grocery bill, reading ingredients lists and so much more.  Yes, I really love this e-book!  haha

The not-so-perfect -

I did have some troubles figuring out some moves at first.

The DVDs are comprised of scenes/moves put together to make a 25minute workout.  Each second set is just the first set of scenes/moves shown again, so it gets a kind of repetitive.

The warm up and cool down don’t seem like enough to actually warm up and cool down.  I had to have hubby help me stretch well in order to be able to move the next day.  (there are a lot of squats going on, so lots of leg stretching was needed!)

The e-book had more of “the other stuff” than it did eating/food guides.

This before and after shot wasn’t particularly inspiring considering the woman is PREGNANT and doesn’t look very heavy otherwise in the “before”:

While I wasn’t able to complete a full three weeks, I have to say that this program is awesome!  It’s fun and different, and it really gets me moving.  (And – surprise!  I don’t feel like an idiot doing the moves!)  I do plan to stick with this and try to complete a full six-week routine and post the results, and hopefully there will be enough of a difference that I can post before and after shots of myself :)

Oh, and my husband loves KettleWorx, too!