Before I write anything - I just want to get the point across that this DVD is hard work!!! I am a fan of Nell McAndrew as she is super-fit and looks great - you can also tell that she follows this class in real life and is not just doing the DVD as a publicity stunt. Aswell as doing this ... Read review
Welcome to my ultimate workout which we have spent a year planning and this time have ... more
incorporated more squats, abs and stretches giving you a more rounded and satisfying workout.This routine has been put together so you can build your strength and sta...
Advantages: Challenging, great music, no-nonsense, really works Disadvantages: Repetitive
...I am a fan of Nell McAndrew as she is super-fit and looks great - you can also tell that she follows this class in real life and is not just doing the DVD as a publicity stunt. Aswell as doing this class she does lots of other sporting activities such as the London Marathon. Loads of people have recommended her DVDs to me and this is the first one I have bought - I got it from Ebay for a reasonable price and was dying to give it a go.
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INTRODUCTION
Nell introduces the workout and talks about how she stumbled across this class years ago in a disused warehouse and she loved it because it was just a hardcore fitness regime that really put her through her paces. Nell says she doesn't feel like she is working out unless she is sweating - well you will definately sweat with this!!! She also says it is a hard routine, so at various points throughout the workout, you ... more
Before I write anything - I just want to get the point across that this DVD is hard work!!! I am a fan of Nell McAndrew as she is super-fit and looks great - you can also tell that she follows this class in real life and is not just doing the DVD as a publicity stunt. Aswell as doing this class she does lots of other sporting activities such as the London Marathon. Loads of people have recommended her DVDs to me and this is the first one I have bought - I got it from Ebay for a reasonable price and was dying to give it a go.
The front cover features Nell looking very toned, and has the phrase 'ultimate challenge, ultimate results' - I found this very inspiring as not many fitness DVDs actually give you 'ultimate results' so I was hoping this would all change with this workout.
INTRODUCTION Nell introduces the workout and talks about how she stumbled across this class years ago in a disused warehouse and she loved it because it was just a hardcore fitness regime that really put her through her paces. Nell says she doesn't feel like she is working out unless she is sweating - well you will definately sweat with this!!! She also says it is a hard routine, so at various points throughout the workout, you can 'bail out' which involves just pressing the stop button on your DVD remote and it will automatically take you to the next section - I must admit that I have used this 'bail out' option on numerous occasions and have yet to complete the full aerobic section as I just find it extremely difficult!! Nell says just do as much as you can and drink lots of water. Ok then - here we go!
WORKOUT 1 (WARM UP) On the DVD menu this is stated as 'workout 1' but it is actually a warm-up, albeit a very hard warm-up!! Nell and the rest of the class are in what looks like a disused warehouse with a banner saying 'ultimate challenge' The male instructor is in the front row and barks out various instructions such as 'march' 'on your toes' 'stretch' etc. I personally quite liked this, there is no chit-chat or comments made from anyone, even Nell, so you do feel like you are actually taking part in a fitness class. The instructor takes us through stretches, aerobics and squats. I must advise you to take it easy on the warm-up because you have a lot to get through!!
WORKOUT 2 This section is a full 40 minutes of pure aerobic activity - so if you need to 'bail out' at any point - feel free - as doing the whole 40 minutes will leave you gasping and panting for breath (unless you are extremely fit!) Basically, we jog on the spot with various arm movements, kick our legs in the air, star jumps, calf raises, skipping, arm raises and marching. At four seperate points of the workout, we pause to do about a million squats - I was glad to do the squats cos it meant my heart rate had a chance to come down and it felt like a little rest (well, kind of!) After each squat section comes the chance to 'bail out' as mentioned earlier before continuing with the aerobics. The music is great and very motivating - dancy beats and as everyone in the class looks very slim and toned it makes me want to keep going so I can look like they do!!! The whole thing has a 'no-nonsense' feel and it makes me feel like I am properly working out. The only negative point to the whole thing is that it is very repetitive and I did start to get a bit bored.
WORKOUT 3 This section is all about toning. You will need some hand weights or bottles of water for this section. We begin with the arm-work which is difficult as the instructor doesn't let us rest our arms at any point! In between each exercise you have to hold your weights in the air at arms length and believe me, you can definately feel it. I did cheat at some points by putting my arms down but I really don't think I could have carried on if I hadn't! We do tricep raises, bicep work, shoulder presses and many more.
We then move onto the floor work, beginning with the abdominals. The instructor says if your abs are strong, don't let your shoulders touch down at any point. If your abs aren't as strong (like mine!) then let your shoulders go back to the floor after each crunch. So we are doing basic crunches, obliques, reverse curl and more crunches, all with our legs at a 45 degree angle. Ouch!!
We then move onto back extensions which I don't find too difficult and it doesn't last too long either!!
Next it is time for press-ups - I hate press-ups with a passion and can never do very many. The instructor makes it even harder by hovering above the floor in between each set of reps, so your arms are constantly working!! We do 2 sets of 10, 1 set of 8, 1 set of 6, and one more set of 10 - I have still yet to complete this whole thing without resting inbetween sets - even Nell didn't manage to do them all!
We then lie down on our backs to work the bums!!!! Lots and lots of bum raises - I actually don't find this section too bad and can complete the whole thing (yeahhh!!!!)
After all of this, we have a well-deserved stretch and it does feel good after working so hard. Again, the music is good, but not as dancy as the first section, given that we are concentrating on toning our muscles as opposed to burning fat during cardio.
EXTRAS - ANOTHER WORKOUT If you still want more - then here's another toning section consisting of exercises such as the plank, reverse sit ups and leg lifts. It is a nice little extra if you fancy doing some different kind of toning work instead of what is on the main DVD.
EXTRAS - TESTIMONIALS The exercisers in the ultimate challenge class tell us how they found out about the class, why they like it, how it has worked for them and how many times a week they do the class. I did find this quite inspiring as they are all 'real people' who do this workout regularly and all have lean, fit bodies - it makes you realise that this class does really work.
OVERALL I love this DVD and try to do it regularly as since I have started doing it I have increased my stamina, and toned up. The music is great, the workout is challenging, and it actually does work if you do it on a regular basis. The instructor has a no-nonsense attitude and doesn't explain each move like on some workouts, the routine is self-explanatory and you are made to feel like you are in a normal exercise class down the gym (although everyone looks a lot slimmer and fitter than my gym!). The moves do get slightly repetitive, but that is the only negative point I can say. If you are a beginner, you will find this difficult, but by sticking at it you will definately see an improvement the more times you do it! There are no complicated dance steps or moves to figure out - you just go for it. I also like the fact that Nell doesn't try to show off or hog the limelight - she is part of the class like everyone else and you never hear her speak apart from in the introduction - it is refreshing to see a celebrity in this light. There are also no pauses, outfit changes or make up re-touches - Nell is sweating like the rest of us which is great to see!!
If you want to get fit and enjoy a challenging workout that combines toning and aerobics - then buy this DVD. It's brilliant.
cherrystilettos 27.07.2007 (27.07.2007)
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Review of Nell McAndrew's Ultimate Challenge - Ultimate Results (DVD)
Advantages: A real challenge, straight up fitness, no chit chat Disadvantages: Army Man is a liar, strange camera angles at times
...workout DVDs, I’d always avoided Nell McAndrew’s output as they were recommended as only suitable for the ultra fit. But after 3 months of Davina every day I decided I was ready for a challenge. The workout is certainly not one for those who class themselves as unfit! Nell claims she used this class when in training for the London Marathon which should give you some idea of what to expect! It consists mainly of running on the spot while simultaneously ... ...celeb DVD – in fact, Nell barely utters a word throughout the entire workout! None of the inane chatter that you get with Davina, this is straight up fitness and I find I really enjoy that about it. The workout is led by an Army-style shouting man who I actually find strangely motivating and certainly keeps me going for far longer than I am able to run under my own steam. It’s not a particularly big budget production – it’s shot in what looks like ...
bubblegum_princess 02.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nell McAndrew's Ultimate Challenge - Ultimate Results (DVD)
Advantages: Results show quickly, no irritating commentary Disadvantages: annoying camera angles, need to take care with knees
This was the first of Nell McAndrew's workout DVDs that I have bought, and I chose it because I was looking for a hard workout that would really do something for my muscles.
The first section is a warmup and consists of gentle stretches and light stepping / jogging to get your muscles ready for what comes next.
The second section is the cardio workout, a gruelling session of energetic exercises in which jogging and aerobic activities are interspersed ... ...excessive and irritating commentary. Likewise, Nell McAndrew stays quiet and sweats with the rest of them - this is one celebrity workout DVD that is more about the workout than the celebrity. The background music is well suited to a workout, but at the same time fairly unobtrusive.
The one thing I would criticise is the filming. Clearly not much effort went into the production of the DVD, and I don't care that it's filmed in an unattractive warehouse ...
helenst79 01.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nell McAndrew's Ultimate Challenge - Ultimate Results (DVD)
Advantages: Gets the heart racing, easy to follow Disadvantages: Not my kind of music
This is the third of Nell McAndrew's fitness dvd's. It consists of three sections; warm-up, cardio and cool-down with weights and mat work. Additionally, there is an extras section with a further 20 minutes of exercises if you really want to "feel the burn" The class is led by a fitness instructor who Nell trains with to do her marathons. Therefore, by its nature, the workout is quite hardcore. However, there are "bail out" options should you feel ... ...words given by the lovely Nell are very encouraging too, as she clearly does workout a lot, so you know she isn't spinning you a yarn.
I don't really like the music, which is pumping dance music, but I think it goes well with the workout. It retails for between £5.99-9.99 depending on where you buy it from, and is available from online retailers, as well as the usual high street outlets. Nell says she feels like she's only working hard enough if ...
Barry1981 10.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nell McAndrew's Ultimate Challenge - Ultimate Results (DVD)
Advantages: A really tough workout that works. Nell actually sweats and the exercises are very affective. Disadvantages: There are not enough stretches at the end of workout 2.
...was the first of the Nell McAndrew work out DVD's that I bought and I was hooked from the first time that I did it. It is true that it is really hard but you certainly feel virtuous after you have completed. I had to have a break the first few times that I did the routine but now I can do the whole thing.
The DVD falls into 3 workouts with a further workout as part of the extras. The first workout is an excellent workout and prepares you for workout ... ...about this DVD is that Nell McAndrew does not say anything during the workout. You can see her sweating and in pain! She never flirts with the camera or makes silly comments about how much she needs to workout.
If you want a very hard but fun workout then this is for you. I'm addicted. ...
lucmedeastan 20.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nell McAndrew's Ultimate Challenge - Ultimate Results (DVD)
Advantages: Easy to follow, really works! Disadvantages: Difficulty level may put some off
...there's no distracting talk from Nell and seeing her sweating along with you is encouraging!! The warm up is probably the most taxing warm up I have done, and it certainly gives you an idea of what is to come in the main cardio section. The cardio section has several "bail out" sections where you can stop the cardio should you wish. The first couple of times I did the workout this came in very handy, although on my third attempt I managed to do the ... ...it would be … as the cardio section progresses, there is less running on the spot, and more arm work, along with the killer squats that are done throughout the workout. The routines are easy to follow and repeated most of the way through the section. The challenge comes from the toughness of the exercises, rather than trying to follow what the instructor is doing. The weights and mat work section is manageable for most people I would say, you don't ...
emma-lou 28.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nell McAndrew's Ultimate Challenge - Ultimate Results (DVD)
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