The Kettlebell Goddess Workout: How to Achieve and Maintain a Divine Body with the World's Most Effective Tool for Weight Loss, Strength, Endurance and Flexibility

I dislike most workout DVDs. I don't want to hear the same cheesy music every time I do a routine or have someone pretend I'm in the room with them or act like a cheerleader. This was my first kettlebell experience and I found it was well organized and very efficient to use. I like the neutral, no-nonsense presentation. It gives a good variety of workouts (enough for a week without repeating a routine) and some build-your-own material that I haven't felt the need to use. It also has an introductory section on kettlebells if you are a beginner. Not only am I glad there's no music in this, but I find hearing the breathing is helpful as it reminds me to actively breathe and helps to remind me when there is a special type of breathing I should be doing.I chose this in part because I wanted a kettlebell training program designed for women, and also because the negative reviews listed here actually mentioned complaints that seemed more like positives to me.I also love the kettlebell itself. As someone who did not have an exercise program and was not very active, I found it easy to get going with and it required very little equipment. I've invested in a broader range of kettlebells once I found it was something I enjoyed, but initially I was able to get started with a single 15-pound kettlebell and a yoga mat. The DVD offers variants on exercises so you can do them with a weight-matched pair, a weight-mismatched pair, or a single kettlebell in most cases.I've been using this DVD consistently now for several weeks - something I've never managed with any other workout DVD. I ended up buying the other kettlebell DVDs from the same producer and workout trainer but haven't even dipped into them yet due to my level of satisfaction with this one.

I honestly don't think this is a good workout. The workout claims to be over two hours long but much of that is recyled. For all workouts, the same warmup and cool down are used which cuts the amount of this DVD down quite a bit. I didn't find any of the workouts particularly difficult and the lack of music makes the already bland instructor even more dull. Actually this should be under"one star"

I bought this DVD after my husband kept asking me to step-up my workouts because I wasn't getting the results I wanted.I started to the workouts initially two times a week with one day of zumba. I eventually dumped the zumba, because I wanted to tone-up (though I still love zumba) in a faster pace. In about a month, I went from a size 16 to a small 12. I do have to recommend that you watch the tutorials if you have never received professional instruction from a Dragon Door certified trainer. Also, if you have a difficult time understanding the tutorials that come with this DVD, watch the tutorials on youtube and make sure that the trainers are certified either HKC or RKC. Cross-fit uses the kettlebell, but their style is different from the one that Dragon Door teaches their trainers. Cross-fit was founded by a former gymnast. Dragon Door was founded by a fitness guru, who earned his degrees for kinesiology, exercise science from prestigious universities, in addition to being a former ballet dancer.

I'm a bit surprised by the range of reviews. Forgive me but some don't help you decide if you should buy this or not and I feel there are those individuals that think a DVD will give them instant results. I'll do my best to give you a big picture but fair review.My background: I'm just a gal who is into WHOLE BODY wellness. I am certified in things like NLP, study hawaiian shaminism, done a few years of yoga, go to the gym and am part of the barefoot minimalist movement. And after much testing and learning about my own biology, have adopted the Paleo lifestyle. (FYI, the Dalai Lama eats meat because he fell ill decades ago. I figured if he can be flexible and still send a good message than I think I can rethink my eating paradigm] and I am like most people someone who wants to put it all together.Other stats: I'm 5'1". Just shrunk to a size 3, which I haven't been since I was 10, 20-21% BMI. [BMI is more important to know because muscle weighs more than fat] And in my early 30s.I want to save you money and to really succeed. If you don't have your eating in check don't bother buying this DVD. The real reason people quit the first month of working out is not the DVD, technique or the teacher its the diet, stress and lack of sleep. I'm sure of it.Truthfully, this DVD is for someone that understands education must be coupled with fitness. Also, this is for someone who has or is beginning to get their eating habits in check. Most real experts and those who really take care of themselves in the field of fitness know that 80% of the journey is about good eating habits. Also, it's about a healthly strong mental attitude. That's 100%. So now it's 180% you need to give when learning how to workout. And I say "learn" because successful people understand it's a process even when it comes to something like learning how to do kettlebell workouts.First off, you should know that Andrea was trained by Pavel. After reading about him and some of his books, I was particularly impressed with his views on fitness and stretching in particularly. I first learned about kettlebell on a fluke. I was actually googling topics on better ways to stretch. I'm all about the quickest yet most effective ways to workout with as little time as possible. I read lots of expert blogs and Pavels "Instant Stretching" before I even bought a kettlebell or this DVD. I picked this DVD because I knew she was trained by Pavel and I'm a sucker for the title. I admit I want a goddess body. Who doesn't?Why I gave this four stars? Because I knew what I wanted from this DVD. The workouts are ridiculously short (15 mins) and nothing like I've ever done. Yet I get the same amount of soreness the next day had I gone to the gym and worked on the machines for 45 minutes. You will do things like a turkish getup, walking around a room, roll up and down a mat, squats and so much more. And all you need is 1 or 2 kettlebells?! Not a full room of equipment that cost you hundreds of dollars.Certainly you can feel something even after the first set. OMG, does it workout the whole body. It hits all 3 planes of motion. To really appreciate what kettlebelling is google the topic of the 3 planes of motion, kettlebell versus dumb bellsThe presentation of the DVD gets 3 stars. I don't mind no music. In fact, if it bothers you that much put on your own music. However, I think Andrea did this on purpose. I'm not a DVD fitness junkie. I've studied yoga, done karate for 5 years and am returning to the level of athleticism I've missed so much. But I go slowly and patiently. I realize to get the most out of any workout, and I know this sounds crazy, you have to be 100% focused.Until you can master the techniques of kettlebell-ing and you are confident to do this without guidance, I suggest you turn off the ipod, the phone, have your kids walk your dog and focus. And yes, Andrea and her two lovely assistants don't have the best presentation. Quite dry actually. However, all 3 of them are awesome because they make the exercises look easy. Don't let their tiny frames fool you!Where I am in my kettlebell development, I am confident in my form and am very body conscious. This is due to years of sports and yoga, which tied in the more mental aspect of learning about the body. It's not a spiritual concept anymore. You need to be focused in the present to get the most out of any workout. Considering all that I know, I know I'm teaching my body something totally new, therefore this DVD needs my total focus or I could injure myself.I get sadden by some of these reviews, or the attitudes of individuals who don't understand why going to the gym or yoga class for 5 months does not get a result. Therefore, they blame the teacher or the technique.My NLP background teaches me to get to the mental and emotional root cause of why a person doesn't get a result. I say this sincerely, but I realize those who don't get the result are not being focused in the moment. Because you create an active level of mental engagement when you are. You activate more muscles and your body develops positive habits by focusing.But first you must CHOOSE to want something more for yourself. Success is a series of choices. Sometimes their not your favorite choices but something like taking 15 minutes out to workout will add up to something beneficially in the long run. Staring in the mirror or watching television takes your attention away from things like good form that will help you to get the most out of the workout. One major goal is to one day not depend on the DVD or the teacher.Be it yoga, pilates (which Andrea is a trained pilated instructor), tai chi, running, rock climbing whatever, a success athlete will tell you, you need to be focused on the singular task, be it a pose or winning the race. How is it any different from a DVD. You cheat yourself if you spend your time critique this DVD because of it's lack of music or that the presenters don't give a hollywoodize presentation. Now you're just making excuses. Focus on what result you want.There is some good information on here! I guess because I've been studying mind/body connection for years I can appreciate it and hear the messages with more depth and understanding. The 3 women on the DVD probably have years of expertise to them. I know there is no way they can share all of that knowledge in a DVD. What I also know, have been trained in NLP is that you learn more by modelling. Actively using all your senses (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). I recommend you watch the DVD a couple times before attempting any workout. It' no different from watching a cooking show when you follow the recipe it turns out great but if you don't then you are left wondering why the dish wasn't as good. Unless your an expert chef don't deviate from the recipe. Kapish?Andrea does tell you how to use the DVD. For example, when she recommends 2 times a week cardio and 3 times a week resistance training. When I did hear this recommendation, for a moment, I didn't think you could get a cardio workout from these workouts but damn I was wrong. You get cardio and you get the satisfaction that your whole body is dynamically (as opposed to staticly) involved. If you are a real beginner you might not value this recommendation. Your body needs 24 to 48 hours of recovery time when working out a muscle. To work the same muscle several days in a row can cause injury. I talk from experience and my stubborness. So you may not understand all of what she says but you need to learn to exercise your other big and important muscles. That's your brain and your ears. This information is just as important as the workouts itself.There are workouts that are set up by Andrea and there is feature where you can rearrange the workout. For now I'm sticking to her format. It's plenty for me. And hearing them breathe in the background tells me they are really workout with me. I'm cool with that. I know where my focus is suppose to be. Where will your focus be?5 stars to Andrea for being a pro at what she does4 stars for the workout5 stars because kettlebell kicks ass, my ass.6 stars because it cuts my workout time by 75%3 stars for dry presentation but I have my goals so time to let go of excuses.And a gold star to you if you're determined to improve your health. Rock it!Hope this review helped.