Killer Buns and Thighs Review

Killer Buns and Thighs was my fourth Jillian Michaels DVD (I've also done reviews of 30 Day Shred, Ripped in 30 and 6 Week 6 Pack). As 6 week 6 pack was my last DVD, I decided to focus on a different area this time and as I've never been a massive fan of my legs (see this post) I thought I'd give this one a go! 
First off, this is not a DVD for beginners! I would always, always recommend doing the 30 Day Shred first if you are new to Jillian Michaels, but this is a good DVD to follow up with.  It's definitely one of Jillian's toughest workouts!
The format was a little different from the other DVDs I had done of hers. Instead of the 3-2-1 system favoured in 30 day Shred and Ripped in 30, or the two circuits of 20+ moves in 6 week 6 pack, it instead consists of four circuits of five moves, which are repeated. This is hands down my favourite format of Jillian DVDs and it was a great mix of strength and cardio.
Like other Jillian DVDs I had my weights at the ready (I've been working out with 1.5kg weights), but this time I also found I needed to use a mat. There's a lot of work in plank and I found it made my hands really sore on carpet (I know, I'm a wuss). You also need a chair for levels 2 and 3. This was where it got tricky. In level 2 you have to actually stand on a chair, and the only chairs we have are the ones with nice padding on the top, which I didn't want to make a mess of. I settled for pausing the DVD briefly to take off my trainers and socks and using the sofa. This was adequate, but I was concerned that I might break my ankle! Generally though, if you don't have a dining chair, a sofa works.
The DVD is broken into three levels, and as Jillian doesn't give you any advice on how to progress through them, I decided to do each level four times a week for two weeks. This was perfect for me because I am easily bored, and by days 6 or 7 I am definitely ready to move on, especially after 6 week 6 pack which was each level for 3 weeks! I found level one tiring, but the moves were relatively simple. I've been dancing since I was 2 so I'm pretty accustomed to leg work, so the strength circuits weren't too bad. In level 1 at least! Level 2 is incredibly tough. I'm talking one-legged-burpees tough. And level 3 brings with it one legged mountain climbers, squat jacks and rockstar jumps into canon ball jumps. Ouch! Some moves are repeated from previous DVDs (and I kinda felt part of the in-crowd when Jillian made references to other workouts I'd done!) but unlike the Shred and Ripped, some moves are seen in multiple levels. Jillian's argument here is that it makes a different where the move is placed within a circuit. This doesn't really bother me (leg raises aren't fun regardless of where they're placed!) but I know some people don't like this, so you've been warned!
One thing I learned from this DVD? Always follow Jillian's cooldown! I have a habit of doing a quickie cooldown once I know which stretches are done so I can get the hell in the shower, but I experienced some serious delayed muscle soreness with this DVD (I could also barely walk up the stairs one day after my workout!). I normally work out just before bed, but I found while doing this workout that I quite liked doing it as soon as I got home from work (after a quick snack!) so I could relax more in the evening and that's definitely something I'm going to implement for the future.
In terms of results, I actually haven't taken measurements or weighed myself, partially because I didn't really expect dramatic results from this DVD. I mean, I'm naturally pear-shaped. There ain't no chance this workout is going to give me a thigh gap! But I did find the workouts easier from day to day, and I do think my stamina has improved. I just know this time around my workouts also came with a lot of bread and chocolate which might have altered any potential results!
Generally, Killer Buns and Thighs is good, but I'm desperate for a full-body workout now! I'll definitely be doing this DVD again when I start my second rotation of my Jillian DVDs, but I don't think it's quite up there with my favourite, Ripped in 30.
Next on my list (starting tonight) is Extreme Shed and Shred so I'll be back to review that in a few weeks!

Charlotte x