Jillian Michaels’ Killer Buns and Thighs features three 40-minute workouts. As the title suggests, each workout focuses on the lower body. Each segment has a warm-up, cool down, and a mix of cardio and toning moves. The workout segments are designed to increase in intensity.
The workouts are extremely varied, so the workouts are interesting. There are classic moves like leg lifts, fire hydrants, lunges, and squats. Michaels adds more uncommon moves like one-legged mountain climbers and one-legged burpees. The cardio moves include jumps and jacks.
Without a doubt, each workout is challenging. Michaels is joined by two women–one demonstrates lower intensity options on all moves. Michaels also shows no mercy for those who choose to up the intensity. She has plenty of suggestions for making the moves more difficult, including adding weight or adding speed.
There are several drawbacks of the DVD. The first is Michaels’ commentary. Several times over the course of the workouts, Michaels repetitively expresses her dismay that anyone would find any of her workouts too easy. She says she doesn’t want any comments on her Facebook page or Twitter claiming that the workout was too easy. She explains that they will be making the DVD all day, so that’s why the high intensity modifier is using lighter weights. I find the running commentary annoying. Thousands and thousands proclaim Michaels one of the toughest trainers in America. Michaels often serves up affirmations in her writing and in her videos, including at the end of this workout, about taking positive steps to achieve goals. But, by constantly mentioning her annoyance at her critics, she focuses on the negative. Anyone with success will have naysayers. Get over it. Plus, the criticism may have improved her workouts because Michaels makes it crystal clear how to modify workouts to make them more intense.
Some people might not like some of the jokes Michaels makes. She basically makes fart jokes, like when she says she wants to see smoke coming from the buns “in a good way” and mentioning how she hopes no one had beans for lunch. This joking around doesn’t really bother me; it’s very much in line with how Michaels jokes around on her podcast. But, fart joke haters beware!
The bigger issue for me in the video is the possibility for knee and back pain. The second level especially seemed to be hard on the knees. There are modifications, but then you are doing an easier move.
Overall, the three workouts are intense. Michaels assures the viewer that if you cramp, it’s just her way of showing love. She says to think, “That’s just Jillian loving me. Just holding me. Cradling you in my arms. Loving you.”
But, if you have any knee or back issues (or just want to be cautious), skip this one.