Davina Intense

Although I have various workout DVDs - Hannah Waterman, Claire Nasir, Jillian Michaels, Erin O'Brien etc - I've never tried one of Davina's for some reason. But as I really like interval training workouts and have found them pretty effective in the past I thought I'd give Davina Intense a go. And I'm really glad I did.The DVD is split into a warm-up, cardio, tone, abs and cooldown. Each section is short and involves short, intense bursts of moves that you perform as hard and fast as you can - you put in your absolute maximum effort so your heart is absolutely pounding and you're too breathless to hold a conversation. Think of it like a 200m sprint. Then you have a minute or two to get your breath back and have a drink of water (walking around and moving the whole time) to let your heart rate come down before you crank it up again. Each workout brings your heart rate up and down several times for maximum fat-burning effectiveness.This isn't the first time I've done this type of exercise so I know that the principle behind it is sound: if you really do put the level of effort in that you're supposed to, it definitely works. Each workout on the DVD is short - the warm-up, one workout and the cooldown probably takes about 40min in total, with the actual workout being 20ish minutes - but you'll get the same level of effectiveness that you'd get from doing an hour or so of ordinary aerobics/toning. Personally, I much prefer shorter, harder routines that really make you feel like you might die to longer, steadier, more evenly paced exercise, so this approach is perfect for me. If you're someone who is more attracted to sprinting than jogging or prefers circuit training to zumba, this is probably a great DVD for you.The actual exercises in the routines are of the simple-but-effective type - ideal for people like me who don't mind working really hard but have zero coordination! There are lots of punches, kicks, squats, sprinting on the spot, star jumps, high knees, lunges etc - this isn't a dancey type workout with complicated choreographed moves, so anyone could give it a go! And it because it's an interval training, circuit-style workout, if you hate one move, you at least don't have to do it for long before you move on to the next one. There's no time to get bored.Lots of the workout DVDs I've done don't really tell you much about the correct form/posture for the exercises, but Jackie and Mark, the trainers who present the DVD with Davina, are great at reminding you how to do the exercises effectively - when you need to be sure your back is straight or that your knees aren't in front of your toes, they will tell you, which is something I always appreciate in any workout DVD.Davina herself fronts the DVD very well. She's enthusiastic without being annoying and is down-to-earth and honest about how hard the routines are. Plus, although she's clearly very fit, she has a realistic, attainable body type - she's fit and toned rather than skinny and undernourished and looks very healthy and sporty.Jackie and Mark, the two trainers, are great - they're the warm, friendly types of trainers rather than the shouty aggressive ones or the cheesily over-earnest ones. You get the impression they genuinely really want people to succeed and they encourage you to push yourself as hard as you can but always within your own personal boundaries. With that in mind, there are easier versions of most of the exercises - Mark and Davina do the hardest moves while Jackie does less intense versions that beginners can try instead. I follow Mark and Davina, but a couple of years back when I was first learning to work out and used to struggle, I would really have appreciated having Jackie's easier moves to follow and it's a great idea to have them there.I've seen some people say that the two-minute breaks in this DVD are too long and that they don't need them. If that's the case, they just aren't working hard enough. The whole point is that if you don't need time to get your breath back between the intervals, you're not working to your full capacity and you need to crank your efforts up a notch and work harder and faster.I was a bit out of condition and had put on weight and lost tone over Christmas and New Year, and thought I'd give this DVD a go to kick me into action. I'm pleased to say that I saw results VERY quickly, and because the workouts are short and intense, it's easy to fit them into my day. Love it!

I'm a fan of all Jackie, Mark and Davina's workouts, but Intense is quickly becoming my favourite.I credit their workouts for getting me back in shape after each of my three pregnancies. Unlike other fitness instructors I've tried, they always include thorough warm ups and cool downs.Warm Up - Starts off with some easy dance moves, including Mark's now infamous shimmy! After a couple of minutes, the pace kicks up a notch with a high-impact cardio interval, including running on the spot and jacks.Intense Cardio Box - A 20-minute workout. 3 minutes of intense high-impact cardio moves drive the heart rate sky high, and are followed by a 2-minute rest/water break during which the heart rate drops. For anyone skeptical of the 2-minute rests, they remind me to drink water (I always mean to do this during workouts, but never drink enough) and enable me to give it my all during the cardio intervals. Despite feeling less puffed at the end of Intense Cardio Box than, say, Fabulous Fatburner on the Ultimate Target DVD, I burn over 450 calories in comparison to my average of 350 with FF.Intense Toning - A 27-minute toning and cardio interval workout with weights. I find this the most difficult workout on the DVD. The first two sections of the workout focus on the upper body and use hand weights. They're divided into 4 minutes of weights followed by 3 minutes of cardio, then a 2-minute rest. At the 18-minute mark, there's a 6-minute mat section focusing on triceps and abs. The workout finishes with another intense cardio interval.Intense Abs - A 12-minute workout for abs. It didn't feel too difficult when I did it the first time, but I really felt it the next day. I still can't hold the plank move at the end for the full amount of time. I usually combine Intense Abs with Intense Cardio Box.Intense Stretch - This section starts with a typical 7-minute cool down stretch that should be done after every workout. Once the initial cool down stretches are done, there's a lovely 20-minute yoga-style stretch. Flexibility is my weak point, but doing this stretch a couple of times a week is making a difference.I've been working out with Davina Intense for 4 times a week for the past month. I've shed the last couple of kilos of baby weight, and my abs are MUCH firmer. I wouldn't recommend this workout for absolute beginners or anyone who can't do high-impact exercises. However, if you've enjoyed Davina's other workouts and are looking for a challenge, Intense delivers.

I have all the Davina DVD's but this is the first time I have felt compelled to leave a review. If you have any of the previous DVD's then the moves will be familiar but not in a tired way. I really love the interval training and rest periods and can certainly feel it working (for up to two days after...). The warm up on this one is excellent and will have you sweating before you start - it is a perfect mix of rotations, stretches and cardio. I have to say that I prefer the cardio section on this DVD much more than on any of the others and if I hit it at full energy I am panting by the time the break arrives! The toning section I am careful on to ensure I have good form rather than building up the speed at the moment but it is great nevertheless.I don't have the time to work out every day or to complete the entire DVD from beginning to end as I have two young children and I work full time. I have been completing the warm up/cardio/cool down and the warm up/tone/cool down on an exercise day, then 'rest' day basis. However, on the rest day I have still completed the warm up and cool down stretch (which is fantastic) to loosen up and prevent injury/aching. I have found that this is working well for me. I can't keep up with Davina and Mark on all the moves yet but can on many so that will give me something to work towards. The abs section I will build in over the next week or so.I can definitely imagine that with healthy eating and regular exercise then the weight will come off and I will tone up. I will certainly update if that is the case. I think I will definitely be using this DVD without getting bored for a long time as I am the one responsible for ensuring I challenge myself if it starts to get easy and can do so by simply moving faster/adding more reps or using heavier weights.Thanks Davina, Jackie and Mark for a great DVD - I highly recommend it! :-)

Friends have been recommending Davina's DVDs to me for a while now and I finally got round to it with this latest one. I am also quite keen to lose that stubborn stone in time for my holiday and heard that interval training is a very effective way of burning stubborn tummy fat.Davina's approach is fun and realistic (different levels to suit your fitness level) and has lots of short sections so you can either really go for it and do the whole DVD or you can pick and chose little snippets in whatever time you have.At first I felt like a bit of an idiot doing it in my living room but I am already seeing the benefits (and at the moment have only been getting round to it once-twice a week!), so it's worth it!I am THE most uncoordinated person as well but it's all about getting your heart rate up and doing what you can. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone - newbies and fitness freaks alike. I've not quite got Davina's washboard stomach yet (still far too much wobbling going on) but I don't doubt this could get me there!I will be buying some of her back catalogue now :)

I am a fan of Davina's dvds and think Jackie and Mark Wren are fantastic trainers. However, I am not liking this dvd. I like moderate exercise for various reasons and Jackie always considers this in every dvd, which is why I love them. This one does have the low impact versions, but because it is about high intensity for a shorter period, doing low impact and slower does not work. I think if you are someone who can build up to higher intensity then it will be brilliant, but I am someone who cannot do this. The warm-up and cool-down are excellent. They are a must and I feel comfortable with these guys in my living room. The intense cardio and intense tone have the breaks inbetween each set of exercises. I can understand why they are there because you should be working out at the highest intensity you can, so will be knackered by each break time. The moves are all the same as previous dvds so Davina followers will have no problems following this one. For those who are trying Davina for the first time, I also think you won't have problems as it is easy to follow and no complicated routines are involved. Unfortunately, I cannot download the app to my phone either. I don;t think it is the app but my phone will not accept it stating it hasn't enough memory (even though I deleted so much). There is info in the box about the app and it looks brilliant so am bit gutted, but considering so many have smartphones, is a genius idea to include.The three stars are personal to me, so please if you are into high intensity then give it a go. Jackie and Mark know their stuff and I respect the fact that Davina does work hard to keep looking as good as she does. It just isn't for me (this year!)

I love my Davina workouts -they are fun and you never really feel like you are working out. That isn't to say they aren't challenging - they are. They have got progressively harder over the years though and when I want an easier work out I use one of their older ones. I love the chemistry between Davina, Jackie and Mark and I love that Davina loves the work-outs so much.I felt I have enough Davina work outs, enough exercise DVDs period and so for once I didn't put it on my Xmas list. But then I saw Davina Intense advertised and had to order it immediately. I'm glad I did.I visit the gym regularly and use Davina's work outs on the days in between or the shorter work outs to supplement my gym visits. I also use the Firm, Gillian Michaels and 10 minute solutions to vary my work out regime. So I'm fairly fit.I know of the HIIT concept and do my own HIIT work outs occasionally too. But it's difficult to motivate yourself when you are working alone, so I was really looking forward to trying out Davina, Jackie and Mark's version of a HIIT workout.I received it today and immediately did the whole DVD. It is hard. But brilliant and as Davina would say - I love it, love it, love it! I managed to keep up and was able to really push myself, particularly, once I realised how long the breaks were. I have never sweated so much with a Davina work out and by the end I was buzzing and quite exhilarated, whilst totally exhausted.I won't go into a full break down of the work-out, as other reviewers have done that and very well too. But there is a warm up, boxing cardio section, an intense toning session, a separate abs session and finally a most welcome stretch and cool down section.If you are a fan of Davina, but think she, Mark and Jackie can't deliver any more challenges. Think again as this work out will push your fitness to the next level. If you are new to exercise, then you can follow Jackie as she does the slower, lower impact versions of each exercise.I thoroughly recommend this.

I am a HUGE fan of Davina, Jackie and Mark's and have loved working out with them over the years, their approach, variety and intensity of exercises ever increasing with each DVD, always with a little humour thrown in.I work out 6 days a week and need the variety of workouts this trio provide, I alternate between Body Buff, High Energy 5, Davina Fit and Ultimate Target, after doing this DVD earlier I will now be adding this to the mix!I loved doing this workout, it's fast and really gets your heart rate soaring. Obviously, you only get out of a workout what you put into it, put 110% in and you will really feel the benefit!I have given a brief description below of the format:The warm up does what it says, it's a different approach to her other DVD's, there is a short gentle few minutes (a bit of a fun dance and shimmey!), then a more faster paced few minutes (think star jumps, twists, high knees), followed by lovely stretching.Intense Cardio box - This is fast paced 30 second intervals - there are 4 sets of 3 minutes with a 2 minute active recovery inbetween each, which gives you chance to get some water and lower your heart rate for the next burst. (high knees, lunges, a variety of punches, knee raises, kick backs, kicks, squats, the list is very long!)Intense Toning - Again fast paced intervals this time using hand weights, it's advisable not to use the size of hand weight you would normally use as the speed of the toning intervals is quite fast. There are cardio burst intervals following the toning and then active recovery as with the Cardio Box. There is also a short floor section prior to the last cardio interval where you work arms and abs.Intense Abs - You start with a standing ab section which is great, as if you are following one of the previous sections your heart rate will still be elevated, then move to the floor for more intense toning. Again this follows the principle of 30 second intervals.Stretch - LOVELY - The usual mix of basic plus dynamic stretching with Mark.Thanks again you lovely, lovely trio you have not disappointed. xx**Update**I have now been doing this workout twice a week in combination with the other DVD's previously stated and WOW, I have noticed a major improvement in my stamina and strength levels when doing the other DVD's. I always use a heart rate monitor, and upon reading other reviews of comments on the 2 minute active rest being too long I thought I would let you know my readings as an indication of why the rest periods are so important. (As a guide I exercise 6 times a week for up to 2 hours, I consider myself to be very fit and healthy).In the Cardio Box my heart rate elevated to 170-178 at the end of each section, at the end of the 2 minute rest periods it never went below 124.In the Intense Tone my heart rate elevated to 160-170 at the end of each section, at the end of the 2 minute rest periods it never went below 130.Even in the Intense Abs it never went below 100 which is quite high considering you are lying down!I hope this gives and indication of why the 2 minute recovery is SO important. xx

This DVD has played a huge part in my weight loss of almost 40lb in 4 months having been using it regularly alongside clean eating. The high intensity exercises followed by periods of rest to allow the heart rate to come down is said to be great for fat burning and it is easy to follow and I noticed how much easier I found it to keep up with Davina and Mark's pace after just a couple of days of following the routines. The music is varied and the routines are interesting and the three different sections focus on cardio kick box, toning using weights and floor work, and abs. I particularly enjoy the intense toning section with the use of dumbbells - something I've never incorporated into exercises before and it has made a noticeable difference - I am so pleased with this purchase and would highly recommend to anyone looking for exciting, high intensity yet easy to follow exercises ,that can be done at home and I particularly love that when I can't make exercise classes, I can rely on this DVD to give me a great workout :D Davina is brilliant! I had the high energy five DVD before this one, but I now tend to opt for this one for the simple fact that it allows me to work harder and gives me a better challenge - I love it! As with anything, DVD's can get boring when you've done them several times, however I find that alternating doing this DVD with local Boxercise classes and power walking means I still enjoy the DVD when I choose to do it and sometimes I do one section if I don't have much time and other times I do all sections at my own pace, in my own time. Worth every penny :D

first time i have ever bought a work out dvd and this one is excellent!! easy to follow, short and fits perfectly in with life!I always get time to use it and after 3 weeks can see a huge difference in both my fitness and body shape! bought this to help me lose weight and get fit and its done both easily... love the short burst workouts and would defo recommend!!!