The Art of Strength: Providence

I fell in love with AOS Newport which I consider the best ever kbell workout for advanced exercisers. Even though I knew Providence was more basic, I just had to try it. Yes, it's definitely easier, but it's fantastic in its own way. It consists of a huge variety of exercises at an intermediate level. It is by no means boring. The focus is on strength and because it's not complicated you can go as heavy as you can handle making it harder that way. (I'm female and used 15, 20 and 25 lbs). There are short rest periods after each round. I was going to do jumping jacks, but found I needed the recovery. The music is hip-hop oriented where you have the option to play the instrumental version or with vocals. You can even play it without music (you could play your own in the background). I think it fits the workout well though. (Newport has a similar style of music that I like even better). Anthony is super-pleasant and cues perfectly. Both DVDs are very well produced with excellent picture and sound quality, as well as great camera angles to be able to follow it without distraction. Both make me feel lean and strong and just blow me away. They are expensive, but worth every penny.

The most well balanced full body kettlebell routine there is! Hits every muscle group very well (and all the rest), and the sets are coordinated/planned out perfectly to balance the focus so you won't get too fatigued too quick in one area, and nothing gets over-worked. (Even the music is well balance, hehe...but there's an option to watch it without the music as well). I haven't seen a background come close to topping the one in this workout either. Not that it's critical to a good kettlebell instructional DVD, but for this guy to time his taping in a park, in the middle of a major city without any vehicle/pedestrian traffic interference whatsoever is a nice damn touch. Very professional dude as well. Not too showie at all, no lame humor...just everything you need know to do the sets right, and mentions the applicable easy mistakes you need to stay away from. Can't say enough good things...SIX STARS!

This is a great workout. I normally wait until I have done a workout a few more weeks before reviewing (I've only done this dvd twice), but I have done plenty of KB workouts and can already tell this is a great workout. For reference, I've done the Skogg 11-week program twice now so I know what a great full-body workout using a kettlebell can be. This workout introduces some classic kettlebell moves with great explanations of how to perform them correctly and safely. You perform 14 different exercise intervals of 2 minutes each, followed by an all-you-can-do 3 minute snatch test at the end. You only need one kettlebell for all of the exercises included. He gives you a 1-minute break between each 2-minute interval , which is a little too long (part of the reason for the 4 star rating). It's a good mix of moves that work your full body, plus some that are focused on just lower body or just upper body. I wish the warm-up was a little more substantial and there is no cool-down at the end which is too bad, but you can add your own. I'd definitely recommend this DVD to anyone who has kettlebell experience. If you've been doing Skogg (whose workout I still love), this is a great 5th DVD to add to your rotation. I don't know that I'd recommend to beginners, but I plan to use it quite a bit. Good purchase.

This is the second kettlebell DVD that I have purchased in the past month. I always watch the DVDS first without doing the exercise just so I know what to expect. I think it's a great DVD and it makes you work hard. The other beginner DVDS are good, but I didn't feel like we utilized the kettlebell to it's advantages. This DVD makes you use the kettlebell the way it was intended and I feel the workout after I'm done. I would recommend this to beginners and everyone else. I think this should be the first kettlebell DVD you buy as an introduction. One thing about Anthony the trainer he's not super peppy and bouncy. I like that. I hate the "you can do it!!" types and just want to work out. He explains the move and gets right down to business. The other DVD that I have I found myself yelling at the trainer to hurry the heck up and stop explaining after a few viewings. Also I was really surprised that this came with a digital copy I didn't read it in the product review so I was pleasantly surprised to get a disc. I was intially annoyed by how expensive this is, but a digital copy makes me feel a little better. In short I think everyone who needs an introduction to kettlebells should purchase this asap. I've lost 7 pounds in a month by adding kettlebells to my walking schedule so I really do belive in them. Also, I am considered obese, but I was able to do this work out. Sometimes I would have to take extra breaks, but I think that's fine as long as you keep doing it.

As a physical therapist, I have to write a cautionary review of this workout! Just don't do it! I have serious doubts that the man who created this is a legitimate anything much less trainer. Just say no!