Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Weekly Rotation

The Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster set is one of my all time favorite sets. If you dont have it- it is one I highly recommend you get! It looks like it is available on amazon, ebay, etc. Here are links to all of my BBC posts (also includes his original set). Heres a general synopsis of the set & below is a weekly rotation that you can follow! I follow it often!

This set comes with 3 dvds. There is a lower body dvd, upper body dvd, and a code red (get fit quick in 6 days) dvd. The upper and lower body dvds each have a 21 minute w/o and 6 additional Mision Specialist w/o's on them. The MS w/o's are 12 min each and are: upper body-beginner, lower body-beginner, abs-beginner, upper body-advanced, lower body-advanced, and abs-advanced. The Code Red dvd is 15 minutes and is total body strength work-no cardio.

The kit also comes w/ resistance cord handles and 2 strengths of interchangable resistance bands. The green band is level 1 (beginner strength) and the black is level 3 of 4. The black band is pretty tough. It also comes w/ a torpedo shaped ball, the Transformer. The transformer ball is used as a weight bench, stability ball, and a prop for cardio & strength moves. The resistance bands can go around the ball while you are laying on it-so you can do bench press or pec fly for example.

Weekly Rotation: Monday: Fat Blaster Lower Body/ Lower Body Mission Specialist Advanced/ Mission Specialist Abs advanced Tuesday: Fat Blaster Upper Body/ UB Mission Specialist Advanced/ Mission Specialist Abs Beginner Wednesday: Fat Blaster Lower Body/ Lower Body Mission Specialist Beginner/ Mission Specialist Abs advanced Thursday: Fat Blaster Upper Body/ UB Mission Specialist Beginner/ Mission Specialist Abs Beginner Friday: Fat Blaster Lower Body/ Lower Body Mission Specialist Advanced/ Mission Specialist Abs advanced Saturday: Fat Blaster Fat Blaster Upper Body/ Upper Body Mission Specialist Advanced Sunday: Rest

I purchased this DVD set & did NOT receive for review purposes. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Please see my disclosures page for details. Do not copy, in whole, or in part any portion of any postings on my blog. Do not repost my content on any other site without my explicit consent. All of my postings belong solely to lindsey8.blogspot.com.

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy Review: Full Body

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy: Full Body
Barry Jay, 2006

Barry leads this workout with a group 6 exercisers in the BBC gym. This dvd only has a 44 min body weight only strength workout on i & you will only need a step bench.  There is a music off option (though I love the music!) and it is chaptered (as are all the strength w/o's in this set). Each exercise is performed for 1 minute and Barry finishes a lot of the exercises with a static hold to really burn out those muscles.

This is the toughest body weight only strength w/o I can recall every doing! Barry adds in some cardio moves & the pace is brisk enough to get the heart pumping!!!! The warmup is a 2 min wall sit followed by jacks. Exercises include: pushups, plank, plyo lunges, deep squats, squat w/ knee raise, tricep dips, long lever arm circles, pushups, bench Mt. climbers, burpee to pushup, squats off the bench, decline pushups, superman holds, donkey kicks, double crunch, bench V drops, spelling A-Z w/ your legs fully extended. The last exercise before the cooldown is: 2 minutes of plank, plank twists, & plank side knee pulls.


This is an advanced workout. Barry's cuing is spot on, he provides excellent form pointers, and I find him very motivating. Love that this is body weight only but so effective- all my muscles were worked- many fatigued. The pace is perfect- basically nonstop action and quick enough to get a great sweat on. Fantastic workout! I did not receive this set to review.

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy Review: Shoulders & Back

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy: Shoulders & Back
Joey Gonzalez, 2006 

Joey leads this workout with a group 6 exercisers in the BBC gym & you can see some treadmill runners on the side. This dvd includes a cardio, treadmill cardio, and strength workout. You will need dumbbells & a step for the strength, a step for the cardio, a treadmill for the treadmill. There is a music off option (though I love the music!)

Strength: (46 min) Joey thoroughly works the shoulders & back and he provides some great core work as well. After a w/u, exercises include: weighted punches, row variations, push up to renegade row, upright rows, short & long lever lat raise, cuban press, cable pull, arms extended dumbbell twist & static hold, & lying pullover. Interspersed core work includes toe reaches, weighted V twists, hi plank hold, side plank hold, oblique side bends, standing toe & heel touches, & cross knee pulls. Each exercise is performed for 30-90 seconds.

Cardio: (19 minutes) This is pretty much nonstop pretty high intensity cardio! Exercises include: jogging, hi knee run, jacks, jump rope (air), mogul jumps, side to side jumps, compass jumps, jogging rope, hi jumps, single leg hop, & runner knee pulls. Each exercise is performed for 30 seconds and this circuit is performed twice.

Treadmill Cardio: The screen shows the speed & incline goal, and has a timer. I didnt do the w/o as I dont have a treadmill but upon preview

I rate these advanced workouts- with heavy poundage he really nails your back & frys your shoulders! Joey does a bit too much demo'ing the moves before we actually start for my tastes but other than that I really enjoy this dvd. Really burns those shoulders out & simple straight forward & effective cardio. Great cuing & form pointers. I did not receive this set to review.

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy Review: Chest & Abs

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy: Chest & Abs
Trainer Rich, 2006

Rich leads this workout with 6 background exercisers in the BBC gym & you can see some treadmill runners on the side. This dvd includes a cardio, treadmill cardio, and strength workout. You will need dumbbells & a step for the strength, a step for the cardio, a treadmill for the treadmill. There is a music off option (though I love the music!)

Strength: This will really fry your chest! After a warmup (Mt. climbers, running, & twisted Mt. climbers) exercises include: pushups, tri pushups, wide arm pushups, crunches, leg scissors, leg drops, uneven pushups off step, elbow to knee crunches, bench press, pec fly, one arm bench press, weighted crunches, twisting crunches, and concludes with two minutes of slow tempo bench press.

Cardio: (21 min) After Rich warms you up you go into one minute cardio intervals. Exercises include: Mt. climbers off the step, hops, one leg hops, moguls, skater, front kicks adding in a punch, and bicycle abs. You perform the circuit twice and finish w/ a cooldown. Pretty low impact but a good intensity.

Treadmill Cardio: (26 min) I dont have a treadmill so I didnt do this workout but upon a quick preview you start out walking, perform some warmup stretches, then start in on the incline & speed intervals and conclude with a cooldown & stretch. The screen shows the speed & incline goal, and has a timer.

This is an advanced workout that will really burn out your chest and work your abs. This gets 4, instead of 5 stars because Rich takes just a bit too long explaining each exercise for my (impatient) tastes. Nothing super fancy about the exercises Rich chooses but they are all tried & true solid exercises. His cuing & form pointers are superb and I know I will feel this tomorrow! Really accomplishes a lot in 40 minutes (compared to P90X in 60 minutes). I did not receive this set to review. 

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy Review: Butt & Legs

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy: Butt & Legs
Nadia, 2006

Nadia leads this workout with a group 6 exercisers in the BBC gym & you can see some treadmill runners on the side. This dvd includes a cardio, treadmill cardio, and strength workout. You will need dumbbells & a step for the strength, a step for the cardio, a treadmill for the treadmill. There is a music off option (though I love the music!)

Strength: (36 min) This is a TOUGH lower body workout! Each exercise is done for 90 seconds and exercises include: slow & controlled lunges, static dips w/ one leg on the box, squats, pliets, deadlifts, & calf raises. You then move to the floor for: donkey kicks, table top side knee raises, table top side kick outs, and stand back up to finish off & REALLY burn out the lower body with 2 rounds of plyo power squats and jacks and a final stretch.

Cardio: (19 minutes) This is a nonstop high intensity cardio workout! Nadia performs two 60 second exercises and then repeats and moves on to a new set. Exercises include:  jacks, Mt. climbers. pushups, cardio side lunges off the step, fast feet, flying jacks, skaters, and high knee runs. Accomplishes a great calorie burn in less than 20 minutes!

Treadmill Cardio: (31 min) I didnt do this workout as I dont have a treadmill but upon preview: Nadia moves you from a walk to a jog and then into a run. She adds in run & incline intervals. The screen shows the speed & incline goal, and has a timer.

I rate these workouts advanced. Nadia's cuing is spot on and she provides excellent form pointers! I find her very motivating and I like her personality, which helped me get through these tough workouts! Nothing fancy- tried & true exercises performed nonstop for great results. My heart was pumping HARD during even the strength workout. These res a real calorie burners!!! I did not receive this set to review.

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy Review: Arms & Abs

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy: This is Barry's first set of dvds. It is actually kind of hard to find now but if you can find it BUY IT! It is super efficient, effective, and has SO much variety. Barry leads some of the workouts and his crew leads others. Each dvd contains a strength workout, a cardio workout, and a treadmill cardio workout! These workouts are tough but totally doable. I highly recommend them! I am going to review them all- click the "Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy" tab above to see all my reviews as they come up. I included this in my all time favorite systems list and realized I dont have reviews up for them! Stay tuned for detailed reviews off the discs in the set.

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy: Arms & Abs
Barry Jay, 2006 

Barry leads this workout with a group of background exercisers in his actual bootcamp gym & you can see some treadmill runners on the sides. This dvd includes a cardio, treadmill cardio, and strength workout. You will need dumbbells & a step bench for the strength, a bench for the cardio, a treadmill for the treadmill. I love the music but there is a music off option as well.

Strength: (30 minutes): You do some jumping jacks to warm up and then move right into the work. Exercises include: lying tri extensions, bi curls, dips, 1 arm lying tri press, bicep 21's, jack knives, tri push backs, single arm tri kickbacks, oh tri press and concludes w/ a stretch. Barry finishes each exercise with a static hold. REALLY works the tri's!

Cardio: (21 minutes) This is the toughest cardio of the set & you will burn a ton of calories in only 20 min! Each exercise is performed for one minute with virtually to no rest between. Exercises include: fast feet & jacks (warmup), side lunges off the step, plyo lunges, plyo lunges w/ front foot on bench, burpees, pushups, bench Mt. climbers, hopping on & off the bench, & a jack-squat-plyo lunge combo. The circuit is performed twice.

Treadmill Cardio: (17 minutes) I dont have a treadmill so I didnt do this workout but upon a quick preview Barry has the crew do pullups while lying on the treadmill, then with the power off he has them do a "shopping cart" exercise and run the treadmill manually. The remainder is treadmill interval running. The screen shows the speed & incline goal, and has a timer.

I rate this disc advanced! Barry is really motivational and keeps you going long after the burn kicks in! He provides superb form pointers, cuing, and motivation just when you need it! Really thorough workouts that  get the job done. Fun & effective in a reasonable amount of time! I compare these workouts to S90- if you like those, you will like these! I did not receive this set to review.

Interview with Barry's Bootcamp's Barry Jay

Today's Interview: As I'm sure many of you know I am a HUGE fan of Barry's Bootcamp and have had great success with his Fat Blaster workouts! So needless to say I was thrilled to have the opportunity to "interview" him for a Two Belles Fitness post. I really like his inspiring responses so I wanted to share them here :) as well

Belles: We LOVED your 5 Day Academy & BBC Fat Blaster. Do you have any new dvds on the horizon?

Barry: Not right now but would definitely love to do more. I've always wanted to do one for kids. I love kids and thinks its important to help them find their way with exercise and nutrition young...

Belles: Many of us are familiar with you from your workouts, but for those that aren’t, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you found yourself involved in fitness?

Barry: Sure. I think probably the most surprising thing is that I'm quiet outside of bootcamp. I love being at home with my 3 dogs just writing... hanging with friends, nothing big or splashy. I'm almost never out and about at the popular hang outs... whatever they are these days.

I found fitness back in the 80's and loved it. guess just living in LA it was hard to not see it all around me. I worked in entertainment public relations and management, working with Roseanne, Bill Cosby, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick - I managed Chaka Khan for two years...it was another life. I got fired. I went to work on a temp assignment for Weho city hall (lets just say I type fast) and when that was over the Mayor referred me to a friend of his who had a fitness studio. I needed a job and loved fitness and working behind the desk I was told I could take classes for free. Sold! As soon as I started working there was taking like 17 classes a week... you might say I was addicted. Then one day working there, an instructor didn't show up and the manager sent me in to teach. I was HOOKED!! That class became mine - then other instructors quit and in three weeks I had 27 classes a week - and in two years only missed 2!! my biz partner John and Rachel Mumford were students in my classes... when that place closed suddenly (by now I'm working at the weather channel AND instructing) John said we should open a place together - he had the $$$, Rachel was over the actress thing and wanted something she could sink her teeth into and I would be the main dude instructor. I was scared but it was too good to turn down... John was (is) one of the smartest people I knew and Rachel is the most driven and knows so much about presentation!! I knew dumbbells! :-) We were the perfect triangle and we knew it. We actually opened in the same place that fitness studio closed. so you can say I own the desk I used to work behind, thanks to John and Rachel. Pretty amazing!!

Along the way this pretty cool kid came along; had more on the ball than anyone I had really ever seen - he was on FIRE. He started working there, then instructing at bootcamp and long story short we are all partners now, its Joey Gonzalez and without him we would not be in NYC right now - which is pretty amazing!!

Belles: You mention giving up sugar in your dvds, what advice can you offer those of us that would love to give up sugar but dont know where to start?

Barry: It was SO HARD!! I tried and failed many times. I seriously had to take it one day at a time. I just made sure that I had plenty of the foods I could eat around....and got the crap out of the house. It was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Sugar is a drug and eating sugar makes us want more sugar. I gave up dairy as well which also helped. Dairy can make you crave sugar. Go figure. If you're able to have a cheat meal a week that includes sugar and the rest of the time you're fine - more power to ya. I had to give it up and I lost about 15 lbs just from giving up sugar - results kept me going strong.

Belles: How did giving up sugar benefit you?


Barry:weight loss
no crashes
more natural energy
ate better foods instead
not "depending" on it was freedom

Belles: There are many known benefits to exercising beyond aesthetics, what is your number one motivator to continue exercising?

Barry: Aside from health - number one benefit is positive thinking! Working out helps us over come our negative thoughts. No, its not the cure but it helps a lot. I have seen people workout and then stop and get depressed. There's a direct connection between mind and body - one that should be honored. I think it also helps keep us on track with the rest of our decisions in life. maybe we just quit smoking or we are eating better because we are working out - if we stop working out we may start throwing those other things out the window of "who cares" - also working out gives us energy! the less we do, the less we wanna do. working out gets our bodies wanting to live our lives more energetically!!

Belles: How has fitness helped you become the person you are today?

Barry: Seriously - it saved my life. When I first started working out I was a drug addicted kid who over dosed many times - one time I made it home and wasn't sure how. I was 120 lbs and gaunt!! I gave up EVERYTHING (cigarettes, drugs, drinking, not eating) and joined a gym. I drank weight gain drinks and started eating regular meals! The transformation was incredible and those who knew me couldn't believe their eyes. Aside from that fitness has given me a way to help others which has helped me not only stay in shape but feel purposeful in this life. it's changed me because I have seen people age without grace and honestly - I feel like a kid! I love being in shape at my age (48) and knowing I can stay this way and appreciate the one body God gave me - taking care of it so I can be enjoying life at 80!!

Belles: I also meant to ask about your BBC Gym. If you want to include any info about it: what can you share with us about your gym Barry's Bootcamp?

Barry: Treadmills, weights, resistance bands, great energizing music - creating a fun hard working environment where people can get the best workout in the world! I want them to feel like they have a personal trainer - I know them. I'm there to help. I help with food. I love seeing bootcampers become friends. its that kind of place. you come in there dry and leave soaking wet. as I say to them 'the wetter the better' every day is a different body part - every week that body part is approached a slightly different way - we keep you on your toes and truth they keep me on my toes because I want them to have the best workout in the world and I work hard to bring it to them.

For more information about Barry Jay and Barry's Bootcamp visit:
The Barry's Bootcamp website
Barry's Bootcamp on Facebook
Barry's Bootcamp on Twitter

Barrys Bootcamp Belly Blaster Review

Barrys Bootcamp Belly Blaster

Cindy Whitmarsh, Barry Jay, 2008 

This 15 minute ab workout was fun and challenging. Similar in format to the other workouts in the FatBlaster set. Each exercise lasts one minute with 30ish seconds inbetween to set up for the next more/ get your equipment ready. Cindy leads w/ Barry walking around giving tips and providing motivation. The set is a nice room w/ carpet and wooden panels on the walls-  bright & nice. Madison provides the beginner modifications. You will need the Transformer ball and an exercise band.

Some of the moves are standing-torso twists w/ the band, side bends w/ the band. Some are on the ball-full sit ups using the band. Some are on the floor-bycicle holding the transfomer ball over your head. The moves were different than the moves in the other 2 ab workouts. I found them unique and fun (still challenging of course!). By the end my abs are definately feeling it!

I would rate this a solid intermediate ab w/o. Its a nice addition to the Fat Blaster series and provides some additional variety when doing a longer BBC rotation. I did not receive this DVD to review

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set Review

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set
Barry Jay, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008

This set comes with 3 dvds. There is a lower body dvd, upper body dvd, and a code red (get fit quick in 6 days) dvd. The upper and lower body dvds each have a 21 minute w/o and 6 additional Mision Specialist w/o's on them. The MS w/o's are 12 min each and are: upper body-beginner, lower body-beginner, abs-beginner, upper body-advanced, lower body-advanced, and abs-advanced. The Code Red dvd is 15 minutes and is total body strength work-no cardio.

The kit also comes w/ resistance cord handles and 2 strengths of interchangable resistance bands. The green band is level 1 (beginner strength) and the black is level 3 of 4. The black band is pretty tough. It also comes w/ a torpedo shaped ball, the Transformer. The transformer ball is used as a weight bench, stability ball, and a prop for cardio & strength moves. The resistance bands can go around the ball while you are laying on it-so you can do bench press or pec fly for example.

There is a countdown banner on the bottom of the screen that counts down each minute. A buzzer goes off at the 10 seconds remaining mark and Cindy, barry & crew countdown. Cindy actually leads the w/o's and Barry walks around with motivational pointers and form tips. They work well together and have a nice repoir.

Each workout is short but tough! You can use them for time crunched days as is or combine a few for a longer w/o. I like to use one fat blaster w/o, a corresponding (UB or LB) mission specialist, and an ab w/o for a 50 minute w/o. I love that I can get in strength and cardio each day! The 1 minute format really makes the tough moves doable. I am able to really push myself because I know its only going to be 60 seconds.

This set is perfect for beginners, intermediates, and advanced exercisers. Cindy does the intermediate level and they also have a beginner and advanced modifier for each move. And you have your choice of band strength. Using the black band and following the advanced modifier I can really get a great, heartpumping, calorie burning, workout in!

Like I said, Ive had great results with this set. Lost 8 lbs (putting me at a lifetime low), gained cardio endurance, got to doing toe pushups, and noticed muscle definition in my biceps. Even after doing it for 8 weeks I could still feel it!

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set Review

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster
Barry Jay, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008

This set comes with 3 dvds. There is a lower body dvd, upper body dvd, and a code red (get fit quick in 6 days) dvd. The upper and lower body dvds each have a 21 minute w/o and 6 additional Mision Specialist w/o's on them. The MS w/o's are 12 min each and are: upper body-beginner, lower body-beginner, abs-beginner, upper body-advanced, lower body-advanced, and abs-advanced. The Code Red dvd is 15 minutes and is total body strength work-no cardio.

The kit also comes w/ resistance cord handles and 2 strengths of interchangable resistance bands. The green band is level 1 (beginner strength) and the black is level 3 of 4. The black band is pretty tough. It also comes w/ a torpedo shaped ball, the Transformer. The transformer ball is used as a weight bench, stability ball, and a prop for cardio & strength moves. The resistance bands can go around the ball while you are laying on it-so you can do bench press or pec fly for example.

There is a countdown banner on the bottom of the screen that counts down each minute. A buzzer goes off at the 10 seconds remaining mark and Cindy, barry & crew countdown. Cindy actually leads the w/o's and Barry walks around with motivational pointers and form tips. They work well together and have a nice repoir.

Each workout is short but tough! You can use them for time crunched days as is or combine a few for a longer w/o. I like to use one fat blaster w/o, a corresponding (UB or LB) mission specialist, and an ab w/o for a 50 minute w/o. I love that I can get in strength and cardio each day! The 1 minute format really makes the tough moves doable. I am able to really push myself because I know its only going to be 60 seconds.

This set is perfect for beginners, intermediates, and advanced exercisers. Cindy does the intermediate level and they also have a beginner and advanced modifier for each move. And you have your choice of band strength. Using the black band and following the advanced modifier I can really get a great, heartpumping, calorie burning, workout in!

Like I said, Ive had great results with this set. Lost 8 lbs (putting me at a lifetime low), gained cardio endurance, got to doing toe pushups, and noticed muscle definition in my biceps. Even after doing it for 8 weeks I could still feel it!

Barry's Bootcamp Belly Blaster Workout

Barry's Bootcamp Belly Blaster Workout
Barry Jay, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008

This 15 minute ab workout was fun and challenging. Similar in format to the other workouts in the FatBlaster set. Each exercise lasts one minute with a 30 second rest inbetween each exercise. Only a beginner modificaiton is shown-maybe we are already doing the advanced move? This is10 of Barry's favorite exercises.

Some of the moves are standing ab moves, such as: torso twists with the band, side bends with the band. Some are on the ball-full sit ups using the band. Some are on the floor-bycicle holding the transfomer ball over your head, a V sit, and some plank moves. By the end of the 15 minutes my abs are definately feeling this! The time goes by fast.

The moves were different than the moves in the other 2 ab workouts. I found them unique and fun (still challenging of course!) Like the rest of the BBC w/o's, Cindy actually leads the workout and Barry Jay walksround for motivation and gives form advice. The set is different from the other Fat Blaster w/o's. Its a nice open room with about 6 background exercisers.

Barry's Bootcamp Lower Body Fat Blaster Review

Barry's Bootcamp Lower Body Fat Blaster

Barry Jay, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008

Lower Body Fat Blaster is 21 minutes plus a short warmup. The moves are typical bootcamp type moves and each exercise lasts for only one minute with a 30 second break inbetween each exercise. The 30 seconds is used to set up for the next move-get or put away your ball & bands, etc. They alternate between strength and cardio moves. Cindy actually leads the workout and Barry walks around with form pointers and commentary. Cindy & Barry work well with each other. There are a lot of background exercises working out behind them. Cindy does the intermediate level and there is an advanced and beginner modifier.

Some of the strength moves included crabwalks w/ the band, squats, pliets & lunges w/ and w/out the band, etc. The cardio moves include, mountain climbers, one legged hops, jumping back and forth, tuck jumps, etc. These last for a full minute and some of them get TOUGH by the last 15 seconds!

Following the advanced modifier & using the black band this is a pretty tough w/o! The cardio is pretty hard core and my buns/ legs were still this AM from Tuesdays w/o! My heartrate gets way up there during some of these moves and stays pretty high for the entire 21 minutes. I would rate this w/o as a high intermediate following Cindy but can easily be modified up or down to suit your needs. Great for all levels and really packs a punch in a short amount of time!

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Set
Cindy Whitmarsh & Barry Jay, 2008

This set comes with 3 dvds. There is a lower body dvd, upper body dvd, and a code red (get fit quick in 6 days) dvd. The upper and lower body dvds each have a 21 minute w/o and six additional 12 min Mision Specialist w/o's on them. The MS w/o's and are: upper body-beginner, lower body-beginner, abs-beginner, upper body-advanced, lower body-advanced, and abs-advanced. The Code Red dvd is 15 minutes and is total body strength work-no cardio.


The kit also comes w/ resistance cord handles and 2 strengths of interchangable resistance bands. The green band is level 1 (beginner strength) and the black is level 3 of 4. The black band is pretty tough. It also comes w/ a torpedo shaped ball, the Transformer. The transformer ball is used as a weight bench, stability ball, and a prop for cardio & strength moves. The resistance bands can go around the ball while you are laying on it-so you can do bench press or pec fly for example.

There is a countdown banner on the bottom of the screen that counts down each minute. A buzzer goes off at the 10 seconds remaining mark and Cindy, barry & crew countdown. Cindy actually leads the w/o's and Barry walks around with motivational pointers and form tips. They work well together and have a nice repoir.

Each workout is short but tough! You can use them for time crunched days as is or combine a few for a longer w/o. I like to use one fat blaster w/o, a corresponding (UB or LB) mission specialist, and an ab w/o for a 50 minute w/o. I love that I can get in strength and cardio each day! The 1 minute format really makes the tough moves doable. I am able to really push myself because I know its only going to be 60 seconds.

This set is perfect for beginners, intermediates, and advanced exercisers. Cindy does the intermediate level and they also have a beginner and advanced modifier for each move. And you have your choice of band strength. Using the black band and following the advanced modifier I can really get a great, heartpumping, calorie burning, workout in!

Like I said, Ive had great results with this set. Lost 8 lbs (putting me at a lifetime low), gained cardio endurance, got to doing toe pushups, and noticed muscle definition in my biceps. Even after doing it for 8 weeks I could still feel it!

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Upper Body Review

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster Upper Body 
Cindy Whitmarsh & Barry Jay, 2008

The workout is 21 minutes plus a short warmup. It is led my Cindy with Barry wandering around. There is a beginner and advanced modifier throughout. Each exercise is one minute with a 30 second "rest" inbetween that is used to set up the next move and get your ball or cord ready. She alternates strength and cardio moves. Some of the exercises include pec flys on the transformer ball using the cords, burpees (including a hop at the end-TOUGH!), fast run then down to a Mt. Climber on Barry's cue, upper cuts using the cords, jumping jacks pushing the transformer ball back and forth, tricep dips off the ball (TOUGH), etc.

This is 21 minutes well spent! I am surprised how many calories I burn in such a short amount of time. For my UB day I love doing the Fat Blaster UB, a Mission Specilast UB, and a Mission Specialist ab w/o for a challenging 50 min w/o!

The bands seemed a bit too long when wrapped around the ball. So I usually use dumbbells for the moves where you have the band wrapped around the ball. You can use 2 bands in the handles at once, which would make it tougher but that seemed like a lot of extra work.

Cindy Whitmarsh actually leads the workouts. I think she is a good lead-not too overzealous, not too serious. Barry walks around and says things like "great abs arent made in the gym, theyre made in the kitchen so be sure to eat right too" and he pushes down on exercises shoulders for added resistance. He is quirky and I liked him too.

They show a beginner and an advanced modifier with Cindy doing intermediate. Using the black bands and following the advanced modifier you can get an advanced w/o! Most all of the cardio moves are quite challenging! And the strength moves are effecitve!