Comments on: Why Jillian? Why?

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:53:15 +0000

Thank you! No worries on delay. I read your “Do it! Or not.” post. I can relate. My hubby and I have had to move 8 times within 13 years. Most were for the better, but still, it’s so time-consuming. It’s hard to be mom and handy-woman and packer at the same time with a deadline while DH has begun another job somewhere else. Lots of fast-food were consumed. :-p

I may purchase Andrea’s DVD. Thanks for the input (you should get a commission).

By: jennincat

jennincat — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:29:02 +0000

Hi Gina!

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get to the comments.

I don’t know about Gin Miller. One of the things you’ll noticed about proper swings is that there is more of a hip “hinge” (the butt goes back) rather than a squat. Also looking at the type of footwear of the instructor is a tell tale sign. Typically, someone who knows what they are doing will be wearing thin soled shoes not big cushy running shoes.

I’m not familiar with the KB Goddess dvd although I think that one is by Andrea DuCane and I know you can trust the instruction. I can’t speak for the quality of the video or music or anything like that since I haven’t seen it but you will be getting proper instruction for sure! If I remember right that is one of the better priced DVD’s out there. As far as upper body strength I really really love Pavel’s Enter the Kettlebell program. It’s really simple and effective but it can be really boring for those who like a lot of variety. He has a book (which is usually less expensive on Amazon than DD) called Enter the Kettlebell. But if you prefer videos I don’t think you will go wrong with the Goddess one.

In this post http://www.girl-heroes.com/2010/10/11/2968/ there is a video (the second one) that has a good description of the swing.

Hope this helps!

By: Gina

Gina — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:27:13 +0000

(I love your blog).

Can you help me?

I purchased a kettlebell a few months ago and started reading on blogs about proper form and how so many instructors don’t have it. I didn’t pick up my new kb until I could look into it more.

My kb came with a dvd, don’t laugh, it’s Danskin. I noticed the instructor, “fitness guru Gin Miller” isn’t certified. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t know what she’s doing, but how am I supposed to know?

At your recommendation in your above post, I went to Dragon Door. There are no RKC instructors in Utah, apparently. I’m checking out the “Kettlebell Goddess” dvd — are you familiar with that one? I’ve never had much upper body strength. Is there something else you’d recommend?

Thank you! I’m looking forward to dusting off my lonely kettlebell.

By: Gina

Gina — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:48:45 +0000

Unfortunately for people like me that know nothing about kettlebells but trusts that Jillian “knows” what she’s doing, I would have tried it and not realized I wasn’t not maximizing the most form the workout or that I was at risk for injury.

By: I Deserve It « Simply Shaka

I Deserve It « Simply Shaka — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:46:12 +0000

[…] if you read the LA Times article you will see all that is wrong with this. And if you check outÂ this post on Girl Heroes, you willÂ see even more what’s wrong with it including a clip of the dvdÂ with […]

By: Liz Nelson

Liz Nelson — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 04:21:56 +0000

I can’t believe that people who aren’t certified are making these types of workouts. I don’t know much about kettlebells, but the two You Tube clips were really helpful – thanks for showing the correct technique.

By: AJ @ atothejay.wordpress

AJ @ atothejay.wordpress — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:37:47 +0000

Thanks so much for posting this! I’ve been Anti-Jillian for a long time so it’s nice to see the experts make a public stand against her. Seriously, how many biggest loser contestants have been hauled out of the gym in an ambulance? More than 1, and that’s absolutely ridiculous. I loved the fact that they researched her credentials…or lack of should I say. It’s amazing what TV can do!!

By: homecookedem

homecookedem — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:27:45 +0000

Thank you so much for bringing awarness to this! I do lots of Jillian workouts, but I am very glad that you pointed all of this out so that I don’t make the mistake of trying this workout dvd out. Even though I have never used kettlebells before, just looking at her form, it does look unsafe. That is just awful that she is putting people at risk with this workout dvd. Ugh.

By: Retta @ RunRettaRun

Retta @ RunRettaRun — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:16:35 +0000

You probably already know I am a fan of Jillian’s but I don’t always agree with her training methods. Or diet pills. Thank you for this post though b/c you’re right, kettlebells need to be used the correct way. Even though I haven’t had any experience w/ them, I knew that. 😉

And yeah, I like her yoga DVD lol.

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:09:18 +0000

Thank you so much on this wonderful post! Maybe I’ve been living in the dark ages, but I am just now learning about kettle bells – and I can’t express enough gratitude for this post and video. Thank you for explaining proper form – I can’t imagine the number of people that might potentially become injured from trying to do Jillian’s video – scary.