Jillian Michaels BodyShred Full Review

I was sent the Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED program and supplements for review purposes.In this BodyShred review, as always, opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own.

I have to say my two months of BodyShred flew by! It seems like I just started yesterday. Ah, time flies while you're having fun. Right? OK, in this full review post, I hope to give you a good overview of exactly what the BodyShred program is as well as my thoughts and opinions on the program. So, is Jillian Michaels BodyShred hype or help? Let's chat...

Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED is Jillian's latest total-package fitness program. This set includes:

What is included in the BodyShred program?

What's in the box:

BodyShred Fitness Guide
BodyShred Meal Plan
BodyShred Rotational Calendar
BodyShred "Let Them See You Sweat" Workout Towel
DVDs-
     8 - Shred Style Circuit Workouts
       1. Launch
       2. Rise
       3. Amplify
       4. Escalate
       5. Conquer
       6. Triumph 
       7. Zenith
       8. Apex
     2 - Straight Cardio Workouts
       1. Fire Up
       2. Ignite
    Plus, bonus workout Opus and a disc on the cast and teaching the moves. So, a total of 12 DVDs are included in this set.

The BodyShred Workouts

For the 30 minute BodyShred workouts you will need:

-A set of dumbbellsto suit your ability. The cast uses 3's, 5's, and 8's. I mostly used my 5's and 8's.
-Possibly an exercise matif you prefer one for hard surfaces.

SO, what is BodyShred? BodyShred is a 60-day progressive workout program based on Jillian's S.H.R.E.D. Method. SHRED is an acronym for Synergistic, High Intensity, Resistance, Endurance, Dynamic. In the fitness guide Jillian describes BodyShred as, "...a hybrid of the most cutting-edge fitness philosophies integrated into one comprehensive system that targets every muscle in the body with every fitness modality - all in one workout."

If you're familiar with other Jillian workouts you will recognize Jillian's signature 3-2-1 interval format here as well. BodyShred workouts are set up as four, 6-minute circuits of 3 minutes resistance, 2 minutes of HIIT cardio, and 1 minute of abs. Moves are performed back to back for 30 seconds each.

The BodyShred Schedule

The BodyShred Calendar is set up with 2 Shred DVDs done twice a week each (on Mondays and Thursdays and then Tuesdays and Fridays) and then a Cardio DVD twice a week (on Wednesdays and Saturdays). With Sundays being a total rest day. As a progressive program, you move up to new Shred DVDs after 2 weeks and there is a new Cardio DVD each month.

So, for example, weeks 1 and 2 your schedule looks like this:
Monday- Launch (Shred Disc 1)
Tuesday- Rise (Shred Disc 2)
Wednesday- Fire Up (Cardio Disc 1)
Thursday- Launch
Friday- Rise
Saturday- Fire Up
Sunday- REST

The BodyShred Diet Plan

Like any complete workout system worth its salt BodyShred comes with a meal plan. We all know that you can't out-workout a bad diet. It takes both together to get results. 

Side note: I receive a lot of emails from readers upset or thrilled with various programs. I have come to the conclusion that the main deciding factor for success or failure with any of these programs is whether or not someone just does the workouts or also follows the meal plan.

In the BodyShred Meal Plan, Jillian recommends no more than 1400 calories a day for women and no more than 1600 calories a day for men. There is a 60-day pre-planned meal schedule included, complete with recipes. It also includes helpful info such as a "Yes" and "No" foods list, Nutrients to Incorporate Often list, A Note on Organics with The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15 lists, a "Free Greens" list, and discussions on water and fiber.

The BodyShred Supplements

At the time of this writing, if you order the BodyShred program from getbodyshred.com you are given the option to add the BodyShred supplements to your cart (I also think you can call the 1-800 number from the site to order). BodyShred Edge Powered by EBOOST and the Jillian Michaels Protein Shake.

I used them both in month 2 of the program and liked them. They are both supplements I would continue to include in my routine. I especially loved the added nutrition boost they both offered. The protein powder tastes good (which I've found can be touch and go with pea protein powders). I drank it plain with unsweetened cashew milk for my afternoon snack most of the time. I also tried it in smoothies and it was great. The Eboost supplement I liked for the bit of an energy boost it gave me (without feeling jittery or hopped up). 

My Thoughts

BodyShred vs Body Revolution

First, I'm going to answer the questions I've gotten most from people: How does BodyShred compare to Body Revolution? Which do you like better?

BodyShred is a 60-Day program and Body Revolution is a 90-Day program. I would say the BodyShred workouts are tougher and the moves are definitely more challenging. Also, the BodyShred diet is slightly less restrictive and I found a little easier to stick to.

Which do I like better? I like them both. Honestly, if I hadn't been sent both programs for review purposes I absolutely would have purchased them both on my own. You can read my full Body Revolution review here. I do think that BodyShred would make an amazing follow-up to Body Revolution. For those of you that emailed me after finishing Body Revolution asking if I had suggestions on what to do next...BodyShred! Absolutely. It's a perfect progression, Body Revolution then BodyShred. However, I suppose if I had to absolutely positively only choose one of the sets I'd choose Body Revolution. I really, really love that set. However, if you're more advanced you definitely want BodyShred.

My Experience and Opinions

I enjoyed this program immensely. It was definitely challenging, but even at a more beginner fitness level post-baby, I found it doable with the modifications shown. Week 1 I had to do a few of the modified moves, but by week 2 I was already feeling stronger and able to do most of the full moves. Although a bit apprehensive about the new workouts for weeks 3 and 4, I found I was ready for them! But, by weeks 5 and 6 I did have to modify a few moves again and found myself modifying quite a bit in weeks 7 and 8 (especially in those crazy push-up variations!).

I think were I to take this on again at a beginner fitness level I would do each 2-week level for 3 weeks. That would have perfectly suited my abilities. Pre-baby, post Body Revolution I would have had no issues though. So, depending on your fitness level, keep that in mind. If you need to modify moves or lengthen the schedule to feel ready to take on the next level: do it!

Many of you have been curious about the diet plan and what I think of it. I have to say I liked it. It's pretty balanced, and though I had to tweak it a bit to suit my Paleo-bent (I did do dairy here), I found it easy to follow. While the 1400 calories was a bit tough, I relied on the "free" green veggies to keep me satisfied and on-track. There were several of the recipes that I really loved and will keep in my food plan long-term. The Baked Frittata, Jamaican Jerk Turkey Burger with Papaya-Mango Salsa, Garlic Salmon & Grilled Fennel with Mashed Cauliflower, Peruvian Beef Kebabs with Brussels Sprouts with Browned Garlic, and the Guacamole recipes were my favorites. So yum.

Overall, I liked the BodyShred program and would absolutely recommend it. It is definitely slanted more towards the intermediate to advanced exerciser, but as I said doable for someone a bit more at a beginner level like I was. I wouldn't, however, recommend this set to an absolute beginner or anyone with limitations, such as back or knee problems. As always, I'm not a medical or fitness professional, so be sure to check with yours.

For me, this program was just what I needed right now. I loved the routine and I loved the schedule that kept me on track. I never got bored with this program. I enjoyed the workouts and the diet plan (as much as one can enjoy a diet plan, lol) and as always I tend to do well with Jillian as the trainer. The challenge was just what I needed! Yes, I saw results of weight loss and lost inches, but most importantly to me: I feel STRONGER!! Mission accomplished.

UPDATE: BodyShred is now a fraction of the cost it used to be on Amazon. Definitely check it out there. Major deal alert.

Have you ever done a Jillian program?

Other Jillian reviews you may enjoy:
Body Revolution
Killer Buns and Thighs
Hot Body, Healthy Mommy