Movie Reviews for The Pit Workout

The Pit Workout

The Pit Workout Our Price: $42.00
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Movie Reviews of The Pit Workout

Movie Review: I'd give it 6 stars but I'm TOO TIRED!!
Summary: 5 Stars

Great workout video.. and I've tried a few. This is *exactly* what I've been looking for. A MMA/Kickboxing/MA workout--and not the "marie" ones that punch & kick the air and have all these complicated 8+ count flailing around moves that do nothing more than hypnotize your potential opponent--as long as you don't get tied up in a pretzel knot first. These old-school workouts will inspire you and kick your a**.

I also love John "The Pitmaster" Hackleman's style of leading the workout. Very realistic, well thought out, well put together, executed, etc. He's also got a wicked sense of humour. I kept laughing at his comments; "Okay almost done.. only 19 more sets to go.." and "oops, I lost count again. I always do that..", "19..19..19..19.." Seriously cracked me up. And John, no, burpees aren't *my* favorite. :-D

He's also the "real deal" advanced martial artist (10 Dan) as well--which is a huge plus for me. There's so many clowns out there that try to teach [M]MA and generally their techniques not only suck, but will injure you as well. I also respect his association with Chuck Liddell and the other MMA fighters from his "Pit". Def a genuine group of guys (and gals).

Yes it's sure not a TKD or Tai-Chi workout. Can't say I've ever done Tae Bo, so I can't compare. Can't say it appeals to me. Maybe it's the tights. And you know how that eyeliner tends to run when you get all sweaty.. so much hassle.

This workout set is great tho. I'm afraid to even open the crosstraining one. I've been training as a martial artist for almost 10 years now. And this workout laid me out. The last couple years I've been focusing on more/harder impact work Muai Thai, Kickboxing, MMA, and these workouts fit perfectly with those disciplines.

Again, Very very very satisfied with the DVD set. If I had one regret it's not buying the entire boxed set initially. But overall very very happy with this purchase. Best workout DVD I've ever purchased.

Thanks John H. (and others) for producing them.

Movie Review: Great workout for the martial artist/combat athlete
Summary: 5 Stars

Most serious martial artists and combat athletes understand the importance of physical conditioning. While there are numerous methods to improve physical fitness, such as weight training and long distance running, one thing to take into consideration is the fact that self defense and combat sports are more anaerobic than aerobic. Rather than spending a small amount of energy over a long period of time, martial arts instead requires multiple short burst of maximum exertion.

In The PIT Workout DVD, trainer John Hackelman clearly understands the physical demands placed on the combat athlete. As the trainer of former UFC champ Chuck Liddell, his results speak for themselves. Hackelman gives shows three workouts in his two set DVD; one for the upper body, another for the lower body, and then a killer full body workout. Each workout incudes a good mix of calisthenics and plyometrics. The upper body workout focuses on several variations of hand and elbow strikes and different methods of push ups. The lower body workout of course has a lot of focus on kicks and knee strikes, and the full body workout mixed the two.

While perhaps not completely necessary, you will need a few pieces of equipment in order to get the maximum benefit out of The Pit Workout. Luckily, most martial artists will already have most of these items. If you can, pick up a jump rope, bag or mma gloves, and a heavy bag. The striking combinations may be done in the air, but it would be much more beneficial to have something to actually strike to help build power.

This is a fantastic workout, and if you don't have access to a gym, this will get you in shape. If you already have an established conditioning program, then this is an awesome way to supplement that program. Highly recommended!

Movie Review: This is The Pit
Summary: 5 Stars

I first started with this workout as a renter from Netflix. I hate gyms (too many people, traffic, parking etc) and so I wanted to do my workouts at home and to incorporate my love of martial arts into it. I ran across this by just browsing. It was the best decision I could make for my fitness regime. These workouts are tough! There are 3 workouts each covering a different aspect of the body i.e. upper, lower and full body with no equipment needed and they incorporate the Crossfit principals. The Pit Blackjack was worth the price alone. This workout has done wonders for my cardio and endurance. And this is after I had been working out for years but never pushing myself really (apparently). As others have said in previous reviews this is an unpolished looking piece of filmaking. There were no makeup artists, nobody is wearing brightly colored workout apparel and there is no exotic locale. Just the early dimly lit Pit dojo(now totally different looking). This workout is not about high fives and encouraging you with sparkling production and music (sounds like a Linkin Park demo). It's a no nonsense old school approach to fitness and martial arts. It's about YOU pushing YOURSELF and trying to keep up with the students and Mr Hackleman (who is in his late 40's at filming and you'd never know it- he is in shape!). I love this DVD because of it's ugliness. I have fun with these workouts because they are hard. That's all the motivation I need. A bag is not essential but very much worth getting. If you're all about pretty visuals and something that looks cool then move on. If you're about fitness and all it's sweaty painful glory (after the blackjack you'll know what I mean) then buy this dvd.

Movie Review: Great.. if you are in good shape
Summary: 5 Stars

I spent several years training in different types of martial arts and it always kept me in great shape. I recently became a police officer and my constantly changing schedule has made it difficult to keep up with the way I used to train (4-5 days a week). My fitness went from above average before, to probably below average at this point(sitting in a police car for 9 hours a shift will do that). I've had this DVD for years and I always used to do it when I was training as a supplement when I couldn't make it to the gym to train. I tried the full-body workout today and it is sickening how out of shape I have gotten. Others have stated that there is no cardio, just shadow boxing and jumping jacks. However, if you actually know how to shadow box, and do the sprawls and jumps in between, it will definitely burn a few calories. And the Pit blackjack is a workout that makes me cringe when John says it's time to do it.
This DVD is not intended to teach people how to fight, so if that is what you're looking for, I suggest you buy a different DVD. This DVD is for people who either know how to fight and want to get in shape for that purpose, or for those who realize the fitness level of fighters and would like to achieve that same level. I would recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to get in shape. But be warned, if you are not in shape when you start, don't expect to finish the DVDs on the first try. Hang in there and make it your goal to finish them.
Don't put off getting in shape any longer.. buy this DVD and you won't regret it.

Movie Review: Great Value
Summary: 5 Stars

In the field of physical fitness and sports we often see 50 minute DVDs costing $40. This is a 2 DVD set, no fluff, great workouts and costs half of that.
Another good feature is that you need zero equipment, although a heavy bag and a jump rope will enhance the workout. Still, you can do these sessions anywhere and you certainly don't need a gym.

I am a fitness guy not an MMA fighter and I have the feeling that this is the targeted market for the DVD. Although there is a brief appearance by Chuck Liddell at the beginning, he doesn't actually contribute anything to the DVD besides introducing John. The guys and gals in the class certainly do not appear to be MMA fighters but rather average folks keeping in shape. Great shape. And John does the workouts with his students.

The DVD shows very intensive upper body, lower body and full body sessions. I got some great ideas from this product.

My only semi-critical comment is that there was noticeable technique deterioration as the sets progressed. Parallel squats became quarter squats, pushups began to look contorted, etc. There are different schools of thought in the world of fitness and conditioning. One school believes that an exercise is terminated once good technique cannot be maintained. John seems to subscribe to the philosophy that there is conditioning value in doing partial, technically imperfect reps.

To sum up: great DVD and great value.




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