POUND - 5 Weeks Later

   I've used POUND Album 1: Sweat. Sculpt. Rock. for 5 weeks now, and it's been so much fun! I used it 6 days a week, alternating between lower body, upper body and abs, and adding the cardio section in on the end, and it's been amazing. There's more definition to my triceps and upper back, and I've been more enthusiastic about my exercise because it just didn't feel like work.

   I have only one complaint, too, but it's one I can remedy myself: I feel that each set ends one rep too soon, it never feels quite right. There are a few too many seconds for transition between moves, and while that's totally fine if you're new to it, once you've used it for a week or two, it becomes a bit wasteful. As I said, however: easily remedied. Just add on an extra rep or two while the wonderful instructors talk you through it, then transition smoothly. It's barely a complain, really, just something that niggled at me.

   But I voice it anyway, because I never use these workouts or review them upon request of the producers. I choose my own workouts, I buy the DVD and/or kit with my own money, and I dedicate my time to it for fun and for results. I choose to review it because I know how hard it can be to find effective or fun workouts, so I like to see what's out there on the market, and as a consumer rather than just a journalist being given freebies, it's much easier for me to find out what's easily available. What use is there in reviewing a limited or restricted product?

   As such, I will tell it from every side, voicing every complaint or praise I had while using it, and I feel this is very important for these kinds of workouts. Those developed by individual people on the indie fitness scene, such as POUND, benefit from the increased exposure but also the customer feedback. I adore Jillian Michaels; her workouts have changed my life, as cheesy as that is, they've pushed me to discover what I can do, and what I can learn to do. She doesn't need my feedback, my praise or the increased exposure, but it's because her workouts are so good that I continue to do so. But that also gives a frame of reference to whatever I might say about POUND or other indie workouts - if I usually spend my time doing squat jumps, burpees and mountain climbers for cardio, and I tell you that Kukuwa's African Dance is a very effective cardio workout, then I mean it. And if I usually use kettlebells, do deadlifts and Ashtanga, and I tell you that POUND's tricep pulses are hard, then I mean it.

   I really do hope that POUND release Album 2 this year, because though I bought Album 1 on Black Friday because I wasn't sure if it would be worth the money full-price after past experiences with indie workouts, I will happily leap upon Album 2 at full price. I'd like a 'POUND' tank top, too, because I am now a very, very proud member of the POUND Posse, even if I'm limited to participating at home by myself because I can't leave my mum by herself to attend a class - not really a responsible thing for a carer to do. But it's on my to-do list, and one day I might be lucky enough to find the opportunity.

   As always, I've written a full review of the workout that I will get up in the next few days, so you can read more info about the individual workouts on the discs, the kit and general set-up. So stay tuned!