KBKB The Body Series Limitless Legs

The Kettlebell Kickboxing (KBKB) Body Series is the second series created by Dasha Libin, who also created the very popular KBKB Scorcher series. The Body Series is comprised of 12 DVDs that combine kettlebell training with kickboxing and other martial arts disciplines. As the name of the series implies, most of the workouts focus on specific body parts. A tutorial workout for beginners, some cardio workouts, a buddy workout, a double kettlebell workout, a travel workout, and a joint mobility workout round out the program.

Who is Dasha Libin ? Dasha holds a Master's degree in Sports Science with a specialty in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention. In addition to the degree, Dasha hold several certifications in both kettlebells and various martial arts. She written articles for numerous publications and has been the official trainer for pageants. She developed her trademarked Kettlebell Kickboxing and teaches celebrities, athletes, and everyday people at her sold out classes. In other words, she's not just a pretty face, she really knows what she's talking about!

This is a review for The Body Series Limitless Legs (46:58)

Main Menu: play full workout, play workout on mute, play workout w/ music only, play workout w/out warm up or cool down.

Setting, music, and background exercisers: The setting reminds me of a large loft space. There are wood floors and a brick wall with different sized kettlebells lining the bottom. The music is instrumental and is pretty non-descript. I can't say I noticed it at all which means that it's probably not great and not grating either. Dasha does the workout with 4 women who are fellow KBKB instructors. Everyone is wearing bra style athletic tops and athletic capri-style leggings or shorts. None of the background exercisers acts in an over the top fashion or mugs for the cameras.

Equipment: a kettlebell or one dumbbell is required. On the DVD, everyone is using a 15 lb. kettlebell although Dasha says you can use anything from an 8 -25 lb. kettlebell depending on your fitness level and familiarity with kettlebell training. A towel and water are also recommended.

What's on the screen during the workout? In the upper left corner is a countdown clock for each exercise. On the bottom of the screen is a banner that shows the name of the exercise you're currently doing. In the bottom right corner is a square that shows you in percentage format how far along you are in the workout.

Warm Up (4:00): jump rope, boxer shuffle, fast feet to shuffle, straight leg kicks, snap kick/crescent kick, torso twist, torso twist w/ cross punch, windmills.

Main Workout: the general format is each exercise is done for one minute. If the exercise is longer than a minute, I've noted it below. After every 3-4 exercises you have a one minute rest period. During the rest period you can either totally rest or do an active rest. If doing the active rest you'll be doing warrior 3 variations or straight leg kicks.

Exercises : reach through, double handed swing, run in place (2 min.), double handed swing, sprawl to plank, good mornings, sprawl to plank, deadlift, snap kick to sprawl plank, in & out zig zag swing, cat squat to snap kick, speed skaters, in & out zig zag swing (other leg), cat squat to snap kick (other leg), capoeira skaters, 3 way lunge to teep, sprawl to swing out, lateral hop to snap kick, stepthrough lunges w/ halo, swing switching gunslingers (1:30 min), alternating lateral lunge.

Cool Down (5:00): extended child's pose, prone groin stretch or butterfly stretch, forward fold, hurdle stretch, standing forward fold w/ chest stretch.

Overall Impressions: This workout is not a pure strength workout. Instead it feels more like a circuit/metabolic conditioning workout with a STRONG emphasis on the legs (I was sore the next day). Everyone is going at their own pace and has their own way of doing the moves which Dasha celebrates. I felt at ease and like I was just working out with the crew. I'm new to kettlebell training and this workout was fun and made me feel successful in using this new to me piece of equipment. As demonstrated by Dasha I'd say this workout is a high intermediate. Advanced exercisers can use a heavier kettlebell and really work the active rests. Beginners can use a lighter kettlebell, can rest during the rest periods, and can follow the modifications that Dasha demonstrates.

Criticisms: Dasha does not mirror cue so it's up to you to either ignore her cues of "left"or "right"in order to mirror her or follow her cues and realize you won't visually be matching her and the crew. Sometimes she is still explaining or demoing the move when the clock starts which eats into the work time. Lastly, Dasha talks pretty much non-stop! In a way she reminds me BJ Gaddour, only without the quirky and seemingly random comments. While I wasn't personally bothered by it, some people may be. While some of her talk focuses on body image it's not the main focus when she speaks.