Shaun T's FOCUS T25 GAMMA Phase DVD Workout

Having done Alpha and Beta, this is the next phase for those that are keen to move forward with Focus T25.Speed 3.0This starts of with a few recognised moves from Speed 2.0, but then comes the Burpees. Oh my goodness, Core Speed had enough Burpees but Speed 3.0 should be renamed Speed Burpees.By twenty minutes I had enough, I struggled though the last five minutes, modifying and even stopping for a few seconds to catch my breath (but I am 49 years old so not bad really).With each new burpee move you are facing the floor and not the TV so I did miss the first repetition just so I can see what the demonstrators did.In hindsight I should have watched it first. Not to worry as the next time I will remember the moves.After the workout you will certainly feel like you've had an upper body workout.Rip'T UpThis workout is exhausting and hard work. I had to modify and even stop for a few seconds at several points. I don't try to keep up with Shaun T, I go at my own pace. Not totally sure why several moves are done while standing on one leg, i.e. bicep curls, shoulder press. I kept losing balance and it a nuisance.Anyway, it starts with some recognised warm-up moves, then the weights start. A chin-up bar is optional. I don't and I'm not going to either. My doorway is too far from my workout area and it would waste valuable seconds running over to it and running back.Now, you are doing a lot of weight work but I found that I really needed four sets of different weights. I only have two sets of dumbbells, one set at 9kg for biceps, shoulders and chest work and one set at 6kg for other work but I could really have done with a 1kg set for superman pulses and maybe 4kg for tricep curls. Having to stop and change weights is just a nuisance as you need to pause the DVD each time - buts thats a pain. I'm not going out and buying any more sets of dumbbells so this is where resistance bands come in handy. I still have a set from when I did 10 minute trainer so I did triceps with the bands and superman pulses by holding loose weights in each hand.In summary, I would recommend getting these moulded weight sets that range from 1kg to 8 kg plus one set of dumbbells or get two sets of dumbells plus a resistance band or just stick with a range of variable strength resistance bands (medium, strong, extra-strong). Amazon sell decent bands and so does sports-direct. Don't bother with cheap chinese rubbish from eBay.Extreme CircuitEasier than Rip'T Up but still sweaty, but not quite as exhausting work.Again, chin-up bar is optional.The whole workout consists of five x five-minute workouts. Each five minute workout consists of four one-minute routines followed by a one-minute burnout repeating these four moves. Then you do the next five-minute set. The weights are in your hand nearly all the time, except for a couple of plank moves.Two sets of dumbbells recommended, heavy and light, so you can quickly change without losing valuable time.Tricep pushups while holding weights is not recommended unless you have the moulded type they use on the DVD. Regular round dumbbells just kept rolling away so I just do what Andy (the band man) does and do them directly on the floor.Now I feel that if you only have resistant bands then you are at a disadvantage as several routines using weights cannot be fully replicated using bands.The PyramidThe easiest of the four DVD's. Don't get me wrong, its still sweaty and exhausting but I didn't have to stop so often.Workout consists of different routines each starting with one repetition, then two, then three etc. After a couple of routines you'll then be doing a cardio routine, then back to a pyramid routine.Two sets of dumbbells recommended, heavy and light, or one set of heavy dumbbells and a resistance band. The only time you'll need a light dumbbell is for tricep curls. Also you may want to decrease the weight of the heavy dumbbells slightly as, for example, after the seventh repetition of the bicep curl and shoulder press you will start to struggle as What began as a manageable weight will become really uncomfortable.The only routine I couldn't do competely is the plank to pike-up pyramid. This is the hardest routine on this disk.If your completely happy with Focus T25 Alpha and Beta and you want more then it makes sense to get Gamma. With two types of calendar, this will give you a further eight weeks of varied workouts.

Yes, definitely a step up from the Alpha and Beta phases, plus more regular use of weights. You might want to invest in a set of rubber hand dumbells with this programme since they crop up in several of the workouts (although you can use the resistance bands instead, if you have them). There is also an optional door bar for pull-ups too (but you'll have to buy one of those yourself - personally, I haven't bothered because there's too much else to do). There is also a definite greater emphasis on burpees too. It's a pity there aren't more workouts but this will certainly keep you on your toes if you're looking for a good cardio and strength building programme.The fitness calendar comes with two variations - one four week programme purely focussing on the Gamma phase and the other four week programme being mostly Gamma but with a few of the Alpha and Beta workouts revisited. I've now gone through the whole Focus T25 programme twice since I've bought it and I don't regret it. The only problem now is that this has spoiled me for longer workouts. I have grown accustomed to a 25 minute workout because it's very easy to fit into a busy day.

I purchased t25 gamma after I had completed a round of insanity. The workouts were very good but didn't tire me out as much as insanity , but having saying that it is still a good workout and u definitely feel the burn in your muscles!!!

T25 Gamma is a great step up from T25 Alpha and Beta. The first few days I did ask myself 'what have I done'? But you do settle in after a few days. It does also make you appreciate how good this training is and how far you have come. I could never have imagined pushing weights on one leg or doing jumping planks. It's great and I can't wait for the next series....apparently it's Delta.

I bought this for my husband as he has just spent a year doing and carrying on with T25 Alpha and Beta. He's 53 and since starting T25 has never been in better shape. He has not needed to visit his Chiropractor at £25/ visit since starting the programme a year ago, so well worth the money. He's never been an exercise nut and only started to give me some support in losing weight, I stopped after Alpha due to illness, but he has carried on and is up at 6:30 religiously every morning and really enjoys the work out.

I loved T25 Alpha and Beta rounds, very effective for me and a lot of fun.Gamma was again fun and interesting, but the results I saw were small and the difficulty wasn't much different to Beta. I understand that Gamma is for toning/muscle gain and not weight loss like the first two rounds, but I personally felt as if another round of Beta would have been more effective.

Just like T25, Gamma exceeds my expectations. Great workouts professionally executed. Sometimes you think they are easy and then you notice you are dripping in sweat and your heart rate is rocketing! A year ago I started with T25, then in March this year I did several Jillian Michaels program's returning toT25 in August and nailing them this time ! I would never have thought last year I could do Gamma but I can! T25 gets you fit fast as the man says ... Insanity is calling!

totally addicted..... worked through Alpha and Beta taking my time to nail the series before moving on to the next so you have the freedom to work on those disks that you are doing less well in to build ability wherever your personal weakness is. I can always find 25 mins, there really is no excuse and when you start seeing the results that just drives you on to keep it up.... there is an option with GAMMA to mix with disks from Beta so you get good use of your financial investment.... I do sessions in my living room and have bought some free weights and a big padded mat as tiled floor so was getting a little hard on the joints. I am so looking forward to get on that beech and show of my efforts.... new bikini waiting in the wings.....