I got two iFit routines with our elliptical. They are called Get Fit with Jillian Michaels who became famous through The Biggest Loser and now has an empire! Each card is an 8-week program. I have Levels 1 and 2. I am not going to review them separately because that makes no sense to me.

About the cards:

The cards include workouts for elliptical machines, treadmills, and stationary bikes. The cards are small- about the size of a battery for my camera.

Obviously your equipment has to be technologically able to use iFit cards. All I do is insert the workout card into the slot on my machine and I listen to Jillian as she coaches me through my workout.

Jillian changes my resistance but I have to change the ramp level. At any time I can change the speed. What I like the most is that she'll say "I'm going to get you going to 70 rpms." So if I am at 50 rpms I get a message that says work harder or as I increase I'm told that I am doing alright.

At http://shop.ifit.com you can see that you can buy one for $29.95 or a packet of three for $59.95.

Jo's experiences:

I found Level 1 to be very easy but that was a good way to start. Level 1 is a great way to get used to a machine and hear someone say things like "You're doing great" and "I get it, this is hard." She also (which I like the most) gives me factual information regarding calories, food, and exercise in general.

On each level you will get workouts for all the machines mentioned above.

Level 2 gives me 24 elliptical workouts and the maximum intensity is considered moderate; the rpms (rotations per minute) go from slow to moderate (50 to 70); and the workout length is 25 to 30 minutes (Level 1 programs are 20 minutes.) I am told that I will burn 500 to 650 calories which seems to be about right if I take the calories burned on my elliptical machine and acount for about a 20% error rate.

Jo's thoughts:

Whenever I have used the cards I have had mixed feelings about Jillian Michaels' Get Fit programs. I like the coaching but it was minimal for Level 1. Thirty dollars is a lot of money for this little card, which probably costs ten cents to make.

I actually like to hear Jillian talk. If you can't stand her for whatever reason, stay away from these! 

What I find strange is that level 1 is too easy and level 2 is too difficult. I guess I could say I find it motivating and at the same time I find it discouraging. I have been using the Get Fit cards for a couple of years and maybe because I am older, I am not finding level 2 easier - at least on my elliptical.

Getting to 70 rpms and staying there for 2 minutes is hard. I remember the first day of level 2. I did 15 minute increments and have worked up.

I often decide on a product when reviewing it and have decided that Get Fit is a good way to get in shape, to get motivated, and to get pushed. It is not perfect but it does work although I do realize that I have not convinced myself 100%

Recommended: Yes