The Art of Strength: Providence

This is a great workout. I normally wait until I have done a workout a few more weeks before reviewing (I've only done this dvd twice), but I have done plenty of KB workouts and can already tell this is a great workout. For reference, I've done the Skogg 11-week program twice now so I know what a great full-body workout using a kettlebell can be. This workout introduces some classic kettlebell moves with great explanations of how to perform them correctly and safely. You perform 14 different exercise intervals of 2 minutes each, followed by an all-you-can-do 3 minute snatch test at the end. You only need one kettlebell for all of the exercises included. He gives you a 1-minute break between each 2-minute interval , which is a little too long (part of the reason for the 4 star rating). It's a good mix of moves that work your full body, plus some that are focused on just lower body or just upper body.I wish the warm-up was a little more substantial and there is no cool-down at the end which is too bad, but you can add your own. I'd definitely recommend this DVD to anyone who has kettlebell experience. If you've been doing Skogg (whose workout I still love), this is a great 5th DVD to add to your rotation. I don't know that I'd recommend to beginners, but I plan to use it quite a bit. Good purchase.

I have waited for over nine months to write this review because I wanted to ensure that I was able to provide feedback that was not based on the excitement of starting a new workout routine. I was first introduced to Anthony Diluglio's Firepower DVD by a coworker. I watched the DVD and wrote down the workout routine and started doing it once a week at my local gym. I worked for six months eventually building up to working the Firepower routine two to three times per week. I then branched out and purchased his Providence DVD. This shocked my system because it moved from working each exercise for one minute each, as in Firepower, to two minutes per exercise. However, I was able to get through it nonstop the first go around even though it was challenging; I attribute getting through Providence on day one to having taken six months to build a solid base with Firepower. After working Providence for three months I again branched out and purchased Newport. Newport is awesome! Talk about a shock to the system. Each workout set is four to five minutes including a one minute set of abs; thankfully I had that strong base built through Firepower. Getting through Newport is still a struggle and requires a little more mental toughness than Firepower and Providence. I do have to use a lighter KB for some of the Newport exercise but I know eventually I'll build to where I'm using the same weight KB for all of Newport.The above method is what worked for me and I provide it to hopefully encourage others interested in pursuing KB workouts a good starting point. I cannot emphasize enough though the importance of starting out slowly, working at your own pace, and building a solid base focusing primarily on developing your core strength. Of note is that I also lost 35 pounds during that first six months (245 to 210; I'm 6 ft. 4 in. for height/weight reference purposes); I'm still dropping weight too. This is in part due to three major lifestyle changes: (1) I quit drinking alcohol; (2) I reduced my sugar intake, to include natural sugars, to less than 20 grams per day (if you think this is hard the book `The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week' by Jorge Cruise can help); (3) I started working out five days per week (Mon - cardio, Tue - strength training, Wed - cardio, Thur - cross training, Fri - cardio).As far as Anthony Diluglio is concerned, I could not ask for a better virtual personal trainer. He does go through some tutorials for some of his exercises which I do recommend watching as it will help with form and prevent injury; all-in-all though he expects that you will come with some sort of knowledge of KB strength training on how to do exercises properly. Even if you are just starting out, as long as you take it slow and at your own pace, you can easily follow along with him during each routine and the changing camera angles really help capture the nuances of each exercise. Again, start out slow and build that solid base focusing on keeping your core tight during each exercise!Currently, my workout rhythm for strength training in general is on a monthly cycle with one hard strength training workout each week. Week one is the Providence followed up with a run through Firepower. Week two is the Newport routine again followed up with a run through Firepower. Week three is the Firepower routine walking up the five set pyramid and then working down through the same pyramid taking my rest at the pyramid's top. Week four is a rest from KBs and I do the CrossFit Filthy Fifty (or Dirty Thirty if I'm not feeling up to par; Dirty Thirty is the same thing as Filthy Fifty but just 30 sets of each exercise). Recall that I spent over six months building a solid base, focusing on core strength, before being able to get to this point of regular, injury free strength training. Take it slow folks and build that core!I hope that Anthony Diluglio keeps making workout DVDs. I will buy them every time over any other workout DVD out there. They might be a little pricey but it is worth every penny if you are willing to invest your time in improving your physical fitness and your body in general.

I think that The Art of Strength: Providence is very creative and well put together. I would also have to say...I think this DVD is geared more towards people that already know and understand some basic kettlebell exercises, and the proper way to execute them, without causing injury or a strained muscle. As a beginner, I would highly recommend getting the DVD Enter the Kettlebell with Pavel Tsatsouline first. Pavel Tsatsouline is the kettlebell guru and really knows his stuff. He teaches you clear, step by step instructions, on almost everything a beginner needs to know before starting your kettlebell work out. So if you're a beginner...Enter The Kettlebell is definitely a necessity to get down the right form and technique you will need, to properly execute the moves on the Providence DVD.Also, don't get discouraged if you can't keep up with Anthony's pace at first. This is a very fast paced DVD that you will have to work yourself up to...so start with a pace that you feel most comfortable with...until you can build up your strength and endurance level. Another note I might add...if you have hard wood floors, make sure that you lay down a large carpet or padding in front of the tv or area you will be doing your kettlebell work out. I think that's common sense really...if you drop the kettlebell on a hard wood floor...I think we all know what the outcome of that would be.The majority of the music in Providence is techno inspired...so if you don't like techno music, you might want to turn the volume down a tad and turn up the stereo with your favorite jams. I actually found the music very enjoyable and noticed that it modivated me to push myself harder during the circuit. All in all, I think The Art Of Strength: Providence is an awesome DVD and I would recommend it to any beginner / advance kettlebell enthusiast. One of the best circuit kettlebell dvds available on the market to date.Anthony is entertaining! He gives us a dvd that you can watch over and over...and still be inspired and unbored.

I have 2 other ‘Art of strength’ videos and enjoy them. All great work outs. My only gripe is you get a minute long rest between sets, then he talks about the next exercise, so u can end up getting a longer rest period than necessary. It’s nothing the fast forward button can’t fix. Wish he’d make more videos!