By the Power of 3 I command you! (Davina: Power of 3 (DVD))

Member Name: glitter_princess

Product:	Davina: Power of 3 (DVD)
Date:	07/08/09 (134 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Works the whole body, fun, well instructed,

Disadvantages: Only if you don't like Davina, legs section is HARD!

In my recent quest to lose weight and get fitter I've become something of a workout DVD addict! I've now worked my way through all of Davina's output, sampled Charlie Brooks and now moving onto Nell McAndrew (only for the brave!) But Davina's are so far my favourite, with her Super Body Workout topping my list, but the Power of 3 coming a close second. The Power of 3 was Davina's first DVD and is just over an hour long, moving through 3 different sections - legs, arms, and abs. It uses interval training to get the heart rate up before performing different exercises intended to tone up the muscles and lose the flab. If you've used the Super Sculpt on Super Body you'll be familiar with interval training and for me, this is a great way to work out as I hate being too out of breath. Leading Davina (and you!) through the workout are Jackie and Mark Wren, her husband and wife team of personal trainers. Mark is a ex-Navy bod but doesn't bring too much of an agressive military attitude to the workout (if you've used Nell McAndrew's DVDs you'll be familiar with shouty Army Man, whether you like or loathe him!) and is encouraging but tough.

First impressions of the DVD are that it's a little bit dated in format - the cheesy intros to each section scream late 90's - but don't let that put you off because the content is good. The warm up last 10 minutes and is nicely explained as to which muscles you're stretching and gets the body feeling nicely warm. Davina warns you going into the first section (legs) that it's going to be hard work and she's not lying! Even after working up my fitness levels I still find this section really hard on my legs and they really hurt at times in this! Lots of squats - squats to kicks, squats to knee lifts, regular squats, low squats - and lunges and work that really focuses on the thighs and bottom (which is where I seem to carry a lot of weight so all good stuff for me!) As with all of the sections, you'll do a minute of interval training (star jumps, fast jogging on the spot, skipping with pretend rope) to get the heart rate up and then move onto the exercises. I can't believe I'm saying this but in this section I'm so glad when the intervals come, just to give my thighs a bit of a rest!

The second section is the upper body, led by Mark, and gives the legs a bit of welcome respite. For this you will need a set of hand weights (you could use tins or bottles of water instead) and a chair. Compared to the Super Sculpt on the Super Body DVD it's a lot easier - no nasty squats included here (after the legs workout I think that might just see me collapsed on the floor!) You start off with some press-ups before moving onto using the weights in lots of different types of raises. The tricep dips on the chair I have to say are a real killer - by far the hardest part of the DVD for me! I like the fact that you can make this section more challenging by using heavier weights - I started using 1kg weights, moved up to 1.5kg, and am now using 2kg.

The abs section is led by Jackie and uses lots of situps and variations on a theme - crunches, reverse crunches etc. Personally I find the intervals in this section not particularly challenging (presumably they feel you should be pretty tired by now!) so I do my own - as they say, it really doesn't matter what you do as long as you get your heart rate up. As well as the abs you'll work the bottom, oh yes you will work the bottom! The exercise that sees you lying on your side stretching your leg out behind you certainly has my bottom screaming for mercy by the end of those! And watch out for the Plank at the end - really tough and works the whole body and a great way to see your fitness improving. First time I tried this I could only manage 10 seconds and I'm able to last for 30!

The cool down is nicely explained and stretches everything out nicely. I've not found that this left me with aching muscles the next day so clearly everything is working there.

This is one of my favourite workouts - it's a good length to leave you feeling nicely worked out and buzzy by the end and is well paced for people who might be a little more unfit - most of the exercises and all of the intervals see Jackie showing a lower impact version if you feel the one Davina is doing is too challenging. I always do the whole workout in one go - once you've got through the horror of the legs section it's easy just to plough on through the rest.

I love Jackie and Mark as they are lovely and down to earth but manage to be encouraging enough to push you on. The count well and sometimes the thought that I only have four repetitions left is enough to keep me going where I would have stopped. The instruction on the whole is good, with explanations on technique clear and well timed, although I would say they've improved this with later DVDs. Davina herself is as you would expect - bubbly and chatty. If you like Davina then you'll love this, if you find her annoying then this is probably not for you - although in later DVD's she tones down the chatter, in this one she has a free reign and whenever a track comes on that she likes you get the obligatory "Choon!" from her direction. I love her relaxed and natural approach and she comes across as someone who really enjoys working out and that these are the type of exercises that she actually does in real life, rather than just putting her name to a workout just for a quick cash-in. I also think she has a lovely figure and if I can look like that 6 months down the line I'll be more than happy!

The music is better than many workouts I've done, a bit of Fatboy Slim here, some Groove Armada there, it's all dancey pop and makes a nice background, if nothing spectacular.

The extras are worth a watch but nothing to really write home about - there is Davina on clothes, where she talks you through the kinds of clothes she wears and what flatters her (mildly interesting, but unless you have an identical figure you're unlikely to find this that useful!), Davina on food, a trip round the supermarket, but again, nothing really new here, More Davina, a look at the behind the scenes filming of the DVD, and a 7 day healthy eating plan.

I can't deny the effectiveness of this DVD. I've been using this in alternation with the Super Body Workout for just over 2 months now and, along with a healthy eating plan, have seen a weight loss of a stone, as well as a massive increase in fitness level and huge differences in the way my body looks. I'm even developing a rather nice waist - something I thought I would never see - and my arms particularly are looking nicely toned.

I bought this in a box set including this DVD and her 30 minute workouts DVD (which I don't rate quite as highly) which is a great price at £15 from amazon. Thanks very much Davina!

Summary: A great home workout that works the whole body