Kathy Smith and Jillian Michaels:
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Not all exercise videos are created equal and we can say the same thing about the instructors that create them. One might think that one aerobics exercise video is like all others but this is not the case. Many aerobic instructors have their own style and two popular instructors that demonstrate this point are Kathy Smith and Jillian Michaels. Kathy Smith, for example, has been making fitness videos for decades and her style is comfortable and relaxed. Jillian Michaels, on the other hand, approaches working out as something that should feel like a challenge and if it does not feel challenging, it probably is not being performed correctly. Two videos that illustrate these different but effective styles are Smith's Build Muscle, Shrink Fat and Michaels' 30-Day Shred.
Style is the most noticeable difference between the two instructors. Kathy Smith falls into a group of aerobics instructors that err on the side of safety. This is not a bad thing and, for beginners, it is a very good thing because she explains you how to pay attention to your heart rate. In her video, she emphasizes keeping track of the heart rate. This workout is 54 minutes long and it does raise the heart rate. The workout is divided into two levels. Smith is extremely careful...
She suggests slowing down if one feels as though they are working too far above the target heart rate. Michaels, on the other hand, has a disclaimer at the beginning of her video that explains safety measures, drinking water and other issues. She does not waste time during her video to talk about tracking the heart rate nor does she seem worried about it. Part of this stems from the fact that the video is short and it is intended to be intense. However, Michaels seems to assume that users of this video will know certain things and take certain precautions without being told to do so. Michaels' approaches aerobic training with a slightly different attitude than Smith. She believes that pushing oneself is the only way to know and then exceed limitations. Her exercises are straight from physical education class. She does not sugar coat any aspect of her video and she even says, "This may look like it's easy but I bet you're figuring out right now that it's not" (Michaels). She also admits that most of the exercises are not fun "but when it's all over and you look like this, it will all be worth it" (Michaels). Smith is not as tough on her audience as Michaels.
Intensity is another area where the…
