Kettlebell Workout DVD Review: Lauren Brooks Volume 2 Tested

Quick Verdict

The kettlebell workout DVD featuring Lauren Brooks delivers a no-nonsense, structured home-training program that covers warm-up, strength, conditioning, and flexibility in one disc. After three weeks of real use in my own living room, I can say it holds up — especially for beginners and intermediate exercisers who want guided kettlebell work without a subscription. If you're advanced or need modern streaming aesthetics, look elsewhere. Rating: 4.2 out of 5.

What Is the Kettlebell Workout DVD?

The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD Volume 2 is a home-fitness program led by certified kettlebell instructor Lauren Brooks. It crams over 20 kettlebell and body-weight exercises into three structured follow-along workouts, bookended by a joint-mobility warm-up and a cool-down stretch section. There's also a standalone bonus abs routine if you want to target your core separately.

I received this as a gift two winters ago when my gym closed for renovations. It sat in its envelope for a week before curiosity got the better of me. What I found was a surprisingly well-organized piece of programming — not flashy, but thoughtfully built. Brooks walks you through each movement with form cues you'd normally pay a personal trainer to deliver.

Key Features

• Over 20 kettlebell and body-weight exercises covering swings, squats, presses, and core moves
• Three distinct follow-along workouts: The Grind (strength focus), The Smoker (conditioning), The Finisher (high intensity)
• Bonus abs workout included for targeted core training
• Joint mobility warm-up to prep shoulders, hips, and ankles safely
• Cool-down stretching section to support recovery and flexibility
• Single DVD — no internet, app, or monthly subscription required
• Beginner-friendly instruction with clear form cues throughout

Hands-On Review

I started with The Grind on a Monday morning, kettlebell in hand, still half-asleep. Brooks doesn't waste time on chitchat — the warm-up begins within seconds of the menu screen. The joint mobility sequence surprised me; it lasted nearly eight minutes and left my hips feeling genuinely looser than most warm-ups I'd been skipping at the gym.

The first week was humbling. I considered myself a regular exerciser, but kettlebell snatches and Turkish get-ups exposed weak links I'd never noticed. By the third session with The Grind, something clicked — my hinge pattern improved, and the 20-pound bell I started with felt less unwieldy. This is where Brooks' cueing earns its keep. She doesn't just say "keep your back flat"; she describes the sensation and tells you where to feel it.

The Smoker is where the cardio disguise falls away. I was dripping sweat by the twelve-minute mark, even though the moves aren't technically complex. The intervals are smartly timed — work, brief rest, repeat. My heart rate stayed elevated throughout, which I'd normally only get from running. Two weeks in, I noticed my resting heart rate had dropped a few beats per minute. Whether that's the DVD alone or a combination of factors, I can't say for certain, but the stimulus was undeniably there.

Then there's The Finisher. I dreaded this one. Short, brutal, and effective. It's the workout I kept pushing to the end of my sessions, which probably says more about my psychology than the programming. But I kept coming back, which matters more than any fitness metric.

The bonus abs section is modest but useful — I used it on rest days when I wanted light movement without touching the kettlebell. At ten minutes, it fills a gap without demanding too much.

Who Should Buy It?

This DVD works well if you're a beginner or intermediate exerciser building a home kettlebell habit without wanting to think too hard about programming. The structure is already done for you — just press play.

• Home exercisers without gym access — Everything you need fits in a corner of a room and one piece of equipment.
• Beginners to kettlebell training — Brooks' clear form cues and progressive structure reduce injury risk and build competence.
• Busy people who hate browsing streaming libraries — Pop in the disc and follow along. No decision fatigue.
• Those returning from injury or deconditioned — The warm-up and cool-down are unusually thorough for a budget DVD.

Skip this if you already have a solid kettlebell practice and need programming that challenges an intermediate or advanced lifter. The Finisher will tax you for a few weeks, but The Grind plateaus early if you're handling 35+ pounds comfortably. And if you need sleek production, music sync, or algorithm-curated workouts, a streaming service is a better fit — even if pricier over time.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If this kettlebell workout DVD doesn't quite fit your needs, here are two alternatives worth a look:

• Kettlebell Training for Beginners (Digital) — A more recent digital-only program with updated production values and longer-form content. Better for those who prefer streaming over physical media.
• Onnit Kettlebell Academy DVD — A premium option with more advanced programming and expert instructors, though at a higher price point and with a steeper learning curve.

FAQ

Final Verdict

After putting this kettlebell workout DVD through three weeks of consistent use, I can recommend it without hesitation for the right person. The programming is solid, the instructor is knowledgeable, and the value proposition — pay once, own it forever — still holds against most streaming subscriptions. What held it back from a higher score is the lack of progression paths for experienced users and the dated production feel. But those are forgivable trade-offs at this price point. Will I keep using it? Yes — though I'll likely pair it with a heavier bell I have my eye on.