You won't see any other fitness expert put their reputation on the line like this.
Today, Craig Ballantyne is giving you the eagerly awaited, no-holds barred review of the 2011 roster of Turbulence Training Workouts. He points out all of his mistakes in this completely transparent evaluation of his TT monthly workouts.
Not every workout passed with flying colors, but there were a few big and pleasant surprises from last year's roster - plus a few totally LEGENDARY workouts.
Now you might find this a little shocking. Why would an expert point out his flaws?
Well, because it is Craig's moral responsibility to come through for you, my friends, and even my family members who use these workouts for their health and physical transformations.
He also owes it to himself. Just as Dr. Evil didn't go to Evil School for 6 years to NOT be called Dr., Craig didn't go through 4 years of Kinesiology, 2 years of a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology, and over a dozen years of training clients to NOT be the very best that he could be at helping YOU get results through fast, fun, effective workouts.
It is his reputation - and pride - on the line with each and every monthly TT workout, and this Report Card puts him in his place.
Last but not least, if the roles were reversed, he'd appreciate companies who he bought from doing the same for us, being honest and open about what their best products were and which ones aren't so hot. It's only right. Over to Craig...
The TT Workout Review - By Craig Ballantyne, CTT
The Grade of each workout is based on customer feedback, my opinion of the program, my expectations for the program, and how many Transformation Contest winners used the workout.
Here's the TT Report Card.
Jan. 2011 - TT 2K11 - Grade A
Each January I put together the latest "Flagship" version of Turbulence Training and give it the TT 2K moniker (simply representing the year it was created). Two of my first, and BEST programs ever are the TT 2K3 and TT 2K4 programs from the main Turbulence Training for Fat Loss manual that almost every TT reader has.
TT 2K11 is not just a compilation of what worked best for TT readers in 2010, but also what has worked for me in my own personal workouts. This first workout of the year is the benchmark Grade A for all that follow.
Feb. 2011 - TT Ballantyne's Day Muscle Massacre - Grade A-
After October 2010's "TT Resistance Evil", my evil twin bru Braigz CallEntyne came back from the dead to bring you the Ballantyne's Day Muscle Massacre workout. This is an advanced workout featuring the 'Monster' circuit where you hit squats, deadlifts, AND bench press. Get ready to be sore. But love it at the SAME time. Again, NOT for beginners...so more accurately, I'd give it an F for beginners and an A+ for advanced.
Bonus March 2011 - Beginner Total Torso Training 2K11 - Grade C
This is the second ultra-beginner Total Torso Training workout I created (following January 2010's TTT workout). It's not bad, but not great. A good place for an obese person to start, but nothing to get excited about. Then again, it was just a bonus workout, so it didn't have all the 'pressure' of pleasing all TT members.
March 2011 - TT Switch - Grade B-
Personally, I think this is a great workout, but my opinion is not been shared by the majority of TT readers. No matter how much I promote this to TT members as a great program, few take me up on the chance to use this workout. Heck, I think that the cover alone deserve an A+. But alas, it earns a tentative B-, to be revisited if I can get a few more TT members to try out this unique program. It's so named because it switches up the traditional TT workout order. Also, despite the low rating it's not going to stop me from creating a TT Switch 2K12. Watch for this new and improved version for all TT members soon.
April 2011 - TT SuperChargerz Workout - Grade A
How can I give a collaboration with John "Roman" Romaniello anything less than a grade A? This was the fourth workout that Roman and I worked on together (along with three Clash of the Titans programs) and all of them have rocked. In fact, Clash of the Titans 1 is one of the most popular TT programs ever. If you're looking to get rid of the final 5, 10, 15 pounds with 4 advanced workouts per week to ignite your fat burning, this is one of your best bets.
May 2011 - TT Metabolic Resistance Training - Grade A+ (Legendary Status)
Each year this is ONE workout that changes the game in Turbulence Training. In 2009 it was TT for Buff Dudes and Hot Chicks. In 2010, it was TT Bodyweight Cardio 3, and in 2011 without a doubt the game-changer was TT Metabolic Resistance Training. It's tough, it's unique, and it's just downright awesome.
I had a lot of fun putting this 4-day per week program together, and TT users have had even more fun doing the workout. It combines two MRT days with two Metabolic Conditioning days for amazing fat burning results. This is easily the third best-selling TT program in history behind the original Turbulence Training for Fat Loss and TT 6-Month Deluxe Bodyweight Manual. Look for more TT MRT programs in 2012 (including the recently released TT Muscle-Metabolic Resistance Training).
June 2011 - TT for Meatheads Lucky #7 - Grade B
You don't know how much it hurts me to give a TT Meatheads program a B grade, but that's what it honestly deserves. Why the B grade? Because looking back, I know this program was rushed. It could have been another Grade A Meathead program if I just had a few weeks more to get TT Meathead Mike ready for his Vegas vacation. But that said, this program will still help you Get Muscle. Get Sexy. And Get Lucky.
July 2011 - TT Buff Guys and Hot Gals - Grade B
Aargh, I just cannot seem to improve the original TT for Buff Dudes and Hot Chicks program (February 2009) as much as I try. This was my 4th attempt, and despite being just as good, if not better, than TT Transformation I through III, this program still doesn't outshine the original from this category.
The TT for Buff Dudes and Hot Chicks remains the most popular program among TT Transformation Contest winners AND is the program that almost all TT members go to when they want to get as lean as possible.
Don't get me wrong, this workout still rocks, but I can't give it a Grade A because the original program set such a high benchmark. In any other category it would be at least an A-, if not a regular Grade A program, but not when compared to TT BDHC
August 2011 - TT for Abs 2K11 - Grade C (Biggest Letdown)
My biggest disappointment of the year. Back in September 2007 I created a legendary program called, TT for Abs. I remember an ex-girlfriend yelling at me for the soreness inflicted upon her abs by that program - but snuggles, as my friend Roman would say, for the changes it gave to her body.
I was hoping for the same results with this program, but alas, no snuggles. Feedback has been sparse from TT Members and no TT Transformation Contest winners have used this program to claim their $1000 grand prize. Despite what I thought were some really cool unique ab exercises, it looks like TT members do not agree with me, and it's back to the old drawring board.
If you disagree with other TT members and agree with me instead, please let me know and maybe this program will get upgraded to a B or B+.
September 2011 - TT Super 6's - Grade A (Surprise of the Year)
Your feedback to this workout made my year. I was shocked at how many TT readers were overjoyed to finally have a 6-day per week program featuring six short workouts. If you only have 20-30 minutes each day to workout, this program is for you. Looking forward to bringing you TT Super 6's 2K12 this year.
October 2011 - TT Metabolic Finishers - Grade A-
The only factor that brings this program down is the post-TT MRT hangover. That workout was an extremely tough act to follow in the MRT category, but these workouts will kick your butt and leave your muscles burning for hours afterward...all in a good way. If you love workout finishers and metabolic resistance training, then this workout might even register an A+ on your personal scale. Please let me know what you think of it.
November 2011 - TT Bodyweight Cardio 400 - Grade B+
Another program with a hard act to follow, the TT BWC 400 falls under the shadow of the TT BWC 3 from June 2010. While it still contains a new version of my trademarked 5 rounds of 5 circuit, plus a variety of other bodyweight only (no-equipment) workouts, it still wasn't enough to earn A+ status. But if you want to replace boring cardio AND even interval training with bodyweight-only exercises, then this is your solution.
December 2011 - TT 15-Minute MRT - Grade B+
The only reason this doesn't get a Grade A is because all of these sessions are only 15 minutes long. I suppose that could be a very good reasons for giving it an A+ grade, but I know many TT members want slightly longer workouts. And yes, you won't get super-maximum results in just 15 minutes. BUT...this is a perfect A+ for those who have super-crazy-busy schedules, or if you just happen to have an extremely busy month coming up.
So there you go.
Each year I write one program that becomes LEGEND. This year it was the TT Metabolic Resistance Training program.
Each year has one workout that is an incredibly pleasant surprise. In 2011 it was TT Super 6's (you just LOVED the six short workouts per week).
And each year one program fails to meet my expectations. Unfortunately, this year it was the TT for Abs 2K11 workout.
I promise I will do better in 2012. In fact, so far this year, in 2012, I'm five-for-five with ALL of the workouts I've created so far earning at least an A, and a couple of A+'s. Look for more great TT programs coming very, very soon.
Get ALL of the TT Workouts in this Special Ballantyne's Day Sale here
Happy Ballantyne's Day,
Craig Ballantyne, CTT Certified Turbulence Trainer
PS - You won't see any other trainer in the fitness industry with big enough Ball-antyne's to give their own workouts such an honest and brutal appraisal.
I hope this helps you find the right workout for you and your goals.
But the best deal is to get ALL of the TT workouts I've ever created, and you can get them all for less than 77 cents each here in the...
Ballantyne's Day TT Workout Sale
Put them all to the test and try out the legendary workouts today.
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