Xtreme Fat Loss Programme

No, although most people should be fine. I recommend that anyone with any pre-existing health issues check with their GP before trying the class and women in their final trimester of pregnancy may find other exercise options to be more suitable. Other than that, most people should be fine. Each exercise has modifications to make it harder or easier to suit all levels and if you have a particular issue, I’ll always do my best to suggest something more specific

If you haven't got a barbell, you could theoretically do the workout using dumbbells instead.

But, the workouts are designed to be done as they are.

There's an equipment and a non-equipment based version. Exercises can be blended, as long as they're in the same slot. For example, if you have dumbbells, but no barbell, you could do the bulk of the exercises from the bodyweight only version, with the dumbbell based exercises from the equipment based workout.

Most of the workouts are written based on the following:

Women:

Lower Body Barbell Exercises - 6-12kg (3-6kg either side)

Lower Body Dumbbell Exercises - 2-5kg (each dumbbell)

Upper Body Barbell Exercises - 4-8kg (2-4kg either side)

Lower Body Dumbbell Exercises - 2-5kg (each dumbbell)

Men:

Lower Body Barbell Exercises - 10-20kg (5-10kg either side)

Lower Body Dumbbell Exercises - 4-7kg (each dumbbell)

Upper Body Barbell Exercises - 6-15kg (3-7.5kg either side)

Lower Body Dumbbell Exercises - 3-6kg (each dumbbell)

If your weights are either too heavy, or too light, you have five basic options:

1. Increase or reduce the reps/time
2. Slow down or speed up the tempo of the reps
3. Add or remove an intensifier (half reps, mid range pause, etc)
4. Increase or reduce rest periods
5. Increase or reduce the complexity of the exercise

Carpets vary massively so it's hard to say definitively. As long as neither you or your equipment are going to slip or get friction burns (that bit's just you) and the floor is clear of any hazards, you should be ok.

For all of my classes, I typically recommend that people have access to at least 2m x 2m, with 3m x 3m being the ideal.

You should be able to lunge forwards, sideways and backwards without restriction.

Comfortable gym/exercise gear is ideal. No straps or buckles though. It can also help you to evaluate your own technique if your clothes are not too baggy, as it allows you to better asses your movement.

Yes. The minimum age to use the programme is 18. This is because the programme has not been written with people under this age in mind and I am not qualified or insured for the instruction of minors.

Each of the three main sections are comprised of giant sets, which means you perform one exercise followed by another for the same area or region of the body, with short rest intervals between each round. This type of exercise encourages the production of Lactic Acid, which the body buffers by raising Growth Hormone levels. This in turn encourages fat burning and improvements in heart and lung health.

Some sections may also include specific exercises or methods that trigger higher levels of Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC), which is a sciencey way of saying you’ll not only burn a shedload of calories IN the class, but because of the effects on your metabolism, you’ll continue to burn an increased number of calories AFTER the class.

When I first started teaching the class, people were used to working out non-stop for the hour. The extreme tag was partly to entice the hard-core participants in, but also a little tongue in cheek humour on my part.

Most people get really good at doing the things they're really good at. The XFL programme challenges your body in a lot of ways that most people simply aren't used to. Because of that, despite "more rest periods than any reasonable person could expect" (a comment from one person after attending their first ever XFL class), 24-48h after the class, you could always tell who'd attended due to surprising levels of post-workout muscle soreness.

Over the years, the most common observations on the programme revolve around the fact that the workouts are:

Sophisticated, yet simple

Demanding, without being unnecessarily brutal

Accessible, yet offer enough options to challenge most people

Results vary massively and it’s important to remember that you can’t out train a bad diet. However, if you’re eating healthily with a bias towards fat loss, you should expect to initially lose between 1-2lbs a week. This depends on how much excess fat you have to lose when starting though.

It's essential to note that this programme is not about the calories you burn during the workouts, but rather what your body does with the calories it receives, AFTER the workout.

Not at all, although that is the main focus. You’ll also get stronger, improve your shape, get fitter, improve your posture and potentially reduce your likelihood of injuries.

I recommend 2-3 times a week, assuming sensible levels of activity through the rest of the week.

Have some water and a towel to hand, as you may perspire and will definitely get thirsty

If it’s your first workout, be a little reserved with the weights as this will help limit excessive soreness in the 24-72 hours after the class

If it’s not your first workout and you're comfortable with the exercises, start to up your weights, reps or time and really push yourself.

Never compromise technique. I'm obsessive about technique because I know just how much of a difference it can make to your results. I'd rather you did 8 perfect reps than 12 shoddy ones, so never sacrifice quality for quantity.

Enjoy it. I want your workout to be fun and a highlight of your week. Stay focussed on the serious stuff like technique, tempos and rest periods, but otherwise enjoy the experience and sensation of your body moving and working.