Total Body Chisel Review and Printable Weight Tracker) | The Master's Hammer and Chisel

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Beachbody just released two workouts from the upcoming Master’s Hammer & Chisel program and this is my “busy mom who wants results without spending hours in the gym (and have fun at the same time)” review of Total Body Chisel.

Read on for:

details
equipment list
exercises
my overall impression
what I liked about Total Body Chisel
what I didn’t like about Total Body Chisel

If you prefer video, check out my YouTube review of Total Body Chisel.

I’ve also created a colorful worksheet to track the weights you use during the workout.

Print a worksheet to track the weights used during Total Body Chisel.

The skinny on the workout…

Trainer: The Chisel - Autumn Calabrese. You may know her from the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme.

Cast: Autumn plus two women and one man.

Length: 35:00

Equipment Needed: Weight bench (or ball) and dumbbells. Autumn used three sets of weights - 15, 10 and (I think) 5 pounds. I couldn’t see the lightest weight she used. FYI, there are no modifications using resistance bands, so you need a set of dumbbells.

Summary: Total Body Chisel is a full body resistance workout to build strength and create muscle definition. This DVD uses heavier weights and lower reps.

The workout consists of 3 rounds. Each round had two sets of 3 exercises, 10 reps of each. There is a small rest between each round.

My overall impression: I really enjoyed this workout. The length was perfect, the exercises are no-nonsense weight lifting moves (which I like), and it kicked my butt in a very good way.

Read all the details below…

Print a worksheet to track the weights used during Total Body Chisel.

The Exercises from Total Body Chisel:

I’ve listed the weights Autumn used, and also the weights I used. Don’t judge, lol. For perspective, I am not a beginner, but I’m not Super Woman strong either.

Round 1 (3 exercises, 10 reps of each, then repeat)

Squat (Autumn used 15 pounds; I used 10.)
Bench press (Autumn 15; me 12.)
Reverse grip row (Autumn 15; me 10.) (I’m blaming my wimpiness here to the deadlifts in Iso Speed Hammer which I did immediately prior to this workout, lol.)

Round 2

Reverse lunges (Autumn 15; me only body weight due to knee issues)
Incline fly (Autumn 10; me 10 but will increase next time)
Dumbbell lat pullover (Autumn 15; me 10.)

Round 3

Step down to cross back which is essentially a curtsey lunge on the weight bench. (Autumn 15; I did curtsey lunges on the floor due to my crappy knees.)
Incline curl (I couldn’t see Autumn’s weight, but I’m guessing 10; me 8.)
Bench triceps dips.

You can try this workout right now (and Iso Speed Hammer led by Sagi Kalev) with your Beachbody on Demand subscription. Don’t have B.O.D.? Get a free trial.

Click for a free 30 day trial of Beachbody on Demand.

Motivation is what's going to get you started, but dedication and forming a habit is what is going to get you to your goal. -Autumn CalabreseClick To Tweet

My thoughts on Total Body Chisel

This workout began with a yoga-inspired, dynamic stretch warm-up which was very different from the 21 Day Fix.

I did this routine immediately after Iso Speed Hammer, so maybe I wasn’t fresh, but I definitely felt exhausted when I was done. In a happy way 🙂

Autumn recommended Beachbody Performance Energize before the workout. I agree! However, one easy solution is just showing up for your workout well-rested.

Autumn provides constant, in-your-face, motivation. She, like Sagi Kalev - The Hammer, emphasizes proper form and is quick to correct any of the cast who were doing a move incorrectly

Autumn stresses that it’s important to track your weights (and I’ve linked to my printable tracker in this article) so you can see how you progress. You should, over time, be able to increase your weights. “If you use exactly the same weights every time you do the workout, you will plateau,” says Autumn.

What I liked about Total Body Chisel…

Keep in mind that many of my likes and dislikes are my personal preference. We are all different and unique and have our own tastes in workouts.

This is a total body workout. I prefer to work the entire body at once, rather than having leg day, chest day, back day, shoulder day, as in Body Beast.
Autumn very clearly demonstrates proper form.
Safety is emphasized, almost to the point of overkill. Multiple times Autumn reminds you to wipe off your bench if it’s sweaty. We get it.
35 minutes is a good length. It’s long enough to get a great workout, but not so long that you get bored, tired or just ready to be DONE.
All of the cast are totally ripped. It is very motivating to see what is possible with hard work and good nutrition.
There is a “limited equipment” person who shows you how to modify if you don’t have a weight bench.

Print a worksheet to track the weights used during Total Body Chisel.

What I didn’t like about Total Body Chisel…

You definitely have to hustle in between exercises to change out weights. It’s probably a good thing to keep the heart rate up, but I would have liked a tiny bit more time.
There was no modifier (other than the “limited equipment” lady). I personally don’t need one because I know what I am and am not capable of, but a newbie might need some guidance.
There was no option for using resistance bands. To be clear, I hate using resistance bands and always use dumbbells. However, bands might be a good option for someone with limited space or finances, and it would be nice to have an option for travel.

Overall, I was really pleased with Total Body Chisel. It is a good, no nonsense, fast-paced total body strength routine. You can try it now for free on Beachbody on Demand. Click here for a free 30 day trial.

If you would like a little motivation and accountability as you go through Hammer & Chisel, Id love for you to join my team and my private Facebook accountability group. Just CONTACT ME and and I’ll share all the details!