Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge – The Ultimate HIIT Workout Review
No-equipment workout that blends relentless cardio and strength moves for total-body results.
Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge – Sweat It or Skip It?
Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge by Amy Dixon is engineered for fitness enthusiasts who thrive on pushing boundaries. This 55-minute, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) DVD sets a demanding pace, requiring only your body weight and unwavering commitment. Amy Dixon’s energetic cues and structured routines ensure you’ll be reaching new heights in cardio and muscular stamina.
What Sets This Workout Apart?
- No Equipment Required: Leave your weights, mats, and stability balls aside. All you need is a towel for the sweat and Amy Dixon’s relentless motivation.
- Instructor Motivation: Amy’s enthusiastic encouragement keeps you working hard throughout each drill.
- Accessible for All Levels: Every move is demonstrated at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, making the workout scalable regardless of your fitness background.
Workout Structure & Highlights
The DVD is split into two main parts: a rigorously paced HIIT circuit series and a demanding threshold training finale called The Edge Push.
Part 1: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Duration: Approximately 27 minutes, subdivided into four distinct rounds.
- Circuit Design: Each round features three explosive moves performed in 30-second bursts, separated by 15 seconds of recovery.
- Round Structure: Each circuit is repeated twice before moving to the next round, totaling twelve different intense exercises.
| Round | Featured Moves | Target Area |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Cross country, Russian dance, plank tuck-ins | Cardio, lower body, core |
| Round 2 | Squat jacks, forward and back, double leg parallel sides (moguls) | Legs, glutes, coordination |
| Round 3 | X jumps (jump lunges side-to-side), broad jumps, plank quarter turns | Explosive power, agility, core |
| Round 4 | Up and over, tuck jumps, plank jacks | Plyometrics, cardio endurance |
Throughout the HIIT circuits, the objective is clear: push yourself until you’re genuinely breathless. Amy’s cues (“Keep fighting. This is all you.”) inspire perseverance even as fatigue sets in.
The Edge Push: Threshold Training
After the circuits, the workout culminates in a six-minute “Edge Push” routine, which combines all twelve moves back-to-back, with no breaks. This segment shifts you from typical HIIT to threshold training, where you maintain a high—but consistent—intensity, balancing right at the edge of anaerobic exercise.
- Purpose: Develops stamina and cardiovascular adaptation by sustaining effort without recovery intervals.
- Challenge: Designed to make you “super-fit,” pushing your endurance and mental grit.
- Music Motivation: Dixon even suggests blasting Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” for extra inspiration.
Skill Levels and Modifications
One of the biggest strengths of Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge is its commitment to accessibility. Every drill features three demonstrators:
- Beginner: Low-impact modifications for those with less experience or joint concerns.
- Intermediate: Moderate difficulty and impact, aligned with Amy’s own performance.
- Advanced: High-intensity, explosive moves for serious athletes or regular HIIT practitioners.
This clear demonstration means everyone—from newcomers to seasoned fitness veterans—can personalize the workout’s difficulty. However, advanced users may find the “beginner” level less challenging for HIIT standards, suitable mainly for those seeking aerobic movement or dealing with injuries.
What We Loved
- Intensity: “Extremely sweaty”—this workout delivers on its promise to make you work.
- No-Frills Approach: The program strips away distractions. No props, just pure movement-based effort.
- Motivation: Amy’s vocal leadership and energy are consistently highlighted as keeping participants engaged and determined.
- Varied Moves: The wide range of plyometric, athletic, and core drills prevents boredom and develops comprehensive fitness.
Areas for Improvement
- Arm Engagement: The workout’s focus is squarely on lower body and cardio endurance; arm engagement is limited and may feel neglected.
- Post-Workout Soreness: Many users experience significant muscle soreness, especially in legs and calves, indicating the workout’s effectiveness but also its demanding nature.
- Low-Impact Options: Some advanced users feel low-impact/beginner modifications may not deliver adequate HIIT challenge for fit individuals.
Comparing Breathless Body Volumes: Edge Versus Original
| Factor | The Edge (Volume 2) | Original Breathless Body |
|---|---|---|
| Format | HIIT & threshold training circuits | Tabata-style intervals |
| Pacing | Four rounds, varied drills; 6-minute non-stop finisher | Eight drills, repeated efforts; shorter bursts |
| Perceived Difficulty | Harder for endurance, variety keeps time moving | Higher intensity in intervals, more monotonous |
| Skill Modifications | Three levels for each move | Mostly higher-intensity focus |
| Muscle Focus | Lower body, core, cardio | Full body with slightly more upper engagement |
Is This Workout Right For You?
Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge is best suited for those who:
- Crave high-intensity, results-driven training.
- Prefer minimal equipment workouts.
- Are motivated by dynamic, instructor-led routines.
- Want scalable drills for any fitness level.
- Can tolerate (or even enjoy) next-day muscle soreness as proof of progress.
Whether you’re a fitness newbie seeking aerobic boosts or an HIIT veteran wanting a new challenge, The Edge can be tailored to meet your needs. If you have knee issues or prefer lower-impact routines, stick to the beginner modifications—or consider aerobic programs with gentler pacing.
How Does It Feel?
- Sweat Factor: Prepare to towel off frequently; this isn’t a gentle cardio DVD.
- Mood: Invigorating, but not without tough stretches. Many find Amy’s pep talks the difference between quitting and finishing.
- Recovery: Legs and glutes bear the brunt – soreness is common post-workout.
- Arms: Some users wish for more upper body involvement.
Purchasing & Availability
Available for purchase at amydixonfitness.com for $19.99.
Expert and User Opinions
- Advanced Enthusiasts: Many reviewers emphasize the brutal but satisfying edge of this workout.
- Fitness Forums: ‘Insane and effective’ is a common refrain, especially among participants accustomed to HIIT or Tabata regimens.
- Final Verdict: Most agree: it’s one of the best advanced HIIT DVDs available, delivering on its promise to make you sweat, push your boundaries, and build real endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, each move includes a beginner demonstration, allowing new exercisers to follow along and progress at their own pace. Advanced HIIT practitioners should use the highest intensity options.
Q: Do I need any equipment to do this workout?
A: No, this DVD relies solely on bodyweight movements. A towel and water are strongly recommended.
Q: Will this work if I have joint or knee issues?
A: Modifications for lower-impact moves are included, but those with serious joint concerns may prefer alternatives focused on aerobic movement.
Q: How does threshold training differ from HIIT?
A: HIIT alternates between hard work and recovery. Threshold training keeps you working at a tough level with no rest, challenging your endurance and cardiovascular strength more continuously.
Q: Will this help me lose fat or gain muscle?
A: The workout’s high-intensity and full-body plyometrics can support fat loss and improved muscle tone, especially in the legs and core. For substantial muscle gains, additional resistance-based training is recommended.
Summary Table: Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Instructor | Amy Dixon |
| Duration | 55 minutes |
| Format | HIIT circuits + threshold training finisher |
| Levels | Beginner, intermediate, advanced |
| Equipment | None – bodyweight only |
| Intensity | Extreme; suitable for those seeking a challenging session |
| Recovery | 15 seconds between drills, longer between rounds; none during finisher |
Bottom Line: Should You Sweat It or Skip It?
The consensus is clear: for those who want to sweat, challenge their cardiovascular and muscular endurance, and see results with minimal equipment, Breathless Body Volume 2: The Edge is a top-tier choice. Just be prepared to feel the burn—especially in your legs—and perhaps keep an extra towel handy.
More Fitness Reviews
- Sweat It or Skip It: Scott Cole Discover Tai Chi for Balance & Mobility
- Breathless Body Volume 1: Original Tabata Review
- Top HIIT Home Workout DVDs in 2025
References
- https://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/a20440469/fitness-dvd-review-breathless-body-volume-2-the-edge/
- https://2lazy4gym.com/2012/05/26/amy-dixons-breathless-body-2-the-edge/
- https://fitbottomedgirls.com/2012/12/pushing-myself-to-the-edge-with-amy-dixons-breathless-body-volume-2/
- https://cathe.com/forum/threads/amy-dixon-breathless-body.288600/
- https://mistransformation.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/amy-dixons-breathless-body-4-going-strong-workout-dvd-review/
- https://fitviews.blogspot.com/2015/01/top-10-best-fitness-dvds-of-all-time.html
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