Let me first start out by saying that I own literally hundreds of DVD’s. In a way that makes me somewhat of an expert in reviewing them. I’ve seen everything from Blood and Guts to Cost of redemption, from the Tom Platz seminar tapes to the Eddie Robinson workout. I have every BFTO, and every Olympia since 1985. You name it, I probably got it. So that makes me somewhat of an expert when reviewing DVD’s.

Since I have every Dennis James DVD, it was only natural that I got a copy of his latest one, documenting his training leading up to the 2004 Olympia. The one I want to add is that I’m a big fan of Dennis. I love his intensity in the gym.
In his first DVD you saw that intensity coming through. In his second DVD “Back to Basics” Dennis took it up another notch. In Muscletimes “Titans” we saw an incredibly ripped and contest ready Dennis 2 weeks prior to the 2003 Olympia.

Well folks this new DVD has them all beat! Yes you get the best of all 3. This video is shot 2 ½ weeks from the 2004 Olympia by Stephen Korte, which is the same guy who did “Back to Basics.” But it was shot at the Venice Golds Gym.
There are some neat features to this DVD, which I went straight to when I opened up my fedex package. We see Dennis’ nutrition for the contest. Which basically consist of Rice and Chicken, with some veggies (green beans). He describes why he loves his George Foreman grill, and how much he loves Ms. Dash. (at one point you think he may be talking of the real Ms. Dash LOL). He goes into detail regarding the weighing of each and every food, and how he may allow a little more protein, but he’s perfect on the carbs!

We then see Team DJ, which consist of Charles Glass, Robert Farag, and Dennis training partner from Denmark. This poor guy must be having the time of his life. He gets to go to Venice, train with Dennis, go to the Olympia, and all he has to do is clean the apartment every day! Then we see Dennis getting his color 2 hours before pre-judging, and pumping up backstage. As well as a Muscle and Fitness photo shoot backstage. Awesome size and conditioning are the name of the game for DJ!!!

The first DVD covers, Chest, Arms, and Quads. Don’t expect to see monster deadlifts or squats. Do expect to see some of the most intense workout scenes ever filmed. You’ll see DJ punish his chest with an odd assortment of lifts that only Dr. Frankenstein (Charles Glass) could have thought up! Its much like the Muscletime DVD, but was filmed to capture the pain and suffering Dennis goes through. As Charles says in the DVD, Dennis has an awesome work ethic.
The Quad workout is something to remember! Endless supersets. The unique reverse hack squats, followed by lunges. The lying squats on a machine, with is pelvis elevated (which look much like a sissy squat) supersetted with leg presses. All followed by the 90 degree leg press. How does 20 rep sets sound. Dennis’ shirt is soaking wet, as is his training partners. The last set Dennis challenges his his training partner by calling him a skinny punk. Dennis does 20 solid reps and then challenges his training partner to beat him, if he loses then he has to clean the apartment for that many days. His partner wants no part of that!

On the 2nd DVD of this release we see Dennis train Back, Shoulders, and Triceps.
His back workout is a unique experience. Lots of different exercises via Charles Glass. Dennis himself has a different type of back then most bodybuilders. He has what are considered “high lats.” But they are extremely wide and super thick. His training is obviously trying to bring out the lower lat tie in development. It is succeeding. His last are getting thicker down at the lower insertion points. He starts off with bent over dumbbell rows. But he doesn’t use any thing to support his body. Next are a series of machine pull downs (ala hammer strength) and rows.

His Shoulder workout is awesome to watch. Dennis is known for his delts. They are extremely wide and round. His workout starts with lateral raises, (perhaps with the delts like Dennis’ and Jay Cutler, who also starts with laterals, this should be recommended), and then proceeds to infamous smith machine. Charles has Dennis doing partial reps, but the range of movement is dictated by a pin placed toward the bottom of the range of motion. This in affect takes away all momentum.

At the end of the shoulder routine, Dennis poses by hitting some shots in the gym. Anyone who has ever seen training DVD’s filmed at Gold’s knows there is a “secret” spot to pose at, in which the natural lighting makes you look your best. Well go lighting or not Dennis is AWESOME looking. His tricep workout is standard pushdown and skull crusher stuff. His triceps are from another world, and that is what is worth watching.

Then we get to the specials.
Team DJ. I mentioned in my earlier review about Charles Glass and Robert Farag, as well as the Denmark training partner. Well there is a scene that it is comical, where Dennis and his training partner discuss the relationship of their stay in Venice. I really like these type of personality segments in these DVD’s. They give the viewer a chance to get know what Dennis may be like in person.

All in all this is a must have DVD. If you like Dennis you’ll love the DVD. If you like hardcore training, you’ll love this DVD. Here are a few points in the DVD that I really enjoyed. Dennis’ leg routine. His leg workout is ferocious! His shirt is drenched with sweat, and he appears on the verge of being sick. It truly illustrates that this man loves training and pushing himself to the limit. I’ve not seen this on very many DVD’s.
Dennis’ back routine. His lat width is incredible, a site to see for sure. Also the backstage stuff, especially the posing for photo’s is awesome. Dennis is in great shape, huge ripped, cut, round, you name it, one word AWESOME.

There have been many ground breaking DVD/VHS over the years. Dorian Yates’ “Blood and Guts,” Ronnies “Unbelievable, and Redemption,” and Markus Ruhl’s “Made in Germany” have to rank in top 5. Back to Basics part 2 rates right up there.

Good Job Dennis! I give this DVD a 5 out of 5!!!!