Rating: Summary: Pretty Good Review: This video does a good job introducing you to the basics of kickboxing. Kathy is fairly annoying; but humbled by her expert partner Keith Cooke. The workout is tiring & the kicks are challenging. The only downside is that I've done this 6 times & I'm already bored of the workout.
Rating: Summary: Very good workout, if you do it right. Review: After doing Tae Bo for a long time, I bought this video wanting to try something new. It really is a good workout, if you push yourself and make sure that you're keeping your muscles clenched during all the knee lifts, kicks, and punches. After you've seen it several times, it does get a little annoying to watch Smith explain the next segment in detail, since you already know what to do. But I use that time to catch my breath. Smith isn't overly hyper or cheerful, which suits me just fine. At the end of the workout there's a leg-toning section full of practice kicks, as well as a bonus abs and back section. If you do this workout all the way through, skip the cool down which comes before the ab workout (very weird) THEN do your cool down, you will get a very good workout. Just make sure you don't slack off at all and you WILL sweat and burn calories.
Rating: Summary: TAEBO IS BETTER Review: I originally bought this tape instead of "TaeBo", because it cost less and I thought it would be a more complete workout. I am not at all impressed with Kathy Smith's teaching style. I think this workout tape is meant for people who are experienced with traditional aerobics videos and really enjoy them. Kathy Smith is not very motivating or enthusiastic, in fact I thought she was annoying. If you really are interested in doing a "Taebo" sort of workout, I recommend buying the real thing (Billy Blank's TaeBo). It is worth the money and will change your life!
Rating: Summary: Not a supercharged workout Review: I've done this tape about 6 or 7 times now. For a person in average shape, it's not really a supercharged workout. The warm up is good, about 10 minutes. Then it goes into 25 minutes of kickboxing. Kathy will explain the next portion or routine and then do the routine a few times. She really doesn't do a routine for a long time before she moves on to the next routine. That's a minus, because by the time you really get into the routine, then it ends. There is a LOT of down time during her explanations of the upcoming routine, where she, and everyone else is just standing. It's really not a full 25 minutes of exercise. Her explanations of the moves are good. The music is great. Not too loud and does not overshadow her talking. I really enjoy the music. The people exercising with her are not real peppy. Just kind of standing there - no audience interaction or interaction among each other, except for Kathy, Keith and Keli, the other person in the front row. All that being said, it is a good workout, if you can figure about something to do cardio while Kathy is explaining the next move. I've learned to step on my step during the down times. If a person does that, or something similar to that, then you will have a good cardio workout.
Rating: Summary: Not enough instruction and boring Review: As a user of the Billy Blanks Tae Bo tapes, I got this looking for another fun tape to do. But I didn't feel she gave enough intruction about the punches and kicks. If I had not had martial arts training it would have been easy to hurt myself. Also, I didn't think the workout was very interesting, it felt like an aerobics class. This is one tape that's stayed on my shelf not in the VCR.
Rating: Summary: Good workout but extras need work Review: The warm up and actual workout are excellent, lots of variety and fast-paced. The Buns and Thighs Kicking Drills that follow are good information for the beginner but even if you're not, you can still continue to work your legs. The Kickboxing Stances that follow are good information but so slow paced that I advise doing them only if you want to meditate. The Challenge is exactly that. Very advanced moves. Unless you have done martial arts previously in some form, don't try it until you've done the workout a few times. The Cool down stretch is sorely lacking, definitely not one of Kathy's best. I have many of her videos, so I can compare. The Abs and Back Strengthening section is also sorely lacking. The moves are not hard but they won't do anything for your abs and will just annoy your back. Again definitely not one of Kathy's best. More thought should have gone into it. The Tai-Chi Energizer workout is ok, but only the second half of the twelve minutes is Tai-Chi. The first half is some breathing and stretching that shouldn't be done unless you are very warmed up. I was disapponted in this section. All in all I bought this for the actual workout which is the best part, and this is only my opinion. I would recommend it as its shortcomings are only small and short parts.
Rating: Summary: A good alternative Review: I bought this video after having exhausted using Billy Blanks' Tae Bo Advanced Tape. This one isn't as difficult, but definitely feels safer and is still pretty aerobic. It's definitely a good video to add to anyone's workout rotation and can be used at any level as far as I can tell. Sometimes the camera angles are a little annoying but once you know what they're doing, you get used to it. And Kathy Smith is much more tolerable than other instructors that I've seen. I definitely recommend this video.
Rating: Summary: Looking for something fun Review: When I purchased this video I was in search of something to alternate with the advanced Tae Bo video. I purchased a number of others but couldn't seem to find one that matched the intensity of the Tae Bo,but this one really did. This video,beyond being a fast paced high energy workout, is really fun. Like all of Kathy Smith's videos there is a wonderful cool down and stretch following the workout. There is also a section that focuses on improving kicks that I found to be extremely effective in improving lower body strength and muscle tone.
Rating: Summary: Great Sweating Workout Review: I have been dancing with traditional type of aerbic dances for long time, it is difficult to keep motivated without something new!! With this new type of workout, you can really step into it and try something new. Besides that, the intensity of the workout is moderate, it is good for both beginner and intermediate exerciser!! You can train your upper body more with arm moves like jabs and upper cut etc. Instruction is clear and choice of music is good too!! Worth to keep it for yourself!!
Rating: Summary: Do yourself a favor and rent this before you buy it... Review: I wish I had. If you are more than moderately overweight, I recommend you pass on this tape. Also, you had better have the ability to move very fast. And the music sucks. Having said that, the moves are well explained and shown in 'slow motion', before kicking off into hyper-speed. This tape does gives you a very good workout. Just be sure kickboxing is your thing. I found out, too late, that it wasn't really mine, which is why I give this tape three stars only. I was flailing around like a beached whale half way through the workout. If kickboxing is your bag, baby, and you are fairly fit, go for it. You'll get some decent exercise, and that is the point after all, isn't it?
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