Rating: 
Summary: I love Tae Bo!
Review: I have been a Tae-Bo/Billy Blanks fan for about three years, and I have this workout on DVD. I like to alternate strength training and cardio, 3 to 4 days a week. Tae-Bo Advanced is one of the workouts that I like to use on my cardio days. I simply use the first 33 minutes of this 53-minute workout and do my own cooldown and stretching. This is a tough workout for me, an intermediate-level exerciser. Billy Blanks and even the music is so motivating, that just when you think you have no more "kick" left, you just want to push yourself to keep moving. The next day, my muscles feel a combination of sore and tighten. I used the Instructional tape in this series only once, but it is necessary to insure proper form for effectiveness and to prevent injury. The Basic workout is great for beginners. I've previewed the 8-minute tape, but I've never done this workout because I normally have more that 8 minutes to exercise. It is very important to work at your own pace, especially the "kicking" segments, which are sometimes done too fast. Otherwise, I highly recommend this on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: STILL THE BEST WORKOUT AROUND!!!
Review: I bought Tao Bo when it first come out. It's still the one I turn to when I want to really sweat and burn. Granted, it's not a slick, polished MTV type production, with perfect looking people. It's real, raw and honest...with REAL, somewhat unattractive people REALLY working out and REALLY sweating. I think that's what Billy was going for. No pills, magic belts or crazy diet plans and potions. Then as now, he promises real results if done consistantly, not tried once half-heartedly and left on the shelf the collect dust. Thank you Mr. Blanks for bringing honesty back into fitness.
Rating:
Summary: the real thing
Review: For everyone searching for an exercise video that works: Tae-bo is the only one. No matter what tapes I buy or what classes I go to, Tae-bo is the only that can make me smile while working my butt off. Tae-bo is hard work, and it's sometimes difficult to fit it into your day, but it's all worth it. Stop wasting your money and try this one.
Rating:
Summary: If you want to sweat, get!
Review: These tapes are for those who plan to get their exercise on! Even though Blanks says it's necessary you'll feel that the introductory video is kinda wasteful. The basic and advanced are top notch but my particular favorite is the 8 minute workout. He gives you a quick 8 min. thingie that you can squeeze in anytime of the day. Just about the time when you're gonna sweat you're done. He gives you a nice cool down and you feel as if you accomplished something. The key is to hold in those Abs while you're working. So all in all, I'm very happy with this purchase and I think you'll be too.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes you sweat, but be careful!
Review: I love the intensity of these videos, especially the advanced workout. I really enjoy working up a sweat because many workout videos don't have that effect, so I dont' feel like I'm working even if my muscles are moving alot. These really get you moving and you WILL feel accomplished after your workout. In fact, I've done the advanced workout with friends who I would consider to be in better shape than I am, and they've had trouble getting through. I didn't have that trouble, because (this is the important part) I have had years of martial arts training. Billy Blanks is a martial arts champion, so his body is used to these types of movements (punches, kicks, etc). If you aren't used to using these muscles, take it slow at first or you will serously regret it. Plus, I have to criticize Billy's form. His punches and kicks are sloppy so I had to self-correct to keep in the form I was trained in. Martial artists may have trouble dealing with his "style". Overall these are a great workout but please take your time adjusting to the intensity and movements.
Rating:
Summary: This is GREAT!
Review: I find the Basic Workout and the 8 minute workout particularly exciting, inspiring, FUN. I am toning up, and losing weight. I do a full workout every day as well as the 8 minute workout in the mornings before work. I look forward to doing my workouts. I particularly like Billy Blanks in his blue outfit :P
Rating: 
Summary: Get real.........
Review: Hmm. Let's see, these will end up in your next yard sale. Buy something that you'll really use, not these.
Rating: 
Summary: Effective, although imperfect, workout
Review: Despite all of its drawbacks (cheesy music, cheesy sets, miscues, uneven repetition of exercises on each side, some missing information on proper form, an instructor wearing too tight spandex), Tae-bo is an effective workout that can boost your energy, metabolism, and confidence in addition to making your heart and other muscles work. If you're interested in starting an exercise program, this isn't a bad place to start. You will probably get more use out of the DVD if you are somewhat out of shape than if you are fit. Be aware that you should do additional stretching before and after working out and that at some time you will have to figure out how to make the transition from the easy and not very exciting Basic level to the difficult and more interesting Advanced level; there is no Intermediate level. (You can try combining the Basic and 8 Minute--actually 14 minute--workout.) I personally wasn't thrilled enough with Billy Blanks and this DVD to stay with Tae-bo; I now use Kathy Smith's Kickboxing DVD. I am grateful to this DVD for getting me back onto the path toward fitness, but I don't miss it much.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed feelings on this set- READ THIS before buying
Review: I have two very conflicting feelings about this set of videos. On a positive note, by doing the basic video regularly in combination with the Crunch gym's Turbo sculpt video(and much healthier eating), I lost over 30 pounds in just under a year. The first 20 dropped off in 3 months, but those last 10 took longer requiring serious dietary changes(i.e. less fat and sugar, more fiber and protein).
The video made me really work up a sweat, and was fun for releasing stress, and I do give half credit for the weight loss, and credit the other half to diet. However, I found the step from the basic to the advanced video was too challenging. Plus the advanced is twice as long and twice as hard. The directions on form taught in the instructional video are never reinforced in the later videos. This becomes evident when the people in the background often look sloppy and are doing variations on the same exercise. I won't even begin to critique the set, music, or lighting because the lack of focus on correct form is DANGEROUS, not to mention it really minimizes results.
Blanks focuses on speed and quantity, rather than quality. Mostly he just counts to the music, which is less helpful than comments never said like "keep your foot parallel to the ground" or "make sure your wrists are straight". Plus the rest of the class is counting, so why is he taking all these breaks? After taking an actual local kickboxing class with a great instructor, I learned that my punches and kicks were totally wrong. The form is really important, and many things that I now know were never discussed in the instructional video (like wrist, leg, and foot positioning)! The class that I took actually made my muscles sore (in a good way), which never happened with Tae bo.
Now, I no longer do these videos. I have maintained my current weight for a long time by using a variety of videos from Crunch and Minna to name a few. These have much better instructors with more emphasis on correct form (except for Blanks' Crunch workout which got horrible reviews). The Crunch or Minna Lessig videos also offer options for beginner exercisers (with a demonstrator) and challenging add-ons for the advanced. These are much better to grow with (I am still using them, but with heavier weights, but my Tae bo videos are collecting dust!).
If you really want these videos, I would suggest taking a kickboxing class first so you can learn the proper form. Form is not only essential to prevent injury, it is essential for working the correct muscles in the most efficient way possible!
Rating:
Summary: great workout
Review: I love billy's motivating style, he continually encourages you to keep going. great cardio - sometimes I need to take an extra break.
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