Rating: 
Summary: Literally
Review: Living in New England, my running routine has somewhat gone down the tubes due to the frigid weather. Plus my class schedule has so many 8-5 days in it that I don't have time to hit the gym. SO, I decided just after Thanksgiving to start doing a workout tape regime that would kill less time and still keep me in shape. My first tape...Callanetics. Great sculpting workout, but no cardio. The immediate first thought...Tae Bo. I have a lot of friends who sang the praises of Billy Blanks, but I had yet to see myself what cardio kickboxing was all about. I bought the DVD version (1) because it was actually cheaper than the tapes and (2) had all the tapes rolled up into one slim package that would probably last longer anyway. I did what the instructions told me and did the introductory workout first. This teaches you the basics of the moves he likes to incorporate into the routines. Although I feel that he could have explained some of the positions better (i.e., when you do the roundhouse kicks, turn the foot you're standing on OUT...it will help twist your hips down so you can lift your leg as high as possible while working out your gluteal muscles...he doesn't emphasize this, just tells you to keep your hand on your hip and kick to the side), you find out his workout is relatively simple in technique. However, he warns you that he CAN and WILL make it more PHYSICALLY difficult as you progress. I then advanced to the basics workout. Being an avid runner and gym rat, I found this to be a pretty decent workout. Built up a respectable sweat and felt empowered...just pictured kicking ex-boyfriends in the face. :) Plus, I surprised myself with how fierce I can feel...really lets out stress and remains fun. The advanced workout...whoa. Not for the faint of heart. 45 minutes of cardio with many many many fast sequences of kicks and jabs that will make you feel like a puppet being yanked in eight different directions...it's great. :) Then, the floor work...you probably have never done so many doggy-lifts in your life! Killer! :) I highly recommend this DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: Taebo will get you going!
Review: I have been doing power yoga, jump roping, running, power walking, some martial arts (at studios) and a little weight lifting and I couldn't even get toned. I was still getting slightly depressed and I felt my motivation go down. BUT then I luckily found Taebo. Billy Blanks is this incredible motivator that really gets you going. Before I got to an advanced level I started to see stomach muscle tone and overall lean muscle tone--it's really amazing. Yes, you should spend an extra 15 min of stretching prior and after each workout, but if Billy Blanks were to have included a stretch out in the videos than it would have been boring. Yes, the music [is bad]. However, you can get over those petty concerns if you take your fitness goals seriously. Don't whine, get off your seat and just do it! I'm now doing Taebo 5X a week and cardio 1X a week--despite the fact that I have recently recieved radiation treatment for Grave's disease (and will require a life time of meds). You can transcend any emotional pain in your life by your pure determinism!
Rating:
Summary: Just starting
Review: My husband looks FORWARD to working out to this dvd! It's manly enough for him to do it - which means I have a workout partner. Even our 2 1/2 year old thinks it's fun. Hopefully he will restrain himself from using these moves on his little sister. Even in the basic steps (which is where we are at), you get a nice workout. This is a new, fun way to workout! It uses your whole body if you do it right.
Rating: 
Summary: Not sure yet
Review: My husband ordered this after carefully reading many, many reviews. So far, he has done the instructional segment 3x and is about ready to move on to the basic workout. We like having the instructional segment, the basic workout, and the more advanced workouts and intend to use this DVD for quite a while. Concerns that we have: Billy's warm-ups are dangerously fast. We always do our own warm ups before doing his. It's a little tricky to get all the moves and be sure we're doing them right. Form is very important because improper form could easily lead to injury. The video promised that if we were not satisfied within the first 30 days, we could return it for our money back. This was NOT the case when we tried to return it since we had opened it. (How do you know if you like something if you haven't tried it?) If you can, get a hold of a copy of this from someone and try it out before committing so much money. You may love it, but it's better to find out before investing.
Rating:
Summary: Great stress relief, FUN, and surprisingly simple!
Review: Three months ago, I caught my boyfriend of 1.5 years sleeping with another woman... Yes, I dumped him big-time! :) Anyway, I was very angry, very hurt, very down on myself. My best friend comes over after about 3 weeks of listening to me whine, hands me a box with the 4-pack in it, and simply says, "Imagine his face while doing these tapes." I thought it funny at the time, but about 3 days later, I opened up the tapes, popped one in, and yes, despite myself, I started imagining his cheating face as I practiced the punching and kicking moves. Within a few minutes, I was laughing my heart out and having FUN. Who would have ever thought a WORKOUT tape would be SO MUCH FUN, not to mention help me work out (no pun intended!) my anger and pain? Here it is three months later, I've used these tapes SO MUCH! I have found NOTHING in my life as effective for stress and other emotional relief as these tapes :) I haven't lost a lot of weight - about 7 pounds - but I *have* lost NINE INCHES from around my waist, gone from wearing large leggings and t-shirts to small leggings and medium t-shirts (could fit small t-shirts but I like em baggy)... and I no longer am hurting and angry at the cheating idiot ... I've even started dating again :) With much more self-confidence, a body I'm becoming VERY proud of, and tapes that I throw in anytime life gets me down. Now, if only I could quit smoking... *sigh*...
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable!
Review: I broke a bone in my foot in January which still hasn't healed right, and I've got horrible knees which flair up at the worst times. But I wrapped my foot in a bandage and once I was through with the instrucitonal video, I said, "Hmm... that wasn't bad." Then, of course, came the basic. And let's say that Billy Blanks is being gentle on you in the instructional - that's all he's doing, teaching you the moves. I broke a sweat from that, but it wasn't that bad. Then I started the basic. I think I survived ten minutes of it, before I had to sit down. But you know what? It was fun! :-) Good for all ages, even people with bad knees! =)
Rating:
Summary: If you put a lot of effort it really works!
Review: I just have to say that the positive attitude on the video made me happier to work out.
Great product
Rating:
Summary: Best Cardio Kickboxing Videos Available
Review: First of all avoid the DVD version of this because DVD's can skip and ruin your whole workout. Videos don't have as good a picture or sound, but how good do they need to be when you are exercising? You don't need top quality picture to see and understand what the video is telling you to do. Billy Blanks has done a great job in putting together this Tae-Bo workout. He draws on his years of kickboxing and martial arts experience. Kickboxing is the absolute best aerobic activity you can do, next to running. It's relatively easy on your joints and doesn't require great athletic ability to do this and have fun. There are various levels and an instruction video. These videos are not from a person who is happy on life. They are made by a proven martial arts and fitness professional who really knows what he is doing. Just take a look on the internet and see the success results that people have gotten from these videos. As long as you are committed to exercising, these videos are for you. You don't need any special equipment other than shorts or sweats and a t-shirt and appropriate shoes. You will sweat so have a towel and water close by. Ease into these videos because they are tiring. I recommend these videos to anybody serious about exercising. Billy Blanks is a proven professional in the martial arts world and he really has a lot fo good stuff to teach. Just make sure you have the room to thrown punches and kicks wherever you want to work out.
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of time and money
Review: This DVD is complete disappointment. I was looking for a cardio-based workout I could do at home and had heard good things about Tae Bo. The people that recommended it obviously never looked at the tape. Billy Blanks hasn't a clue how to lead a workout. In both the basic and advanced workouts he changes exercises in the middle of the count so that you are in the middle of one exercise when he starts a completely different one - very frustrating! I dread having to use this DVD to supplement my workouts. I agree with another reviewer that the advertising in the DVD is over done. And the way it is place on the DVD you can't forward past it without missing the beginning of the program. If you are looking for a good workout, don't waste your money with this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST. period.
Review: I'm a 16 year old kid, but haven't played any organized sports for almost a year. As you can imagine, I was starting to pudge out in a big way. My sister bought these Tae Bo tapes and was encouraging me to try them. I finally gave in and started doing them, and........WOW! I noticed a difference after the first week. I really owe Billy Blanks a lot. I'm not the type that thinks these tapes are super fun (insert gasps!), but it is sooooo worth it after. Even after you do one session, you swear you can feel a difference. No joke, you'll see inches disappear. Just get the tapes...I feel good about myself again, and that's worth it...
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