Billed as the "future of fitness" and hawked by numerous celebrities, Billy Blanks's Tae-Bo actually deserves much of the hype it's receiving. A mixture of boxing punches and martial arts kicks, Tae-Bo is fun and easy. One of the best elements of this four-tape set is that the first tape (which is 40 minutes long), Tae-Bo: Instructional, lays out the movements you need to successfully complete a workout. Once you've mastered the steps, you won't have to fast-forward through half the tape to get to the workout, nor will your workout be slowed down by the repeated lessons. After you feel comfortable with the movements (and they're really quite easy to follow; nothing too complicated to trip you up), you're ready to move on to Tae-Bo: Basics, a 27-minute workout (5 minutes of warm-up, 18 minutes of Tae-Bo, and 4 minutes of cool-down) that will have your heart pounding and your body sweating. Next comes Advanced, a 57-minute workout that will have your heart racing, pulse pounding, and sweat glands working overtime. There's razzmatazz on the moves, with slightly more complicated combinations that should be fairly easy to master if you've completed the first two tapes. This video seriously raises the bar on the difficulty factor.
In addition to the short warm-up, the cool-down, and the 30 minutes of Tae-Bo, Advanced Tae-Bo also includes 18 minutes of muscle-crunching floor work. You know you're in trouble when even the guys in the tape have trouble keeping up. Make sure you have truly mastered the first two tapes before attempting this one. The 8-Minute Workout is a highly compacted workout (actually 14 minutes long when you include warm-up and cool-down) for those days when you're too short on time for Basic or Advanced. While the 8-minute idea is compelling, it's not an adequate substitute for the longer workouts. Blanks, a seven-time World Martial Arts champion, is a superb instructor, providing encouragement and careful instruction (if you don't know by the end of the tape to hold in your stomach, that's no one's fault but your own). The only downside to these tapes is the less-than-exciting music. Not only is Tae-Bo great exercise for all levels, but the punches and kicks are wonderful for working out stress and aggression. This is the aerobics exercise video for people who are bored by aerobics. --Jenny Brown
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Billy Blanks 8 Minute Workout:
I have really enjoyed this video. A team of us at work are doing the 8 minute workout during our safety meeting and then at lunch. I have mastered the 8 minute workout and will proceed at home doing the Basic. At work we will continue to do the 8 minute workout until the group is ready to move forward at lunch to the Basic. I would and have recommended this video to friends of mine. I have being doing the 8 minute workout for 5 weeks now and I can feel and see the results. TAEBO REALLY WORKS!!!!
Awesome Kick Butt Workout:
I get stuck in a rut of routine workouts where I find myself not obtaining results for as much as I work out. I thought I would try kickboxing (something different) and had heard that this particular Tae Bo series (the orignal) of workouts was hard and challenging but great results for those that stick with it. I am addicted. These workouts are very easy to follow (basic counting; no fluff) but makes you work up a sweat and gets your heart rate up. I have noticed just doing the basic 27 minute workout three... more info
The best workout ever!:
I bought this first set of tae-bo when it just came out in 2000, one of my friends who was practicing martial arts recommended it. I was fairely active and athletic, but after my first pregnancy it was so hard to get back in shape. I was struggling for a few years, trying walking, jogging, gym, classes, everything with minor results. And then I started doing tae-bo. It was not easy, but after a month or so of doing basic I switched to advanced. My body had never looked better, I never felt better about... more info
Tae Bo Workouts:
I have to say how wonderful, motivational and challenging tae bo workouts are. In 2 months I've lost 32 pounds, I do tae bo 6 times per week for about 3 months now. I must share the toning results. I've never thought there were actually muscles under the fat in my body after losing 32 pounds. I can see a huge diference on the way I feel, my energy, I feel more confident. I know if I keep doing tae bo I can get to my goal. If you're determined to lose weight and want to make the effort then tae bo is... more info
