I used this videotape frequently in college during breaks when I had no access to a gym. Now I still use it on days when it is just too cold or I am just too lazy to get to the gym. This set consists of two of the only exercise videos I have been able done dozens of times without either getting bored or finding the routines too easy.

What is Taebo?
This video set is a no frills kickboxing workout. Tae Bo is basically a martial arts style workout popularized several years ago. Tae Bo workouts are full of kicking and punching. This video set also features some new challenging ab exercises, both seated and standing. Unlike some other kickboxing workouts, no punching bag or gloves are required.

The only equipment required is workout clothes and gym shoes. One of the videos requires viewers to hold onto a nearby chair or piece of furniture as well. Also, make sure you have plenty of space to complete this workout. You will need enough room to move side to side and fully extend your arms and legs in all directions. Although I enjoy doing tae bo with a group of friends, too many people punching and kicking in close quarters can be a disaster. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the workout. A good rule of thumb I use is to take a drink every time the video zooms in on someone drinking from a water bottle.

What is included on these tapes?
A warm up at the beginning of the video gives a chance to get used to some of the commands and warm up muscles. This includes stepping back and forth and marching to raise heart rate and some easy kicking and punching. The warmout portion of each tape lasts about five to seven minutes. Very little coordination is required. The relaxing cool down at the end features slow, rhythmic arm movements and brings the heartbeat back down after a challenging work out. The moves are kind of a cross between yoga and ballet, and are easy to follow along.

In between warm up and cool down is forty-five minutes of intense cardio. There are punches of every type including cross, hook, uppercut, and more, done in both single and double time to sculpt the upper body. There are kicks, squats, and knee raises designed to sculpt the lower body. The various type of kicks include front, back, side, and roundhouse.

Those who have used and are tired of the original Taebo's advanced tape will find this set some welcome variation at the same advanced level. There is little difference in difficulty level between the two tapes in this set, and they share some exercises. Really, there are only so many different types of kicks and punches that can be done. One of the tapes does feature more floor exercises, which I enjoy and are very effective in sculpting the butt and thighs.

What about Billy?
Billy Blanks has become famous as the tae bo guru, and is the instructor who leads both of these workouts. He's certainly in great shape, although I'm fairly confident not all of his muscles come from taebo alone! As compared to other workout videos I have tried, his cueing is fairly good. He tends to stay on pace with the music, which is appreciated. However, his repeated exhortations of "come on, you can do it", etc. can get annoying, as with any exercise tape. After doing the workout a few times and becoming familiar with it, I personally have enjoyed turning muting Billy and turning on my own music or radio in the background. One big negative for me with regard to this video is Billy's insistence on wearing horrendous full body spandex jumpsuits!

Who is this video set for?
These videos are certainly NOT for novices. Those new to Taebo, or aerobic exercise in general, would be smart to start out with the basic video instead of this set. You don't want to do a workout that is too advanced for you, as this can lead to injury or muscle soreness that will derail your fitness program. If you are an exercise novice, a basic taebo video would be a better choice for you. However, if you don't want to invest in a beginner's video and are in moderately good shape, there is always the option of doing half of one of these videos and fastforwarding to stretching/cooldown. You can continue to add a few minutes at a time until you are able to make it all the way through the tape. Those in good shape will find this tape set a challenge, and the intensity of the workout can always be raised by kicking higher or punching harder.
Taebo workouts are great because they can be performed by a variety of different age and ability groups. Older children and teenagers will enjoy the jumping around and kicking. Adults will appreciate the coordination required.

Other comments
One negative I can suggest is the boring gym atmosphere and nondescript music in this video set. I enjoy working out to exercise videos on a tropical beach setting while getting my groove on to popular music. This video is not like that. The music played with the video is very generic and not too stimulating. It is basically elevator music sped up a couple of notches. The gym setting is ugly, basically matts and walls. However, I do enjoy the focus on displaying a diverse range of ages and fitness levels of people exercising in the background.

So does it even work?
As a fairly regular exerciser about five days a week, I enjoyed the results from this video. I particularly noticed improvements in my endurance and abdominal fitness. Obviously these tapes work best when paired with weight training, as there are no lifting weights and few weight bearing exercises involved in Taebo. The videos are particularly effective for working the butt and legs, although many of the exercises work the abs and arms as well. However, I cannot emphasize enough the value of NOT EATING MORE THAN USUAL to negate the calories you have burned off with the workout.
Overall, this video set will do what it promises, as far as providing a difficult workout which will give results when combined with a healthy diet and weight training workouts.

*Other Exercise Tapes I've tried...
Bellydance Boogie
Denise Austin - Blast Away Ten Pounds


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups