Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: The Future of Fitness [Featuring: Instructional Workout, Tae Bo Basic, Advanced Tae Bo & 8-Minute Workout] [DVD] [1999] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I'm a TaeKwonDo instructor from the US living in Korea. I've been here for 6 years. I started doing the Tae-Bo DVD with my wife. She's not very athletically inclined so she thought this would be a good way to get in shape. I find it hard to believe some of complaints I've seen about this series. Who cares about the production quality or the fact that the music isn't something popular? The point of this series is to get a workout and I for one think it delivers. Some people complain about injuring themselves or about the moves being impossible to perform. I've also noticed some of those complain about the level of the workouts. Obviously, it's hard to ramp up from absolute beginner to professional athlete in just 4 tapes. As a martial arts instructor I would offer this advice. Start with the Instructional video. Do it all the way through. Practice the techniques. Do them on both sides. Use that as your workout for at least two weeks. Watch the way techniques are done and make sure you are doing them correctly. I would be willing to bet that people who injured themselves did so because of poor technique or trying to do too much, too quickly. By the end, you might want to do it twice through each day. Then step up to the beginner workout. If you find it difficult, put it on pause for a few minutes, catch your breath and then keep going. Actually, Mr. Blanks suggests that himself on the video. After you can comfortably do the Basic workout (at least 1 month after, probably more for older adults), add the 8-minute workout to it. I would suggest doing the 8-minute workout first, then the Basic. When you've adjusted to that, do the Basic workout twice in succession each day. Then, when you can do that comfortably, go to the Advanced workout. As a workout, I think it's excellent. From a self-defense standpoint, I wouldn't really recommend it. Of course there is some protection benefit from learning basic techniques and getting in shape but he teaches these techniques from a workout perspective not proper martial arts technique. As one example, he stresses that when you execute techniques you should tighten up various muscles. This creates more resistance and so gives a better workout. This also slows your techniques down. When practicing martial arts, you want to stay loose until the point of impact. This gives you more speed and ultimately more power. If you really want to learn self-defense, take a martial arts class and stick with it.
As a last point and small pet peeve, Koreans actually pronounce TaeKwonDo just as it looks with Tae sounding like Day not Tie. I think this got confused with Thai kickboxing early on and just got spread that way.
In summary, if you want good production quality, go sit on the couch and watch Titanic again. If you want to learn self-defense, go to a martial arts class. If you want an excellent series of workout videos, buy Tae-Bo.

I bought this 4-pack of Taebo almost 2 years ago - January 1999 and I am still using Taebo today after almost 2 years and 52 pounds ago. I recommend Taebo to everyone I know who is serious about losing weight, getting in shape and being healthy. I only watched the Instructional tape twice but do recommend that people do this several more times than I did. I used the Basic tape for 4-5 months before starting on the Advanced. I like the Basic tape but I think some of the faster moves at the end may be a bit too quick for a Basic tape. Remember to always go at your own pace. The Advanced tape is awesome. The first time I did it (and I paused the tape often) it was very difficult but I put it down for a while and when I picked up it I couldn't believe my increased stamina, endurance and strength. I must admit that I have never done the 8 minute workout. If I'm going to sweat, it is going to be longer that 8 minutes so I really can't recommend it. To the other reviewer who asked for more Taebo tapes -- there are more. Unfortunately, Amazon does not carry them. They are available only through the Taebo website. I have 14 Advanced Taebo tapes (yes, I am addicted) but the Advanced tape in this 4 pack is one of my favorites. The moves are much slower that some of Billy's newer tapes and it helps me focus on what I am doing. Plus, it only gives me a sense of where I started. I won't say the Advanced is easy but I have come a long way and can now do this tape all the way through without pausing the tape and it used to initimate me. Taebo is an amazing workout. It has slimmed and toned every part of my body: abs, thighs, arms, back, chest, calves, butt, etc. Someone recently asked me if I was lifting weights because of the definition in my arms but all my toning is from Taebo. I workout 6 days a week doing the Advanced tape and I've never been in better shape. Even after almost two years, Taebo is still challenging and never boring. If I feel sluggish or tired, all I have to do is an hour of Taebo and I'm refreshed. If your New Years Resolution for 2001 is to lose weight, get in shape or get healthy, please buy these tapes. I wish I discovered Taebo sooner. I have gone from a size 18 to a size 10 and I'm still losing. My life is much better now. I'm more confident and more outgoing. Please realize that working out is not easy. There is NO QUICK FIX to losing weight and being healthy. You have to work at it everyday but Taebo is fun, explosive, challenging and inspirational. Give it a try. It has changed my life and it will change yours too.

...Tae-bo is excellent. I have tendonitis in my right knee due to many years of basketball. As a result it's often difficult to find a good workout that doesn't jar my knee. Aerboics often contains too much jumping. I realize every knee problem differs, but I have used the Tae-bo basics tape on a daily basis without knee pain.

I must say, I'm not sure buying the four-pack tape set was necessary. I used the Instructional Tape once. The information contained here is important but if known beforehand, owning the tape is a moot point. The gist of it is, don't overextend your joints while kicking and punching.

I've used the 8 minute workout when I get up late in the morning. However, I almost wish I didn't have the option as it creates greater opportunity to slack off. 8 minutes really isn't enough to get your heart rate up to a point of significance, in terms of exercise.

The Advanced Tape is really hard! Also, this one tended to hurt my knees. There are some lunging moves, and a whole lot of floor exercises that require you to kneel for lengthy periods of time. I think the decision on whether this tape is a good investment really depends on the level of activity you are looking for in an exercise video. This tape is long and strenuous, but I'm certain if you use it regularly you'd be very fit. Personally, I've never found the time commitment or the desire to use this tape more than a couple times.

Tae-bo Basics I would rate as five stars. Buying the four pack really depends on individual interest, I can only offer my experience with the pack. On a side note, the music is pretty goofy, but I like Billy's positive attitude.