Customer Reviews

Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: The Ultimate Collection [DVD]

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These workouts are fantastic. They work you really hard but are not all jumping about. They really work your muscles, and are toning you all the time you are burning calories. Ideal. Billy is a really nice presenter, and seems to be a genuinely nice man. Other reviewers have commented about some of the workouts being the same, but as this is the first Tae Bo DVD's I have bought, (and it was good value for 4 discs) it didn't really matter to me. The first time I did the advanced session I could not believe how many calories my heart rate monitor had said I'd burned. I always had to be running before to produce this, so I think that as I get older this will certainly be gentler on the knees and joints, but just as good for weight control. I could not recommend this enough. Even if you are not fit, you can start with the basic workout and work your way up. As soon as you see how much good it is doing you, you will soon have the motivation to work towards the advanced workouts.

IF it's motivation that you lack this DVD will certainly give U exactly that to go that extra mile. The four DVDs combine to give you a little bit or shall i saw a lot of everything. My favourite out of this whole box set is the ABs and GLUTES 30 min workout. I never knew I could feel so motivated and burn so much calories in 30 minutes. IT's AMAZING!!!. I have Nell McAndrew's Ultimate challenge, Ultimate Results, which is quite good but its quite boring after a while and only contains a little of each workout to target core areas. Billy's box set is the future. you will definately get results, its fun, tonnes of motivation and energy and targets every lump and bump, and the people in the video are not all toned and tanned, they are old some young and they look just like you and me and they are having fun and getting results. I just started this morning and i can feel that tummy and butt tightening, honestly!!!

If you are new to Tae Bo then you will find this a very good selection of the Tae Bo workouts already available. Tae Bo is a fun, brilliant way to get fit and lose weight.

However, if you already own Tae BO DVD's beware that this contains the previously released Tae Bo 4 (Abs + Glutes), Tae Bo 5 Active, Get Ripped and Tae Bo Energise and nothing new!! Another point: Tae Bo 5 and Tae Bo Energise are the same DVD - just with different titles! Energise does contain an 8min workout not found on Tae Bo 5 but the basic and advanced sections are the same.

I gave this 3 stars based on the fact it doesn't contain new workouts (though I do realise it isn't advertised as 'new') but the workouts that are in this pack are excellent! You get a variety of 30 min basic and 1 hr advanced classes as well as 8 min workouts and instructional classes. Good value for money and a great way to get in shape but only if you don't already own the DVD's in the pack!

I'm normally a gym bunny rather than a home exerciser, but decided in an economy drive to swap my expensive club for a cheaper workout. I chose this DVD because

a)it had really positive reviews

b)I used to enjoy Body Combat classes and this looked similar

c)this 4-DVD set seemed like good value with plenty of different workouts to keep me interested.

I would highly recommend it: all the workouts I've tried feel like they're doing something and the time flies. The Basic workouts are about half an hour and quite easy if you're familiar with boxing moves; the Advanced are about 45 mins and offer more complex combinations plus some toning exercises. They all combine a cardio workout (put as much or as little energy in as you want) with toning for your arms, stomach, bum and thighs. My favourite is the 8-minute workout on the "Get Ripped" DVD - I've been doing it most mornings and I'm sure it's the one thing that's saved me from turning into a wobbly blob this winter! As for the "Abs and Glutes"... what a killer, I'm sure no one can do all of this except the scary washboard stomach women at the front of the class!

Billy is a bit cheesy but his energy and enthusiasm are infectious and you find yourself getting really into it and feeling part of the class. Even the American counting is ok once you get used to it you'll find yourself joining in!

I've not given it 5 stars because of 2 small downsides: the music is a bit rubbish (aimless tinny dance music, no recognisable tunes!), and sometimes I think Billy goes too fast. This can make it hard to do the exercises properly and you could even injure yourself if you're not very experienced. Now I'm more used to the exercises, I put on my own music and do the moves at my own rhythm. That's enough chat: buy this DVD and start kicking ass!

The box set is a total bargain! Buy it buy it! The exercsies are so fun and different. You feel as though you are part of the class and you can watch the others sweating away with you which takes away some of the boredorm of exercise! I have been doing the 8 min workout (nearly!) every day for a month and I can really feel my bum and thighs toned up. It'll raise your spirits too! and sets me up for the day! I def recommend to anyone who wants their workout to be fun and motivational!

If you can summon up the motivation to make a change to your routine and incorporate more exercise in your life, you will find this a very satisfying product.

Billy Blanks is an excellent instructor and carefully explains and demonstrates correct techniques to prevent self-injury.

He continually motivates you throughout the discs to work to your max input.

The discs are up-beat and good for people like me who have no wish to go to a gym but could use the discs in the comfort of your home either alone or with a group of like-minded friends.

The exercises are thorough and quite demanding, as with all instructional tapes/discs you will only achieve good and lasting results if you're prepared to put in the effort. You will definitely feel the groups of muscles that you have worked on significantly even after your first sessiom.

I was attracted by the idea of kicking and punching as a way to get fitter. I was not disappointed! I found Tae Bo a fun way to de-stress (imagining the face of my boss in front of me made me punch and kick like crazy...) and the sweatting convinced me the cardio workout was actually helping me get fitter. I have so far followed the basic routines, at times followed by the 8-minute workout to make the workout a little longer. My legs and bum definitely feel firmer and this alone makes me want to stick with Billy! He is surpisingly motivating - I was expecting him to be annoying, instead I quite like him! 4 stars only because I would have liked a little bit more variety in a collection of workouts that spreads over 4 dvds.

This DVD set is great value for money, although 2 of the 4 DVDs are essentially the same (Energise and Tae Bo Active). So you're really getting 3 DVDs, but the whole set is the price of a single Tae Bo DVD, therefore you're still better off than if you had bought the DVDs individually. I only started Tae Bo some months ago, but perseverance is bearing much fruit. I would like to share my experience chiefly for the benefit of those who have never done Tae Bo or feel quite unfit. Being a runner and a martial arts practitioner already, I thought Tae Bo would be easy for me, I was wrong. I struggled with even the basic workouts in the beginning. They showed me that I was not as fit as I thought I was. At the start, I was unable to see the workouts through to the end but I kept coming back and improved with each attempt. Here's what I have learned: 1- Start with the Get Ripped DVD (I think it is one of the very best from Billy Blanks) 2- Take the time to look at the instructional video to familiarise yourself with the techniques used in the workouts (it is boring but very useful) 3- Get started with Get Ripped - Basic Workout. You will most likely not see the workout through to the end in first two or three attempts but keep coming back at least twice a week if you can 4- Don't feel that you have to complete every set of moves perfectly, take a quick pause for a small drink of water if you can't take it anymore then do come back 5- It is OK to follow the moves at a slower pace than the DVD, your pace will pick up with time 6- Once you have gained confidence with Get Ripped Basic Workout, introduce Energise Basic Workout to your routine and alternate between the two Basic workouts to add variety to your workouts. 7- When you find that you are able to see the basic workouts through to the end, introduce Get Ripped - Advanced, after that you will be in a better shape to have a go at the other workouts. The workouts are no doubt challenging but this is one case where I have noticed that persistence pays. My level of fitness started increasing dramatically after about two months and I almost became addicted to the workouts, often exercising 3 or 4 times a week with the (30 mins) basic workouts.

I didn't really know what to expect when I bought this DVD having had no prior knowledge of Tae-Bo (I'm a Rosemary Conley girl at heart). I watched a couple of the DVDs first to familiarise myself with the workouts and got a shock at how fast they were. However I gave it a go starting with the basic routine and found myself getting quickly swept away by the pace. With a bit of practice I was doing it as quickly as the others in the background. I liked the fact that I built up a really good sweat without having to run and I could really feel my muscles working, all of them! I found the group very uplifting and motivational and was counting along with them.

I think this collection is great value for money. If you're looking for something a little bit different then give it a go.

Brilliant work out, extremely well explained as to what your doing, and how to do it correctly, energetic workout and lots of fun at the same time, guarrenteed to get you fit, and more interesting than your basic workouts, as it is a combination of keep fit and martial art techniques. fantastic, dont waste your money trying others, this is the one for you, and brilliant value for money to.
I highly recomend it.