Tae-Bo Workout (4 Pack: Basic, Instructional, Advanced, 8-minute Workout)

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

The weight loss, however, takes second place to how I feel. Stronger, leaner and more flexible are words I never used to describe my post-pregnancy body - until now. I now wear a size 8 comfortably and my goal is to reach size 6 by the end of summer.

The only complaint I would have about the Tae-Bo tape set (other than the lack of production quality) is that the video editing is shoddy in some parts. On the Advanced tape, there are several portions where you hear Mr. Blanks talking and, unless you're watching the screen (difficult at best while doing the foot-circles), it's very easy to lose count. Also, some of the moves are rather fast - moving more slowly through a repetition (particularly one that imitates strength training) makes the muscle work harder.


From the bad-knee contingency...   August 25, 2000
 98 out of 98 found this review helpful

...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.


ONLY ONE WORD FOR IT--GREAT   March 9, 2000
 92 out of 96 found this review helpful

After using the basic Tae-Bo tape, I purchased the four pack and am I glad I did. Tae-Bo even manages to give me an aerobic workout and I participate in high altitude climbing, ultra marathon biking and lots of skiing. Billy Banks is a master instructor anyone can feel comfortable with. The moves, drawn from Martial Arts are impressive and the pace gives the body a workout it will come to love. Beginners should watch the instructional video more than once and practice the moves more slowly so they will then be comfortable during the more advanced tapes and workouts. The body was MEANT to MOVE! I think Banks knows this and we'd all be better off if we'd follow his lead. As to those who say these tapes are just a money making scheme, I have to ask--have you ever seen an exercise video that wasn't? The difference is--Tae-Bo delivers and that makes it worth the cost at any price! Can't recommend them highly enough!