Tae-Bo Gold

After a few minutes of warm-up stretches, Billy begins an easy to follow kickboxing routine. He emphasizes punches more than kicks, although some kicks as well as quite a few knee lifts are included. Unlike other kickboxing workouts I have tried, there are few combination routines; instead, Billy teaches in an 8-count style, often repeating the same movement for several sets. Following the 25-minute aerobic segment, you hold a static squat for 1 minute, and then you move to a hands and knees position for about 3 minutes of work on the butt area. The workout ends with a 5 minutes stretch: 4-minutes of yoga-like stretches in a seated position and then a final 1-minute of standing stretches, making the total workout time about 34 minutes.

As an instructor, Billy Blanks is very likeable and extremely enthusiastic. Plus, he offers many modifications in this workout, even showing how some of the kicks can be done seated in a chair. However, his counting is not always accurate, and he frequently completes an uneven number of sets from one side of the body to the other. Also, the Motown music used for this workout is quite loud, making Billy's instructions a bit difficult to hear at times, and the transitions from song-to-song did not flow smoothly with the workout. If you can overlook these minor flaws, this is a fun workout for anyone who is already in fairly good shape but looking to give Tae Bo a try.


Good Workout   February 8, 2004
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Even though others say this tape is too short, I like the length of it. It's low impact, but powerful. I substitute the side kicks with knee lifts because I do this on a rug. I always feel the effects the next day. A couple of exercises are done more on one side than the other, but you can't beat his enthusiasm and it's fun. I've been doing this for over a month now and I'm not bored yet with it.


Super and Fun Workout!   February 1, 2004
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I love this video! I've been working with it for only three days, but I can FEEL it already!! It is a good workout for people who don't do "bouncy" aerobics. It's not long, it is about 35 min from start to finish. I like that he is not as FRANTIC in this one. I feel rushed on his other videos, while this one is quick-paced, it is not rushed. The sound quality is not great, but that's fine, he's still easily understood.

I also love the GLUTES and ABS Video, it was my first Tae-Bo experience, and I alternate. It's a little more frantic-paced than this one, but it's good too if you move at your own speed.

By the way, I am not yet forty, but that doesn't matter any more.

Happy Work-OUT!!


Not just for those n their "golden" years   February 10, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I'd been doing Tae Bo since Billy Banks released his first workout tapes. Followng back surgery last year my surgeon warned me off of high impact aerobics and specifically told me my Tae Bo days were over. Not happy with this, I e-mailed Billy Banks gym and a member of his staff recommended this tape. I'm so glad they did! There is nothing in this workout that I can't do - but don't let that fool you into thinking that this is a whimpy workout - I break a sweat every time. One year later my back surgeon has pronounced me one of his best rehab patients. I'd recommend this for anyone who needs to workout but maybe has to tone it down a notch from some of the more punishing thngs we do to ourselves in the name of fitness.