Thread: Tae Bo

I recently went to a kickboxing class and though I liked it I felt the instructor didn't show or explain the movements well and was way too hard on the knees. So, instead of going through that again I've decided to dust off my Billy Blank's Tae Bo videos. I bought these a loooong time ago and sadly never even used them. So, any tips? Did you have them, use them, like them? Did kickboxing take over the Tae Bo workout? Aren't they similar?

i can't help but find it hillarious that the "double time" on it is a strobe light turned on while they do regular speed and the dark frames are deleted.
are there any other places around that can give instruction? i think kickboxing is likely to be like BD where if you don't have someone to watch your technique problems could arise, like if you're always kicking wrong and it trains your muscle memory, now if you want to kick someone who's attacking you it comes out wrong! (maybe im crazy ^_~)
the dojo i used to take karate at had kickboxing as another class they offered to people who just wanted to work out. if you take it from someone who is a martial arts expert they should know enough about anatomy to be able to teach you safely (after all, martial arts is a lot about manipulating anatomy)

I've never taken kickboxing but love my TaeBo (even though he is creepy to me). When I first started them, I had a mirror opposite me so I could watch my form and compare it to the video.

Tae Bo is Billy Blanks' trademarked version of cardio kickboxing, so they are indeed similar.

While working out to dvd's is great and works well, it's the same as doing dance to dvd's at home, there is no one there to correct your form. So using it as a supplement to a fitness regimen works, but it shouldn't be the only kickboxing you do...

Are there any other classes in your area? A good instructor will be able to correct form as well as to give you modifications for movements that might not work for you (such as low impact alternatives for those movements that bother your knees).

There is a lot of repetitive movements in kickboxing that can lead to repetitive stress injuries, particularly in your shoulders, so please be careful.

I agree Kina, I am indeed still looking for another instructor for kickboxing, but in the meantime I figured I might try the Tae Bo videos.

Mahira...I wish you lived a wee bit closer. I know of a couple around here...and my dad is a black belt in Shaolin.

I did those vids for about a year ages ago (think I still have them around here some where). I don't know if you have the starter vid but their is one that goes slowly over technique and the like before you start using the fast pace workout ones. It isn't a good workout but if you have it, do it until you feel comfy with it. I think I did it for like two weeks before trying to step up my game to the cardio stuff. I certainly didn't hurt myself but when I moved to a second floor apartment, I didn't think my neighbors downstairs would apprecieate all the bouncing and occasional over balancing!

I just found my old video recently, too! Hee! I liked it and Billy Blanks has so much charisma!