I have been renting various workout DVDs via Netflix for a month or so now as a way to "test drive" workouts before buying them. Boy, am I glad I did...because I found out that I can't stand Denise Austin and find Kathy Smith's workouts too complicated to have fun with.
Last week, I rented Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo Cardio Circuit 1. This is only about a 36-minute workout, but it is INTENSE. I had a hard time keeping up or physically being able to perform some actions (I had to drop out and march in place several times). I really felt I had gotten a great workout--but it was a bit too advanced for my taste, esp. in regard to balance.
Yesterday, I bought my own copy of Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo Cardio. I went on faith a bit, because I hadn't seen this ACTUAL workout, but I was relatively sure it would be similar to Cardio Circuit 1. I did the workout this morning and, happily, it is similar to Cardio Circuit 1; even better, it is 10 minutes longer and not quite so intense. It's still a very good workout but I was able to follow it all the way through to the end...there were just a few times I still had to march because I could not maintain the number of repetitions they did...but that's good, because it's something to work up to!
If you've already been working out regularly with cardio and you want something intense, I would suggest Tae-Bo Cardio Circuit 1. If you want a good workout but not something that is so intense that you can't keep up, I would suggest you start with Tae-Bo Cardio.
The only negatives that stood out to me in these DVDs: 1. It's sometimes hard to hear Billy over the music and the counting of his exercisers. THis is much worse in Cardio Circuit 1 than in Cardio. 2. Billy doesn't do a good job of helping the at-home exerciser in terms of directional cues. When he should be telling US to kick left because we are facing him as he kicks right, he tells us to kick right. I had a little bit of a tough time learning some of the moves because of this but I'm sure I'll pick them up with repetition.
Billy is motivational...he both pushes you to achieve AND is understanding that you may not be able to do it all right away. His cooldown on the Cardio DVD is very t'ai chi-like, which I loved...very calming and peaceful. His closing on both DVDs is motivational and empowering--loved it.
I was definitely physically PUMPED with energy after completing both of these workouts, but I felt EMOTIONALLY better after today because I was able to keep up with the workout better.
Posts: 7356 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Sandy: Sheri, I am looking for a pretty high intensity, but I have always stayed away from BB as I am not so cooridnated and worried that I could not get the moves. Are you especially coordinated---meaning would someone like me have a hard time learning the moves?
Sandy, despite the marvelous things I'd heard over the years about Tae-Bo workouts, I had avoided them, too, because I worried they would be too complicated or overwhelming for me.
Certainly, the Cardio Circuit 1 workout left me feeling like I'd been left in the dust a few times. I agree with what Robin says about moves getting easier the more you do them but, in this particular case, I think that it was beyond my physical ability to do some of those moves (I am not as flexible as most, in part because I have arthritis in my spine).
I tend to be relatively coordinated (have done well in multiple dance classes and marching band, if that gives you any indication) BUT my balance isn't as good as it could be (though it's sure better than when I started doing WATP last fall!). Tae-bo relies GREATLY on balance and also on abdominal strength. For example, you may be standing on one leg and kicking out to the side with the other, with many repetitions, and he says not to rest your kicking leg back on the floor. Well, it takes not only a great deal of endurance but really good balance not to topple over while doing that!
Some of the steps are complicated but not that much...it's mostly a matter of getting used to the fact that you're trying to mirror him and he's saying to go right when you're going left. I found Cardio much simpler choreography-wise than CC1, but I don't know that Cardio would be intense enough for you.
Hope that gives you a better idea if this may be a good workout for you.
Posts: 7356 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Well, coming from the cardio queen of the early 90s, I loved Kathy Smith's videos. I just found you have to do them a few times to get the hang of it. Jane Fondas are good also, and I cannot stand Denise Austin. But, I have not done videos for years now, so I am sure there are better ones out there!
Robin
Formerly "Robinbebe"
Posts: 420 | Location: SE Michigan | Registered: August 19, 2004
Sheri, I am looking for a pretty high intensity, but I have always stayed away from BB as I am not so cooridnated and worried that I could not get the moves. Are you especially coordinated---meaning would someone like me have a hard time learning the moves?
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