Customer Reviews

Aaron Lankford's Power Kicks [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Out of the 15+ kickboxing videos I own this is one of my favorites! Unlike Tae Bo both sides of your body are worked evenly and there is no marching in place, so your heartrate stays up there for the duration. Aaron shows technique, has a proper warm up (no fast neck rolls with this tape!). Then a very well-choreographed, flowing aerobic section with punches, kicks, and then combos of punches and kicks with a nice cool down. After that, there are a few strength moves (i.e. pushups) and some very unique abdominal/back strengthening moves followed by a thorough stretch with very relaxing music. I can't wait for his next tapes!

Having bought all the Tae Bo workout tapes and numerous other kickboxing videos, I believe that Aaron Lanford's Power Kicks is the best! His initial instruction of proper form as well as the remindars throughout the workout was excellent. The workout was at a constant pace with little chatter. I would recommend this tape both to beginners and the more advanced.

Okay, I read all the reviews before I bought this video and I was pumped up about getting it and working out. However, I was disappointed in a couple of ways. Please read what I have to say because I am not totally dumping on the workout as it is pretty good. I have a 2nd degree black belt in TaeKwonDo myself and I run 7k about 3-4 times a week as well as lift weights - so I am no wimp! Number one, for the money, I really expected a more professional production from the video itself. The cutaway editing done in between each workout segment does not make for adequate time to drink a sip of water or wipe yourself with a towel - not even for a second! Secondly, the workout set itself seemed 80ish and the girls in the background are dressed oddly. They just look like they have never set foot in a gym in the 21st century! However, I know that is not really true because it shows their names and TaeKwonDo degree in the credits. It just doesn't seem like they had a very good production/editing/direction team. Onto the workout, it is a pretty good workout and he goes pretty fast so it is a bit tough to follow at times. He does do a little instruction in the beginning, but with my background, I felt that for the "beginniner to imtermediate" exerciser, it really was not enough instruction to be safe at the rate he does the exercises in the video. I have Kahty Smith's AREOBOX video and found it to be just as tough - if not tougher - a workout and much safer in its instruction as well as segways between each exercise segment. All in all, it is a good workout if you can pause the video so you can catch your breath in between each segment and if you can focus on getting the exercise correctly in the beginning before trying to keep up with him. Otherwise, you may hurt yourself. I was pretty surprised at all the reviews that talked about how safe he was in this respect once I tried the video. Lastly, it was interesting to me that nobody talked about the instructor being irritating himself. I found him funny to watch when he talked because he looked like a used car salesman with his head and hand movements and the cadence of his voice and emphasis he had on "personal power". So if you can ignore that, along with the video production/set, bad looking girls in the background, and no seconds to spare in between each workout segment, you have a pretty good workout. haha - I think there are probably better videos out there for the money. I think this one should have been less expensive for all its "problems". I recommend Kathy Smith's AEROBOX video -- but I think I might try Larry Lam's XKO Kickboxing next.... :)

This is my favorite out of my collection of over 15 kickboxing videos. Lots of kicks with an emphasis on form and your inner strength. Power Kicks works both sides of your body equally, a lot of thought was put into the choreography (not dancy at all, more athletic) and it shows. The entire workout just flows. Aaron is very motivating and shows several ways to do kicks, unlike other kickboxing videos the emphasis is on form--not speed and not height. Aaron also uses a lot of imagery so you can get the moves right, i.e. when kicking low, middle and high he says get the little guy, middle guy, and tall guy which really helped me. There is a super warm-up including a nice stretch, and very unique ab stabilization moves! I really love the toning section, it totally burns the glutes, improves your kicks, and balance. Also, the music in the stretch section is really relaxing. Can't wait until Aaron makes more tapes! :)

I have been doing this tape for a little over 2 months and can see a noticeable improvement in my kicks, form and my body!! I started as a returning exerciser after two babies and a few years of semi-activity, and Aaron & Powerkicks have been the best motivators for me to get up & moving. I do feel like I have more control and power in my life thanks to this workout. It has given me more energy than any "pill". Thank-you Aaron & keep up the good work!!

I loved this workout!! There were tons of fun kicks and Aaron gives clear instruction and cueing throughout the workout, which is a tough workout! I think beginner and advanced people could do this workout. It is a whole hour, which I loved because most videos are too short to give me a completely worked out feeling. The things I liked most were that there were more kicks than TaeBo and Aaron used this great visual cue where you would be visualizing an attacker. "Kick this guy and punch his buddy on the side!" To me, it made the workout more empowering and I felt like I was learning some self defense. I bought this tape from Collage in January and I still love it. I hope Aaron makes tons more tapes. I 'll be in line!!

Aaron Lankford has taken his personal martial arts experience and placed it all in his videos. While Tae Bo will give you a nice aerobic workout, Power Kicks will teach you the basics of kickboxing and give you the confidence of Aaron's own black belt in Tae Kwon Do. It will work, tone and build your aerobic and strength training workouts, and take you to a whole new level. I have been using Aaron Lankford's tapes as well as working in his dojo for the last two years. I now hoave more strength, more tone, and more confidence then ever. Anyone who is looking for the best in kickboxing and aerobic workouts should buy this video.

This video surprised me--it's about as vigorous a cardio kickboxing workout as I've seen, on par with the best of the Tae-bo videos. For those who like no-frills but competent cuing, etc. this is a good tape. The girls in the background, however, look totally hapless and befuddled. It sometimes makes a difference when you have a good backup group of exercisers who look like they're having fun. These gals were less than inspiring. So keep your eyes on Aaron.

I just did this workout for the first time, and I love it! I am bored with all my Tae Bo videos, they are all too easy and get on my nerves because Billy Blanks is VERY inconsistent with doing the same amount of reps on each side. In my opinion, Tae Bo also doesn't do a good job of maintaining your heart rate if you are an intermediate to advanced exerciser. I was looking for a good high intensity cardio and toning workout that would maintain my heart rate and be challenging, and this is it! I also ordered XKO Kickboxing and Dawei Cardio Kickboxing, and believe me that Power Kicks is far superior to both of them!!!!

I have both Tae Bo and "Kick it" by Janis Saefell, and I definately prefer those two to this Video. I wasn't that stimulating. The degree of difficulty was a C+. I don't know why it got such great reviews.