Customer Reviews

Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo Flex [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just got done with my first go at this video, and it was great in a painful way. The basic premise of Flex is that Billy takes you through a fairly typical set of moves, but he ups the ante on the eighth rep of alternate sets. There, you freeze in the middle of the move, hold the position, then SQUEEZE and FLEX as hard as you can.

Believe me, it's tough! And I've been doing the advanced Live and Get Ripped tapes for a good couple of years now. I'm not a Tae Bo novice, in other words.

Great price, great workout. This is a very nice change of pace from the previous tapes, which are all pretty similar, except for Advanced Live 5 and 10. I highly recommend this.

I've been a Tae Bo fan for years, and love this new video which emphasizes muscle control and toning. Many of the moves are familiar from Tae Bo Live and Cardio, but here on alternate sets you hold and squeeze for an eight count at the end of the set. Interspersed are light cardio exercises. This may sound simple, but I sweat more from this video than some of the Basic tapes, and I noticed an increase in muscle tone after adding it to my routine.

There are the familiar jabs, side and roundhouse and front-back kicks, squats, punchbag and knee lift exercises. As always in a Tae Bo workout, abs are center stage even in the arm or leg exercises, and no less when you're "flexing and squeezing." The flex hold also tests balance, which can be frustrating, but definitely avail yourself of a chair if necessary. Also don't forget to breathe even when you're flexing! I sometimes do and find myself light-headed.

I disagree with the other reviewer that this is not for beginners. With the slowed-down pace, it's a good chance to practice the mechanics of familiar Tae Bo moves, and build up the muscle tone that aids cardio fitness. Billy does miss some cues, but Tae Bo exercisers are familiar with that and I consider it part of the appeal of his videos over the "perfect letoard girls" of videos past.

Great job, Billy!

I've included Tae Bo as part of my workout routine for over four years, and I, like many others, have been waiting for a new Tae Bo video. This one was definitely worth the wait. The cueing is much better than any previous Tae Bo video. The pace is slower than in the advanced or Tae Bo II workouts, but I like it that way. It makes the workout a great energizer. Also, the extended warm up and cool down really eases you in and out of the workout. The only thing missing is a good stretch segment at the end, but I just do that on my own. I definitely recommend this as an addition to anyone's workout video library.

I have been waiting for Tae Bo to come out with a new video for quite a while now. Believe me, this one is worth the wait. I especially like when Billy has us holding the pose on the eight
count. You can really feel your muscles working. I have been doing Tae Bo for 3 years now and am so glad I purchased this tape.

I love Billy Blank's tae bo- but "flex" smacks of shoddy work. Billy is often off count, the camera is often off of him when he is saying something like "you can also do it this way" To top it off the instructional part of the flex DVD comes AFTER the workout, not even as a second chapter. I do NOT recommend this for beginners- not only is it a low-cardio work out with difficult to hold pilates type moves, it also may just turn you off to tae bo, and that's not necessary.

I'm a huge fan of the Tae Bo Advanced workouts so this product disappointed me a bit. It's not as intense as the advanced routines and at the end of some moves you are required to hold the pose (ie flex). This move may be effective but for someone who is relatively fit and enjoys constant movement in their workout this product may be a bit of a let down.

After doing advanced Tae-bo since 1998 with the original series, this workout has left me wanting something more. After doing it for a couple weeks you will find it is no longer challenging enough.

While it is a great toning workout for your lower body, it is not nearly as tough as some of Billy's other workouts. It only really gets my heart rate up near the end of the workout. Sometimes when I finish I feel like I should pop in another dvd.

For anyone who is at the advanced level or who is looking to burn the maximum amount of fat, I would reccommend either Tae-bo 2 - get ripped! advanced, or the Tae-bo live advanced workout.

All in all, unless you are a beginner or intermediate, or out of shape and looking for something to get you in shape for the advanced workouts, skip this one.

After my second child was born in December, I was looking for a Tae Bo that would help me regain all-over muscle tone. I was fit, but looking for more. Tae Bo Flex was the perfect solution! The exercises are familiar, and it was like they took all of my favorite Tae Bo moves, stuck them into one great workout, then added FLEX! At first it is hard to balance during the flex parts, but you WILL get the hang of it if you keep at it. I've been doing Flex 3 times a week for 1 1/2 weeks and I am already seeing an improvement in my overall muscle tone, it is crazy! I love Flex, just as I love all my Tae Bo. This one is definitely up at the top of my Tae Bo favorites. If you're a fan, this is a must-have. Remember - the balance will come!