Customer Reviews

Billy Blanks' Taebo Believers Workout - Power Within

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am an avid tae bo fan. I have a large collection of videos and dvd's that I use almost daily. This dvd is set to a slower pace than Billy's previous workouts. I would rate the content at a basic level. This may be dissapointing to some but I found it beneficial. Billy really focuses on proper technique. There are an equal number of repetitions on each side. There is a small segment where he takes you to the floor and simplifies the old abdominal and butt moves. The benifit of the slower pace is that I was really aware of what muscles I was working. In slowing up the pace and doing the moves correctly I really felt the burn. I also enjoyed the power moves. Billy incorporates his faith by starting the workout with a prayer and encourages the viewer to reach out to Jesus when they feel tired. This dvd is inspirational and fun.

What an inspirational workout! After my third child was born, I needed a fresh way to lose the post-baby pounds. My prayers were answered with this workout! This efficient fitness routine challenges my entire body in a relatively short amount of time, about 45 minutes. The eight participants include both men and women, some in top physical condition and some who, well, look like I did when I first tried it out. So I knew that if they could do it, so could I! Billy Blanks provides simple instruction and demonstrates the proper techniques for an upper cut, roundhouse kick, jab and other moves - all while encouraging you to call on your inner power, Jesus Christ. Usually the first 8-count set is done slow. Then Billy adds "power" and speeds it up. Even a person new to Tae Bo can "Walk by faith, not by sight" (2Cor 5:7) and follow along on the first shot. I find that very refreshing after trying to follow the complicated dance routines in some other exercise videos. At first I did struggle to maintain my balance during the final phase, but Banks suggests a chair for those exercising solo. The workout is as follows:
PRAYER
WARM-UP & STRETCH (3 min)
STANDING WORKOUT (20 min)
FLOOR WORK (6 min)
MORE STANDING WORK (6 min)
COOL DOWN (7 min).

Tae Bo The Power Within is part of The Believer's Series, which means there is a strong Christian component to the workout. Billy begins the workout with a prayer, and throughout, he makes frequent references to drawing your power from Jesus. I am not a religious person, but I didn't mind the religious references and in fact liked the more general emphasis on on drawing your power from within.

The workout itself begins with 20 minutes of standing kickboxing moves. Instructor Billy Blanks is his usual self--enthusiastic but also sometimes counting unevenly from side to side--but the pace of the workout is less frenetic than some of the other Tae Bo videos. For virtually every move, Billy does several sets at a slow pace first before moving up the pace; this is nice for beginners following along, but those monitoring their heart rate might not appreciate the fluctuations. The punches include jabs, upper cuts, and hooks, and although there are lots of knee lifts, there are only a few sets of kicks, including just the front kick and the roundhouse.

Next comes 8 minutes of floor work--the first half is tough glute work from a hands and knees position, and the second half is abs work from a seated position. Then it's back to standing for an additional 7 minutes of cardio. There is also a much longer cool-down than what Billy usually includes, with about 7 minutes of Tai Chi type moves. Overall, this would be a good video for those wanting a more inspirational workout or for others looking for a more slower-paced Tae Bo workout.

As a Christian I like the spiritual emphasis on the workout. People who are genuine believer's will not think that Billy Bank's talks about the Lord too much. I began using this work out a month ago as a person who is out-of-shape, overweight not having excercised in months. Although people who are more advanced in thier level of fitness may not find this particular work challenging I found it to be just perfect for one like me trying work their your way back into shape after a long lay-off. I have made great progress in my fitness and conditioning just doing this video 4-5 times a week thus far in 2004. I feel I am now ready to try some of the more advanced tae-bo workouts to take my fitness and conditioning to the next level.

This is a great workout for people like me who need to be encouraged in the Lord to get in shape. Yes, it's probably not as advanced as his other videos, but it's something you can do to get a taste of what Tae Bo is like without getting frustrated! I haven't worked out in a long while and this video really got me going. It's a whole lot of fun to do and you really sweat! The leg work towards the end of the video will help you get major results on your buns and hips! Trust me, it's really helped me! For those who think Billy preaches too much, you must remember this is a Believers' Workout. I don't see it as preaching anyway - it's encouragement. For Christians that encouragement has a source and it's Jesus.

I love this DVD the moves may be basic, but just starting out I really appreciate the slower moves and the strength it gives me. And OF COURSE he talks about God in this video, that's why it's called the BELIEVER's series. It's why I bought this particular series, I need God's help to get my body to where it needs to be, and Billy wonderfully calls upon the Lord to get you through.

Billy Blanks does an excellent job bringing together faith and exercise. When you start to feel the burn and you want to give up Billy keeps reminding you that Jesus helps through everything and that includes exercise. The DVD is up lifting and makes you want to do the video. Working out no longer becomes a task and a burden, it becomes fun and uplifting.

I LOVE this dvd! At 39, I am so out of shape - but I am encouraged that this dvd offers a way for people like myself to rebuild my strength - starting with a spiritual push of encouragement, as well as a physical plan to get there. It isn't easy, in fact, I find it to be challenging in a way that I need. I end the session feeling totally worked out, moderately sore the day after the workout - but not so much that I can't exercise for a week. In other words, I don't overdo it - which is because the exercises are darn tough but not unachievable. BB's upbeat attitude and encouragement are exactly what I am looking for! I highly recommend it for the Christian who is looking for an excellent workout dvd/tape and who doesn't want the focus to be the "Barbie and Ken" stereotype thrown in your face.

For anyone who wants to try Tae Bo but feels intimidated by the speed at which most of the Tae Bo series goes, the Power Within might be the answer; this DVD goes at a much slower pace.

Most of the Tae Bo series is marketed towards the 20 or 30 somethings which leaves most of us middle-aged folks huffing and puffing and hobbling around the next day. The Believers Workout is the slowest Tae Bo production that I have found. I have tried others that after one viewing went right in the trash.

Other posters have broken down the contents accurately but in a nutshell, you have most of the Tae Bo signature moves in this DVD with simpler choreography and the kicking is kept to a minimum.

Blanks does extol his Christian faith and althought I am not a religious person, I didn't find it distracting so I am sure that people of faith would find this an added bonus.

I love this workout. I did not realize that an exercise routine could also have a spiritual message. This is a great way to reach children about the Lord God and have them get exercise at the same time.