Customer Reviews

Billy Blanks Taebo Tae Bo Amped W/ Amplifier. USUALLY SHIPS WITHIN 1 BUSINESS DAY

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed the workout DVD's very well, if you can get over (as others have stated) Billy's inability to keep an accurate count on the reps then it is no problem, and at times humorous. For example there are times when he says one last set yet continues 3 or 4 more sets, there is another time where he tells everybody thats enought, but then leads them on another set of jumping jacks that compleatly looses his group. If you can get over these minor quibbels they will get you sweat flowing.

On to the AMPED bar. Initally I thought it was pretty cool even if it was a little light weight. However, as I got into the workouts I noticed that it began to feel like it was going to come apart, and eventually (after about 2 months of using it) would not remain locked open. Also on one of his exercises he tells you to swing it like a baseball bat, I do not advise doing this routine, or at least 'choke up' on the AMP bar to prevent from damaging it, I do not think it is sturdy enough for this kind of use.

Eventually I decided to make my own "AMPED" bar, and though I do not suggest anybody else do this (since our nation is plagued with lawyers and I do not want to be sued) I went to Home Depot, and bought a 36" threaded (at both ends) steel pipe. I also purchased two caps to place on the threaded ends as a little more weight. This pipe obviously does not telescope in on its self but weighs approximately 5LBS where Billys weighs aprox 3LBS. The use of the threaded pipe with the end caps is that you can in the future fill the inside of your pipe with either sand or I suppose liquid to increase the weight of the bar. I suppose you could even get some lead and melt it into the center of the pipe, once again see my coment above about lawyers, I do not suggest ever using lead which is easily found on another Home Depot shelf (though they will tell you they dont sell it). It is disquised as one of those pipes that sticks out of your roof that the squirels continually chew to sharpen their teeth. All said and done the cost of a steel pipe with 2 screw on ends will run you about $15, and I am currently looking for something to wrap the ends of the pipe in to soften where I grip the pipe (i am thinking tenis racket wraps). Note: though you could use the pipe without the ends and lighten it by I would guess 1/2 a lbs, the caps add a little lip that could possibly prevent you from droping or launching a pipe across your living rooom or appartment floor.

Now what I did with Billy Bar was collapsed the bar (since I could not figure out how to open it and tighten it where it had become loose) and roll back the foam handels, I then took some electric tape and taped the 2 ends together in the center where they join when collapsed, and rolled the foam back over the center line. This allows me to use the Billy Bar when billy does an exercise, and I switch to my "Jimmy Pipe" TM (just kidding) for the exercises where he opens the Billy Bar.

Once again I cannot stress enough that you do not follow my lead and make your own. I cannot be held responsible for your homemade pipe being launched through your sliding glass window or flat panel television.

I purchased Taebo Amped from SVM Products. I received the DVDs and amped bar and began using it. Just over a month after I purchased the product the bar fell apart. I wasn't using it every day, so it's not because it was overused. I contacted SVM Products and was told that I couldn't get my money back or a replacement bar because it was after their 30-day return/exchange policy date. I explained I wasn't trying to return or exchange the product simply because I didn't like it or want it, but because it fell apart and was no longer usable. They basically said too bad. So now I'm stuck with the DVDs and an amped bar that I cannot even use.

Also, Billy Blanks/Taebo was contacted and they told me more of the same, too bad your product is broken, sorry for the inconvenience. I always expected good quality products from Billy Blanks and Taebo, but obviously that just applies to the DVDs and not any corresponding equipment. The bar falling apart after a few weeks wouldn't be such a big deal if either the seller (SVM Products) or the manufacturer (Billy Blanks/Taebo) would replace the poor quality product. I guess, it really is just "too bad" for me.

I am a tae bo junkie and own most of the Tae Bo series. I want to let anyone considering this product know that this is easier in some ways and harder in others. It is easier in the way that it won't make you as out of breath and i don't feel my heart pumping the way it normally does. But, it is harder in that you are holding a weighted bar while you do the moves so it is harder to keep proper form. And, while at first it seems way too light to be worth holding the bar, by the end of the videos your arms will burn. I do recommend it, it's not bad, but if you want a hard core workout, stick to the "get ripped" advanced series!

Mother of FIVE here, telling you that if you want a fat burning work out that gives you Results you can SEE just after two weeks!, Then this is the DVD workout set for you!!!!

I "found" Billy after my third pregnancy, when it was starting to get harder to get back into shape after having a baby. My eating habits never really changed at all, so there wasn't much I could do there as far as "dieting" went. Sure, I could get Skim milk instead of 2%, and I could eat whole wheat bread instead of white...but that really doesn't do much in the form of visual on the body. Sure you may lose a pant size...but big whoop, if your trying to simply be able to look in the mirror and smile!

My first Tae Bo set was very basic movements. (That kicked my butt!) But after doing them for so long, I got pretty use to it! Which was just fine with me, because I was able to fit into my pre-pregnant jeans again!

Another child later, I needed something more. So I purchased one of his more advanced workouts. Its never easy getting past that 10 minute mark at first, but that's ok! Like Billy always says: "Don't give up!!!" I would simply do whatever I could, be it 10 min's or 12. And then stop, until the next time. After two or three days of that, I would go for five more extra min.'s, or longer if I possibly could. Until I would finally be able to finish the tape! I can't tell you how good it feels to be able to actually finish a tape! Even if you do have to pause every now and then for a break or some water. But DON'T GIVE UP! ^_^

So here I was, after child number five, a year later, and still unable to fit into my pre-pregnant pants! :( So I decided, that once again, it was time for yet another Tae Bo workout! But I wanted something BIG! Something to really burn those calories and fat right off of me!

And if I had to sum this set up in one word, it would be: WOW!!!!

This is just what I needed! The bar really gives you the extra "umph" you've been needing! And you really start to sweat! I mean, REALLY Sweat!!! Which is GOOD! That's how you know your burning all those calories away! Sure, I would sweat with the other workouts, but I've never sweated this much from a Tae Bo workout before! Its crazy Wonderful!

Believe it or not, one of the things that really helps me get through a set, is when Billy starts saying things like: "Don't give up!, Your almost there!, Finish the set!, Dig Deep!, You gatta give some to get some!" ^_^ I LOVE That! If he didn't say things like that, I know more then half the time I would just stop for a rest! But hearing him "cheer" me on, makes me want to finish it! I just keep picturing my "perfect" body, that I want so bad! And so I work for it!

This also may be funny, but another thing that helps me get through a rough set, is imagining that chocolate chip cookie, I just got finished eating. I imagine beating it from side to side with the bar, crumbling it to nothing-ness, as if the bar is helping my body to look like I never ate it! ::Shh...no one will ever know you still enjoy junk food, if your working it off!!:: lol!!!

And now, just two weeks into it, my stomach is getting flatter, my arms are CRAZY Toned!!!! I can't wait to see how they look after week four! Seriously, My arms look GREAT! The flab is all going away! I'm so siked that my arms look so good! I know my stomach will take longer simply because of all the "baby fat" on it. BUT I WON'T GIVE UP! U Can Do it 2!

Here's the thing: I liked the workouts. I love Billy's energy and positive attitude throughout the workouts. It really helps to keep me motivated. The disappointment lies mainly in the Amplifier bar.

I ordered this through Amazon. The first set I got came with the bar. However, the bar would not lock into position properly. There was one move that Billy expects you to do really fast, where you're swinging the bar like a baseball bat in fast repetition. When I tried it, the bar kept opening and closing. I was afraid I would be injured, or that the end would go flying off and break something. So I contacted Amazon, and they very nicely offered a refund or a replacement. I chose the replacement because I really wanted to continue the workout program.

The replacement from Amazon came very quickly, and they gave me a shipping label so that I could return the defective set to them at no cost to me. I was very impressed with their level of customer support on the first one.

Unfortunately, the SECOND bar arrived defective. Now, I know it may seem at this point that I am just an idiot who can't figure out how to use the product, but I happen to be a very intelligent individual. I know that the second one was defective because first, the bar did not extend fully as the first one did (and as the ones that they were using on the DVD did). Initially, I thought about keeping it anyway, since the bar seemed to lock into position better, and I thought it would still be a good workout. But as I've used it over the past couple of weeks, the bar seems to lock less and less effectively. I used it yesterday and was back to my original frustration I had with the first bar. It's very annoying to be in the middle of an amped-up set with your bar opening and closing because it won't stay locked. It's distracting, and it takes my focus away from my workout.

I first contacted Customer Service at[...]. I hoped that maybe since it was their product, that they would just send me another bar instead of making me return the whole DVD set. They were NOT helpful. You would think that they would want to make it right, since it is their product, but I really don't think they want to accept responsibility for their defective workmanship. They told me I had to go to Amazon, since that's where I got it. I was afraid Amazon wouldn't take it back, since they had already replaced it once. I was half-right...

Once again, I contacted Amazon and requested yet another replacement. Call me crazy, call me a glutton for punishment, but I really want to continue the workout, and I hoped that maybe my experiences with the first two bars were just a fluke. They immediately gave me another shipping label so that I could send the second one back, again at no cost to me, and the automated online page still gave me the option to request a replacement, which I chose.

However, today, I received an email stating that since I had problems with the first 2, I would probably have problems with another one (i.e., they think I'm an idiot who doesn't know how to use the bar). So now Amazon says I have to buy it from another seller and that they will only refund my money.

I have read about others having problems with their Amplifier bars too. I guess I might as well give up on it and try another workout program, but I'm really disappointed. In the time that I was able to use the bar during the workout, I was already starting to see some results. It's too bad that they can't offer a better quality product, or at least stand behind it when it doesn't work the way that they advertise.

Some advice for those of you who just got this set: Make sure the bar works the way that it's supposed to. If it doesn't, contact the seller immediately. Some will only take it back within 30 days. After that, you're out of luck. Hope this helps.

I'd give this 4 1/2 stars, fyi.

A lot of people don't like the Live in LA dvd of this set. I love it. It's a quick and highly effective workout.

My suggestion: to get the most out of it, do the exercises even when they are demonstrating (once you've got the hang of it). Billy sometimes stops and demonstrates with Shellie or audience members, and it does stop the momentum...so just do the moves with them! Also, there is one area (about 17 mins in) when he just does one side of moves; I always rewind so I can get the other side done too. Just some suggestions. At a little over 40 minutes, it's a fast and sweaty workout...especially if you just keep going, even when he stops!

The other dvds are good too, especially Full Throttle. Often I don't have an hour in the mornings though, since it's so hard to get up (yawwwn) and I rotate between workouts (Turbo Jam Cardio Jam, Biggest Loser Cardio Max, Yoga Zone Power Yoga, my elliptical, and finally Tae Bo Amped Live in L.A.). I'm in very good shape and this circuit of dvds each week works me OUT.

Hope this helps!

This is a set of 4 dvds. The first dvd works on your cardio, helps you burn more calories and lose weight, the second dvd focuses not only on calorie burning and weight loss but also on achieving a well-toned body, the third dvd is a high-intensity cardio workout for greater weight loss and muscle toning and the fourth dvd is a short workout mainly focusing on working the abs. All these dvds use the amplifier which is included in this box. Because this workout is very intense, I suggest watching how Billy holds the amplifier because you will work the wrong muscle if you don't position your hands properly on the amplifier. It is so intense and works the smaller muscle groups. You won't sweat as much and be out of breath but you will feel every bit of muscle being worked. Don't give up. Do what you can and keep building up to the point where you can do it all. I experienced a 2 pound instant weight loss the day I used it. I'm a size 0 and don't have any weight to lose yet I did, so for those looking to lose weight quickly, this is the dvd for that. Remember, watch the position of Billy's hands on the amplifier with every move.

Wow, this workout is amazing. I purchased the box that contained the amplifier bar, which boosts the workout. In my opinion, using the bar makes your workout more effective. If I'm going to take the time to workout, I might as well make my workout as effective as possible. My workout used to consist of Taebo (without the bar) and this workout incorporates the moves from the original Taebo to be used with the bar. I can see a difference already.

If you have a bad back - skip this product. If not, you will really work your core. The express workout is a good 30 minute quick workout. However the 55 minute turbo(?) is great. You will feel like you worked out (dripping with sweat and all the right spots worked). Instructions are pretty easy and the amplifier adds weights to the workout.

Taebo has been around since the 90's and I didn't give it much attention. I decided to buy this kit with the Amped bar because it looked like something new and different. I'm a beginning exerciser and wanted to take it to the next level with this program. I gave it 3 stars because yes, it does work you out, HARD. But what disappointed me was the quality of the workouts. I'm no expert in the field of fitness or video production but these workouts are sloppy. These videos all share one of the following flaws, Billy either: a) Does too many reps on one side b) Forgets about the other side altogether c) Wastes so much time showing off that your heart rate slows because you're watching him for a minute or two. I've learned to jog in place while he's performing for the audience. After doing this program for a month I just find it too distracting. Even his own people don't know what he's doing and they seem lost at times. One workout even runs out of time and Billy seems confused why the cool down music is turned on. Come on! Can't you do another take? Splice it in, I don't care. I just want to make sure I'm getting a balanced workout.
On a more positive note, dang my arms are looking good! I'm sore each and every day and these workouts leave me breathless and dripping with sweat. But I think a successful program is one that is balanced and one that holds your interest. Unfortunately I'm getting more and more annoyed with these workouts and I'm starting to dread them. Not because they are hard, but because I have to anticipate the errors and try to compensate for them by coming up with my own routine.
All in all, I guess I thought that Billy would have this whole DVD workout thing perfected since he's been doing it for so long. I don't feel inspired by him, I just feel annoyed and disappointed. Sorry Billy. Thanks for the guns though!