Customer Reviews

Knockout Workout: Kickboxing [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I wish I had read these reviews before I bought this tape. I am an experienced aerobic kickboxer and found the instructor's lengthy "teaching" segments boring and absolutely non-energizing. Watch this only if you are at a beginning fitness level and want to learn about basic punches and kicks. Can I get my money back?

Although I have to agree with several of the reviewers that this workout isn't exactly motivating and Stephanie Steele is about the MOST boring instructor around, the video does have some virtues.

I personally found her instruction clear and no nonsense. I wouldn't recommend it to beginners because it doesn't really make you want to come back and do it again, but it's still a challenging workout and leaves my shoulders feeling tender the next day!

If you're really looking for some fun aerobic boxing/kickboxing, I would suggest Kathy Smith's Aerobox and Kickboxing videos, but for the more serious exerciser I would give Stephanie Steele's video a fair chance. Rent it first if you can.

I used to take Tae Kwon Do and this video is closer to being in class than a typical aerobic video workout. My Tae Kwon Do classes did not use music so I find the lack of emphasis on the music here to be a good thing. It helps maintain a feel closer to being in a class. The main shortcoming is the lack of demonstration regarding proper kicking, which can lead to injury. The color-coding for fitness levels is helpful. If you get this video, take it slow and don't move on to the next level until you have mastered the moves.

Although Stephanie Steele has the personality of a cucumber, I was semi-satisfied with the video because I felt like I got a fairly good workout. If you put forth the effort, you will definitely sweat and feel tired-out by the end of the tape. The video definitely does not inspire you to do the workout every day (or even a second or third time), and the music stinks.

Could this video possibly be worse? I am new to this sport butold hand at exercise videos, and this has almost nothing right withit. From the opening shots of Stephanie romping in the ocean with her family, it's a loser. She is literally whispering the instructions in the warm up, kind of under her breath. I wonder if they inadvertently released one of her warmup rehearsals because she is mostly talking to herself here--certainly not to motivate her audience. The music has no discernible beat, but rather is a sort of 70's style sax and drum-riff background, which couldn't be more boring. (If you watch carefully, she actually looks bored herself about 20 minutes into it.) She doesn't seem to understand the nature of working out to a video. If you mirror her pose to follow along, you will have to turn your head to see the screen, which of course is the wrong stance--she could at least have split the screen so you can see the proper stance, but mimic her straight on, eyes front. With no beat to go by, it's difficult to follow along at her pace anyway, and you're best off getting the combination she wants down and using your own music! She should pull this video from the market, since I will never use any of her videos, based on this one--although perhaps she really shines at something less dynamic than kickboxing. Do not buy this video, do not really even rent it, find something else instead.

This video shows all the correct moves which require persistence in developing your ability. She is no-nonsense and to the point. It is not for entertainment or to hold your hand. It is a workout with basic offensive moves so there is no defensive tactics.

This hard-hitting, fairly easy to follow workout certainly packs the punch you would expect from a cardio/muscle building workout. The video, divided into 3 segments for beginner, intermediate and advanced easily allows each person to progress smoothly from warm-up to cooldown. These segments should be carefully chosen by the viewer, as the aftereffects of soreness in the following days might be stronger than one would expect. The choreography of the movements prove satisfactory, but one area the video may not excel in is music. While the moves certainly keep the attention of the viewer, the music selection proves not so successful. If you are looking for a good muscle burn, this workout may be the right one for you, but if you are seeking a video that incorporates a hard-pumping, rythmic music selection, this video may prove itself to be a little too tame.

MUSIC: Ok so the music isn't the best, what workout tapes are? Put in your own music if you want. I usually do with workout tapes anyway. But this one I don't. I am completely focused on Stephanie's instructions and style.

DIFFICULTY: I will admit at first I thought I was going to die and couldn't finish the workout. But as she says, "Stick with this workout and I promise you'll be amazed at how you feel and how your body looks." By her non-pushy way of telling us, "If you need a break, marching in place is fine or take a sip of water." By doing these things I am able to recover and get right back with her shortly. Then I just rewind the tape.

ANGLE: Stephanie doesn't turn straight to the camera as so many instructors to my chagrin do, so you can be on the same foot/side of the body as her by facing forward to the tv as she faces sideways. Also she states whether to be facing on my left or right side so it helps me keep up with her.

INSTRUCTION: She has excellent form and is a laid-back but powerful, dynamic instructor. She begins slowly and has beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. I am now advanced yet I still do the whole tape to keep good form and warm up properly for the harder levels. Her warm-ups and cool-downs are fabulous and she knows how to get down to business but explains the moves clearly. It is a lot like interval training with fast and slow moves to recover, always starting slow. Stephanie is an amazing woman who admits she's a mom with two kids and like most people, doesn't have "hours to spend exercising." She created this workout because it lends fast results.

RESULTS: I have worked out to the tape at least 15-20 times and I've continually improved in form and speed. It is always challenging and never boring. It makes my body feel great, puts me in a wonderful mood, helps me sleep, and enpowers me with confidence. I love the idea of learning skills of self defense while at the same time, burning calories. This is a non-contact workout yet, when I do it, I always have a target in mind such as a picture or object I choose in the room that is at or above my eye level so my kicks and punches are efficiently administered.

A WORD OF CAUTION: Do pay close attention to her instructions to avoid injury-- mainly on the jab, cross, roundhouse combination. You have to pivot the ankle supporting the kick or could hurt your knee. She tells and shows this. Also the hook is a punch that can get you very sore so go easy at first. The rest of the workout, besides the fact you will get sore most likely at first, is very safe.

FUN: This is a workout I truly enjoy and do over and over so it gets 5 stars! Try kickboxing, you'll feel terrific! Mrs. Steele recommends doing the workout two-three times a week. I rotate this with two completely different tapes but this is my favorite. Kick, punch and Soar! ^_^

this video delivers exactly what I was looking for. Stephanie is an expert and really teaches well. She uses great body aligment, simple moves and gets techniques for kicks and punches down well.

Before this whenever I did kickboxing at classes I always got so sore in my hips because of not doing it right. This tape teaches the way to bring up the hips, legs, knees and kicks right so as not to injure the joints. Also shoulders and arms benefit greatly with Stephanies proper alignment.

This would be a great "instructors" video as well as for anyone wanting a good kickboxing workout.

I agree with some of the other viewers on the fact that the video may be somewhat boring. However, I thought it was a very helpful for me as a person with no previuos experience with kickboxing; the instructions were very clear and helped me understand the basics and achieve better flexibility and muscle tone in a short period of time.

I recommend this video as a basic instructional tool after which more advanced levels are needed.