Product Details

• Actors: Billy Blanks, Richard Norris (II), Jean Willes, Joan Taylor, John Hoyt
• Directors: Andrea Ambandos
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment, Inc.
• VHS Release Date: March 9, 1999
• Run Time: 45 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305335907
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,641 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Fitness > By Instructor > Billy Blanks

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Billy Blanks is as charming and as enthusiastic as ever as he leads the exercise class in Crunch: Tae Boxing. This video is actually two workouts in one: The first class, Kickology, covers many of the basics of Tae Boxing, the jabs and kicks that make up the routines. The second class, Tae Boxing Jams, or as Billy refers to it on the tape, Tae-Bo Jams, puts all the movements together for a fast-paced martial-arts-style workout. For those who have already mastered Billy's Tae-Bo: Workout, this class doesn't introduce anything new, and in fact, the beginning class covering the basics may be frustrating for someone who wants to jump into the routines. But the second class is higher intensity and will satisfy those familiar with the Tae-Bo methodology. There's more of an emphasis on the movements as self-defense, which is one of the weaker elements of the class--using these kicks and punches as self-defense seems as if it would be incredibly difficult (and perhaps dangerous) for the novice Tae-Boxer to try. But as an alternative form of exercise--when you're tired of aerobics classes and frustrated by weight training--Crunch: Tae Boxing is a wonderful way to relieve stress, vent aggression (those punches and kicks are fun), and get your body in shape. --Jenny Brown

From the Back Cover
Welcome to Crunch Fitness! Here's your chance to try two of the hottest Crunch classes as seen on TV, led by martial arts champion and television personality Billy Blanks. These Crunch Tae Boxing Workouts, Kickology and Tae Boxing Jam, will tone up your whole body--butt, thighs, abs, everything! Plus, you'll burn mega calories and lose weight, all while practicing techniques that can be used in self-defense.

In Kickology, you'll learn basic kicking and boxing moves at a pace you can handle when you're just starting out. Then when you're comfortable with the basic kicks and punches, move up to Tae Boxing Jam. This workout is a fat-burning party! It combines the martial arts moves at a faster pace. If you want to get in shape and have a blast while learning self-defense from martial arts champion Billy Blanks, you've got to try the Crunch Tae Boxing Workouts. No equipment needed.

The Crunch Philosophy:
The Crunch fitness program welcomes people from all walks of life regardless of shape, size, or ability. We created a workout environment that is not competitive or judgmental. Enjoy these favorite classes with imaginative instructions in an atmosphere that makes working out fun.

Meet the instructor:
Billy Blanks, Sherman Oaks, California. Seven-times martial arts champion. Training goal: To be the best I can be.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT The Billy Blanks to Go With..., June 2, 2000

By A Customer

I was just reading through the reviews and have to say, I agree with most of the 1 or 2 star ones...One "viewer from New York" loved the tape {well, great, if it motivates you - go for it!} and stated that those who don't are either "doing the workout wrong or just can't keep up." I beg to differ! I'm an experienced exerciser [and I have a complete fitness video library, including my favorites Gin Miller, Kathy Smith, & Karen Voight] who can more than "keep up" with the tape -- in fact, like other viewers, I often find myself wishing he'd do more reps of a move instead of abruptly stopping and "walking it out." As for doing the workout "wrong," -- there's such poor cueing and little explanation, it's hard to do it "right" because we never really know what "right" is! There is no attention to FORM. Video-wise, there is way too much focus on the background group [because Billy pretty much marches through most of it] including the overeager "Garrett" and the little posing, pony-tailed, sashaying brunette. The editing is bad, particularly in "Tae Boxing Jam" during a certain punch sequence that halts almost as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared. Billy himself is not annoying at all, like some instructors, and, to his credit, his is the only kickboxing video I own [and I have many] that actually has an explanation and demonstration as to how to use it in self-defense at the end. However, you do get the feeling that the 'team' behind him is following a choreographer behind the cameras because no matter what Billy says {"doubletime, guys, doubletime!"}, they do their own thing!

My advice, in short, is this: If what you're looking for is a 'quick' kickboxing workout, I suggest Denise Austin's "Power Kickboxing" which contains 2 20 minute pumping routines. She can be a little grating, and sometimes lack cueing, but she's good. Or use Billy's other videos...This early Crunch video does him no justice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can count 1 to 8, you can do this video easily., July 15, 2003

By A Customer

5'4 165
I first used this tape, and after being lazy(Got tired just getting up in the morning and taking a shower) for a long period of time I could only do the first workout. It was very easy to follow. Billy does a move 3 times slow enough for anyone to be able to follow, and then he does it quickly for 8 reps.
Almost a week later I was attemping to do both together for a total of 45 minute workout.
Well, 4 weeks later I do the whole video 2 times a day. It has become very easy although I do sweat alot. I can not wait for the other videos to come in.
I have also lost over 12 inches that is measuring one side of my body, and 8 pounds. I drink tons of water and have started eating things such as spinach, which a little while ago I would have not done. To top everything else even to top that I also quick smoking and have not gained a pound, I dropped my heart rate from high 80's to high 60's. I am on my way to a healthier life. Sure it is hard, but it is the hard things in life that make you better, stronger and happier, take the easy road and your not using yourself to your full potential, and before too long it will be even harder for you to get off your butt.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, January 5, 2005

By	JohnPaulGeorgeRingo - See all my reviews

I totally agree with others who gave this video a poor review. One person mentioned that by the second part the background people were on "auto pilot", without any introduction of what the heck we were doing. It was hard to keep up and Billy didn't really seem to know the correct and reasonable time in the music to start the reps, so a couple times it was off the beat which got annoying. It was sort of bizarre how right after the warm up the people on the video were sweating like pigs, and I wasnt even winded yet. When he DOES decide to explain the moves, he spends so much time doing them slowly and then only does it like once fast. He seemed to like to show off too, all his fancy kicks and such, and I can't get through the beginning without cracking up, where the camera goes down the people in the line, and ends on him with that robe thing on and he says in this serious voice all the stuff about "kickology" and stuff. Its a bad video, dont buy it.