Product Details

• Actors: Billy Blanks
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: Ventura Distribution
• VHS Release Date: September 25, 2001
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005OM4Z
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,765 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Fitness > By Instructor > Billy Blanks

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This two-video set by Billy Blanks includes two 30-minute Tae-Bo workouts. Although they're "basic" by Tae-Bo standards, they're not wimpy. In the first workout, Blanks starts with a warm-up and stretch, then he takes you to the floor for a killer muscle-conditioning routine for the abdominals, legs, and buttocks. Then you get onto your feet for a kickboxing routine. Blanks pre-teaches the moves so you understand the technique. The second workout keeps you on your feet the whole time, jabbing and kicking. Blanks introduces multiple moves slowly, one part at a time. In both videos, he motivates you to push yourself but work out safely--he gives careful instructions about form and technique. This is a good video set if you've had some Tae-Bo experience, need guidance to do the moves correctly, want to avoid complex combinations, and want to monitor your intensity. --Joan Price

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

169 of 170 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good basic workout: better DVD format, October 29, 2001

By	M O'Rourke (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TaeBo II: Get Ripped Basic Workout (DVD)

This is the third in the Taebo series of workouts I have purchased in two years (the first was the original studio workout I purchased on VHS and the second was the complete Taebo Live on DVD). I've had this set for a week and a half, and have worked out with it five times. I purchased this set after having fallen in love with the original Taebo Live DVD set, and I cannot say that I am at all disappointed.

As ever, the workouts start quickly, getting your blood pumping and your body stretched out. The Basic Workout #1 is, to my tastes, a bit tame. Remember, I've been doing this for a while now. I should purchase the Advanced set next, but as I am the mother of a year old baby, often I have only one half hour to spare and would rather feel I've completed a full workout. If you have the original Taebo Live Basic Workout, you will understand what I mean by tame. There is a definite decrease in the amount of strenuous kicking required in the Get Ripped Basic Workout #1. I think that for the beginner, this is a good idea. In fact, I believe that this Get Ripped Basic Workout #1 is more in tune with what a beginner can accomplish that the original Taebo Live set.

The Taebo Live Get Ripped Basic Workout #2 takes the viewer right into a rather strenuous stretch routine which goes directly into a workout that targets stomach and butt muscles. This section lasts 8-9 minutes and is intense. I felt the results the next day. Man, was I sore. After this section, you get up off the floor and get kicking. The tone in this 2nd workout is far more energized, and the group is quite lively. This is not exactly a BEGINNER workout (very unlike Basic #1). (BTW no amount of ab workouts with the ab-rolling gizmo I bought ions ago ever made me feel this sore - and I guess that's why it never worked!)

The 8 minute workout is a tough one. Don't think it's an easy out by the length of it. It's very energized and requires a good deal of stamina. And again, the 8 minute refers to the actual workout time, not the warm up or cool down sections. All in all, it's more like 15 minutes.

A note about the DVD itself: If you bought the previous Taebo Live DVD set, I think you will be as pleased as I am that the navigation leads you directly into the workout, instead of the advertisements for active wear, the scripted music video sequence, etc. I did not really like the fact that after the workouts in the Get Ripped DVD, I was subjected to Malibu Naturals advertising - a vitamin reselling program that states that you can be fit while "realizing your financial goals." Gimme a break!

Also: The Special section is in fact just a string of more ads... no interview with Billy Blanks this time, and the Taebo Heroes section is just the infomercial all over again, unlike the original "Live" where individuals were interviewed in regard to their accomplishments.

All in all a good purchase... a very good workout.

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Depends on your level, March 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: TaeBo II: Get Ripped Basic Workout (DVD)

If you've been curious about trying Taebo, but worried that it might be too difficult for you, even at the "basic" level, this is the DVD for you. Most of the quirks found in previous volumes (odd counting, too many reps on one side, not enough on the other) have been corrected in this version, and the pace - while still brisk and sweat-inducing - is great for a beginner. All you need is a place to work out and a big glass of water - you don't need to buy any props, mats, or weights.

I started Taebo with the 4-volume "Live" version (with the instructional, basic, advanced, and 8-minute workouts). The basic on the "Live" DVD was TOUGH to begin with, but now I'm accustomed to it. I was hoping that the "Get Ripped" basic would be equally tough and help break the monotony of doing the same workout everyday, but it's not quite on the same level.

If you're a Taebo enthusiast who doesn't feel ready for the Advanced level yet, you might be disappointed with the "Get Ripped" basic. These are two terrific workouts, but they feel more like a sub-basic routines. (Perfect for absolute beginners who want to give Taebo a shot for the first time - which I highly recommend.) I've lost 23 pounds with a healthy diet and Taebo, and I love how all of the punching and kicking make me feel strong and tough. I'll hang onto the "Get Ripped" basic b/c I like having more than one workout to choose from, but I think I have to do them with the 8-minute workout to get the same drenched-in-sweat, almost-out-of-breath effect that I get from "Live" basic.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Cardio Workouts, January 4, 2003

By	audrey72 (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

Though these are called basic, they will still give you a great cardio workout. The moves are explained well enough that a beginner could start here without the instructional videos. One of the videos starts out with a short abs workout and dog-style glute exercises and then goes into cardio and the other is entirely cardio, but both have a good cardio workout. There are enough repetitions to make you sweat, but not so many that most people won't be able to complete them. The combinations are easy to follow, and the instructions are clear. It is a little annoying the Billy Blanks always says go right when he's going right when most people following will be doing mirror images to follow along and thus going left, but that's a small complaint. These two videos are a great addition to any workout plan and work great for cross training. For longer workouts just move on to the advanced tapes.