Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Fat Blasting Cardio & Total Body Fat Blaster

Let me start this review with this: I started this workout at 412 lbs, and I'd never worked out before. Never. I would get winded walking up a flight of stairs. So when I popped in the Billy Blanks' Fat Blasting Cardio DVD, I didn't think I had a chance in the world of making it through the entire workout--let alone half of it. The first few days, I was only able to make it through 15 minutes (including the 3 or 4 minutes of stretches), huffing and puffing like mad. After a few days I was able to force myself into doing half an hour. Wthin 2 weeks, I was able to make it through the entire 45 minute workout. How did I do it? The key for me was pacing myself. I didn't punch too hard or kick too hard, and if there was a workout that I thought would do damage my body (such as the jumping jacks--bad for my knees), I substituted that section for a different move, such as jogging in place. Once I got more stamina and could keep my wind, I would punch harder, kick harder, and exert as much energy as I felt I could sustain. It's good for beginners, but also good down the line when you have the stamina to put more energy into it. This video is great for beginners who need little breaks to catch their breath. Billy does a few sets of the technique slowly to make sure you have it down, then a set or two quickly, then you walk it out and move on to the next move. You won't be going strong non-stop for a full 45 minutes. The moves are simple enough for anyone to do. You do punches and kicks and knee raises, with just a few jumping jacks thrown in. Jabs, hooks, uppercuts, speedbag, front kicks/back kicks, side kicks, all in different variations. It's cardio designed to keep your heart rate up, but it won't wear you out. I have yet to purchase the bands, but the workout is great even without the bands! On the video, there's even one guy in the back who doesn't use the bands, so they aren't absolutely necessary. You'll only need about a 3' x 5' area in front of your television to do this workout. I just push my desk chair to the side and have plenty of room if I adjust my body a certain way for left kicks and right kicks. Just be careful not to punch or kick anything! As someone who began Fat Blasting Cardio at over 400lbs, I definitely recommend this for beginners looking for a do-able workout routine. Billy will keep you motivated and excited to keep going. Definitely worth the money!

Both of these DVDS are excellent. They are so difficult, but that's why I like it because it's a challenge. I've done each one several times now, but each time I do it, I still think I'm going to die. Billy's pep and good attitude keeps me going though. He is an awesome and motivating instructor. The bands may feel a little awkward at first, but you will get used to them. The blue video is more cardio based and you can feel the results even without the bands, but for the other video, you want the bands. If you don't have the bands, grab some hand weights. It will make all the difference. This one is still a lot of cardio, but also some strength training. This video is also ten minutes longer (55 minutes as compared to 45). My suggestion is not to start with this video if you are new to Taebo. Get the elite boot camp set. The "get started" video is awesome to teach you form and the basic moves, but it's not so easy that it doesn't give you a great workout. This particular package is TOUGH. You will feel the burn, and if you don' have a hard time keeping up, you're in amazing shape. Even Shelley struggles in the longer video and look at her! By the way, if you need the bands, you can get them at[..]. I actually got mine from the set of "bootcamp elite." It came with the videos. This set of DVDs does not come with them.

The workout is great for cardio. I don't have the resistance bands (wasn't aware they were used in the workout until I did the workout for the 1st time) but it's still great if you don't have them. It is advanced--it's 45+ minutes of solid, hard-core cardio, which is great for when you're really looking to sweat and get fit. I'm giving this 4 stars out of 5 because some of the moves feel way too fast--combined with the bouncing and kicking, there's a lot of jumpy-style movements. In my experience, these type of movements are a lot more prone to injury than a "softer," more seamless workout such as a dance workout where you concentrate on flow from one movement to the next. So if you've got weak knees or joints, I'd say stay clear. I'm a Billy Blanks novice, and his style, and the style of his workout buddies behind him is... different. He has everyone count every single rep of every single move that's made (the theory is that you should not be so winded as to not be able to speak). So you as the viewer are constantly listening to: 1, 2, 3, 4... and then at the end of each set, lots of folks yell, really loudly, in what can either be described as a victorious "yay, I'm done!" to "I'm just yelling 'cuz it's expected"--which is super duper annoying to me. Billy is alternately awesome and annoying--he talks SO much during the whole workout that it's tough to discern what's instructions for the next set and what is just extraneous "come on, you can do it!" But he did melt my heart a couple of times because he is just so THERE for you, and you feel like he really cares. All in all, I'm satisfied with my purchase. I was looking for a hard-core cardio workout for days when I really need to work it, and this workout delivers. Everything else--the yelling, counting people--is a minor distraction.

Love Billy Blanks! I remember his videos when I was a kid and absolutely loved watching them. Now that I've had two kids of my own, this kickboxing DVD set is awesome. I know everything is streamed now but this has no commercials, no ads, just some good quality kickboxing and cardio!

I have only one other Billy Blanks DVD and I absolutely love it. I was looking for something different and found this one so I bought it. I did not have the bands at first. To get an awesome work out YOU NEED TO BUY THE BANDS!!! I did both workouts once with out the bands. The fat blasting cardio was okay without the bands but the total body one,you need the bands. After I did both I went on line and ordered the Billy Bands. I did the Fat Blasting Cardio when I go them and it was the difference between night and day. I was dripping with sweat and breathing really hard. The total body one with the bands? Woah! Now, I'm in excellent shape. I work out every day. I run 5-6x a week, lift weights 4x a week and even in my shape, I had to stop and stretch out every now and then during the work out. These videos rock! They're fun and will whip your butt into shape in no time!

I ordered this dvd and I have been doing the workout without the "Billy Bands" for a couple of weeks and I found it amazingly effective for the intermediate level! You WILL definately feel it the next day , but when I went to Billy's site ([...]) and I finally purchased the Billy Bands, I wasn't prepared for the challenge it brought! To put it bluntly, I am a person that hardly ever curses, but with these bands, the resistance makes the workout so much more intense, that I was cursing up a storm everytime I stopped to sip some water! The bands make all the difference and unfortuneately are only available on the above website. So, I highly recommend this if you've done Billy's other workouts. However, if this is your first Billy Blanks DVD, start with the Instructional DVD. THE REST OF YOU, GET READY TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF, BUY IT NOW!!

I am a big fan of Billy Blank's TaeBo workout DVD's and have about 7 different ones to date. I wanted to add these to my collection as they use the Billy Bands - I was extremely annoyed and disappointed to discover that the DVD's sent to me are only viewable in Region 1 (UK is region 2) - No mention was made of this in the description, so I had (wrongly) assumed they would be viewable as are my others. I am currently trying to see if I am able to unlock my DVD player (no success yet) otherwise I will have to wait until I replace my player for a universal one and just imagine how great these workouts are until then. Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Fat Blasting Cardio & Total Body Fat Blaster

As most other reviewers have said, this two DVD set really does provide a great workout! I bought some of the Elite (weighted) Billy Bands and when used with both DVDs they make for a really awesome cardiovascular exercise! I've been doing Tae-Bo for around ten years and I suppose I would describe myself as Intermediate/Advanced; consequently some of Billy's workouts are a little too short or not enough of a challenge but these two are definitely hard work! I am amazed at the difference the Bands make; I've got muscles and (good) bulges where I never used to so I would recommend getting hold of some bands if you can! At 46 minutes the Fat Blasting Cardio is a great length and quite easy to fit in on a daily basis. The Total Body Fat Blaster runs for 55 minutes and I suppose some people might find this hard to fit in to a busy day; however I think it is certainly worth making time for it!

内容はFat Blasting Cardio と Total Body Fat Blaster の2枚です。(以下FBCとTB) 前者は40分程度で後者は55分程度です。 どちらも内容としては 準備運動→有酸素運動→上半身と下半身を引き締め→仕上げといった感じです。 きつさはTB>FBCといった感じで、 TBはやり応えがあります。 FBCはブートキャンプとTaeboの中間といった感じで、そこそこきつくて楽しく出来ると思います。 ほかの作品と比べるとTaeboよりきつくてビリーズブートキャンプより楽といった感じです。

This is a fun, yet intense work out routine. It is much easier on your body than aerobics. I find it wonderful!

約３０分のプログラムで、カーディオ（有酸素）とフレックス（意味不明）にはっきりと内容が分かれています。 所要時間は４３分と記載されているのですが、ストレッチが割りと長くワークアウトに費やされている時間はおおむね３０分です。 カーディオ編はその名の通り有酸素運動に主眼を置いた内容で結構息が上がり、大量の汗をかきます。 フレックス編は意味はわからないのですが「フレックス」とビリーが掛け声をかけると苦しい位置で動きを停止します。ブートキャンプ又はエリートで言うところの「ホールドオン・エイト」と言って静止するあの動きを想像していただければいいと思います。（お持ちでない方には申しわけありません） フレックス編はこの「フレックス」が随所に出てきて、自然に気合が入ります。 やはりブートキャンプ、エリートに比べると、バンドが無い分楽なので軽く運動したい時にこのＤＶＤのお世話になっています。

ブートキャンプにもあきたなーということでタエボーにも挑戦してみました。東芝のプレイヤーで問題なく再生できました。 内容は、キックやパンチ、コンビネーションなどの有酸素運動がメインです。時間はそれぞれ４５分くらい。ブートキャンプよりもペースがゆっくりなようですが、ゆっくりなだけに動きやフォームなどを意識してワークアウトに挑戦できます。 ビリーの後ろのメンバーはシェリーなどいつものメンバーももちろんいますが、アメリカンなサイズ（ちょっとふとめ）の人たちもいて、安心したりしていると、意外にも切れのある動きをしていて、やる気を刺激されたりもします。 有酸素運動メインなので汗はたくさんでます！脂肪燃焼を考えるならブートキャンプより効果あるかも。

ブートキャンプをやってみたかったのですが、高額だったのでまずはお手軽に入手できたTaeBoを購入しました。 他の方のコメントを見るとブートキャンプよりゆっくりの動きらしいですが、ふだんまったく運動をしない主婦の私にはかなり動きが早かったです。ぜんぜん、ついていけなかったー。 汗はダラダラ、心臓もバクバク。水分とタオルを準備して始めたほうがいいですよ。 肩をぐるぐる回したり、筋を伸ばしたりするストレッチも入っているので肩こりの人にもよさそうです。（私も肩こりさんです。） まだ、一日しかやっていないので効果はわかりませんが、久しぶりに気持ちいいぐらいたっぷりと汗をかきました。