Search - Taebo: Ultimate Abs/Butt on DVD

Joyce W. (Cuddlebug)
Reviewed on 8/25/2011...

I cannot give an accurate review of this dvd since it was extremely scratched up when it arrived. Unfortunately, I hit the wrong link and clicked on yes it arrived only and not the one with the yes, but there's a problem. I am going to find out if there is a way to stop this from happening in the future. It's not fair to expect others to trade very nice dvds for this. It does not even play properly now.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Good targeted workout for Tae Bo buffs

Kelly Garbato | Kearney, MO USA | 05/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Tae Bo Ultimate Abs/Butt" is a great targeted workout for Tae Bo enthusiasts who have already mastered many of the moves. If you're new to Tae Bo, this isn't the workout for you - Billy switches from one exercise to the next fairly quickly, giving you little time to recover in between segments. Nor does he explain the correct form for many of the moves (most of which you should be familiar with if you've worked your way through another TB video or two). The two 55-minute workouts on this DVD also test your endurance, so if you're out of shape, a newbie to TB, or have a hard time with the Basic workouts, you should hold off on "Tae Bo Ultimate Abs/Butt."

That said, those who have been doing Tae Bo for some time will enjoy these "new" workouts, even though there isn't any new footage to speak of. Rather, Billy and his crew have gathered 55 minutes of the best abdominal and gluteal exercises from previous videos and edited them together into two separate workouts. Each consists of a roughly 5 minute warmup, followed by 30+ minutes of kicking and/or punching, 15-20 minutes of floor exercises, and a quick 3-5 minute cool down.

Each workout does a great job of targeting and working the desired areas. I especially like the variety of floor exercises in the Ultimate Abs workout - rather than doing a zillion crunches, Billy mixes it up a bit and introduces a number of new exercises. Unfortunately, the floor portion of the Ultimate Butt workout just repeats the same two exercises over and over - be prepared to do plenty of to-the-side leg lifts and roundhouse kicks, with a couple of other drills sprinkled in here and there!

However, "Tae Bo Ultimate Abs/Butt" isn't quite perfect. Like many Tae Bo workouts, some of the exercises are repeated more on one side than the other, and some are only done on one side, period! This is really unforgivable - since the tape was edited together, Billy and his production assistants could (SHOULD) have hunted around for the best examples of each exercise. For each uneven set, I could easily think of another video on which the set was performed with equal repetitions on each side. Also, the editing is a little choppy - before one segment is over (i.e., before you've reached the last 8-count), the class is already starting on the next exercises. This makes it quite difficult to maintain the correct form and do the entire set. Of course, after doing the workout a few times, you learn to anticipate these difficulties and compensate for them. Yet, it's still a major gripe - they had the opportunity to fix many of the problems present in their live/complete workouts and still they dropped the ball. C'mon, guys, listen to your loyal followers already!"

OUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Ultimate Butt)

Lulu Le Mon | Minneapolis | 07/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As an individual who normally works out about 2 hours a day (ashtanga yoga and kickboxing), the Ultimate Butt component of the DVD really really left me breathless and burning. This is probably without proper form and alignment. I probably wouldn't be able to walk if I were to complete this video as it was intended.

Pros:

1) The video - if you get through it - really isn't too long. However, the first 15 minutes (for me) felt like forever. Once you get over the 15 - 20 minute hump, it will go by more quickly.

2) Does provide a great workout for you hips and seat. You will feel the deep tissue burn - especially with the floor exercises.

3) The multiple hard bodies (Billy Blanks, various females in the background) will inspire and encourage you to go on

4) Billy can be encouraging - can be a bit too enthusiastic - but that is probably just his personality. And, there is no way a person can get as ripped as he is being lethargic.

Cons:

1) Does not work both sides of the body equally. There are about 3-4 (?) times Billy works only one side before the video cuts into another segnment. This is hugely annoying and unforgivable for an exercise video.

2) Can be a bit tough on your knees

3) User needs to have some familiarity with form and alignment before using this video. The sequences are a bit fast and little instruction is given to proper postioning.


Overall, I am happy with this video and pleased with my purchase."

Makes you sweat

buff bunny | cheyenne,wy | 01/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been an avid tae bo person for 3 years now and I love the results! However on this video it was made from other parts of his other workouts and edited together. sometimes I had to rewind a few parts to get the same amount of moves on the other side but it doesn't bother me too much. sometimes we'd do alot more reps on one side. The energy is great and over all I think this is one of the toughest out there. sometimes I have to still rest during a set. It's very challenging and it will make you sweat. I did the abs every other day for a month and now I have a six pack for the very first time!"