For many years, video workouts were made up of moves you’d only find in dance classes. But toward the end of the 1990s, a new trend emerged. Martial arts-style kicks and punches were incorporated into the cardio exercises, making working out at home even more fun and challenging than before.
Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo videos were the first to bring kickboxing into the mainstream. Since its release, dozens of other workouts have followed, ranging from easy-to-learn, gentle kickboxing moves to intense exercises that are not for the faint of heart.
Making kickboxing easy
Do you want to get a feel for kickboxing workouts or slowly get back into the motions? There are two DVDs that will help you. Quick Fix: Cardio Kick and 10 Minute Solution: KickBox Bootcamp both include four 10-minute workouts. Leslie Sansone offers an easy workout on her Walk and Kick DVD.
There is nothing better than the original Tae Bo workouts. The “Basic” workout of the original series is ideal for beginners. Also, if you still have a VCR and can find copies of “Tae Bo Live!” series, whether in a bargain bin or on eBay, the basic workouts in this series are also exceptional workouts. (They have not yet been released on DVD.)
New to the training scene is a popular series called Turbo Jam. The creators of Turbo Jam included an instructional workout (called “Learn”) as well as a slower-paced workout (“Burn”) to help beginners get used to the moves.
Other excellent introductions to kickboxing include “Jillian Michaels’ Biggest Winner Cardio Kickbox” and “Caribbean Workout: Kickboxing.”
Do you want a challenge?
Once you’ve learned how to do a roundhouse kick perfectly and your punches are strong and powerful, it’s time to step up.
There are over a dozen Tae Bo exercises designed for the intermediate user. There’s “Cardio Circuit”, “Rounds” and “The Power Within”.
Turbo Jam also has more challenging workouts including “Cardio Party 1, 2 and 3”, “Fat Blaster” and “Lower Body Jam”.
There are also many lesser known gems. One of the best kickboxing workouts ever produced is Kathy Smith’s Kickboxing Workout. It is a complete and intelligent kickboxing experience. Also be sure to check out the Powerstrike series, as well as Guillermo Gomez’s Kickbox Underground and Sharon Mann’s Shape Up With Sharon: Kickboxing.
DVD an advanced kickboxer might appreciate
Yes, Billy Blanks also caters to those who have worked their way up to being an advanced kickboxer. His “Bootcamp” series goes far beyond his original series, as does his “Extreme” DVD.
But if you’re looking for an intense workout, look to instructors who are known for their tough workouts.
Janis Saffell (who specializes in kickboxing) has her Hardcore Kickbox Circuit, Kickbox Express, and Kick It workouts that are well done and will push you past your limit.
Kimberly Spreen’s Box-N-Flow, Cathe Friedrich’s Kick, Punch and Crunch, and Kelli Robert’s KickButt Combat are worthy of your collection and are workouts any kickboxer would want to do.
Final suggestion:
Kickboxing workouts are often criticized for not sticking to traditional kickboxing moves. Katalin Rodriguez-Ogren, a personal trainer known as “GI Jabb,” has a strong background in martial arts training. Her expertise and attention to proper form shine through in the heritage-inspired workouts she offers for all fitness levels.