After doing this tape several times, I don't think I will ever find another kickboxing tape that I enjoy as much. The tape starts off with a bang-so much of a bang, in fact, that I do a warm-up on my own before I move to the tape's warm up! The warm up, which is about 8 minutes, consists of jumping rope, some runner-type stretches, and full body pushups. Janis points out that we "should be feeling a warming sensation" during this part of the tape. Uh, yeah!

After that, Janis moves into a 44 minute kickboxing session. The moves are very choreographed, and it may take a while to pick them all up. Sometimes, Janis' cueing is a little off, but I find that if I follow either of the female exercisers directly behind Janis, I can stay on the beat.

There are some very intricate combos in this section, although Janis does start off basic and builds the movements in complexity. Some of the combos are a jab, cross, upper, hook series, which she then combines with a leg combo. She also has several really good kick combos, including one with a flying side kick, and the one that always kills me--a series of four jump kicks forward followed by a bunch of jacks and jabs. Very tough! However, my favorite combo on the tape is towards the end. You do a front kick, a roundhouse kick, a side kick, a spin back kick, two jabs, and then a flying front kick. I always feel like Buffy the Vampire Slayer when I do that series, although I am sure I look more like vampire bait. I am tired by the time this part of the tape is over.

But Janis isn't done with you yet! Next is a 14 minute jump rope segment, where Janis chats away while jumping rope in a manner that seems to defy all known laws of physics. I'm still working on this section.

Finally, there's a 16 minute conditioning segment, where you do more jabs, kicks, and a series of plyometric jumps. I find that by this part of the tape, I am begging for mercy and wondering how Janis manages to look so great after over an hour of very intense work.

After all this, you get a Tai Chi cooldown, which I sort of stumble through in a exhausted daze. I then spend at least 10 minutes stretching on my own.

This tape will really challenge you, especially if you use good form and really concentrate on making your kicks and punches as strong as possible. In addition, you will build some serious ab strength, as kickboxing requires a very strong center (back and abs). I would not recomend this tape to someone who is new to kickboxing, because as Janis points out, the tape is advanced and she assumes you already know your kicks and punches. In addition, Janis has the habit of saying "extend all the way" during punches, which you are not supposed to do (and she doesn't do it) I'm guessing she means extend yourself all the way, i.e. give it your best, as opposed to a full arm extension.

This tape was worth every penny, and will continue to challenge me for a long time. If you like kickboxing, and are familar with your kicks and punches, this tape is a wonderful investment.

Instructor Comments:
Janis looks amazing in this video--very cut. In addition, she manages to talk normally while performing a series of four jump kicks alternating with a jack/jab combo. I am in awe. Her favorite word in this video is "awesome," but after doing the tape several times, you don't even notice. One thing that is sort of distracting: the spice girl style pigtails. They took some getting used to.

Elizabeth