I'm still not sure whether this video is a long term keeper or not. I know I'll use it at least for a while, because I know it will help me to improve my technique on all of my kickboxing tapes. It will especially help me with the flexibility and range of motion that is currently lacking in my hips. Gosh! Do I ever need this if I am ever going to get that crescent kick! He spent some time having us learn basics of how to move and hold yourself. There isn't a lot of kicking in this video. As Aaron said, his intention is to help you learn where the power for your kicks and punches comes from, and to develop what you need to go to the next level.

A fun part was where he teaches you the correct footwork to move forward and backward, and then pushes you through a drill where as he moves forward, you have to move back, and vice versa. It sounds odd, but it was fun! It was also partly working on reflexes, because you never really knew just when he was going to move.

In one section you used a chair for support. He broke down each of the kicks and explained some of the differences, as well as how you could modify the roundhouse if the usual form was too difficult, things like that. He also did some serious range of motion for the hip after he went through all the kicks. I know I'm going to be sore tomorrow!

The flexibility section at the end just about killed me! It was very athletic, as opposed to being like Yoga or anything like that. You do some pushups with your legs almost in a "splits" position that put the finishing touches on the stretches.

Aaron said that you should use the sequence: cardio video twice, strength video once, for your rotation. I may just tack it on the end of Total Energy like I did today. It would make the workout a little bit long, but I don't think this tape would be all that satisfying to me on its own. And if I have to combine it with something, what better than its sibling video?

Erin Ferragut

08/23/1999