I have the mass market DVD release, which is sometimes listed as “Strike Zone” only because the “Kickbox” is in smaller font off to the side; this should not be confused with another of Janis’ releases which has “Strike Zone” in the title.

I’m reviewing this workout after doing it somewhere between 3 and 6 times.

Level: I’d recommend this to intermediate through maybe low advanced exercisers with previous kickboxing experience. You don’t have to be an expert, but you should be familiar with all of the basic punches and kicks. Intermediates and intermediates + will find this a suitably challenging workout without any equipment; intermediate / advanced through low advanced exercisers who are experienced with using weighted gloves may find that helps boost the intensity to their level.
I consider myself an intermediate + to intermediate / advanced in cardio; I don’t go for puke in the bucket or fall into a puddle of goo afterwards intensity, nor am I a huge high impact fan. I find this an acceptable level of challenge, especially since it can be modified up or down, depending upon my needs or moods on a particular day. The impact from the jumping jacks and jump kicks is well within my tolerance level.

Music: upbeat primarily instrumental with a driving beat; it’s a typical MuscleFlex mix, and I’ve heard some of the songs on other videos (e.g. the “It’s Party Time” song that Katina Hunter has adopted as her own).

Set: the 2001 CIA set (bright red walls, wood-grained barn doors, windows behind which float what appear to be dead branches). Between the bright colors on the wall and the bright colors on the large class the set looks very busy and crowded.

Production: clear picture and sound (especially considering this is a VHS transfer), the usual CIA camera angles without too many cutaways, close-ups, etc. (although after using this one I’ve noticed Greg has moved away from the full on side shot in more recent productions).

Equipment: (optional) weighted gloves (0.5-1 lb. and no more than 1.5-2 lb. on each hand). Although Janis and her class have gloves on for the cardio portion but take them off for the two sets of drills, I prefer to do the opposite, which enables me to work at a more controlled pace and focus on my form during the partner paddle portion.
Most of Janis’ students pair up for the target drills portion, using a paddle that claps when hit. 2 of them – as well as Janis – do the segment without paddles, which allows you to do the drills twice. I don’t have a punching bag, but I’m guessing you could easily figure out how to use it in place of the paddles

Space Requirements: You should be able to take a big step and kick in each direction (front, sides, and back).

DVD Notes: This fairly recent DVD transfer features the following menu options: Intro, Warm-up, Strike Zone, Paddle Work, and Strength. Unfortunately, the cool-down / stretch is not chaptered separately; the only way to get to it is to do or fast forward through the Strength segment. There are also no chapters within the segments themselves, so you can’t repeat or skip a combo easily. Thus, this DVD doesn’t offer significant improvement vs. the VHS.

Comments: I agree that if you’re looking for a non-stop cardio session, this isn’t it. If you’re creative and willing to put in the effort, you can increase the cardio potential of the target drills and kickbox sculpt segments, however. Even so, if you focus on form, you can get a different kind of intensity out of these two portions vs. the pure cardio segment.

If I had to compare the overall format to other videos I have, Cathe Friedrich’s Kick, Punch & Crunch, Amy Bento’s Rumble, and Chalene Johnson’s Turbo Jam Kick, Punch & Jam are probably the closest in that they begin with a more cardio-oriented segment before continuing with kickboxing drills. KP&C is definitely the most intense and challenging, then for me probably KB Strike Zone, followed by Rumble and finally TJ KP&J.

This is more challenging than Janis and Guillermo’s Hardcore Kickbox Circuit (and definitely more intense than Guillermo’s Kickbox Underground, which she helped film). That said, it’s less choreographed than those two, although Janis still builds up combos in the manner of a group aerobics instructor.
It seems like Janis started making more advanced workouts, then worked her way to intermediate and then more beginner ones. I’d love to see her reverse that trend and/or update the earlier CIA-produced ones like this video, although at this point I’d almost take anything from her, as she seems to have disappeared from the fitness video world.

Instructor Comments:
Janis cues well, mirror cues, and includes a decent amount of form reminders. She focuses on instruction, especially during the partner portion, although she seems to have a strong interest in shaping the buns and, to a lesser extent, abs and biceps. Janis’ form is significantly crisper than your average group kickboxing instructor, although she’s not as precise as Ilaria (but then, is anyone?). Yes, Janis is young here, and she has a few moments of “This is, like, a back kick,” but she’s well within my realm of tolerance.

KathAL79