Since it seems that everyone else can give info on the GOOD points of Tae Bo, here is what I DON'T like about the ADVANCED TAE BO

tape:

The "warm up" lasts about 3 minutes (it's hard to tell when it ends and the

workout begins). Billy starts with having us roll our heads from side to side at what I consider "breakneck speed"- right to left and back again in little more than one second. Then we do shoulder rolls, first both

shoulders, then separately. That is the warm-up, unless punching from side to side is included in it. BB seems to think that "advanced" means not needing warm

ups or stretches! (The basic tape HAS a real warm-up section.)

Then, the workout begins. I feel very ambivalent about it. On one hand,

there are some fun and effective moves. On the other, BB is in dire need of a math lesson. For MOST exercises that do sets to one side of the body before going to the other side, he miscounts sets. For example, you do 2 slow sets, then two fast sets of punches to the right (he says left, but it

is the viewers right), then go on to do two sets of slow....OOPS! forgot the fast!... to the left.

After a "cool down" that consists of stepping side-to-side a half dozen times or so, you go to floor work. This consists of variations on leg lifts from an all fours position, with some very intense versions. (Billy has his class get in the ands and knees position, which I thought instructors gave up a LONG time ago, because it can put too much strain on the back. Luckily, he does give other positions as options, and reminds people to keep their abs strong. Unfortunately, Billy stops the action on one move on the right leg (we've already done the left leg version--or is that right???---a series of slow, then medium, then fast "biking" movements) to show how you have to keep your butt tight. The exercisers all pause during the slow version for a count of ten or so while Billy pokes one of their butt's to show how you should keep the area tense, then goes on to the mid-speed and fast versions, while never doing the reps for the slow version. As I recall, Billy was thoughtful enough to include an instructional tape" with this pricey set of videos. Wouldn't THAT be the place to give this pointer?

There is an ab section, concentrating on lower abs and obliques. At one point, Billy miscues reps again (for the oblique twists), and this time, he realizes it and says "I know we're doing more on this side, but that's o.k." (Maybe in a live class, where the routine would change some each day,

but not if you want symmetry and you use this tape often). There is a short stretch of the legs after the floor work, then, you get up again and do a "fun" move. Put 6 cards on the floor lined up in front of you, going away from you. Then, squat down (with or without a front kick) and pick up the

first card. Then, squat and put down the first card on top of the second card (I think this is what they are doing, and not just "pick up the cards and put them down" as Billy cues it). Then you squat, pick up the first card, squat and pick up the second card, then squat and put down the first card then the second card on the third card, and so on. (Didn't we just "cool down"? Why put this move here?) Then Billy and the gang kind of scoop from side to side and clap hands to

the music, and we "dance" our way to the end of the workout.

After my first workout to the tape (which I put off for several weeks, because most of the above stuff annoyed me to no end during my preview of the tape). I was very ambivalent. I was still annoyed by the glitches(even more so, after being led to work out the "first" side for 3 sets, then going on and doing the "Second" side for 2 sets of the same exercise..how can I get that third set in!!). On the other hand, the glute work was effective, some moves were really fun, the music has a great driving beat, the "class members" are dynamic and energetic and have great-looking arms, Billy is a very motivating instructor.

Suggestions for those trying Tae Bo:

If you want to try TAE BO, see if someone is offering the intro tape and basic workout on the exchange The intro tape and the basic workout are good (the basic workout HAS a sufficient warm-up and cooldown! Even the "8-minute" workout--which is really 11 minutes or so long--has a better cool-down/stretch than the advanced tape!) and Billy doesn't miscount. Unfortunately, the basic tape it's only 25 minutes long. BUT, you can make it more intense by working on higher kicks and more power.

Suggestions for those who have the advanced tape: To compensate for the glitches, use the warm up and stretch from another tape, remember the miscounts and make sure to work both sides equally, or switch sides you begin with each time you use the tape---one time follow what Billy and the gang DO, the other, follow what he SAYS concerning right/left.

Kathryn