I’m glad that kickboxing videos have proliferated enough that I don’t have to force myself to accommodate this one. Although its drills (at 148bpm) are faster than most (except the notoriously rushed Tae Bo), I couldn’t make the most use out of them because I was neither sufficiently warmed up nor particularly inspired by Lawrence’s instruction. I suppose I could use another video’s warmup in place of the small-range-of-motion calf pumps and wrist flexions, but I don’t think Tai Fit is worth the trouble. Even if this appeared free of charge on a well-chaptered DVD, I wouldn’t bother.

As others have noted, Lawrence counts out every repetition, sometimes grunting out “Hup!” on each repetition rather than counting. Although I don’t mind the counting in the Contender’s Club workouts, I found it more irritating here because I wasn’t as involved in executing the moves. Lawrence’s counting and cueing don’t strike me as “military-style,” unlike Scott Elliott (of AFS Heavy Bag workout fame), whose take-no-prisoners fierceness whips me to attention. Instead, the counting here just felt like it dragged on.

The lack of mirror cueing might be more easily overlooked if it weren’t for segments such as the “left right uppercut hook elbow elbow knee” combination. If he had simply identified the first two punches as “jab cross,” I wouldn’t have had to mentally translate his left to my right, nor would I have to remember for next time to do as he says, not as he does (or looks like he does). Of course, there probably won’t be a “next time” for me.

To me, it looked like Lawrence was just going through the motions of kicking and punching, not executing sharp strikes. His hooks looked like half a bear hug. I felt as though I were doing a hi-lo workout that had been choreographed (and not very inventively) with punches and kicks, rather than a martial arts workout. I think that epitomizes my disappointment in the workout: Lawrence’s presence as a kickboxer and as a video lead felt too lackluster for my tastes. I like instructors to have more spark and alertness in the way they move, speak, and make eye contact (with me or with the camera). Especially for kickboxing, I prefer instructors like TJ Storm and Ilaria Montagnani, who have an intensity in their eyes that commands your attention.

There are still plenty of kickboxing alternatives that are paced at a comparable tempo to Tai Fit. If you don’t mind more choreographed moves, try Powerstrike Millennium #1 or #2, or Aaron Lankford’s Power Kicks or Total Energy instead. Elite Forces is slightly more drill-oriented, although it too lacks mirror cueing. Debbie Burns’ TKO Boxing Body and CIA 2205: Knock-Out Hi/Low are two alternatives that focus more on punches than kicks. I would recommend any of these over Tai Fit.

Instructor Comments:
Too lackluster for my tastes. I prefer instructors with more spark, alertness, and intensity. If I’m watching someone else punch unenthusiastically, I’ll end up punching unenthusiastically too.

KickDancer