From Tae Bo to Turbo Jam: The Best in Kickboxing DVDs ...

For many years, video workouts were made up of moves you’d only find in dance classes. But toward the late 1990’s, a new trend emerged. Martial arts-style kicks and punches were woven into cardio workouts making home exercising even more fun and challenging than before.

Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo videos were the first to bring kickboxing to the mainstream. Since their release, dozens of other workouts have followed ranging from gentle, easy-to-learn kickboxing moves to hardcore drills not for the faint of heart.

Easing into kickboxing

Want to get a feel for kickboxing workouts or slowly ease back into the moves? There are two DVDs that will help you. Quick Fix: Cardio Kick and 10 Minute Solution: KickBox Bootcamp both include four, 10-minute workouts. Leslie Sansone offers an easy workout on her Walk and Kick DVD.

Nothing beats the original Tae Bo workouts. The “Basic” workout from the original series is ideal for beginners. Also, if you still have a VCR and can find copies of the “Tae Bo Live!” series either in a bargain bin or on eBay, the basic workouts from this series are also exceptional workouts. (They have not been released on DVD yet.)

New to workout scene is a popular series called Turbo Jam. The creators of Turbo Jam included an instructional workout (called “Learn”) as well as slower-paced workout (“Burn”) to help beginners get used to the moves.

Other excellent introductions to kickboxing include “Jillian Michaels' Biggest Winner Cardio Kickbox” and “Caribbean Workout: Kickboxing”.

Want a challenge?

Once you’re learned how to do a roundhouse kick to perfection and your punches are strong and powerful, it’s time to step it up.

There are over a dozen Tae Bo workouts designed for the intermediate user. There’s “Cardio Circuit”, “Rounds” and “The Power Within”.

Turbo Jam also has more challenging workouts including “Cardio Party 1, 2 & 3”, “Fat Blaster” and “Lower Body Jam”.

                              Turbo Jam Maximum Results

There are also many lesser-known gems. One of the best kickboxing workouts ever produced is Kathy Smith’s Kickboxing Workout. It’s a thorough and smart kickboxing experience. Also be sure to check out the Powerstrike series as well as Guillermo Gomez’s Kickbox Underground and Sharon Mann’s Shape Up With Sharon: Kickboxing.

DVDs an advanced kickboxer could appreciate

Yes, Billy Blanks also caters to those who have worked their way up to being an advanced kickboxer. His “Bootcamp” series is far beyond his original series as is his “Extreme” DVD.

But if you’re looking for an intense workout, look to the instructors who are known for their hardcore workouts.

Janis Saffell (who specializes in kickboxing) has her Hardcore Kickbox Circuit, Kickbox Express and Kick It workouts which are well-done and will push you beyond your limit.

Kimberly Spreen's Box-N-Flow, Cathe Friedrich's Kick, Punch and Crunch and Kelli Robert’s KickButt Combat are worthy of your collection and are workouts any kickboxer would want to work their way up to.

Final suggestion:

Often times kickboxing workouts are criticized for not sticking to traditional kickboxing moves. Katalin Rodriguez-Ogren, a personal trainer known as “GI Jabb”, has a solid background in martial arts training. Her experience and mindfulness of proper form shines through in the traditional-inspired workouts she offers for all fitness levels.

With a never-ending list of interests and a great deal of experience and knowledge, Wendy Wallace is an intuitive counselor offering sessions which combine psychic reading, life coaching and counseling all to help heal your mind, body, and spirit. What changes might you make in life if you could know what the future holds?


Article Source: EzineArticles.com -- Wendy Wallace