TaeBo II: Get Ripped Basic Workout

As ever, the workouts start quickly, getting your blood pumping and your body stretched out. The Basic Workout #1 is, to my tastes, a bit tame. Remember, I've been doing this for a while now. I should purchase the Advanced set next, but as I am the mother of a year old baby, often I have only one half hour to spare and would rather feel I've completed a full workout. If you have the original Taebo Live Basic Workout, you will understand what I mean by tame. There is a definite decrease in the amount of strenuous kicking required in the Get Ripped Basic Workout #1. I think that for the beginner, this is a good idea. In fact, I believe that this Get Ripped Basic Workout #1 is more in tune with what a beginner can accomplish that the original Taebo Live set.

The Taebo Live Get Ripped Basic Workout #2 takes the viewer right into a rather strenuous stretch routine which goes directly into a workout that targets stomach and butt muscles. This section lasts 8-9 minutes and is intense. I felt the results the next day. Man, was I sore. After this section, you get up off the floor and get kicking. The tone in this 2nd workout is far more energized, and the group is quite lively. This is not exactly a BEGINNER workout (very unlike Basic #1). (BTW no amount of ab workouts with the ab-rolling gizmo I bought ions ago ever made me feel this sore - and I guess that's why it never worked!)

The 8 minute workout is a tough one. Don't think it's an easy out by the length of it. It's very energized and requires a good deal of stamina. And again, the 8 minute refers to the actual workout time, not the warm up or cool down sections. All in all, it's more like 15 minutes.

A note about the DVD itself: If you bought the previous Taebo Live DVD set, I think you will be as pleased as I am that the navigation leads you directly into the workout, instead of the advertisements for active wear, the scripted music video sequence, etc. I did not really like the fact that after the workouts in the Get Ripped DVD, I was subjected to Malibu Naturals advertising - a vitamin reselling program that states that you can be fit while "realizing your financial goals." Gimme a break!

Also: The Special section is in fact just a string of more ads... no interview with Billy Blanks this time, and the Taebo Heroes section is just the infomercial all over again, unlike the original "Live" where individuals were interviewed in regard to their accomplishments.

All in all a good purchase... a very good workout.


Depends on your level   March 3, 2002
59 out of 59 found this review helpful

If you've been curious about trying Taebo, but worried that it might be too difficult for you, even at the "basic" level, this is the DVD for you. Most of the quirks found in previous volumes (odd counting, too many reps on one side, not enough on the other) have been corrected in this version, and the pace - while still brisk and sweat-inducing - is great for a beginner. All you need is a place to work out and a big glass of water - you don't need to buy any props, mats, or weights.

I started Taebo with the 4-volume "Live" version (with the instructional, basic, advanced, and 8-minute workouts). The basic on the "Live" DVD was TOUGH to begin with, but now I'm accustomed to it. I was hoping that the "Get Ripped" basic would be equally tough and help break the monotony of doing the same workout everyday, but it's not quite on the same level.

If you're a Taebo enthusiast who doesn't feel ready for the Advanced level yet, you might be disappointed with the "Get Ripped" basic. These are two terrific workouts, but they feel more like a sub-basic routines. (Perfect for absolute beginners who want to give Taebo a shot for the first time - which I highly recommend.) I've lost 23 pounds with a healthy diet and Taebo, and I love how all of the punching and kicking make me feel strong and tough. I'll hang onto the "Get Ripped" basic b/c I like having more than one workout to choose from, but I think I have to do them with the 8-minute workout to get the same drenched-in-sweat, almost-out-of-breath effect that I get from "Live" basic.


Even Better than the Original   January 13, 2002
37 out of 39 found this review helpful

I have been doing the first version of Taebo for quite a while now, and I've loved it. So when the new version Taebo II came out it was the first thing on my Christmas list. After working out with it for a few weeks I've found that I loved it!! I especially like 2 workouts instead of 1. 1 workout focuses on cardio (and legs) and the other focuses on glutes, and abs. In the first Taebo I was at the advanced level, and I thought that I would be as well, but I have still not conquered the basic version. I skipped the instructional part as well since I had been doing Taebo already. I always disliked the long glute workout in the first advanced version which is why I liked how it was seperated out in Taebo II. That way I get to choose if I want to work out the abs and glutes, or not. I highly reccomend this... but I also caution that newbies to Taebo need to have a fitness base BEFORE they attempt it... Its not a good idea to start with Taebo, although the instructional DVD might be better since it has beginner's workout...

I was thrilled that this Taebo DVD had REAL people in it, not just already buff instructors working out with Billy Blanks. It had regular women (meaning not buff or overly skinny), older woman (60's or 70's), and slightly overweight women (who basically are normal women). It was motivating to see such a wide range of people instead of the usual instructors.

Lastly, for all you DVD guru's who, like me, were disappointed in the quality of the first Taebo DVD, this is finally digital quality.


Great Cardio Workouts   January 5, 2003
audrey72 (Boulder, CO USA)
36 out of 39 found this review helpful

Though these are called basic, they will still give you a great cardio workout. The moves are explained well enough that a beginner could start here without the instructional videos. One of the videos starts out with a short abs workout and dog-style glute exercises and then goes into cardio and the other is entirely cardio, but both have a good cardio workout. There are enough repetitions to make you sweat, but not so many that most people won't be able to complete them. The combinations are easy to follow, and the instructions are clear. It is a little annoying the Billy Blanks always says go right when he's going right when most people following will be doing mirror images to follow along and thus going left, but that's a small complaint. These two videos are a great addition to any workout plan and work great for cross training. For longer workouts just move on to the advanced tapes.


Great Workout!   April 6, 2002
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

I have been cardio-kickboxing for years, so when I recently decided to buy some DVDs and weights for working out at home, I was eager to try out the much-hyped Tae Bo workout. I thought the Basics workouts would be too easy, and I do add a little more bounce to my workout than is in the tapes (when I have the energy, that is). I was wrong. With a solid effort, these "basic" workouts can kick your [behind! It is also good to have workouts divided into 25 minute (and one 8 minute) segments, if you don't have time for an hour's worth of exercise or if you want to reverse order for variety. Blanks has good form and uses all the basic stretches, punches, and kicks that my instructors over the years have used. He explains each move for those who are unfamiliar, and he starts slowly with each new move. (If this is too slow for me, I simply double-time it.) I also like Blanks' supportive, "let's have fun doing this" attitude and friendly encouragement. I am looking forward to getting the advanced DVDs for more combinations and greater variety of moves.