Kathy Smith's Kickboxing Workout

Can you believe I do this workout on VHS and It's the only tape I bother using the VCR for? It's that good. Her intense workout, with lighthearted commentary and pleasurable crowd make this workout very enjoyable. Within weeks I began to notice the changes immensely.I lost three inches off of my waist, an inch in my arms and 1/2 an inch around my thighs. I love the instruction demos from keith as well. While kathy smith may not be a professional kickboxing champion, she is on her game when it comes to combing aerobic type moves with a kickboxing sequence that will Rock you world.

The moves are simple to learn, but hard to keep up with the first time around. It took me a few days of learning the sequence before I efficiently began to feel the full effects of the kickboxing session.

Bottom line : This workout does what it needs to as long as you put in the effort to learn the moves.

Kathy Smith/Keith Cooke: Kickboxing Workout

Warm-up:

Bob and Weave (8XS)

Side Punch-singles (8XS-note each rep is left and right)

Side Punch-doubles (2XS)

Side Punch-singles (4XS)

Side Punch-doubles (2XS)

Front Punches (4XS)

Uppercut (4XS)

Elbow Strike (4X)

Front Punches (2XS)

Uppercut (2XS)

Elbow Strike (4X)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Side Punch-singles (4XS)

Side Punch-doubles (2XS)

Front Punches (2XS)

Uppercut (2XS)

Elbow Strike (4X)

Repeat this sequence 3XS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Side Elbow Strike (legs static) (4XS)

Side Elbow Strike w/ rocking motion (step wide into each strike, step feet together between sides) (8XS)

Boxer Shuffle (arms shake loosely by sides) (16XS)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lunge side to side (4XS)

Flex torso forward stretching shoulders forward (one side then the other) (4XS)

Lunge type stretch to the right w/shoulder forward

Lunge type stretch to the left w/ shoulders forward

Tuck hips/pelvis: drop head-round up-sink it down (sort of a standing cat/cow) (4XS)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Front Punches (16XS)

Front Punches/Knee Lift (on ever 3rd punch lift opposite knee) (5XS)

Just punch (8XS)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Squat (4XS)

Squat w/ left hip thrust (push hip forward on left side… hip extension) (4XS)

Squat w/ hip thrust and knee lift (8XS)

repeat this sequence to the right side

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternating Knees (8XS)

Knee-Fold (side kick prep) (12XS)

Knee-touchback (step back w/ opposite leg) (4XS)

Front kick-touchback

Knee raise w/ chest hug-touchback

Hold leg out in front then Stretch hamstrings and then Achilles (with both knees bent) on left side

repeat above sequence on right side

---- End of Warm-up----

Workout:

Rotation to the right side w/ emphasis on right shoulder

Add right Jab

Add shuffle to jab

Jabs facing forward and then to the side w/ shuffle (lift knee as you change direction)

Repeated front jabs (first slowly then double time. No shuffle, just torso rotation for the slow jabs, no rotation for the fast jabs)

High-low jabs (bend knees for low jabs)

----shuffle----

repeat above sequence on left side

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step forward (right leg forward)and back (8XS)

Lift right knee-touch back w/ left leg (8XS) (bring arms down toward knee as if you have a board in your hand and you're breaking it)

Kick w/ Right leg-touch back w/ left (8XS)

3 right knees then tap back w/ left foot (4XS)

1 knee-2 kicks w/ right leg, then touch back w/ left (4XS)

1 knee-1 kick-1 jump kick (8XS)

---rock side to side---

Side to side elbow block singles (8XS)

Side to side elbow block doubles (8XS)

Side to side elbow block singles (8XS)

repeat above sequence up to the 1 knee-1 kick-jump kick (don't repeat the elbow

blocks)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rotate hip (to prepare)

Cross punch-hold

Repeated Cross punches (you can squat slightly as you rotate back to prepare each cross punch)

Cross punch-hold (8XS)

Jab-cross-jab-hold (slow 2Xs/Fast 4XS)

Jab-cross-jab-knee block (4XS)

Jab-cross-jab-knee block w/hop (4XS)

Jab-cross-jab-knee block to the front then to the side (4XS)

Jab-cross (8XS)

Jab-cross-bob weave-hold

Bob and weave (turn your body as you do this to prepare for the sequence on the other side)

repeat above sequence on the left side

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three steps to the side, then torso rotation (then repeat to the other side)

Three steps to the side then cross punch (then repeat to the other side) 2Xs slow/8Xs fast

---shuffle it out---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Squat sequence (Side kick prep)

Squat w/ outward block type movement (external rotation) (8XS)

"Off setting": squat (continue w/ arm blocks)-slide left leg in (while laterally flexing spine to the left)(8XS)

"Off setting": w/ side kick fold up (kick prep): (Squat down- come up and slide-hold bent leg up in kick prep position- release down)

Then do the same w/ a kick (instead of kick prep): Squat down-come up and slide-side kick-release down) 4XS slowly/16XS fast

Note: make sure the base foot points away from the kicking foot. The kicking foot is flexed w/ the toes slightly lower than the heel.

Repeat sequence on the other side

----shake it out----

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uppercut-hold (right arm does uppercut) (8XS)

Hook-hold (left arm does hook) (8XS)

Uppercut-hook (right/left) (8Xs slow/16XS Double time)

---shuffle it out---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three pulses w/ foot switch

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repeat Uppercut-hook sequence on left side (right foot forward) (w/o pulses/foot switch… go to next section)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three jabs stepping forward then 1 cross punch

Shuffle back 3 steps w/ knee block (front leg w/ arms coming down towards knee)

Uppercut-hook 3XS

Footswitch

Do this 1 X slow/4XS Double time

---shake it out---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rear kick sequence

Rock side to side (step touch) (4XS)

Tap in front-step back (4XS)

Tap in front-rear leg bend (leg curl)

Tap in front-kick in back

Front knee up-kick back (4XS)

Kick front-kick back (4XS)

---shake it out---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two jabs (right)-jumping jack w/ high block arms then low block arms (alternate sides)

Jab-jab/cross w/ jumping jack

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repeat rear kick sequence to the other side (don't repeat jab-jumping jack sequence)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Squat (8XS)

"Offset": Two squats-slide left leg in-knee up two times (1X) alternating sides

Do the same but w/ 2 kicks (instead of knee ups) (1X slow/4XS fast) alternating sides

Foot Pattern: Down-Down-Slide-Kick-Kick

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kelly's combination

Jab (R.H.)-Jab/cross-right knee (front knee)-left front kick (w/ back leg) (4XS)

Jab (R.H.)-Jab/cross-right knee-left side kick (4XS)

Repeat these to the other side (-----then shake it out----)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keith's Combination

Right Jab-Left cross-right elbow hook-grab-knee (rear leg)-knee (rear leg)

Right Jab-Left cross-right elbow hook-grab-knee-knee-Two roundhouse kicks (w/ front leg)-shuffle back and forth two times (start the shuffle moving forwards)

----repeat on the other side----

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lunge side to side while doing front blocks (outward)

---end of main kickboxing workout---

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUNS AND THIGHS KICKING DRILLS (using chair)

Step back lunge/kick: hold chair w/ left hand (left hip towards chair), then step back w/ right leg, raise back up and kick w/ right leg (8XS)

Rear kick w/ right leg (16XS)

---shake it out and repeat on other side---

Side kick (up-extend-return to up position-down) note: bend standing leg w/ foot facing rear.

Roundhouse kick (8XS)

---repeat on other side---

note: these are done slowly w/ 1 count per movement

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ STRETCH

Forward bend: Sit in chair and extend left leg out straight (keep right knee bent w/ sole of foot on floor, place hands on right knee for support)

Glute Stretch: Bring the right ankle over the left knee

Spinal twist (left leg over right, twisting to the left)

Lunge: Come into a lunge w/ the right leg bent in the front, the left leg in the back w/ knee on the ground (use chair for support)

Wide leg side stretch: Sit in chair w/ wide legs, toes pointing outward. Bend to each side, one arm reaching upward, the other reaching down.

---repeat all stretches to the other side---

Neck Stretch: Bring right arm to the left shoulder and turn head over the right should and bend head.

Roll shoulders and repeat to the other side

Chest stretch: take arms behind, grasping the seat of the chair to stretch chest.

ABS AND BACK STRENGTHENING

1. Abdominal Bridge: arms in sphinx position on knees:

a. Straighten right leg and lower

b. Straighten left leg and lower

c. Straighten both legs and lower

2. Push-up position:

a. Lift one elbow straight back and drop it back down (like "Rebel rows")

b. Extend right arm out to side

c. Extend left arm out to side

3. Child's pose

4. Sidekick series: on side w/ elbow directly under shoulder, both legs bent behind.

a. Raise up on lower knee as you extend top leg and bring it back in. Stay raised on lower leg for duration.

b. Do same as "a" but raise and lower hip as you extend and retract upper leg. You can also reach arms over head as you extend leg and bring it back along the side of the body as you lower the leg.

5. Come on knees and sweep arms overhead and back again (w/ the breath).

6. Side kick series on the other side.

7. Sit up: arms behind. Raise one leg, then the other and hold.

Then repeat starting by raising the opposite leg.

Please note that I wrote this review about 5 years ago; I've copied and pasted it pretty much as originally written. At the time of the review it had been a bit since I had done it, but there was a point when I did it with some regularity.

It's worth knowing that this has been rereleased at least once since I picked up my copy, and it's available on at least one recent Kathy Smith compilation, namely Cardio Knockout, which also includes Aerobox with Michael Olajide.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

General workout breakdown: This workout begins with a great 10 minute warm up followed by 25 minutes of cardio and four 5 minute toning sessions. A 2 minute cool-down and 4 minute stretch round out the workout for a total of 60 minutes. The basic kickboxing moves include jab, cross, hook, and punches plus front (including jump kicks), back, side, and roundhouse kicks. Kathy and crew introduce one to two moves at a time, and by the end they're building up combinations.

Level: I'd recommend this to an intermediate exerciser; a low advanced exerciser can take it up a notch by picking up light weights. You don't have to have kickboxing or martial arts experience, as tutorials are offered during the workout (via insets with Keith showing proper form from another angle) and in separate segments in an instructional portion available off of the main menu.

Class: 2 women and 1 man join Kathy, Keith, and Kelli. They represent diverse ethnic backgrounds and are generally older (i.e. not 20 years old).

Music / Set / Production Notes: The beat-heavy instrumental music didn't do much for me. The interior set is looks like a boxing studio, with punching bags and posters of boxers on the brick walls. It's a relatively dark room, with just the class"carpeted platform lit. There are a few strange camera angles and shots blurred to achieve some cinematographic effect. It's a little distracting, but most of the time it doesn't happen when you need to look at the instructors. The sound is fine, with Kathy being the loudest instructor and Keith the softest.

Equipment Needed: sneakers. You'll need a chair for one toning session and stretch.

Comments: Kathy skips stretching one hip flexor during the cool down, which you can remedy after she finishes. The challenging abs and back section comes after the stretch, but I didn't mind much because I skipped it.

You'll need space for this. You should be able to kick to the front and back and take two steps to each side.

DVD Notes: The DVD lets you skip the introduction. You can choose the "basic" workout (10 minute warm-up, 25 minute Kickboxing Basic Routine, 5 minute Buns & Thighs Kicking Drill, 3 minute Cool Down Stretch, and 5 minute Abs & Back Strengthening for a total of 45 minutes) or the "challenge" workout (the Basic Routine plus 5 minutes of additional kickboxing moves and 7 minutes of advanced kickboxing stances for a total of 60 minutes). You can also customize your workout or select music only, English instruction with or without music, Spanish instruction with or without music. Kelli and Keith lead a 12 minute Tai Chi Energizer Workout (with 7 minutes of Tai Chi by Keith and 5 minutes of stretching by Kelli), which didn't do much for me because I know next to nothing about Tai Chi. In addition, there is a tutorial covering the basic stance, kicks, and punches with multiple viewing angles. You can view a behind the scenes look with Kathy and Keith, biographies of Kathy and Keith, and trailers for Kathy Smith videos.

Conclusion: I ended up trading this because I found other kickboxing workouts I like better. My boyfriend said the combinations were the best part but way too short; I agree. My opinion of it is also affected by the fact that I bought this in my first batch of exercise videos, and it was definitely too much for someone who hadn't been exercising regularly. (In fact, the warm up was about as much as I could do the first time through.) And finally Kathy here is at my threshold of tolerance for instructor enthusiasm. (Oddly enough, her cutesy hairdo was distracting to me.)

That said, many people like this workout, and there are many reasons to like it. It's great for those who have mastered TaeBo Basics / TaeBo Cardio or QuickFix Total Cardio Kick and want to move on, for example. If you've only done TaeBo, like I had when I first got this, you'll enjoy working each side evenly and getting sufficient warning when changing moves. There is some dead time, though, between some moves; more advanced exercisers might want to add boxer shuffles or jumping jacks to keep their heart rate up.

Overall this is a solid, well put together routine. It just wasn't for me, but it might be for you.

I only did the cardio portion of the shorter workout so my comments are related to that portion only.

The DVD contains "3 complete workouts" the shorter 45 minute cardio/toning routine, a longer 55 minute workout (which looked to be the same exact cardio workout plus some toning work from my preview) and a Tai Chi workout (led by Keith).

There is an active warmup/stretch. Although there are a couple of unique movement combinations, this is a typical kickbox type workout, with the usual jabs, uppercuts, kicks, etc. (this is not a bad thing)

My overall impression was that I liked this workout very much, and while it took a while to get my heart rate up there, it did get up above my upper range for a short time.

Kathy Smith leads with Keith Cooke and Keli Roberts assisting. There are 3 more background exercisers, 1 male and 2 female. Keith and the other male exerciser are wearing gym shorts and tee shirts (or tanks), the background girls are wearing long pants and tee-shirts. Kathy is wearing long pants and an exercise top. Keli's outfit is a bit distracting...kind of silky looking long baggy pants in a kind of "muddy" color...I can't even remember what top she is wearing because I tend to focus on those pants, lol (but I think it's a tee-shirt).

The set is a gym-like setting.

As I said above I liked this workout, and the cardio portion by itself is around 38 minutes.

This was my first kickboxing video, and I really enjoyed it. I was a bit hesitant to try it because I don't generally like aerobics videos--I find all that "take it from the top" really boring--but I'm glad I gave this workout a chance. At the start of the video, Ketih Cooke, a well-known kickboxer, provides main instructor Kathy Smith with simple explanations of each of the punches and kicks that will be used in the workout. This brief overview was helpful, but once you learn the moves, you can skip over this part.

Following the instructive segment, Kathy Smith takes over. The workout begins with a warmup which lasts about 10 minutes. This provides the opportunity for you to get used to the movements, but don't be fooled by the "warmup" label--your heart rate will definitely be elevated during this section, and you will sweat! Next comes the 25-minute kickboxing workout. During this section, you will practice punches and kicks, starting slowly and then building up to a faster pace. Kathy was easy to follow, and she gradually worked up to basic punch-kick combinations which were simple to learn yet to fun to do. I did find myself getting pretty tired during this segment, but I was able to keep up by modifying the intensity slightly (eg, keeping my feet on the ground during the hops from side to side). At the end of this section, two short combinations are presented by Keith Cooke and another well-known instructor, Keli Roberts. I liked that these combinations were a bit different yet still easy to learn and that the repetitions of each were kept to a minimum. Throughout the workout, there were times when I felt like I might not be doing the moves exactly right, but I still enjoyed myself--all that punching and kicking felt GOOD!

After the kickboxing workout ends, there is a 5-minute section focusing on the legs and glutes. In this segment, you practice the kicks more slowly, combining them with squats and holding on to a chair for balance. This was a nice way to reinforce what you learned during the workout, and I think that continued practice of this section will help to improve my kickboxing skills. Finally, the workout ends with a 5-minute cool down performed seated in a chair. These moves provided nice stretches for the thighs and glutes (although at one point, Kathy forgets to perform a squat stretch on the opposite side), and when they were over, I felt thoroughly stretched.

I can't compare this video to Tae Bo, as I've never tried those workouts. However, I CAN say that this was a fun, high-energy video that left me feeling strong and powerful rather than exhausted. It was perfect for a kickboxing beginner like me, but it was also challenging enough to provide even non-beginners with a great workout. I'm thrilled to have finally found a cardio video that is truly enjoyable, and I look forward to doing this video as part of my regular rotation.

While I find Kathy Smith to be quite boring in almost any other of her workouts, this one really inspires me. After I do it, I feel like I could take on the world!

This video consists of alot of basic kickboxing moves, brought together in a really fun and energizing, 45 min long workout. There is also a really great ab routine and a killer stretch. Near the end, Keith Cooke and Keli Roberts also take some turns instructing. I find their sections harder to follow, but I am usually so tired by that point that I am just waiting anxiously for the stretch!

The set is like a boxing ring and gives the whole impression of actually learning kickboxing in a boxing school.

Perhaps the thing I notice most about this routine, is that my arms and abs totally feel strong afterwards. it's a really amazing feeling when that

happens.

I highly recommend this workout for a great, all-round introduction to kickboxing.

I consider myself and intermediate exerciser and I LOVE this video. It's fun, it's got a lot of variety, and the cueing is excellent. I've done both Tae Bo and Powerkicks as well and this video is my favourite.

This is the first Kathy Smith tape I tried & I really love this tape. I would recommend it for B/I-depending on the level you are on. I wouldn't recommend this tape for anyone just starting to exercise. When you work your self up you really should get this tape. It has a long warm-up which gets my heart pumping in NO time. The routines are short and easy to learn due to Kathy's great cueing & the split screen instructions are a great help for your form. There is a butt section and an ab section that are great too. The cool down is perfect consisting of lying down (my kind of workout haha). The time really does fly by when I do this tape & Kathy Smith is my favorite instructor so far!!!! She is not to peppy but keeps you motivated. (She should give Denise Austin some pointers!) I give this Video & Kathy an A+++++

Kathy Smith Kickboxing. Nice production. Terrific form pointers. Great background exercisers. Fun workout. And Keli Roberts looks wonderfully Terminator-esque, here! But - and this is such a huge BUT - it didn't get me anywhere near my THZ. OFF WITH ITS HEAD!!!

I highly recommend this tape for beginners and intermediates, but not for advanced exercisers, unless they intentionally seek a low-key workout. Most say this tape is an intermediate/advanced workout, but I question that after doing this workout six times. In frustration, I donated this tape to my library. (It hasn't been seen since, so I suppose some intermediate-level librarian is having a good time with this.)

This is good! I usually find Kathy Smith workouts to be a little on the dull side compared to what I normally do, but I like this one. This is an intermediate/advanced kickboxing workout. Kathy is assisted by Keith Cooke, who is a martial arts expert. He's not too bad at aerobics either! The aerobics are about 35 minutes (including the warmup), and then you do some "kicking drills" for 5 minutes. These are standing exercises similar to what Aaron Lankford does in Strong and Stretched, but not as intense. They're good, though -- you'll definitely feel the side/roundhouse kicking drills, because she does them slowly. Then comes a nice stretch, followed by a 5-minute abs/back "bonus" workout. I really would have preferred to have this before the stretch. It's a good section consisting of stabilization moves. I get a lot out of this part, too, even though it's only 5 minutes. As for the kickboxing itself, Kathy does not do long, involved combos. You do a short routine and then you move on to another. I like this style, because the long routines leave me staring at the screen in puzzlement. Kathy teaches a side kick better than anyone else I've seen. Her technique has really improved my side kicks, not only in this video, but in other kickboxing workouts, too. Keith Cooke and Keli Roberts (a cast member in the video) both teach a small routine at the end. I'm really happy with this workout. While it's not as intense as Tae Bo or Aaron Lankford, it's an excellent, well-balanced workout, and I give it an A+.

I can't believe that I actually like this video. I'm a self-proclaimed kickbox hater. I've tried and tried to like kickboxing to no avail: I hated Tae Bo, Powerkicks, etc. I've only done this workout once, but I really enjoyed it! It's more choreographed that most kickboxing tapes, but not difficult to follow. You don't stand there and kick/punch. And it's completely safe- none of those ridiculous neck rolls. The cardio section isn't long enough for my taste, so I think I'll be following it up with a half hour of step or hilo to finish off my cardio workout. It's not extremely intense, but perfect for an advanced exerciser in other areas to give kickboxing a shot. So if you hate (or are lukewarm to) kickboxing, I highly recommend this video.

This is a decent workout. Others have broken it down so I won't go into details. I am an advanced exerciser, so I didn't feel that my heart rate got as high as I would like and the workout was too short, IMHO. Overall, the music was good, the combos were easy to learn, and Kathy was her usual bubbly self. So, pardon me for saying that I just couldn't really get into this tape. I usually like her stuff, so I was a little disappointed. Nothing about it stood out to me, I guess. Keli Roberts was a big shock, I didn't even recognize her! Still, its obvious she's been doing kickboxing for a while becuase she has great form. I would recommend this for beginners.

I really, really like this video. I just bought it last night, and this morning was my first time to actually do it (I previewed it last night), so I can't give too much info about length of segments and exact movements, but I will do what I can.

I have the original Tae-Bo series, and I love this so much more! The moves are basically all done in combination with other moves (i.e. jab-jab-cross-knee-2 side kicks). I have been feeling my shoulders and arms all morning! I really felt like I was strong while I was doing the workout. I imagined myself defeating an attacker with my fantastic martial arts moves.

One thing I hate about Tae-Bo is the music, but this video has a great beat. Very motivating. There is a great deal attention paid to safety. There is a brief lesson at the beginning and then a split screen during some of the segments to help make sure you are doing everything correctly. I also really liked the kicking drills at the end. You use a chair for balance and do all the kicks very slowly - major butt burn!

I would really recommend this to anyone who loves kickboxing, but it would be good to familiarize yourself with the moves before doing the entire workout - like Kathy says, just take it slow don't try to kick to high the first few times!

Great tape!

I really like this video. It's a short enough workout that I can do before a strengh workout without wiping me out. I use it to crosstrain with high intensity step videos. I like that the workout is mostly low impact yet it does get your heart rate up in the training range. The video goes fast from one move to another so I never find the workout boring. This is my first kickboxing tape and I never thought I would like it so much!!

Others have described the workout, so I'll add my impressions: The video is advertized as a "beginning/intermediate" level workout, and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to try kickboxing: it's the best beginning/intermediate level kickboxing workout I've seen! However, I also find it useful and effective as an intermediate/advanced (depending on the day ;-)). Kathy prepares a lot of the kicks and punches by, for example, first focusing on a hip thrust (for kicks) or the way you should turn your shoulder and hips (for a punch) before going into the full form moves. This seems to both help loosen up those body parts, and helps me focus on my form. I end up with higher kicks, and more powerful punches that use my whole body(like they are supposed to!). At an Intermediates/advanced level, this video is especially useful as an "add-on" after doing weight work, or combined with another video (the workout seems a bit short otherwise). The ending ab and back work is at beginning level for the most part, though there are some lying side kick moves that I found to be more intense. The first back exercise, a plank move, could be intensified by remaining in an elevated position on both toes while Kathy cues raising and lowering opposite legs.

After getting a taste of how Kathy does a beginning/intermediate kickboxing tape, I'm waiting for her to come out with an intermediate/advanced version!

Others have thoroughly described and outlined this workout, so I'll add my impressions. I believe that this video is an excellent introduction to kickboxing, and for those who have been doing kickboxing for a while, it's a great review of proper technique. For the advanced kickboxer it would probably be a bit repetitive, though. I am an advanced exerciser but have only been doing kickboxing for about 5 months and found this to be a great, moderate intensity workout and review of technique. For me, the workout length (45 minutes) is perfect as an add-on to strength training, when I want a challenging, fun workout but one that won't wipe me out. A beginner could take the kicks lower, and advanced people could take the kicks higher and put more energy into the punches to get a moderate workout. The warm up is nice and *very* thorough. The abs/back section is good (but a little short), and nontraditional. No crunches here (we get enough of those elsewhere)--this focuses on stabilization. I highly recommend this one, especially at the $10 price!

WOW! I love this tape. I usually don't do a review after one workout, but I really enjoyed this. It went by so fast too. This is probably the best retail tape you can find and I am usually not a Kathy Smith fan (although I like her book) at all (Aerobox is the only tape I like and she doesn't lead it). Also surprisingly Keli Roberts, who recently released a kickboxing video, is in the tape with Keli and actual leads a little segment (as well as her co-star Keith Cooke).

First there is an instructional section that explains the different kicks and punches, but if you've kickboxed before there are also pointers in windows throughout the video by the Kickbox expert she got, Keith Cooke, who is kinda like a Keanu Reeves looking guy.

Then you have a ten minute warm-up/stretch (yes Billy could take a few lessons here). The warm up does the punches and knees in mini combos with a pretty good stretch. She also includes elbows up over the head which is one of my favorite upper body moves.

You then have a 25 minute aerobic section with lots of simple, but fun combos. Keli and Keith each teach a little segment. There are jabs, crosses, elbows, hooks, front kicks, side kicks, roundhouse AND back kicks (my fav) in various combinations. She also does boxer's weaves and shuffles. Then there is a brief cooldown and onto drills.

The drill section utilizes a straight back chair (similar to Power Kicks) and you do a lunge front kick combo on each side. These are controlled and more for flexibility and strength. Then a back kick. Switch legs and do the same thing. Onto side kicks and round house, and then other side.

She then does a pretty thorough stretch utilizing the chair. Now I have only done the tape once but it seems she forgot to stretch one hip flexor, but I could be wrong (like I said only done it once).

Then she has a "bonus" five minute segment of back/ab stabilization strengthening. Very much like Abs and More by Keli Roberts and similar to the plank in Power Kicks. Then it's onto your hip and you do these side kick crunch things on each side, and it gets tougher when you extend your arm.

The music is pretty good. The set is a boxing ring with the ropes missing, but not dark like in Aerobox or Kick Butt with Kristoff St. John. I think this video is great for beginner through intermediate, advanced would probably need to do more power or tack this onto another tape. For $10 this is a great intro to kickboxing or a great addition to any collection IMO.

I just finished this workout and I can say I was quite impressed. I'm not a big fan of Kathy Smith (don't know why) but this was a solid kickboxing workout. Granted, it doesn't have the energy of Tae Bo, but it's a great tape to start with as a beginner kickboxer. For those more experienced it's a good tape to refine your moves. All moves are broken down and demonstrated to insure correct form. Kathy was able to do this without losing your heartrate too much. She usually demonstrates the moves at a slower pace and then speeds it up. I found I was really able to concentrate on my form while giving my all during the moves in order to keep my heartrate up there. The total workout is 45 minutes - 25 minutes is the cardio kickboxing routine. I personally like the length of this tape. It's good for an add-on to a strength day or a day when time is short and you just want to enjoy the workout. There is a 5 minute kicking drill in which you hold on to a chair and slowly do the various kicks (similar to the section in Powerkicks). This was also a good way to strenghthen your kicking muscles and perfect your form. After the cooldown stretch, there is a great ab/back stabilization section. It's a short, tough section and really works those muscles.

I would highly recommend this tape - especially for the price. It is a bonus having Keli Roberts in the video. She is sporting her new short, red doo and looks really muscular. Also in the video is Keith Cooke, who is a martial arts champion. Occasionally the screen is split and he appears - to show proper form and comment about technique. I am a big Tae Bo fan and really liked this workout too. This routine lacks the energy of Billy Blanks but it's still fun. Kathy's routines are more choreographed and probably safer - plus she always works both sides equally.

I'd give this tape an A.