It seems that many of you guys have jumped on the Tae-Bo bandwagon and even more are curious about it.

Share your favorite Tae-Bo stories here... or ask a question about it.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 1999

Answers

Yesterday I was feeling terribly crampy and mopey. Eric came home and asked, "Ready for Tae-Bo?" I can't believe I actually got up, got dressed and worked out. Towards the end of the workout, my mom called. I said, "I'll call you back, I'm doing my Tae-Bo."

She said, "Well, I didn't do mine today. You're so good."

I told her, "Go do it. By the time I call you back, you'll be done."

And she did. So, there's something about knowing you're in it with others that keeps you going. Eric got me to do it and I got my mom to do it. Find a buddy. Find one here. Brag about how much you did.

And I've got to admit I felt much better when I was done. The cramps were gone... but somehow I must have pulled a back muscle because I spent late last night huddled over a heating pad when I couldn't stand up or sit down. I don't know if that's cramp related or Tae-Bo related, but my God was I in pain.

So, you know, I don't know if this is in favor of doing it or not, but I know that the suggestive power of Tae-Bo works.

-- Anonymous, March 24, 1999

Tae-Bo is a cardio workout that involves boxing and tae kwan do.

It's fast paced, and a lot of fun because you start punching and kicking things and you feel like a big athlete. It's also the hardest workout I've ever done, and often leaves you lying on the floor crying and grunting. My butt is constantly sore, but it works so fast.

I started losing weight from the first week. I'm two months in now, and you can really see the results in my arms, chest, stomach and legs. I thought it would just be another workout tape, but it's one that keeps me motivated. It helps that I switch it out with yoga, for me, anyway, because then I'm stretching and building my flexiblity as well as my strength.

If you want to check out the tapes, go to http://www.taebo.com

-- Anonymous, March 29, 1999

Some of you were asking about getting the advanced, after buying the basic and instructional in the stores. Here's what I found on the website:

Can I order the Advanced Workout?

Yes. The Advanced Workout is now available as an addition! For those of you who have purchased the Tae-Bo Instructional and Basic Workout Video set at retail stores, you can now order the Billy Blanks Advanced Tae-Bo Workout, as seen on the television infomercial to add to your Tae-Bo Video Library. The Advanced Tae-Bo Workout is $29.95 + $4.50 shipping and handling. To order, call toll-free: 1-800-637-6632 or send your check or money-order ($34.45 payable to "TAE-BO") to:

Tae-Bo Advanced Workout 7095 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90012

(Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery; CA, MI, IN, and OH residents add appropriate sales tax)

-- Anonymous, March 29, 1999

What's all this Tae-Bo stuff anyway? I never heard of Billy Blanks until I found your journal. Then I went to Amazon to see if I could buy the video but they only have it for the US and Canada and not poor-l'il-needing-badly-to-get-the-toned-muscles me. Hrmmmf!

-- Anonymous, March 29, 1999

I think it definitely helps to have other people spurring you on. I did the basic workout (ow ow ow) and afterward, I was like, "Okay! I've done Tae Bo!" Then I didn't do it for a week, which I'm sure isn't the point. But I did feel like I'd accomplished something. Of course this is the first workout video of any kind I've ever tried. My mom used to do the Jane Fonda thing in the mid-80s and a hideous Fondascar was burned into my cerebellum. I would have fainting spells when I passed the workout isle at Suncoast. But Billy's different. He's... Not Jane Fonda.

omar (also not Jane)

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

After your column, I picked up the tapes. The first week nearly scared me off, considering the screaming pain in my lungs (damn cigarettes) and the odd noises coming from my knees (damn track and soccer).

Luckily, I stuck with it, and now am preaching the gospel of Tae-Bo to my friends and co-workers. It's a blast.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Ok, I've only done the Intro tape twice (I've had them for less then a week now) and I don't know if it's just me or what, but didn't it seem like things are going a wee bit too fast in the first tape? I mean, Billy is doing the moves really slow, then all of a sudden he starts with this "double time" stuff and I get all lost and off balance and there is NO form what-so-ever going on there :) Sigh...I suppose it will take some time, but after the first time watching the tape I was frustrated.

Also, I couldn't help but laugh when Billy reaches over to the twig on the left in blue and says, "Now I'm going to feel her glutes...don't be afraid to touch yourself during your workout..."

Oh my. ~:)

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

You think the basic is fast... you just wait until you move to advanced. I had only a short time to work out the other day, so I put the basic in for a quick workout. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. I'm so used to kicking and punching at a much faster pace.

But the basic still kicked my ass, because I had to concentrate on the areas even harder, and I understood how to do some of the kicks better.

Here's a tip on the roundhouse kicks: rotate your hip so that your butt is facing whichever way you are kicking. So you pivot just slightly on the foot that's staying on the ground, lean in and push out with your foot flexed. Then you are using those butt muscles, and not just your inner thigh of the leg that's still standing. I didn't pick that up until the advanced, when I saw how they do the roundhouse kicks. It also helps with balance on those world-crushing double-time roundhouse kicks... that I still have to hold onto the kitchen counter to do...

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Alright, Pamie.

How OFTEN do you Tae-Bo? How often is best for maximum results?

I was going to do it everyday until I read your entry about how you learned not to do it everyday. Then how often? Huh?

-- Anonymous, April 01, 1999

I do Tae-Bo every other day, with Yoga in between. I was doing it every day, but once I stopped doing that I started really seeing results. One of my readers wrote it to say that's how exercise works... if you let your body heal between days and do something different, your whole body gets worked more efficiently... or something like that.

I'm not complaining. I'd rather do it every other day than every day, you know?

-- Anonymous, April 02, 1999

Aha! So that must explain why I've been doing Tae-Bo for 1.5 months at mostly 4-6 days per week and I've not lost a da*n pound! I've lost a few inches here and there - nothing like what some people have lost - but the scale hasn't budged one ounce. I tried the Advanced workout this past week and it was a ton of fun, but toooo fast. Billy, my butt is burning!!

-- Anonymous, April 03, 1999

So I finally broke down, because I'm a sucker for trends like that, and picked up the 2 tape pack this weekend with the instructional and basic workout. But I had worked out earlier. So I decided to "educate" myself on what I would be doing in the future and just sat in my Lazy-Boy, ate chips, and watched the video. Hey, one step at a time, you know?

I don't know, I'm thinkin' steriods and liposuction probably is the way to go, this Tae-Bo sure ain't looking like a pleasure cruise. But if Shaq O'Neal can do it, so can I!!

In general, how "well defined" are people getting using this? Because I'm very well toned after working out for a while now, but there's just this abnormally thick skin layer (I refuse to call it fat) that is hiding what's underneath. So I'm hoping to shed that skin...

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Well defined? I first noticed it in my upper arms and chest. My shoulders look much stronger. My neck is more pronounced. Then my big ass calves started to get harder. I notice the sides of my abs in the mirror. I don't know if it's different for men, but my waist and my upper body have really made the quickest change.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Here's a Tae-Bo comic from the genius called Red Meat:

Tae-Bo comic

enjoy

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Funny stuff. Thanks for the info on Tae Bo. I have a coupon for the 8 minute deal, is that worth it? I mean, it's free, but you know, it requires filling out a little card and all, and I'm just making excuses for why I can't get the 8 minute video.... Boy, Billy Blanks better be on motherf***kin' motivator or I'm in trouble!

Yeah, I don't know the difference between girls' and guys' bodies. Probably one of the reasons I lack a girlfriend, huh? But, really, I don't know if I'll have the same exact results as you, but I'll hope so. I don't even need to lose weight, I'm light enough. I just have to shed one more layer of skin.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

I used the eight minute when the 30 minute got too easy for me. Then I would just start it right after.

Now, sometimes I'll use it if I absolutely have no time in the day for anything else and it looks like I'll be out and about anyway.

hey, it's free, right? what's the harm in sending out the card?

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Ok, well I sent in my 8 minute coupon last month and haven't gotten it yet. Pamie - I think we started Tae-Bo around the same time. I felt like the biggest dork when I started but now I am totally into it. Have you noticed Billy is a little mumbly on the tapes? He's like "These people don't even know what I'm doing...mumble...and if they don't know...mumble...you can do it...blah blah...guarantee success..."

But Billy's my hero - I have found that you get the best results when you act all supercharged like the knock-kneed chic behind him and when he says "Are YOU ready?" you shout out "I sure as hell am!"

And what is the deal with that homely guy in the tank top on the Basic tape? He is clearly out of his element.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

Ha ha, Allison! I noticed that too! I thought it was my tape, but after a while I figured out that he's kinda ad libbing everything and when he's not sure, he mumbles.

But, as long as this isn't a diction tape, what do I care?

-- Anonymous, April 06, 1999

Oh my!!! I thought I was going to roll on the floor laughing!

I went so far as to stop, rewind, stand as close to the tv speakers as I could and I STILL had no idea what he was saying about those back kicks. I just keep thinking he's saying "See these freaky people behind me? They don't know what the hell they're doing. So, if you don't either, don't worry about it. Just kick." And that's what I do. I just kick.

Now, is the knock-kneed girl the one on his left that can kick the ceiling? And what about how he's paired these people up? We have short haired muscular poles on the left and Melrose Place blondes on the right. I can't tell those two blonde girlies apart.

I always do, though, feel like Billykins is talking to ME.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 1999

One of you mentioned that guy in the back of the Basic tape, the one in the tank top. Well, when I decided one day that I would enlighten my boyfriend by introducing him to Tae-Bo (I was even deluded enough to think that he actually might join me for a few kicks), all he could do was laugh at that guy. "Look at that guy in the back," he chortled, "...He doesn't even want to be there... maybe he thought he'd be able to pick up some babes by showing up to the taping... He looks like he'd rather be kicked back on the couch with a beer." I think maybe he felt some sort of kinship with him.

Whenever I do the basic tape now and they pan to that guy, I laugh thinking about it, but y'know, maybe he's right. All those total hardbodies and then this one guy wearing his nasty old Fruit of the Loom tank top. Maybe that's why the camera never gets too close.

As far as I can tell, the rest of the cast of characters from the basic tape includes some 18-year old girl who looks like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the grunting blonde "Debbie" with her gritted teeth who seems to worship at the Church of Billy Blanks, and then there's the feminazi-looking chick with the short brown hair who makes me want to shut the tape off so I never risk looking like her....and then there's the slightly plumper shorthaired one who looks like a checkout girl from Walmart and looks all worried when they keep closing in on her with the camera... I suppose it's better than watching a bunch of he-men, but I can't help starting to hate these people when I'm staring at them almost every day. Especially when all their forms are different during different moves and it's hard to tell which way is the best way to work your mnuscles... grr

-- Anonymous, April 06, 1999

Has anyone visited the scary Tae-Bo web site? You would think with the millions Billy is making, he could dole out a little green for design. And why can't you order his wonder-tapes online? I don't get it. You can order almost anything online now. If I held the secret to personal fitness, I would make it available to every computer geek in America.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 1999

Now that I've read you guys talking about tank top guy in the back, the other day I put on the basic tape for a quick workout and I kept laughing. He laughs when Billy's talking to him! He only sort of stretches and it seems that he's there on a dare.

Then I listened for the mumble... It looks like he starts to say something, and there's an overdub of his voice that doesn't match his mouth. That's odd.

Another odd thing that's happened with my Tae-Bo... people are coming up to me to say that I look better than I used to... and some of them are saying, "I heard you do Tae-Bo. How's that?" So, people are talking about my workout routine, which I find very odd. But more and more people are starting to do it. I hope that some new tapes get released soon.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 1999

OK, so I did it the other day for the first time, and I can't wait to do it again today. I only watched the instructional video on Monday so Wed. was the first time doing the full workout. And of course, thank you all for mentioning that guy, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY THING I CONCENTRATED ON! But, I think he's there so shlubs like me have someone to identify with, you know?

It's like, "Hey, check out that dork! If he does this, I sure as sh*t can too!" I think Billy Blanks went to the local Hooters and found the guy boozed off his ass, and making lewd comments, personally.

Anyway, hate to sound like a bragger, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I've been exercising the past year, so maybe that has something to do with it, but I haven't been doing aerobic work. Anyway, I didn't get sore or anything, or even breathe hard, but I did sweat like a stuck hog. So maybe it's working. But I think I should probably spring for the Advance tape so I can suffer like the rest of the Tae-Bo-ese people out there...

Pamie, once I tell people I got Tae Bo, it's like the only thing I get identified with. People that have a lot to talk to me about always ask how the Tae Bo is going as the first question. I dunno, I guess it's because it's a craze they want to know about it. Haven't gotten comments yet on my looks, but it's only been a day.

Eric

P.S. Are the rest of you answering him when he asks you something?? Because I am, and I find it scary. He's like, "Are you all ready??" And I'm like, "SWEET JESUS ALL MIGHTY, YES!!!"

-- Anonymous, April 09, 1999

Here's a tip: Never do Tae-Bo in front of, or even near a mirror. Yesterday, I was thinking about all you guys and your Tae-Bo comments of late, as I was finishing the basic workout. I went into the bathroom to wash my face and decided to test out my moves on...myself, I guess. Anyway, I had been laboring under the misconception that I look cool when I am doing this! I look at the goob in the tank top and think, "you poor slob - if you could only look as 'high karate' as I do!" Well folks, I was wrong. I look like Jackie Chan having an epileptic fit. I just thank God that TV is not interactive because Billy would be like: "You - in Dallas - for God's sake, what the hell are you doing?" I will march on, however, since my new philosophy is "NO FAT BRIDESMAIDS." I am going to be one on June 19 and refuse to schlep down the aisle, bulging from my dress. As a matter of fact, anytime I reach for a non-healthy food, my co-workers are instructed to say "faaaaaaaat briiiiiidesmaid..." in a spooky voice of foreshadowing. Tae-Bo is my only hope.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 1999

Regarding our broken-nosed, '80s-hair pal in the Basic video, I gotta say at least what I wear makes him look stylin'. I usually do the tape first thing in the morning, so I just shlep a T-shirt and sweat pants over my boxers and I'm set.

Besides, I will never wear something like Billy's strange boob- exposing outfit from that tape.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 1999

Saturday I was emcee'ing a show and I was in the back talking to the troupe that was going on next.

Somehow the conversation turned to Tae-Bo and they were asking if it was any good and such... during our conversation the improv troupe on stage started doing a Tae-Bo scene.

The person I was talking to said, "Look how good of an emcee you are! You are telepathically sending them ideas for scenes."

It's everywhere, people.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 1999

More like it's festering.... we all got Tae Bo fever!! I'm going into week 2 of it tonight. I can't believe how quick it goes though. I feel like I should be doing more. Anyway, it was worth it.

They should hire Billy Blanks as the NATO Supreme Commander. This Kosovo crisis woulda been done months ago!! Couple of roundhouse kicks, double-time....BAP!!

OK, final thought. Who would win in a fight, Billy Blanks or Mr. T?

-- Anonymous, April 12, 1999

I'm staying at my parents house and do Tae-Bo when my dad takes my mom to physical therapy in the afternoons. It's amazing how little space you need to do it! I use just a corner of the living room and then move toward the middle on those forward/backward jab things. My feet always get tangled up during that one.

My problem is that they only go to therapy (the only time my mother (she has MS) leaves the house) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. That didn't feel like enough for me, but I'm sort of limited on what I can do. So I've started walking a mile twice a day. But now she's sick and isn't going to therapy at all. What do you guys do when you can't Tae-Bo?

You know when he says "I want you to be a conquerer," I always used to have to stop and think the sentence out so I wouldn't keep believing he was saying "I want you to be a punk rocker."

-- Anonymous, April 13, 1999

Actually, I think he's saying, "I want you to be accomplished."

"I've always liked that word 'accomplished.'"

It does sound like punk rocker, though.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 1999

Are you sure? Because he might me saying "I want you to be a monkey-er." That's what I thought the first time.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 1999

i've been a practicing martial artist for quite some time now and was very leary when this tae-bo stuff came out. i've seen so many "self-defense" tapes out there that are little more than entertainment. i expected tae-bo to be some flashy thing that makes people feel like they are doing a martial art.

after watching one of the tapes i was a little surprised. tae-bo is a great workout and it's great fun too. the one thing that people must understand though is that doing those workouts WILL NOT help you to defend yourself in a physical confrontation. truly learning an art of fighting and defense requires not only regular training but a qualified instructor to teach you. to keep this short: a video cannot tell you when you do something wrong. the art of fighting is very complex and takes years of experience in training both by yourself and with other students.

so basicly if you want a great workout that's loads of fun, tae-bo is probably the thing for you. if you want to work out AND learn to defend yourself, find a reputable martial arts school and train there.

that's my spill, i'll shut up now

-- Anonymous, April 13, 1999

OK, I looked at the Advanced tape for the first time yesterday. I say looked at because I spent more time looking at the screen and going "What the...?" than actually working out. But I was forewarned by Pamie about it, so I didn't stress out.

Anyway, what is up with the girl behind Billy's right shoulder (on the left of the screen). Why does she do a spontanous jumping jack after the double time punches? Why does she look like a pony when bouncing around? I couldn't even concentrate because she was so distracting...she HAS to be an aspiring actress/model, because she kept maneuvering for camera time.

Oh, and I'm so glad to hear that other people critique the people in the videos - it gives me something to keep my mind off the burning pain in my butt. I always thought tank top boy in the first tape was thinking, "If I'd known I was going to be doing this many kicks, I would've worn longer shorts."

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

I also love that the girl in the back constantly looks like she's thinking, "Maybe I should have worn a ponytail," as she keeps pulling hair out of her mouth.

screw her and her spiral perm.

i think the others do those extra things to show that they take his class and know what you "usually do" as opposed to what he does in this tape.

showoffs.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

I have a question:

In the advanced tape-- can anyone do those double time side punches? What the heck are you supposed to do with your feet? Do you move from side to side (shifting your weight forwards and backwards)? People seem to be quickly moving, but I always feel like I'm going to fall and I can't do a good punch.

Same with the side jabs. Besides getting terribly dizzy, I'm not sure if you're supposed to turn your hip and stomp your foot or not. It's so darn fast.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

You people are scaring me about the advanced tape. I have been too wimpy to crank it up to that notch. I light of Pamie's recent suggestion, I got a beginner's yoga tape and have been doing it on Tues and Thurs. It is so freaking slow I feel like I am going to fall asleep and the lady on the tape is just entirely too peaceful. I keep waiting to hear her say something motivational - but she is too "at one" with herself.

My roomate boughtt the Paula Abdul Cardio Dance tape. It makes me laugh. My current fantasy is that Billy will charge onto her set and get into a bitch-kick-box with her.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

A Tae-Bo Story not for the weak of heart:

If you happen to have this month's Hustler, which, you know, I'm sure some of you do, there is a great section on this woman and a man in a diner together having fun.

I swear to God it looks like Billy Blanks.

And what's even funnier is that he's holding her up while she pees in his coffee.

And you know he's whispering to her, "I want you to be accomplished."

And she's whispering back, "I just peed in your coffee."

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

Man, I don't know if I can do that advance tape now!! I worked out the schedule where on Monday, Wed, and Fri mornings I will do Tae Bo and Tues and Thurs evenings I'll continue my Abs and Chest of Steel. That way, I figure, on the weekends, I can show off the body of the biggest sucker for trends this side of the mississippi.

But I tried it this morning for the first time, and it wasn't pretty. Did anyone ever realize how little balance you have when you wake up? Well Billy Blanks showed me today. And I had a chair nearby so I could steady myself during the kicks, but since I'm so uncoordinated in the morning, I ended up punching the chair every 2 seconds. So basically it was a morning of falling over and ripping my knuckles on a chair.

That and profuse sweating.

But I still look better that Tanktop Dork in the back.

Hustler, huh? You know, that's funny because just last week *I* peed in Billy Blanks' coffee too!! Really though, what's up with that??? I mean, I didn't think Hustler was that rank! Something more classy, like taking a crap on his waffles, but peeing in his coffee??? Now THAT'S sick.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

My friend told me that the really buff looking woman to Billy's right in the Advanced tape is Billy's daughter. And the African-American woman in all the tapes is his sister. I have no idea if this is true- she said she heard him interviewed on the radio and he said this. Just more fodder for the gossip mill. Also, Sinbad had to go out of the country for a week and he paid Billy to come with him so he wouldn't miss his workout. Couldn't Billy just comp him a set of tapes since he's in the informercial and everything?

I was watching the Advanced tape again today (watching, not doing) and I called my friend who has been doing the Advanced for a few weeks, just to say, "You really do this? And you don't fall down?" She claims she can do the whole advanced except she skips one set of leg lifts during the floor work. I can't believe a human could do that.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 1999

So here it is. If you don't know what to rent this weekend, take these suggestions from the Internet Movie Database:

http://us.imdb.com/Name?Blanks,+Billy

I actually remember seeing some of these on the shelves of Blockbuster back in the early 90s. I laughed then. Little did I know....

Hey Pamie, maybe like Oprah's Book Club, you should start Pamie's movie club where we all can discuss movies on here!! Only you MUST begin with one of these.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 1999

God this thread is SO FUNNY! It's so great to hear people actually making fun of the freaky people in the videos, rather than talking in that creepy Pod-Person way that I hear so often when Tae-Bo comes up.

I just have to say, that Nipple King outfit that Billy wears in the basic is soooo creepy. I like to watch the unsure looking older blond in the back, because she's so afraid of screwing up. The Intense Tae-Bo She-Male who is Billy's daughter just scares me, and so does the cute short-haired girl on the right who can kick past her own head. You're right about the blondies, I can't tell them apart either.

I've heard that Billy also acts, but I find that hard to believe, considering the really strange and uncomfortable shifty look that he gets while ad-libbing his wierd mumble speeches. I pay no attention to anything he says (or mumbles), other than "keep your abs tight", because I find the shifty look, mumbling, and god-awful cuing just get me distracted and confused. In fact, I tend to pretend he's not there. And if he thinks I'm double-timing that punching bag move, he's out of his mind.

Also, when he does those DANGEROUS neck-snap moves in the warm up, I just do plies instead -- because I'm not deceived into thinking that's either safe, or an actual warm-up.

I love Tae-Bo, I really do -- but I think I needed to vent. ;)

-- Anonymous, April 15, 1999

Ooh, what's also weird is in the advanced tape when they move side to side in the "warm-up" (it works as well as the nonexistent "cool-down") they do these neck snaps as they twist their arms.

I get so dizzy.

Oh, and speaking of the cool-down, does it piss anyone else off that he totally LIES to you? He says, "We're gonna do some more stretches, then we'll get back on the floor and I'll teach you something that's gonna cool you on down."

It's squats with a kick.

then you jump around and hold hands.

I just hug the T.V.

But I back off when they show the Uber-Tae-Bo girl with the scary look on her face.

I'm not kidding, guys, she scares the tar out of me.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 1999

Doesn't that nipple outfit hurt? Does he wear it to stimulate himself during the workout, thus burning even more calories? I wonder.

Here is the next craze on which to latch yourselves: Pilates. In my never ending quest to balance my Tae-Bo, I went and observed a class today. It is taught by a woman who weighs no more than 85 pounds, I assure you. I am sure she would be alarmed at my Tae-Bo prowess.

The mega chick y'all are talking about - is it the girl in blue on the instructional tape with the Marine hair cut? Her name seems to be Shelly or Debby - they all seem to be named one or either of those.

And is there anything more bizarre or embarrassing than doing those roundhouse kicks to both sides, double time? I feel like Carol Burnette in a bad sketch.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 1999

I'm enjoying this thread! So far I've been doing Tae-Bo for two weeks and have seen a little improvement, but not much. I'm hoping to lose the last bit of fat on my tummy more than anything else.

Anyway, right now I'm doing the Basic tape plus the 8-minute workout. I think once I get bored I'll try the Advanced, but I'm afraid of it now that I hear what you guys have to say.

At first I had a lot of trouble with the double-time speedbag stuff, but then I noticed that if I close my eyes, somehow my hands stop knocking into each other. Also, I skip the neck work at the very beginning too. It doesn't look good for me.

I wish they would start the workout at the beginning of the tape! I'm always fast-forwarding to the two-minute mark.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 1999

I STILL have not gotten the 8 minute tape! So I keep doing the Basic on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. It's ugly though. I tried doing some jumping jacks when I got out of bed, to get the blood flowing so I could kind of keep up with the tape (I'm NOT a morning person). But in doing the jumping jacks, I think I raised my blood pressure too quickly and I think I had a heart attack.

But I pressed on and did Tae Bo, because Billy Blanks wanted me to "be strong." But I'll be damned, I thought my roundhouse kicks were up around my hips at least, but I looked in the reflection on the TV, and I'm barely getting those bad boys up!! Any tips on how to kick a little higher without falling over?

Didn't think so. :)

So I think I'll get the advance whenever the 8 minute plus the Basic gets too easy. I am seeing some results already though. I do my old Abs and Chest of Steel on Tuesday and Thursday after work, so that kinda builds the muscle, and Billy sheds the fat.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 1999

I was perusing the Tae-Bo website, as provided by our gracious hostess, Pamie, and noticed that they have the tape length at the end of each blurb about the tape. And the length of the 8-minute tape was 14 minutes. I know, I know, dead time in the tape, etc, whatever, but it made me giggle a little bit to see that.

On the money front, I am a high schooler with two months to go, and I think that Tae-Bo would kickass to do this summer and to take to college, maybe. Anyway, it is really work the $60? That seems like so much to me.. maybe the money would motivate me to actually do it, but I would feel really stupid if I spent that money and then hated it.

emily

-- Anonymous, April 26, 1999

I finally got my 8 minute tape today! I had to go home for lunch and found it in my mail box. I haven't tried it yet but I am very excited. Ready to be a punk rocker with Billy in just 8 minutes... How is the 8 minute workout, by the way? Any comments?

-- Anonymous, April 26, 1999

The 8 minute tape is nice... it is faster-paced because there isn't so much "ok, march it out" dead time. He tends to go right from one move to the next. Also, the warm-up and cool-down are abbreviated, which I don't mind. You can always do more of that if you want.

Pamie, your Tae-Bo dream was hysterical!

-- Anonymous, April 26, 1999

Well, I staggered into work this morning after doing the 8 minute tape before leaving the house. I am feeling all energized now. There were several more tank top guys on the 8 minute...does Billy have some sort of contract with Jansport? Or, more likely, does he tell these guys: "Look, you are not to wear the space-man-metallic-pimp workout clothes that I wear. I cannot have you skinny white boys distracting from my physique."

-- Anonymous, April 27, 1999

Oddly enough, I broke out the 8-minute tape this morning (not enough time for the full monty) and was underwhelmed. I've not yet done Advanced, but have pretty well mastered Basic, and barely broke a sweat with this one.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 1999

Yesterday, I did Tae-Bo with the sound turned off, and the Mortal Kombat soundtrack on instead. It was so much better! I know all the moves by now, so I don't need Billy's instruction (you can still see him mouthing, "don't forget your abs!") and the music was perfect. I found myself doing it much more energetically than usual.

Just thought I'd pass on the tip...

-- Anonymous, April 29, 1999

I also will put on the basic tape sometimes with a CD. I have found that Fatboy Slim's "You've Come a Long Way Baby" works pretty darn well with the tape.

Even in the advanced tape, before you get to track eight, you're done. I like that in a workout.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 1999

Oops. Yesterday I did the Basic tape after slacking off for more than a week. Don't do that - Billy was laughing at me. I was upset - I had really gotten to the point when I thought I was about ready for the Advanced. Now I will have to build back up.

Oh! I read in a magazine that the scary chick with the butch hair - and it sounds like he calls her "Shelly," is actually Billy's daughter like pamie mentioned before. Her name is Sheila, according to this magazine, and in the picture her hair was longer and much less frightening.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 1999

Alright, so what do you use as a focus point?

I do it in my parents' living room. So, when I'm doing the jabs or the hooks I use a lightswitch plate or a lamp shade as my focal point. But, when it's time to do those speedbags...*evil grin*...I use my mom's autographed and framed picture of Judge Judy. Boy can I feel the muscles working then!

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999

Oh, how hysterical is the autographed and framed pic of Judge Judy!

I would definately use that as a focus point.

I find that when I'm doing the warmups I can't keep a focus point. We move our heads back and forth so fast I get dizzy. Same with the double time punches in advanced. In the warmups I close my eyes. In the double time punches I stay really focused on my back leg, as i have a tendency to not rotate my hip out right and I hurt my knee.

So basically I think-- "Turn. Look at doorknob. Turn. Look at sliding glass door handle. Turn. doorknob. turn. handle. turn. doorknob. turn. handle. turn. sneak look at billy to see if he's really watching me. turn. feel like an asshole.

And I noticed I wrote "our heads" up their earlier. And, yes, it does frighten me a little.

But I'm not going to start yelping like the girl in mauve. and, by the way, she's my favorite. She gets all sweaty. She used to weigh a lot more, lost it all through tae-bo and then got her side tattooed. if i whittled my body down like that, you know i'd advertise as well. she makes me proud. even if she does yelp like a poodle.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999

How do you guys know so much about the Tae-Bo-vidians? *I* wanna know, too.

And does anyone know what the mauve girl's tattoo is?

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999

I think it's a scorpion.

it looks a lot like Mallory's in Natural Born Killers.

That's showing that I know too much about a little of everything, I know.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999

We have a framed Pulp Fiction movie poster hanging on our wall - the one with Uma Thurman on the floor. I found that if I squint a little, she looks like one of my profs. who is a real jerk. So I get to punch him in the face over and over and over again. I aim right for the bridge of the nose. It's the perfect height. It doesn't work as well with the kicks, but it's perfect for the punches.

I found with the speedbag, I have to kind of zone out and just go with the flow, or I end up hitting my hands together or hitting myself in the face. But if I think about other things or just count in my head, I do fine. It's actually one of my favorite parts.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 1999

I got the Tae Bo two-pack like 2 months ago and sent away for the 8 minute video and it's not here!! When can I expect that? The Basic is definitely becoming too easy and I am too much of a pansy to brave the advanced (even though I can dub it for free from a friend).

It's funny, I have the basic tape memorized so I can recite all of Billy's "lines" with him.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 1999

I'd call the Tae-Bo people and find out. Their number is on the website.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 1999

Do call about that tape -- I got it maybe two weeks after sending in the form.

I suggest you move on to the Basic Live! series, which I like even more than the advanced tape. I just don't have an hour I can kill except on weekends, but the Basic Live!s are still enough to get me sweating and breathing hard.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 1999

OK, I will call about this. Billy must know that we all talk smack about him and his mumbling problem on here and now he's taking it out by stiffing me on the free 8 minute tape!

So wait, I thought the advanced was 40 minutes. Is it the Basic Live that is an hour? My other workout tape is 1 hr, so I can do it, but I like the 20-40 minute range better. I think I may move to advance. That does more muscle work, right? Like, I might be able to give up Abs and Chest of Steel if I do advanced?

So many decisions.

I live at Dupont Circle here in Washington, and it's pretty much has most of the gay population. Anyway, walking around this weekend, I saw in the window of a leather fetish shop....

THE NIPPLE WORKOUT SHIRT! It was red spandex. Wow, Billy has made it big time.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 1999

Schmeltz, I don't remember the exact times, but the advanced tape is about an hour long, and the Basic Live!s run closer to 40 minutes. And I wish I could put a finger on why exactly I find the latter a better workout than the former, but I really do feel better exercised afterward.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 1999

A British newspaper article on Tae-Bo:

Fight for fitness

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000