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What is it?
Billy Blanks' 35-minute Tae Bo routine for people over 40.
Who is it for?
Anyone, not just those over 40, who believes that the regular Tae Bo videos may be too strenuous. Even so, this is not necessarily an easy tape!
What to expect:
Can Tae Bo really be adapted for the older crowd? A look at the tape gives you an idea of who will enjoy this tape. Blanks teaches his class in a group atmosphere, and many of his students here are well beyond the first (or even second) flush of youth. Even so, quite a few of them are hardbodied and even those whose appearance and girth reflect their years are more flexible than your average middle-aged person. Most impressive is the little old lady in her 70s who does the routine with such verve that she kicks higher than Blanks himself. What does all this mean to you? If you're over 40 and looking for a way to ease into a fitness program, Tae Bo Gold is almost certainly too demanding for you. If you're over 40 and already active, this may be a good starting point for you if you're interested in Tae Bo - the moves are less complicated and, while the pace isn't as hard as the regular Tae Bo tapes, you still get a solid cardio workout. Younger people may also find this a good starting point, although chances are all but the least fit will grow into the regular Tae Bo series fairly quickly. Inactive Baby Boomers, on the other hand, will have to work up to this tape. On the down side: although the oldies soundtrack has a pleasant song selection, sometimes it overpowers Blanks instruction. On the plus side: Blanks' enthusiasm and supportive attitude. Gage your own fitness level to decide whether you ready for Tae Bo now, or later, when you've already got some easier exercise tapes under your belt. In any case, make sure you get the Tae-Bo Instructional tape, too so you'll learn the proper form and avoid injury.