Kathy Smith - Aerobox Workout [VHS]

The initial reviews for this Aerobox video are right on. The release date noted is "1998," but my VHS tape states "1994" as the (probable) filming of this workout, and it shows...it is a bit dated (somewhat 80's techno-style music and pyro effects!), but the workout itself is tough and timeless! As I have mentioned before in several reviews, I am intermediate in aerobics, and not a great fan of high impact. If I do high impact, I can rarely complete twenty minutes; lower impact I can endure a bit longer. For this video (I have the VHS, not DVD), I would recommend that beginners take it easy, and perhaps forego the jump rope segments until one is conditioned. Even intermediate aerobic levels may have to go easy as well...I know I did! I could barely get through the jump roping segments; there are three, and I made it through two, although I had to alternate between using the jump rope and optional no rope...the moves were high impact, there are several jump rope/foot patterns, and my legs were like jelly when I finally had to stop! Also, I was doing straight jumping because the foot patterns AND jumping were just too much! At least this provides room to improve! Kathy basically has Michael Olajide, JR. instruct the workout, which is great because Kathy really looks a bit out of shape and is somewhat clumsy with the moves. While he mentions over and over "not to let your feet come together," there's Kathy, moving side-to-side putting her feet together. When M.O. says, "don't let the elbows go to the back," again, there's Kathy with her elbows flinging around from the back. At least she's trying...thank gosh she's not instructing! The workout takes place in a boxing-type ring, with a line of others working out, and one individual following along without the rope during the jump rope segment (thank gosh!). There is a pretty good warm-up stretch segment, plenty of "boxer" moves working the arms and legs: upper cuts, hooks, straight punches; shuffles, sticking, foot pattern movements coordinated with boxing punches, which one would expect in a "boxing" workout. Olajide works out hard, as does the rest of the gang, and as said, it is a reasonbly tough workout. If one is in tip-top shape, already boxes, and is advanced, perhaps this workout might be boring or easy; however, for the beginner and intermediate levels, this workout provides excellent conditioning with room to improve. Personally, I enjoy Kathy's "Kickboxing" workout, the difference between the Kickboxing and the Aeroboxing being that the Kickboxing is a newer edition, and instead of all the footwork/boxing combos, there is obviously more kicking involved. This is a good video to add to one's aerobic workout library...in my opinion, the jump roping segments are killer, really work the legs and heart and really contribute to the effectiveness of the aerobic effects. For those of us who recall jump roping during recess in school, well, that was naturally fun. Now that some of us are older and not as agile and in shape as we once were, the jump roping has become a true aerobic challenge!UPDATE! Since reviewing this VHS, I have worked my way through the entire workout--with jumprope! YOWEE!

This video definitely pushes your limits. I could feel my lungs working to their maximum capacity and then some. All that hopping and jumping on your toes. And I didn't even use the rope!If you are beginning this workout, please take it slow! This is not a novice's regimen. If you do this a few times, you will discover a whole new respect for the sport of boxing. The amount of coordination, focus, cardio strength, and agility you require to engage in a boxing practice totally took me by surprise.It is true that Kathy Smith doesn't appear in the final segement and makes a couple mistakes. And I, too, like some other reviewers, initially felt let down by her because of this. After all, if she can't even do it....however, after merely attempting to use the jump rope for a few jumps, I can see that even tip top shapers like Kathy Smith would find if challenging to flawlessly continue on with a program like this unless they had trained for years and years professionally.It's a great workout if you want to push your limits. It's total cardio! And watch out for your calves - they will ache big time!

I enjoy this workout for their scense of fun. Okay, it's a bit corny at times. Kathy Smith takes a back seat for most of the workout. This video appeals to men and women as Kathy is not usually in the lead and the men can be challenged by the jump rope routine.The jump rope routine is rigorous (try it with a rope). It's a good workout to mix into your routine.

This is a VHS tape that was created before Tae Bo took off big time and Boxing workouts were popping up all over the place. That alone makes it interesting to me. Michael Olajide Jr. leads most of the workout and he is a fun instructor, does a good job of cuing and motivating (is nice to look at!). None of Kathy's usual bevy of back up leaders are present, and quite frankly I wouldn't have wanted to train for this either (I can't get through the thing once yet without a quick march in place or two, much less as many times as segments may be repeated during a shoot.). Kathy herself is actually not present for the final jump rope challenge.The punch sequences are kind of lackluster compared to Kathy Smith's Kickboxing workout, but as stated above, the killer part of this workout is the jump roping. That's right - jump rope, and we are not talking double dutch -- we are talking Muhammad Ali! I consider myself in pretty good shape and I was so beaten by these that I would have to stop before the segments were over and just march in place/stretch out my calves and I wasn't even using the jump rope yet! Totally kick butt stuff. The jump rope segments make this VHS, but I would recommend purchasing Kathy's Cardio Knockout DVD - as it contains not only this program, but her Kickboxing Workout as well.