Basic Boxing but REALLY INTENSE Jump Rope Segments
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.

An old favorite but still effective!
I am an avid video exerciser that thoroughly reviews the products (as best possible) before purchasing but I have to say that this video, when originally purchased years ago, is still my favorite. Unless we walk or jump around on our toes on a regular basis, this video will give a great calf workout and overall aerobic workout. Yeah, I could just pull out a jumprope and get the same effect but I don't think I would have the same results or someone encouraging me as well as Michael Olajade does. I have to admit, I HATED this video initially because I didn't have the endurance and my calves were killing me but I didn't give up and still use this video as a mainstay weekly workout. What I like best about this video was that I am able to perform the basic moves, that the choreography wasn't too difficult that I wanted to give up and it still leaves me out-of-breath at the end. It also gave me a focus on why I performed my moves (picture an assailant coming at you). Just wish that it would come out in DVD form so that I can skip the intro/instruction part. I did purchse KS Kickboxing video but I thought it wasn't tough enough. Also purchased M.O. Aerojump & Aerobox videos from his website. If you thought KS video was tough or not challenging enough, you should checkout M.O. videos. THe production and quality aren't great, but I'm sure you could look past that and see that the workouts kick butt big time! I pull those out if I'm short on time or if I'm feeling strong. Just wish both KS and M.O. would collaborate on another video, longer and and just as tough, if not better. Remember, if a workout is too difficult, you can always slow down and join back in. But, if I'm not getting a hard workout, it's somewhat difficult to make yourself work harder than the video and then you feel like you didn't get your money's worth. KS and M.O., hope you're reading or listening, we want more!! Or at least come out in DVD versions-my VHS has had it.

Tough for beginners but worth improving.
This workout is not for beginners but you can definitely improve. I bought this video several years back when I started working out only to find that it was too advanced for me. Although I could make it through the boxing segments, I couldn't make it through the jump rope segments. It's perfectly alright to jump without a rope, but I thought the intensity wouldn't be the same since it's easier to cheat without a rope. Instead I decided to put the tape back on the shelf until I improved my jump roping skills. Fortunately it didn't take too long before I was able to jump rope at basic level and survive the workout. It's well worth the effort since the video provide a great cardiovascular workout. The results come quickly and you'll be in better shape. I have a lot of videos in my library but this is one of the most challenging cardio workout videos. I would definitely upgrade if the Aerobox workout ever comes out on DVD.

I'm sure it's great for others, but not for me
I normally LOVE Kathy Smith. This video, although well done, just had WAY too much jump rope drills. Jump rope means high impact. That's simply not for me! I tried doing everything else but the jump rope and I found myself bored. Oh well, can't love 'em all!

WHEW!!! And I Thought I Was In Good Shape!
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!