Jennifer says..

This is his most intense series that I have tried, yet I was surprised that it was gentler on my joints than any other Taebo that I've tried. The series includes 4 DVD's including 2 levels of full body workout, an ab workout, and a superspeed 8 minute 'Live' workout. This series also has weighted resistance bands (much better quality than in the previous 'Utimate' series) and a bonus video that shows proper form.

What I particularly liked about the workout was that it was balanced with bursts of intensity between moderate exercises. I felt like I was really pushing it, and allowed to recover until I could give it my all again.

On the downside, I really had to pay attention to the moves because the background music got very messy in parts. I don't think vocals are a good idea to mix with Billy giving directions, on top of the background group counting out 1 through 8 for the duration. There is alternating male and female vocalists, and for several minutes, the female vocalist sounds like an R&B Star Trek theme. It was way too busy for the DVD, and to be blunt, I thought it was a terrible choice in music. Unfortunately this music follows the whole series.

This DVD has a bonus one-on-one session that shows how to do the moves, plus how to adjust the bands for a proper fit. It is a good idea to watch the bonus before trying the actual workout. If you are very out of shape, you could even get a mini workout from this bonus footage, to get you ready for the real thing.

Mission Two: Maximum Power
In the first DVD, the bands weren't used until more than half way through the workout. In Mission Two, the video actually starts with the bands already on. This video is a very challenging upper body workout. I moved along quickly for the sake of the review, but in reality, one should do Mission One a few times prior to Mission Two. No matter how much practice though, it won't make up for some inconsistencies in sets throughout the video. At one point near the beginning, Billy Blanks says that we will do 3 sets of 8 for everything. However, I found myself doing only 2 sets in a couple of occasions, and doing 5 and sometimes 6 sets of other exercises if Billy was talking. Some of these exercises are very intense, and the extra sets can push you to the limit. Billy knows these exercises are intense, and he has a fast paced stretch session of speed bags between exercises to prevent muscle injury. It's a good thing, because I think my shoulders would have exploded without them.

Again, this is primarily an upper body workout. This DVD has particular emphasis on shoulders. You are basically guaranteed some great arms and shoulders if you do this DVD regularly. The legs are more intense in this video as well. The big secret is doubling up the bands on one leg, and then doing classic Taebo kicks.

The Bonus workout on this DVD is a scorching hot dumbbell workout. It's a fast paced routine and you won't believe how intense 7 1/2 minutes and two dumbbells can be. I loved it! I'm still new at the series, so I can tell you that I definitely wasn't able to do it on top of the regular workout.

Mission Three: Rock Solid Abs
This DVD has a standard 27 minute ab workout, plus a bonus 9 minute Ab Blaster workout. The Ab Blaster workout is mostly a standing workout. Sounds great, but you need to know how to isolate your abs, or you will just be doing leg lifts for the duration. Anybody can learn how to find their abs, but if you've ever done Pilates or Yoga, you will be able to catch on quicker.

The standard workout is a challenge, but in my opinion, easier to handle than other ab workouts by Billy. This session starts out with bands in place, and includes lots of twists, punches and standing crunches. The floor workout is trickier. On my first try, I pulled my neck and had to stop early. On the next try, I was pointed towards the tv and not beside it where I had to turn my head, and I made it though injury free. This video has lots of moves that you will certainly be glad that you are doing at home and not in front of a group of people at the gym! I even embarrassed myself a time or two. I still haven't finished this workout from beginning to end, but it's still a fantastic workout and I look forward to being in shape enough to do it all at once.

Taebo Live:
This is an intense, short video to supplement your other DVD's, or just for when you don't have time for a full-length workout. It's fast paced and would round out nicely with the Ab Blaster mini workout, and the bonus dumbbell workout from Mission Two.

Overall, this is a great set! The biggest downfall is the music. I'm not sure why anybody at Gaiam didn't see this. It's too busy to be in the video with Billy's instruction and the cast's continuous, but very helpful counting. Most of the speaking in the videos are ok, but there are a few places in which it is overwhelming. What I like most about the Elite series is that anybody can start this set. It doesn't matter where you are in your fitness. Billy Blanks includes something for everybody in this set.