Cardio Kickboxing

I discovered Rodney's website, www.fitnesstechniques.com, while mindlessly surfing for new cardio kickboxing videos. I posted a thread and some VF-ers emailed Rodney.

This video consists of 2 40-minute workouts; really it's like part 1 and part 2; no separate warmup for the second. It's Rodney and five or six background exercisers, mostly women, against a dark background with pastel-colored banners hanging down. Considering that it seems to be a somewhat low-budget production, it was a pretty nice setting.

The first workout has several simple combinations that are taught separately then strung together. Combo one consists of front punch/side punch/two front kicks on both sides. Combo two consists of V-steps (Rodney calls them "box" steps) with punches, to the front and to the side, plus two front kicks, again on both right and left legs.

There is also a combo of hook/knee raise/cross punch/side kick that is done separately.

Transitions between the warmup and two workout segments are a bit weird; the light goes out and the cast just keeps doing side punches in the dark.

the second workout has jab/cross/hook/hook that turns into jab/cross/hook/squat/plyo leap. This was fun! He never does a lot of reps though; usually about four at a time. It would be a lot tougher if he did say, 8 reps. Another combo is side block/side punch/front kick/side kick with other leg.

There is a brief section of uppercut flurries (he combines this with side punches but I find it a bit awkward, unlike say, speedbag + punch)then another awkward transition where he's talking about going into the toning section--the lights go out again and he's talking in the dark while he and the cast are still doing punches and hooks.

The toning section is brief; a few side abductor lifts plus kicks and the slow roundhouse kicks with the chair.

The music is hip techno-y stuff; some might be bothered by the music that pervades the second section and the toning; it is a repetitive theme that sounds like a siren mixed with organ music. I personally don't mind it, but all I care about music-wise during a workout, really, is the beat.

I would rate this workout as high intermediate to low advanced. He sometimes explains the next move while you shuffle, jog or jack; as I say, if there were more reps of each combo, I think it would've raised the intensity even more.

I liked it. It's a kickboxing workout with basic moves mixed into more-than-basic combinations. I'd love to see what Rodney could do with a bigger production budget (including better lighting cues and more varied music). If you like such tapes as Hollywood Trainer Kickbox or the old Tae-Fit workout, I think you'll really like this one. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Rodney workout.