In this corner ...
Whack! Whomp! Kapow!
Three new fitness DVDs demonstrate how to jab, flail, kick, sucker-punch and knee your way to fitness, and they all do a good job in their own pugilistic way.
Janet Cromley
Keeping it real -- very, very real
Danny Sullivan’s Real Kickboxing Bag Workout:
No halfway stuff here. Unlike most kickboxing workouts, which essentially incorporate shadow boxing and kicking maneuvers into a standard aerobics routine, this system involves real contact with a real freestanding striking bag.
The downside? First you’ve got to purchase a heavy-duty freestanding bag (not cheap), which looks like a 6-foot-tall Gumby doll, then set it up in your garage (or better yet, the living room, where everyone can enjoy it), then drag a TV over so you can follow along.
After that it gets better. The four-DVD set provides step-by-step instruction on exercises relatable to real kickboxing, in which fists and legs make contact with a real bag -- no shadow boxing or halfhearted karate kicks at imaginary opponents.
The set includes a short segment on wrapping the hands before pulling on the gloves, reviews basic punches and kicks, then proceeds to four workouts -- from beginner to advanced -- consisting of various combinations of those punches and kicks.
Although there’s something a little disconcerting at first about delivering a series of serious hooks to the “body” or vicious inside knees to the bag, once you get used to the sequences, you can mentally replace the bag with your agent or ex-wife’s attorney and it’s all rather satisfying.
But most important, the extended kickboxing sequences combined with legwork around the bag make for a pretty intense workout with a strong cardio component.
For avid kickboxers, fitness buffs and regular Joes looking to channel some well-earned aggression, this might be worth the expense.
Price: The DVD set is available for $49.95. Not bad, but to do the workout you also need the gloves, jump rope and free-standing bag. We priced the entire kit at www.realkickboxing.com $299.
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No need to get up for this one
Chair Aerobics for Everyone -- Chair Boxing:
One of a series of DVDs designed for office workers or people with limited movement, Chair Boxing provides a serviceable upper-body workout but is definitely lacking in production pizzazz.
The instructor, David Stamps, is filmed sitting in front of a wrinkled blue curtain. The camera rarely moves, which is probably a good thing, because the set has all the appeal of an airplane hangar.
Fortunately, Stamps is so engaging -- big smile, lots of friendly puppy energy -- that it’s almost possible to ignore that he’s poorly framed on-screen.
Because the exercises only engage the upper body, it’s easy to follow the routine, which centers on boxing’s big four: the jab, cross, hook and upper cut.
And because Stamps’ lower half is stationary, you can really focus on what you’re doing and add particular oomph to the motions.
If you follow the routine you’ll work up a decent sweat, similar to about 20 minutes of reasonably vigorous dancing.
For someone at a desk or with limited mobility, this an acceptable alternative to chair aerobics or other types of seated exercises.
Price: $19.99, available on www.amazon.com.
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Coaching team has the right stuff
Sugar Ray Leonard & Laila Ali -- Heavyweight Advanced Workout:
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and World Super Middleweight Champion Laila Ali deliver a good one-two workout punch, coaching viewers on how to effectively jab, cross, hook and upper cut their way to fitness.
They demonstrate the basic punches, quick combinations and defensive maneuvers (the slip, dip and block), then proceed to a serviceable boxing-themed aerobic workout, with Ali doing the play-by-play while Leonard yelps encouragement.
The workout -- filmed in a hip studio gym -- begins with a standard warmup (imaginary jump rope, jacks, stretches), then proceeds to about 15 minutes of cardio-boxing.
Although Leonard and Ali suggest the workout is a modification of their own workouts, this feels a lot like an aerobics class -- plenty of knee and calf lifts, squats -- with boxing maneuvers thrown in. The training ends with a nutrition segment from Ali (eat less saturated fat, exercise portion control) and a motivation attaboy from Leonard (“Make sure you’re a winner in your fight to get fit”) -- pretty much boilerplate advice on both counts. But the workout is sound and the pairing works well, with Ali conveying raw strength, warmth and charisma.
For recreational boxers and pacifists bored with regular aerobic exercise routines, this workout offers an acceptable alternative. But those looking to gear up for 12 rounds with Hasim “The Rock” Rahman might want to hit the gym.
Price: $14.95, available on www.amazon.com.
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