How are Powerstrike/Tae Bo on the knees?

[candice]

Hi,
I'm looking for an advanced cardio tape that's easier on the knees. I run 3x per week and do one cathe cardio - step, cardio kicks, interval max, or circuit max, but those are hard on my knees (as is the running). I know Cathe says her kickboxing is really cardio kicking, and with the plyo's it is a lot on the knees. I am just wondering if other kickboxing tapes have lots of jumping or is it mainly kicks & punches, and therefore easier on the knees? The trick is to find an advanced, very difficult tape that is still kind to the knees!

thanks for your input
Candice

 

[Stacy]

Hi. I'd recommend the Powerstrike Millenium tapes. You can find them on their website. The description on the website isnt great, but they're great kickboxing videos that are challenging, and easy on the knees.

Stacy

 

[Sonnenschein]

I second the Powerstrike recommendation. I love those tapes! I haven't tried Tae Bo advanced so I can't speak for that one way or the other. Powerstrike is definitely advanced. There's not much impact, a few jumping jacks is all I can think of--oh, and a hop to change from left to right stance and back again in in vol. 1 (but the instructors show a modification for walking it if you don't want to jump). I also have problem knees and I don't have trouble with these as long as I'm careful about form and wear shoes with fairly smooth soles. My knees really can't take much twisting and of couse in kickbox there's a fair amount of pivoting motion as you turn into your kicks and punches. --Karen

 

[kathryn]

I also recommend Powerstrike over Tae Bo.
Some other suggestions:
For knees, just make sure you don't do the workout on carpet, because it could make your feet "stick" during pivots and put some torque on the knee joint.
Also, concentrate on the "bringing the kick back in" part of the movement rather than on the "kicking the leg out," which helps assure that you don't overextend at the knee joint, and also helps work the back of the leg a bit more.

 

[candice]

Thanks for all the advice! I think I will give Powerstrike a try.

Candice