How to Get Started with T-Tapp

(Originally posted on summertime, 7 November 2006.  I've updated it a bit; new information is in italics.)

Every time I write about T-Tapp, at least one person will decide that she too wants in on that action, and will email me to ask which of the bewildering number of videos and packages she should order. The short answer is: it's up to you. The long answer is: you (some of you) asked my advice on what to buy, so read on if you want to know what I think you should buy, and in what order.

Here goes.

Purchase 1:  The first thing you should buy is the book Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes by Teresa Tapp and Barbara Smalley. You can buy it online or you should be able to find it at your local bookstore, especially your local mega-bookstore. It's now out in paperback, but my advice is to make sure you get a copy with the free DVD.  Note: if you buy it from the T-Tapp webstore now, it comes with a free copy of the "Step Away the Inches" workout... it's a great deal!

Why should you buy the book first?

• You will learn WHY the workout works, and it is way, way more than just burning calories like traditional exercise.
• You will be inspired by the success stories and photos of real women.
• You'll have a resource for in-depth explanations of the form for each move.
• Free DVD will teach you two of the most important moves, Hoe Downs and Organs in Place/Half Frogs.

But most importantly, the book comes with a coupon you can mail in for 30% off your first (or next, for preexisting Tappers) order. Send in that coupon as soon as the book is legally yours.

Start doing the DVD exercises while you wait for your video order to arrive.  Make sure to measure first!

Purchase 2:  Once you've gotten an email from the T-Tapp office confirming receipt of your coupon, call the office to order either the Total Workout or the Total System. The Total Workout is normally $79.95, so it's $56 with the discount; the Total System sells for $145 or $101.50 with the discount. The difference between the two sets is that the Total System also contains the CRT Skin Tightening System, which is a body brush, supplements, and a DVD explaining the body brushing routine. If cellulite or loose skin is a problem for you, get the Total System if you can afford it, otherwise order the Total Workout and also buy the $15 set of skin brush and written brushing instructions. If your skin is already smooth and drum-tight, just the Total Workout alone will do it for you.

It's tempting to start by just ordering the 15-minute Basic Plus Workout, but I'd advise against it.  Why?

• Once you've done the Basic Plus Workout for a while, you're going to be very, very curious about the Total Workout. Everyone I know who ordered just Basic Plus to start has wound up going back to order the second part of the Instructionals and the Basic/Rehab (Total) Workout.
• That 30% off coupon is a one-time deal. Might as well make the most of the discount and order everything you're going to need for a while.

Let me take a step back and explain what you'll get in the Total Workout package. If you order the DVD set, you'll get two DVDs and a bonus DVDs. The bonus DVD is an informational seminar. On the other two DVDs, the first contains the Basic Plus 15 minute workout, and Instructional 1, which teaches you how to do the Basic Plus workout. The second DVD contains Instructional 2 and the Beginner/Rehab Workout, which is (I think) 55 minutes long. Basic Plus is the first 15 minutes of the Beginner/Rehab workout, plus Hoe Downs.

The only people who should buy something other than the Total Workout or Total System are those who have major fitness challenges. There is another workout set called T-Tapp MORE 4-in-1 that is meant for people who are either seriously overweight, of advanced age, or dealing with major illness or injury. So if you have any of those physical challenges, this is the workout for you. If your major fitness challenge is just that you haven't worked out in ages, but you don't have any of the above-listed problems, you will be fine with the Total Workout or System. MORE is also a good choice for pregnant women, and is considered by many to be a "clinic in a box" because of the way Teresa breaks down and teaches the form.  It can be a challenging workout even for advanced Tappers like me, while still being appropriate for beginning Tappers of all physical abilities.  If you don't know whether MORE or the Total Workout would be more appropriate for you, just call the office and they'll be happy to help you figure out what is best for you.  Just tell them I sent you, okay?

Once you have your videos: Watch them, all of them, before attempting to follow along. Start by doing Instructional 1, which only takes about 20 minutes, and do Instructional 1 on its own several times (five or so) before going on. You may either do Instructional 1 every day or every other day, just listen to your body. After that, you have a choice: you may either start doing the Basic Plus 15 minute workout daily or every other day, or you may start learning Instructional 2. Instructional 2 may be done on its own or after Instructional 1. When you've done each Instructional at least 5 times, you can move on to doing the Beginner/Rehab workout.

At some point in this process you will want to do your first bootcamp. A bootcamp is doing either both instructionals back to back or the Beginner/Rehab workout every day for 4-14 days. Do NOT go longer than 14 days without a day off, EVER. For most people, 4 to 7 days is ideal. I personally have never done more than 7 days in a row. After your bootcamp, take one or two days off, then start doing an every other day or 3 workout a week schedule.

Other stuff you'll want or need: 
You will NEED the following:

• A good pair of crosstrainers. The consensus is that the Skechers Energy series are the best. Now that I own them, I agree. (I now wear Nike Frees, but they aren't appropriate for beginning Tappers, as they'd challenge your balance too much.  Start with Skechers.) No matter what shoes you have, make sure they have very good support through the sides and top of the feet, and replace them after 6-12 months of use.
• A means to play and view your DVDs or videotapes.
• Water.
• A soft tailor-style measuring tape and a notebook or something in which to record your measurements.
• About 5 square feet of space, though more is always better.
• If you wear glasses, you'll need a strap or headband or something to hold them on your head when you bend over.

You may want the following:

• A full-length mirror in which to observe yourself.  This is highly recommended but not always feasible.
• A yoga ("sticky") mat, especially if you are working out on a slick uncarpeted floor. I find that my feet slide on lunges, even on carpet, unless I use a mat. If you get other workouts that include floor work (Hit the Floor, Ladybugs Workout, Tempo Lower Body) you will definitely need a mat. I actually use two. My butt is a delicate flower.
• Yoga blocks or similar props for the runners stretch (on Inst. 2) if you know you're not very flexible.
• To attend a clinic or meet with a trainer for private training. I got along fine without training for a very long time, but now that I've had training, I am totally hooked.* If you can swing it logistically and financially, it's worth it.
• A means to keep your kids out from underfoot. They are distracting, and my boy has had a few smacks in the head when he's gotten in the way of my moving body.

You will NOT need:

• A sports bra.  Your regular one will do fine.  There is no jumping, no bouncing.  My DDs love this about T-Tapp.
• Weights.  Trust me, you'll get cuts without 'em.
• Music or TV in the background. It's important to focus on what you're doing, and if you find yourself getting bored, that means you're not paying enough attention to what you're doing.
• Another workout video, ever, unless you're like me and become a T-Tapp junkie and want to try all the other T-Tapp workouts.

Yes, it's expensive. But when you consider that you will never outgrow this workout (even if you order other T-Tapp workouts, it's recommended to do the Beginner/Rehab workout once a week), that you'll never need to pay a gym membership again, and that you can finally stop dropping money on ever-larger pants, it's not expensive at all.

Any questions, any comments, or did I just about cover it?

Comments

[Rebekah]

question, Summer: what about the target POP videos, floor workouts and step away video? what other supplemental DVDs are 'worth it' to get all at once on my 30% coupon? thanks!