Rating: 
Summary: Requires years of dance training!
Review: Aerobics routines like this one are the reason I walked out of a Jazzercise class 15 years ago and never darkened the door of a gym again. The steps are complicated, the cueing is poor, and the instructor does not give the exerciser enough time to learn existing combinations before moving on to something new. I have a small library of 16 workout DVDs. This video hasn't left the shelf since I first tried it. Recently I have rediscovered the joys of working out and lost 25 pounds, but this tape brought the old, awful memories back to me. If you want a great work out withoout tripping over your own feet, then try Tamilee Webb or Crunch Cardio Sculpt.
Rating: 
Summary: Hi energy cardio fun
Review: This workout will really rev up your engines, even if you only do the 20 min starter. I usually complete the full 40 minutes, and I have alot of fun, which is what exercise should be. In the first segment the moves are all low-impact, and are progressively added to make up a fun quick workout. In the second 20 min section the moves are more challenging, and there's an option to do high-impact moves. This is not a beginner video, but it's also not impossible to master. Alot of the moves are repeated so you catch on quickly by the end of the segment. There's little or no warm-up in the beginning, but I think that's part of what makes it a time saving but effective video--the working out starts right away. Kathy Smith is perky without being annoying, and is working out with a ton of people. You won't get bored by this video and it will definitely get you sweating.
Rating: 
Summary: Spastic Cardio is more like it...
Review: I do like Kathy Smith (see my other reviews), so it pains me to give her a review less than 5 stars. Problem is, in keeping with the "time saving" theme, this workout is just completley rushed. She has about 15 people (not an exaggeration) exercising with her. It is as if she held an open casting call for exercisers and then did not want to turn ANYONE down. Of the 15, there are not even 2 people doing the same routine. Kathy is off beat 1/2 the time, there is some crazy Yoko Ono looking women who is just all over the place...actually, she's one of the positive things about this workout since she is at least amusing.
All in all, this is still a decent cardio workout. You will work up a sweat and it's only a 20 time commitment. Considering there aren't a ton of good cardio dvds out there, it's not a bad one to have in your collection. I just wouldn't reccommend this to people who are new to cardio workouts.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Dancy Hi-Lo Cardio!
Review: I only have a few pure floor hi-lo workouts because I am choreography-challenged. I am really glad Kathy came up with this one. There are two 20 minute segments. First segment is a low-impact dance cardio and the second segment is more hi-impact with some tricky steps. I don't think this is a pure beginner video because of the tricky steps. But if I was able to get it down in a few tries, I'm sure anyone will. I will rate this entire workout as intermediate. However, I will rate second segment as intermediate/advanced because of the higher impact and the tricky moves. Kathy is more energetic in this video so if you prefer a more somber and subdued Kathy then this workout is not for you. I prefer energetic instructors especially when doing cardio so this doesn't bug me. I hope Kathy makes another hi-lo workout soon! TWO THUMBS UP!
Rating: 
Summary: Great heart-pumping, sweat-inducing workout!
Review: I have been exercising to aerobic workout tapes for about 15 years now. I'm in good shape, but, after having a baby daughter, I don't have as much time to work out as I used to. This tape is great. The workout is a challenge--not too easy for experienced exercisers, but not too hard for beginners. The only drawback is that Kathy and her "helpers" are a little too perky and cheery, hence the 4-star review instead of 5. I always liked Kathy Smith because she never peppered her workouts with too many phony "you can do it!" and "who-hoos!" She was in a good mood but not overly cheerful like other aerobic instructors. But I can ignore this part of it in order to get a great workout. Yes, there is no formal "warm-up," but the first few minutes of the workout are pretty slow and easy, so that's like a warm-up for me. To be honest, I have always skipped past the warm-up section of any workout and proceeded directly to the main program, and I have not injured myself, ever. So this was not a problem for me.
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