Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Total Body Workout!
Review: I work out every day and use a step aerobics tape between 4-7 days a week. This one is one of my favorites in a rotation of 13 videos I currently use. Kathy Smith is one of the best instructors. Her directions are so good that, after using this tape a few times, one can actually complete the moves without having to watch the screen (which makes it easier to maintain proper body alignment). She mirrors her instructions (when she says "left" she means YOUR "left") and it's very fun. Smith and her crew seem to have a great time which, to me, rubs off on the viewer! The video starts with an 8-minute warm-up and follows with three step segments from beginning level to advanced (12, 13, and 10 minutes respectively). One can fast-foward to the 5-minute cool down after the first or second segments if they are just beginning step aerobics or if they are hard-pressed for time). After aerobics, there is a 5-minute ab toning segment which utilizes the inclined function of the Original Step. Finally, there is an 8-minute upper body toning segment using hand-weights (one can probably improvise with cans of veggies, etc.) Finally, you cool down with a 5-minute stretching segment. Few videos are as well-rounded as this one and, although it's about an hour and ten minutes long, it's over before you know it because it is so fun!
Rating:
Summary: Lots of fun!
Review: I used to take regular step classes about 10 years ago, but apart from horseback riding have done nothing along those lines since then. Having just turned 40 I decided I should probably start doing something and began wondering what I would enjoy and stick with. Step aerobics popped into my mind and I went ahead and bought a Step, mat, weights and some videos. I had such a blast the first time, and even though it's been a while I found I hadn't forgotten most of the moves (a couple of goofs on my part, but Kathy's explanations weren't to blame). I even felt comfortable enough to complete the entire workout without having to skip through any sections. I need motivation, and Kathy and her crew gave me that. The moves aren't complicated, they are well explained and, in my opinion, the video is suitable for anyone from a total beginner (skip the more advanced sections) to an advanced-intermediate. Not to say an advanced stepper wouldn't have fun and get a good workout, but the moves are not complicated and the more adventurous sorts might want to have a more complex, highly choreographed workout. In summary, it's lots of fun and I look forward to my workouts! One minor point -if I had access to a DVD player where I choose to work out in the house, I'd probably pick that over VHS. It would just be easier to skip through the intro, which certainly isn't necessary to watch each time.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleased with herself
Review: I'm a Brit and a daily home exerciser who was looking to add some American variety to the daily routine; this is one of the DVDs I chose, pretty much at random from reading reviews, as I don't know your fitness gurus. While I have had to admit that many of the American exercise programmes are way better than the British, and I did think this a good, solid workout, I was NOT keen on Ms Smith: she seemed patronizing, knowing none of us is ever going to have either her body or her fitness ability, and seriously chuffed with herself. In fairness, I couldn't give the workout less than four stars: it genuinely builds from beginner up, it is fun to do, and - for me at least, who normally does other kinds of cardio than step - I definitely broke a good sweat without huffing and puffing. But I'm not sure I'd buy another of hers, when you guys have your Minnas and your Tamilees and your Billy Blanks and so on, none of whom makes me feel inferiour, even though I couldn't look/be like them any more than I could Kathy Smith.
Rating:
Summary: Great overall step aerobics video
Review: Fitness-wise, I'm at the beginner level because I haven't worked out for a couple of years after having my first child. However, I've done step aerobics classes before, so I'm not a total neophyte in that area. At the same time, I'm not into dancy moves & prefer easy-to-follow steps. When I decided that I needed to get back into shape, I bought this video at the same time I bought my step. Pros:
- Movements are not difficult to follow & gave me a good workout even at my very first use. - Absolute beginners can benefit from one step model who is right at front & demonstrates simpler moves
- It's not boring & most of the steppers look enthusiastic enough
- Broken up into 12-14 minutes sections so you can customize your workout (when I started, I was only able to do segment#1, so I skipped to the cool-down section immediately. Now I can do all 3 aerobic segments).
- Has cool-down segments & toning segments as well
- Kathy Smith has fairly good cuing in this video (2 or 3 slip-ups, but it doesn't bother me anymore) & straight-forward instructions
- Good intro at the beginning to give you safety tips for your workout. However, this is also a drawback since I don't need to watch this part anymore & have to fast-forward everytime I use the video Cons:
- Movements may be too simple/boring for intermediate-advanced steppers or those who like a lot of dancy movements
- The intro at the beginning of the tape is kind of long & you'll have to fast-forward through it to get to the warm-up segment Bottom line:
This video is a good workout for beginners, beginner-intermediate, and for people who don't want to deal with complicated dancy moves. Combined with a low-fat, sensible & balanced diet, you can start losing that extra weight!
Rating:
Summary: Love this step workout!
Review: This is a great step workout! I love how the video is broken down into different sections, so you can choose how much or how little you want your workout to be. It's really great for all fitness levels! I especially like the upper and lower body sculping at the end of the video, but I do wish the cool-down stretch was a little bit longer because it feels great after a hard workout. It's really great for beginners as well; Kathy Smith shows you learning strategies to make sure your doing the step moves correctly to prevent injury. Very nice way to workout at home...
Rating:
Summary: 2 thumbs up
Review: EXCELLENT video if you are a novice stepper or if you have not been physically active for a while. Step routine is very basic and does not contain a lot of fancy dance moves. This is ideal for the novice stepper who needs to learn or perfect the moves. I am extremely uncoordinated and found this video to be basic, yet effecient. Highly recommended to beginners and those that are out-of shape!!!!!!!!! I am going to try her Power Step video now!
Rating: 
Summary: Hard To Follow For a Beginner
Review: Although I do believe that this video would be great for an advanced person, I had a hard time following the instructions. I have never attempted step aerobics and this is not the way I wanted to begin. I had to make up my own steps because the video was too confusing and hard to follow. Maybe I am too uncoordinated, but I wanted a video that would be easier for a beginner to follow.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I really like Kathy Smith's workout videos. They are easy to follow and she gives options for various levels of users. If you're a beginner, it's probably better to get one of these on DVD instead so you can easily skip thru the advanced section. but after doing this video for a few weeks (about 2x a week, alernating with other videos and cardio to get 3-4 cardios per week), I find that I can complete the entire video.
Rating: 
Summary: One Wheel in the Sand
Review: I'm an avid step-aerobic exerciser and consider myself knowledgable and informed when it comes to this subject. I was excited to view this video after having read the comments about it on Amazon.com. Much to my dissappointment, it was not all that I had hoped it would be. I suspect that I may be a little particular when it comes to working out. This video is well over 50 minutes long, broken into segments designed to cater to individual workout levels, and never seemed to get started. The music is terrible and reminds me of some new age chanting...hardly motivation to get pumped up. The only redeeming quality is that the sculpting portion at the end of the video is pretty effective. I do not recommend this video to spunky people who are serious about their workout "working them out"!!
Rating:
Summary: Effective and easy to follow
Review: I can not say how much I love Kathy Smith's workouts. Her cues are excellent, and she isn't obnoxious like a lot of the other instructors out there. This video, in particular, is excellent for those just beginning stepping, as Kathy explains each combination thoroughly. However, as someone who has been stepping for years, I quickly found myself becoming bored with the simple combinations. I would highly recommend this video to those who are new to stepping or unable to perform the high impact movements required in other aerobic videos. If I use this tape I usually add propulsion to the moves in the combinations to make things a little more interesting. But, you really can't go wrong with Kathy's workouts and this is a great addition to anyone's aerobic video collection.
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