Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and varied interval workout
Review: I've owned this video for a month, and already it's become one of my favorites. The aerobic portion consists of two five-part, 18-minute "waves" of varying intensity. Each wave progresses as follows: (1) lower intensity (but not wimpy) step aerobics; (2) intermediate intensity step aerobics; (3) very high intensity step aerobics; (4) low intensity step aerobics (to bring the heart rate down a bit, but your heart is still working); and (5) upper-body weights with optional cardio intensifiers. After the two waves is a series of exactly 100 sit-ups, followed by a thorough, relaxing stretch that progresses smoothly and logically from one muscle to the next. The total workout length is 50 minutes, about 37 of which are aerobic. (You remain in your working heart rate zone during the weight training portions.)The variety, fast pace, and efficiency of this tape make it so attractive. The moves change with each part of the wave, so you don't get bored. Not a minute is wasted: the transitions are very rapid -- so rapid, in fact, that you need to have your dumbbells ready to pick up immediately after the step aerobics. Additionally, the instrumental, non-vocal music has a great, modern beat and is very motivating. Sometimes Kathy cues a little late, but the choreography is so basic that it's not a problem after you do the workout a few times. Her instruction is pretty business-like and non-chatty, and she whoops only once or twice. I've always liked Kathy; she seems down-to-earth, smart, and sincerely interested in her fans' well-being. This video is adaptable anywhere from intermediate to advanced levels. The more advanced can use more power moves or add heavier weights during the weight sections. I highly recommend this tape. Equipment needed: step bench and at least two sets of dumbbells (5 to 15 pounds each depending on your level), plus towel to wipe off all the sweat!
Rating: 
Summary: Burn baby burn!
Review: Is this video the answer to your weight loss plateau? I can't promise that, but it will make you sweat and your muscles burn! Kathy Smith's tapes are often a little too simplistic for me. (I'm a Kari Anderson fan for this exact reason) But this tape is actually fun, intense, and different than some of her other tapes. First of all, the setting is beautiful- a platform surrounded by giant emerald green trees. This is a refreshing change from the indoor set we're all used to seeing. The workout is done in two waves, and each wave contains 4 levels. The first level is considered a warm up, the second gets your heart going, the third kicks but with high-intensity, cardio-fat burning challenges, and the fourth is a recovery period. The first wave is followed by weight resistance training, and the second with abs (100 to be exact). I did the entire workout (both waves) and actually felt like I had been challenged. This is one of the few tapes I've found that models the intensity of my live step classes. I gave this four stars out of five, only because Kathy Smith cueing can really [stinks] during the last wave. They try to make up for this by dubbing her voice over the tape, but the timing is all wrong. Also, the video is impossibly bright and I found that adjusting my t.v. monitor didn't help the blurring of her bright red outfit at all. All in all though - this tape is worth it. The music is great, the workout is varied and intense without being painfully complicated, and the natural setting is easy on the spirit.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Dancy
Review: If you prefer athletic routines that focus on getting the job done, you will not like this tape. The moves are too complicated for the level of intensity.
Rating:
Summary: Don't run before you can walk!
Review: Like other reviewers, I have several of Kathy's exercise videos, and enjoy them all. I personally find them pretty easy to complete, enabling me to work on form and increasing the intensity if I feel up to it. However, I boldly popped this tape in one day and found myself reduced to absolute beginner level! It certainly brought me down a peg or two, until I took the time to review the moves thoroughly before attempting the workout again. The warm-up itself is fairly vigorous. It's quicker physically than Kathy's others. Then comes the first "wave". You start off fairly slowly and build through 3 zones. By the third you really feel it, but then you're treated to a recovery stage which feels wonderful. Weights follow, then the next wave, again with 3 levels of increasing intensity, and a recovery. The routine ends with a few more weights, abs, a cooldown and finally a stretch. The choreography is certainly more complex than Kathy's other videos and is doesn't help when you're trying to learn moves which involve you turning away from your TV set. Still, perservere and you'll find you can do it!
Rating:
Summary: A Workout "Wave" Breakthrough!
Review: I thought I finished collecting step videos for my rotation until I found this one. The box advertised a unique workout. I already have 3 other Kathy Smith step videos (Step Workout, Power Step, and Buns & Thighs) and love them all, so I decided to try this one. It was just what the box advertised. The innovation in this workout is that the step series are in "waves". The waves are made up of 5 zones. The first zone is basic step that builds in intensity, the second zone is a little more challenging, the third zone is the most intense with lunges and squats, the fourth zone is a "recovery" period, and the final zone is toning using weights. Each zone lasts from 3 to 5 minutes for a total of 18 minutes for the entire wave. There are two 18 minute waves. The second one is a little more challenging than the first but, if you can do Kathy's Power Step video, you should not have a problem. Zone 3 in the 2nd wave is very intense in that you expel a lot of energy doing the rapid lunges and squats while jumping across the bench. If you dig deep and find that energy, the moves are not that difficult. A nice thing about the waves is that each zone has a different combination, so you're not doing the same thing over and over and the workout stays fresh. The weight sections put you through very basic moves that require dumbbells or hand weights. 3 to 5 pounders are probably sufficient, unless you are very buff. After the 2 waves, you get a nice abdominal workout. It starts with two sets of push ups and then into abdominal crunch sets totaling 100 crunches. It sounds like a lot, but it only lasts 4 minutes and the screen actually counts down how many you've done. The cycling crunches at the end are very effective; I have never seen them done before on any of my other 25+ step tapes. Ab work is followed by a couple of back strengthening exercises. The total workout, including 7 minute warm up and 4 minute cool down stretch, is 52 minutes. The workout is done outdoors which looks a little strange because of the shadows, but is still a nice change from studio backgrounds. Unfortunately, unlike Kathy's other step videos, there are no cute guys in this one. You will not get bored with this video. Give it a try!
Rating: 
Summary: Grueling Workout
Review: I have 4 other Kathy Smith workout videos and this one is by far the most complex, but varied, of the ones I have. This workout primarily revolves around step aerobics with arm weights (including push ups!), abdominal crunches (including bicycling moves) and exercises for the back. I found the aerobic routines very confusing and suggest to new viewers that they review the video first, learn the steps and routines, and then workout to the tape. The routines will be a lot less frustrating once you already know the steps as there is not much repetition and Kathy moves quickly with little cueing. I find this video to be the most challenging and intense and will reserve it for days when I have a lot of energy.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Fast Workout
Review: I just purchased this workout tape having only purchased one other before (Kathy Smith's Power Step Workout) and I love it. I have been using one step video for about 4 months and this new one is a lot faster, but once you get the hang of it the faster pace is more enjoyable. The outdoor landscape is a fresh new look and the workout is both versatile and fun to do. You control how intense your workout is and can choose between the first wave, the second wave, or both. While I still use my old tape this new one has become my favorite. It just seems to be less mundane and with more movement than the last. I feel like I am getting a better workout.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and varied interval workout
Review: I've owned this video for a month, and already it's become one of my favorites. The aerobic portion consists of two five-part, 18-minute "waves" of varying intensity. Each wave progresses as follows: (1) lower intensity (but not wimpy) step aerobics; (2) intermediate intensity step aerobics; (3) very high intensity step aerobics; (4) low intensity step aerobics (to bring the heart rate down a bit, but your heart is still working); and (5) upper-body weights with optional cardio intensifiers. After the two waves is a series of exactly 100 sit-ups, followed by a thorough, relaxing stretch that progresses smoothly and logically from one muscle to the next. The total workout length is 50 minutes, about 37 of which are aerobic. (You remain in your working heart rate zone during the weight training portions.) The variety, fast pace, and efficiency of this tape make it so attractive. The moves change with each part of the wave, so you don't get bored. Not a minute is wasted: the transitions are very rapid -- so rapid, in fact, that you need to have your dumbbells ready to pick up immediately after the step aerobics. Additionally, the instrumental, non-vocal music has a great, modern beat and is very motivating. Sometimes Kathy cues a little late, but the choreography is so basic that it's not a problem after you do the workout a few times. Her instruction is pretty business-like and non-chatty, and she whoops only once or twice. I've always liked Kathy; she seems down-to-earth, smart, and sincerely interested in her fans' well-being. This video is adaptable anywhere from intermediate to advanced levels. The more advanced can use more power moves or add heavier weights during the weight sections. I highly recommend this tape. Equipment needed: step bench and at least two sets of dumbbells (5 to 15 pounds each depending on your level), plus towel to wipe off all the sweat!
Rating:
Summary: All over the place...
Review: I used to be a huge fan of step. However my body rejected it after I had my son. This particur tape has a lower rating than I usually give Kathy Smith. She still has the same upbeat attitude that I love. I do think that this tape have difficult choreography. It is definitely for someone who is an advanced stepper. The scenery in this video is beautiful and the atmosphere is serene. Don't get caught up in the background, stay focused because Kathy has you all over the place.
Rating:
Summary: Very good, challenging workout
Review: This was a fairly challenging workout. She does move fairly quickly through the steps, but I didn't find it hard to follow. However, I do have Kathy Smith's Power Step workout, and many of the moves are taken from there. The Power Step workout moves more slowly, so if you learn that one first, this one is pretty easy to follow. I didn't really like the weight lifting segments. They aren't long enough to actually build any muscle mass or tone, and they cause your heart rate to drop right in the middle of the workout. The aerobic part is great, though.
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