Rating: 
Summary: Lots of fun!
Review: I've been doing Kathy's regular step workout for some time and know the moves so well I was worried about changing to another tape and having to start learning all over again. Still, I did, and haven't looked back. The Power Step workout is so much fun and it only took me a couple of tries to get it all right. The modifiers are useful if you are a beginner, but a more experienced stepper can get a great workout using the power moves (catching air). I use a regular step with a couple of risers each side, but Kathy and the crew use a flexible, bouncy one which she endorses. The workout goes by very quickly and I almost wish there was an abs section at the end, or maybe some weights just to round it out. I work out most days and alternate Kathy's tapes. I like the way she's motivational and how the "gang" have perma-smiles (cheesy, but fun!). No complaints from me, and I feel great!
Rating:
Summary: Great workout!
Review: Kathy Smith does a variety of moves in this workout. From beginners to advanced. I really sweat in this video and I've been doing step workout for several years. This is my most favourite video.
Rating: 
Summary: Great workout
Review: Kathy Smith is an excellent aerobics instructor - she uses standard moves, great cues and she makes it easy for those of us watching to make the moves more or less intense, depending on our fitness level. This is a great workout, with lots of power moves (you can ignore these and do regular moves, also) and high energy. The lighting is good, the set is good & the music, though not great, isn't too loud or intrusive. And though the people behind Kathy were all in great shape & did well (except one person, see below), I get tired of all the plastic smiles on everyone in these videos. Sure, we know you're supposed to look like you LOVE it, but you can look pleasant without looking like a mannequin!I love the fact that the video is broken up into distinctive sections for beginners, intermediate or advanced students. She gives everyone ample time to prepare for the next section, and she takes appropriate heart-rate checks in between. The thing that kept me from giving it 5-stars is that it's obvious this wasn't filmed in one take - and unfortunately, whoever was editing it didn't get it exactly right. At different angles (obviously "take-2" or something) every so often, the folks on the tape are a second or two off. Also, there is one person who always seems about a beat behind everyone else, so everytime the camera cuts to her, it can be just a little confusing. Nothing terrible, but kind of annoying the first couple times I did the tape and I couldn't figure out what was wrong, I was just finding myself a beat ahead/behind everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Get ready to sweat!
Review: Kathy Smith is, by far, one of my favorite instructors. This video is one of her best. She gives excellent cues, and her combinations do not fail to keep me interested for the duration of the workout. This video, in particular, is my favorite. When I am up for a great workout I pop "Power Step Workout" in my VCR. All three sections keep my heart rate up, and the combinations are challenging, but very easy to learn if you are a beginner. I especially like that there is the option for really increasing your workout's effectiveness with the high intensity moves. I have been stepping for years-in classes and at home-and think that this is one of the best tapes out there. I would highly recommend this to anyone, and everyone, who wants to get an excellent workout.
Rating:
Summary: Reach for it again and again!!
Review: One of the best cardio workout videos ever made. I have nearly 50 exercise videos I've purchased over the past 20 years and The Power Step Workout is one of the top 5 I reach for over and over again when I want to feel as though I've had a good workout. If you don't want a 45 minute workout you can do the warmup and the first or second workouts. Or mix and match different segments on different days. It's segmented to fit your fitness needs but each segment gradually increases the pace. You don't even need the step although using one provides greater cardiovascular benefit. The cueing is excellent and the routines easy to learn. The music is great without being distracting. I think you'll really feel energized with the small group while you work out. I think you also will return to this video again and again. Your heart and body will thank you. Kathy Smith knows how to make a great video. This video proves why she's one the best in the exercise video business.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, easy to learn, heart rate stays up for a long time
Review: This 50-minute tape is more aerobically intense and high-impact than "Step Workout" and less repetitive, but it has less toning, and no upper body toning. My heart rate stays up at an even, high level throughout all three aerobic segments. It is flexible enough to be good for a variety of levels of exercisers. There is enough variety to keep it interesting, but it is still not complicated to learn. I especially like the warm-up and cool-down/stretch. The aerobic intensity seems pretty high and very even throughout the three segments, unlike my other favorite step videos, Kathy Smith's "Fat Burning Breakthrough," which uses a "wave" model of varying intensities, and Gin Miller's "Reebok Intense Moves," which uses an "interval" training system. All three burn a lot of calories and will really make you sweat! The set looks like a gymnasium with brick walls, which is okay, and the outfits are easier to look at than those on some other tapes (no thongs or excessive skin showing). The music is pretty easy to take, with a good distinct beat to help you keep going at the right speed. Kathy Smith does not whoop or act silly on this tape.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, easy to learn, heart rate stays up for a long time
Review: This 50-minute tape is more aerobically intense and high-impact than "Step Workout" and less repetitive, but it has less toning, and no upper body toning. My heart rate stays up at an even, high level throughout all three aerobic segments. It is flexible enough to be good for a variety of levels of exercisers. There is enough variety to keep it interesting, but it is still not complicated to learn. I especially like the warm-up and cool-down/stretch. The aerobic intensity seems pretty high and very even throughout the three segments, unlike my other favorite step videos, Kathy Smith's "Fat Burning Breakthrough," which uses a "wave" model of varying intensities, and Gin Miller's "Reebok Intense Moves," which uses an "interval" training system. All three burn a lot of calories and will really make you sweat! The set looks like a gymnasium with brick walls, which is okay, and the outfits are easier to look at than those on some other tapes (no thongs or excessive skin showing). The music is pretty easy to take, with a good distinct beat to help you keep going at the right speed. Kathy Smith does not whoop or act silly on this tape.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly suprised!
Review: This is a great power step workout video. I usually get bored with step exercise videos as they quickly become dull and uninspiring once you've mastered the routine. This video is fun and challenging. I don't think it is a video for beginners though as Kathy does not take a lot of time to explain or show some of the basic step moves. However, for someone who is familiar with Step, it offers a good workout along with some fun moves. There are times that the steppers in the video are a slip second off of the beat of the music. As long as you can keep a beat though you'll be fine. Kathy does a good job of showing alternative low-impact moves in the event that you aren't up for the power moves. My only complaint is the somewhat lame music.
Rating:
Summary: A Fun Powerstep Workout
Review: This is a great power step workout video. I usually get bored with step exercise videos as they quickly become dull and uninspiring once you've mastered the routine. This video is fun and challenging. I don't think it is a video for beginners though as Kathy does not take a lot of time to explain or show some of the basic step moves. However, for someone who is familiar with Step, it offers a good workout along with some fun moves. There are times that the steppers in the video are a slip second off of the beat of the music. As long as you can keep a beat though you'll be fine. Kathy does a good job of showing alternative low-impact moves in the event that you aren't up for the power moves. My only complaint is the somewhat lame music.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT!
Review: This is a great video and one of my favorites. Kathy does an excellent job! The cues are right on. This video gives you a great workout! In fact all of Kathy's step videos are worth having! You can do whatever level suits you. She has class members who do both the beginner level and advanced level so you can follow which ever you prefer. I highly recommend this video.
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