Rating: 
Summary: An average workout video
Review: Overall, I wasn't too impressed with this video. I did really like the music, and I like the way the video is set up to have two high-energy 20 minute workouts that can be combined to make a single 40 minute workout, with the option of higher-energy moves in the second 20 minutes *BUT* there is a lack of care and attention to the body that used to be an important part of her earlier videos. There are no warm-ups, no cool downs, she doesn't take the time to emphasize correct form, etc. and she is not supportive to her audience (ie "You're doing good, keep it up, almost there"). It's as if the whole point of the video is to prove that she is ultra-cool ...and that she still has what it takes to get through a high-energy workout like this when it is obvious that she is struggling. I did not like a lot of the steps (it's easy to twist your knees doing a few of them) and I did not like that you get stuck doing a certain step many times over on one side of the body (ie left leg)through-out the workout without balancing it out on the other side. I did not like the athletic look of her back-up crowd, they looked more suited to weight lifting and jogging than to aerobics. Overall, while the theory behind the video was good, it just didn't hit the target.
Rating: 
Summary: oh, yeah! get started!
Review: Finally a w/o for beginners! I have done very well with this one,and on days that I feel I can do more, there is a second 20 minute w/o. Try this: w/o in your underwear in front of a full length mirror! Sure has pushed me! I can complete this w/o 6 days a week-and knowing its only 20 minutes...piece of cake! I actually like the "mess ups" made by some of the folks on tape-seems like real people!
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely below average
Review: I think my main mistake was to try out this video for the very first time at 6 a.m. I should have waited until I was more alert. By yawning for a second too long I think I missed half the routine. I mastered about half the moves by the 3rd or 4th time using this tape, so one can expect the steps to be quite challenging for newbies. Kathy runs through each move *very* quickly (mercy if you must pause for a sip of water), so pay very close attention. I honestly think I'd have better things to say about this program if I could just get past all the annoying whoops and you-GO-girl yelps from her MC Hammer-like entourage. They need to go away (or shut up). Bottom line: If you have a knack for picking up fast-paced moves, this tape will give you a pretty decent workout -- it's hi-enegery and will make you sweat. Otherwise, stick with something more intermediate.
Rating:
Summary: Pumps you up fast, but tricky for beginners...
Review: There is a swap table in my apartment complex and a few weeks ago I found this video there. I consider myself in good shape; I workout with weights at the gym twice a week, I do long distance bike rides, I own a treadmill, my flexibility level is excellent, I regularly go on lengthy brisk walks, etc. I used to run but damaged my knees because of it. I have to be careful with exercise because of my knees and the only real pain I have now is when I'm walking up stairs. The last aerobic tape I ever tried was Jane Fonda back in the 1980's and although the workouts were a bit tough I was able to keep up. I figured this Kathy Smith video would be a piece of cake, but it wasn't.I work long hours at my job and the time saver aspect of this video appealed to me the most. During the workweek, if I don't exercise in the morning I won't exercise at all. I've been doing this video for about 3 weeks now, three times a week. I get up at 5:00 am to fit in the exercise, and believe me, I am not a morning person. This video does wake you up fast and gets your heart rate up. I think the tempo of this video is too fast to be considered beginner level, but if you stick with it and don't allow yourself to be discouraged you will pick up the steps in time. I usually only do the first 20 minute video and the 10 minute stretch at the end of the tape. I hardly have any room to work out and it's also not easy to do the quick steps on wall to wall carpeting. I modify the workout so that I'm not jumping up and down on my knees and twisting my knees, as some of the moves seem to do. Even with my modifications I get a good workout and get my heart rate up. When I first started doing the tape I had to stop the tape frequently to drink water. The workout gets you feeling warm fast so have the fan going at the start. After the first workout and stretch I feel incredibly energized and it is a great way to wake up and start the morning. This video is a bit confusing and fast paced for those like me who don't attend aerobics classes or do many aerobics videos, but you will catch on if you keep trying. I find the hard bodies who are doing the class with Kathy a bit fake with their enthusiasm, but their fit bodies are inspiring. Everyone seems like they are on speed, but maybe it's just that I'm half-asleep when I'm starting out! I am definitely wide-awake when the workout is over.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I own almost every Kathy Smith video from 1990 on. I have found all of her videos excellent in content and easy to follow. This video is not consistent with all of the others. I was very disappointed with this video. I found the sequences on this video VERY difficult to follow to the point where I got frustrated. I won't even watch it anymore. Now I am a little leary about purchasing her videos because I am concerned that the content may be too difficult to follow. (I read this about some of the reviews on the new Fat Burning Breakthrough video). I am not the most coordinated person but she always was very instructive in her past videos, this one reminds me of a Reebok or Corey Everson video. As a Kathy Smith video fan (and supporter) I hope she doesn't continue to follow this pattern because I won't buy anymore of her videos unless I can view them first.
Rating:
Summary: Time Saver fits into a busy schedule
Review: This was my first Kathy Smith video, but I am a veteran video-exerciser. The two twenty minute routines are convenient and make it hard to come up with excuses not to do at least one (and follow with the cool-down stretch.) The moves were varied and fairly easy to follow. I did find Kathy's voice high pitched and annoying, though that won't make me stop using the tape. Other areas that could use improvement are the cues and rhythm - every once in a while a beat seems to disappear. When the cardiac burst options are given, the variations are not explained sufficiently - so I end up doing a variation of their variation. It would be nice if they showed the high pumpin' variation in slow motion at least once so we could follow! Also, what's with the strange cuts to the backlit exerciser on the platform? It gives the poor woman the look of a handless alien! One more point - Kathy could use to hold the first couple of stretches of the neck longer to make them gentle and effective.
Rating:
Summary: Beginners should give this some time...
Review: I agree with a prior post that this tape does not seem like a beginner's workout, especially when compared to something like Kathy Smith's "March to Fitness." However, I've had the tape for about a month, and now I can easily do either of the 20 minute routines, although I haven't worked my way up to the full 40 minutes (YET!) Since buying this tape, I've become pretty addicted to the Firm series tapes, but I still like this one for a quick, intense aerobic workout. It's especially great on days that my toddler chooses not to nap and time is limited! Also, this tape has a nice "bonus stretch" at the end, which I often use after other workouts.
Rating:
Summary: Tae Bo meets a night at the dance club
Review: I was disappointed with this video especially since I thought I had two reputable recommendations, Parents magazine and Shape magazine. This tape is rated for beginners to intermediate. I beg to differ. I've participated in my fair share of aerobics classes and I had a difficult time following the moves. Therefore, I wasn't able to get a good work-out. You wonder what you're accomplishing. A night at the dance club would do as much. In addition, the tape is noisy. Similar to a Tae Bo tape. For all you moms out there trying to get in a quick work-out, this is not the tape for if you've had enough noise for the day. This one is going back on the shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Really a Timesaver
Review: This workout is really great for those days that you can not get up in the morning. You can still catch those 20 minutes of workout. Kathy is both enegetic and keeps you going. I don't recommend this video for everyday because I don't feel that I get enough of a calorie burn, but 20 minutes of workout is better than no workout at all!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Aerobic Workout
Review: I was very reluctant to buy this video at first, but now that I have it, I know that I made a good choice. I bought this video because kickboxing was reeking havoc on my knees and I wanted to continue to do high intensity workouts. This video delivered. It's quick for those days you don't have alot of time to workout. If you only have time for a 20 minute workout you have your choice of two or you can combine the two and do a 40 minute workout. The level of intensity is moderate to high. Even the first 20 minute segment is moderate to high and it is low impact. The second 20 minute segment can be done at the viewers own intensity level. Half of the video's participants are working out at a low level and the other half are working out a a high level. The only problem with the video is that the participants are a little to perky and you may have trouble keeping up with the different aerobic steps in the beginning. She is fantastic at breaking the steps down so you can keep up, it may just take a little time to get the moves down and coordinate with her. Nevertheless, a little uncoordination in the beginning is worth it. This is an excellent aerobics video. It's also a great way to supplement your strength training workout.
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