(Advanced Step Workout & Dynaband toning,
includes ab section)
Although this video is a good
workout, it's not Kari's best. Not too much of what I
like about her personality comes through in this
tape--she just seems more serious. The tape is dated
1991, when there still weren't too many advanced tapes
out there and when some of her power moves and turns
around and over the step were pretty unusual, and I think
she spends a little too much time teaching them for my
taste.
The end of the aerobics segment uses the Dynaband to
combine some toning with simple choreography while
keeping the heart rate up. It's interesting, but those
who are used to lifting heavy weights won't get much
benefit from it. Kari also uses the Dynaband for
resistance during parts of the short ab section. The cool
down is funky, relaxing and fun.
Wendy Niemi Kremer
I don't love this video, although it's certainly not
the worst I've ever done either. It starts out with a
short and uninspired warm-up, then continues on to some
low impact stepping that only keeps the intensity up by
moving quickly - no power at all. Kari then moves into
some more powerful movements that, despite some power
turns, are still pretty simple. I find that the ten
minutes or so of pure power moves is enough to get my
heart rate up, but leaves me wanting more (so much for
the "advanced" claim on the cover). One thing
that really annoys me about Kari Anderson is that she
never seems to even out both legs. I could be wrong about
this, but it doesn't seem like you do the same number of
repetitions on each side. Thus, when I finish one move
and expect to repeat it on the other side, a la Cathe
Friedrich, she often moves right on into the next move.
Strictly speaking, I think that each side of muscles
actually are being worked the same amount; it just
doesn't feel like it, and therefore I always feel
unfinished at the end of her workouts! Anyway, you finish
the step section, then move to upper body work using
dynabands, and some abs. Neither of these sections are
really enough to feel adequately fatigued by the end,
particularly the ab section. I realize I'm being too
negative about this video - if you need a workout that
hits most muscle groups in an hour, this is a good one to
reach for.
Carolyn
Sproule
6/27/97
This workout is about half step and half
Dynaband toning. The step choreography is mostly
at an intermediate level, but there are some
advanced moves thrown in, too. The intensity
is also mostly intermediate.
The toning is "okay" if you like Dynabands.
I'm not a real fan of them. For some of the
exercises, it would be easy enough to substitute
hand weights, but others might be more difficult
to modify.
Overall, I have a good opinion of the tape, but
I'd rather have more step and less toning with
the Dynabands. I give it a B.
Annie S.
12-23-97
On cardio work, I am an intermediate exerciser who is playing with advanced choreography. I tend to start a complex workout at the end of my regular workout and keep adding more to it until I have the steps down. In other words, complex choreography does NOT come naturally to me.
On this workout, I did the whole thing the first time through, so I don’t consider it the complexity of the choreography to be high at all – probably high beginner or low intermediate. The intensity, however, was higher as my heart rate was at the high end of the zone throughout the workout.
The workout broke down as follows for me:
Warm up – 8 minutes
Step Segment – 21 minutes. I thought it was pretty fun and it was intense for me. It was pretty simple though and I wished it was longer.
Dynaband Strength Segment – 8 minutes. You do step patterns on the bench while using the Dynabands for upper body strength moves. It is the same _general_ idea as Step & Tone by Gilad. Again, I wish it was longer. I generally don’t do strength work tacked onto the end of cardio routines, because they are never long enough and many aren’t hard enough. However, this one continues the cardio, so I might do it as a way to extend the cardio section while getting a little strength benefit.
Cooldown
General comments: The workout is set in a bright studio with background exercisers. The women’s outfits have some pretty wild prints on them. The music is pretty standard instrumental stuff, but does help drive the pace of the workout. Kari gives form pointers throughout the workout as well as options in choreography and intensity.
Will this workout have a long-term future in my collection? I’m not sure. The reason I would keep it is for an “add on” to other cardio workouts to make my cardio session longer. I guess I’ll keep it and see if I actually use it. I got this workout in a trade adn I was glad to see it. I had wondered about it.
Instructor comments:
This workout shows a young Kari Anderson. As usual, she is a good cuer and is supportive.
Laura S.
October 4, 2004