This is definitely not a beginner's step video. No
two-step class or video could be. However, it is designed
for the intermediate to advanced steppers who would like
to add an additional challenge to their normal workout.
At first, you might feel a little awkward trying to get
the "feel" of two steps, but once you've got it
in your "muscle memory", the workout can be
more intense just by it's nature than a single-step
class.
Two Step Challenge is an hour long tape that begins
with an 8 minute warmup, has a 35 minute double-step
segment which includes interesting but not dancey
choreography, an aerobic cooldown, a lower body sculpting
section including abs, and a final cooldown. You are
constantly on the move, and the time passes quickly. The
step segment does incorporate power moves, but just as in
single-step, you can keep the impact low by not adding
the hops. Suzanne clearly emphasizes and demonstrates
this point.
Suzanne Cummings cues beautifully. Her transitions
are smooth and easy to follow, and she builds the routine
in sections. Her cast includes one person doing the
routine on two steps, and another doing the same routine
on a single step. Suzanne has a very pleasant
personality, but falls into the same common pitfall of
many other video instructors. She says "good
job" too many times for my taste. I have always
wondered how any video instructor knows how good a job a
home exerciser is really doing. :)
The muscle work, which includes using hand weights,
consists of squats, standing abduction work, and
abdominals. It is a fairly intense segment lasting about
6 minutes. There is no upper body work per se, but she
includes lifting arms one at a time while doing the hip
abduction. This does work the shoulders somewhat.
I would recommend this tape to anyone who would like
to get into double-stepping. You do need to have two
steps of the same length, or it can become difficult to
execute the moves properly.
Bobbie Rivere