Ilaria Montagnani and Patricia Moreno
I resisted the Powerstrike videos for the longest time, but as more and more
VFers raved on the Forum about how great they were, I had to give in and
order. Although the selection of videos and ordering process were daunting,
I opted to get the newest videos which were supposed to have better
production quality: Advanced Series #1 and Level 1 Series #1. I had to
order by mail and send a check, which drove me crazy since I'm a big online
shopper. A few weeks later I received an email that the office had been
closed for two weeks but my order had just been mailed. Well, I tried
Advanced Series #1 and it was fabulous! Now I understand what the fuss is
about. And since I couldn't find any reviews on this tape, I decided to
write one!
I am an advanced exerciser with a pretty solid kickboxing background.
Although the teaching and form pointers in this video are very good in this
video, it probably shouldn't be your first attempt at kickboxing because it
moves very quickly. The intensity is advanced, but for the most part the
moves are low impact with the exception of a few jumping jacks, a jump front
kick and a move where you switch your lead leg.
The format of the video is a live class where the two instructors are on a
raised platform. The class itself is pretty large and the participants seem
to be experienced and advanced. After the warm-up led by Ilaria, she and
Patricia take turns teaching three combos. They teach all three in a left
foot lead stance first. I worried a bit that this would become a lopsided
workout as I watched the time, but they did go back and teach on the right
lead stance as well. The combos were something like this:
#1 - jab, jab-jab cross, front uppercut, back uppercut, squat and come up
into another back uppercut (taught by Ilaria)
#2 - front block with forearm, cross punch, drag front foot back and front
push kick twice, squat to right side with side block to left then side kick
left (2x), front kick, jump front kick, jab-cross-jab (2x), jab-jab-jab,
switch lead leg
#3 - jab-cross-hook, duck, jab-cross-jab, slip back, knee-roundhouse-knee,
switch lead leg twice
The combinations are built slowly and the instructors demonstrate from all
angles (facing the class, back to the class, and profile) to show proper
form and stance. Occasionally one of them plays the opponent so you can
picture where your punches and kicks would hit, or what you would be
blocking. It might be confusing to some when the cameras turn to the class
participants because they are no longer mirroring you, but for the most part
the choreography is very intuitive and it makes enough sense to move with
one side. The cuing is pretty good but they do not cue during every rep.
Again, this was not a problem for me because it only happens once the
routine has been taught thoroughly and you've been through it several times
already. Also, the production quality was not that bad. For me, as long as
the sound quality is good and I can see what is going on, a great workout
can compensate for lesser production quality. And they are definitely an
improvement over the older Powerstrikes I have recently acquired, #3 and #4
(but even those are so fun it doesn't matter!)
The cool down, which consists of Tai Chi moves, is quite brief and cuts off
very quickly at the end. The entire workout was just over 50 minutes, but I
definitely got a good workout.
The music was instrumental and very motivating - kind of like the music that
plays in the intro when you visit the Powerstrike homepage.
Instructors: Both instructors have excellent form and teach very well; they
are true professionals and are all about kickboxing - no comments about
burning fat or shaping your buns. I was impressed at how easily they
switched from facing the class to facing away and even facing each other
while staying on the right lead foot. Ilaria seemed a bit more serious and
Patricia seemed to smile more. They were very well coordinated with each
other as they took turns leading and demonstrating the moves.
Caroline Kim
9/29/01
