My background with Jessica's workout has been a change in progress. I tried her DVDs, some of the more recent ones from the past year or two, and didn't keep them. I liked HER in the workouts, but the workouts were hard on my hands and wrists and/or knees. Given I have arthritis in those joints, I look for workouts that don't have much impact and that doesn't require you to support body weight on the hands and wrists. So, I had given up on her DVDs. Then, I tried the workouts on her YouTube channel and loved them - both her and the workouts. So, when she came out with this DVD, I decided to try it given I loved the walks she had posted on her YouTube channel.

This workout reminded me a little (just a little) of Walk Your Way Slim because they both have three exercisers who show three levels of moves - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Jessica, the instructor, does the intermediate version and the two background exercisers do the beginner and advanced. In this case, the background exercisers are a mother and daughter team and each does well at leading her version. Unlike Walk Your Way Slim, this DVD is set outside and Jessica and her two modifiers are standing on round platforms set in sand.

I love the set! These workouts are set in a beautiful white sand zen garden, complete with tropical palms and other plants, sunshine, and a white building in the background. The music is appropriate and matches the intensity and style of each portion of the walking workout. It was good instrumental music for a DVD, but it is NOT the great music found in Jessica's YouTube workouts. I'm sure this is because of the cost of music in DVDs.

This DVD is broken down into a 5 minute warm up, 30 minute moderate intensity walk, a 30 minute higher intensity interval walk and ends with a 5 minute cool down segment. All of these segments are represented on the menu, along with an option to play all. This lets you set up the configuration of the workout you want for that particular session. I just did another exercise DVD this morning that put the two workouts on the menu, but not the warm up and cool down and that makes it harder to get a complete workout. So, I really appreciate how Jessica set up the DVD. It's like she totally understands the home exerciser!

The steps are fairly easy to follow and there are a lot of arm movements to keep your heart rate up. The High Energy walk is steady state cardio. The Power Walk incorporates intervals with higher impact options such as jogging and jumping jacks. I really enjoyed both walks on this dvd and enjoy having two different walks that offer a choice of walking workout styles. I thought the Power Walk took more energy due to the intervals, but they both gave me a good workout.

Jessica is very upbeat and encouraging. I love it when instructors encourage exercisers to work at their level and to keep in mind what is good for their body. She doesn't push the workouts as a way to lose weight or get into a bikini or burn umpteen gazillion calories. I highly recommend this DVD and will be keeping it in my collection.

Instructor Comments:
She is upbeat and encouraging. It's like working out with a friend.

Laura S.