Instructor: Amy Bento
Choreography: Complex
Impact: Mixed
Level: Intermediate
Length: 6 minute warm up, 20 minute cardio, 25 minute strength, 6 minute cooldown (times are approximate)

This is a surprisingly tough little workout. I will call it about intermediate level, with the weight work being more on the traditional side than her later stuff. This workout is good for a day that you want to knock out cardio and weights on the same day.

The program consists of a cardio and total body strength training segment. There are several premixes that I have not tried. This review is of the main workout.

Amy leads her team of four exercisers on warm up and stretch using the step. Then begins the 20 minute step routine that is pretty complex and intense. She takes you all over the step and most of the time cues on the move. There are some high impact moves here that keep the heart rate up pretty good.

Step work consists of basic step, V steps, rocking out to the side, L steps, jump squats, jumping jacks, side steps, kicks, knee ups, and other colorful combinations. You are constantly moving, and there isn't much downtime. I guess because the routine is only 20 minutes and they have to pack a lot in. You end with a short cool down and stretch.

Next, you move on to strength. Here are the exercises:

(1) Step ups to 8" step with rear leg raise. Slow 2-2 count, 2 sets. Then single set with single counts of 16 reps. This kills the rear, trust me :)
(2) Decline push ups with feet on the step.
(3) Push ups with alternating hand raises
(4) Deep lunge into knee on step, lift toe on way up
(5) Deadlifts with 2-2 count. Use barbell.
(6) Dead rows
(7) Bicep curls
(8) Standing overhead tricep extension
(9) Plie squat with on foot on step. Commence to hammer curls. Then cross body curls (feels like bicep curl). Repeat.
(10) Plank work
(11) Jack knifes
(12) Ab work: Sit on step, lean back rock to side, kick legs out, rotate to other side.

All in all, an effective workout.

PROS: Amys energy is very infectious! The music was good, and I believe they packed in a lot of work in a short amount of time. There was enough explaining that you feel like you got some form pointers, but not so much that you feel like time was wasted (after all, the total workout was only about 45 minutes).

CONS: Amy cued on the move. This won't be bad once I get the step moves down, but it could be frustrating for someone new to Amy's style. In the weight section, she skimped on the ab work. Also, there wasn't anything for shoulders or (I felt) adequate work for chest. Amy's team could also use a little more...pep LOL! When they count or Amy asks for energy, they sound bored. I would rather them keep quiet.

NOTE: if you are used to Amys later works (Challenge series or Xtreme series) the look is not as polished or slick. Still, it is a good workout.

OVERALL: B+

Instructor Comments:
Amy is high energy and fun! She does cue her step on the move, which is annoying, but I learned after doing her other step workouts that it's just her style. She does give good form pointers.

bubbles76