Unlike many previous reviewers, I liked the first two workouts and didn't really like the third, which is Mark's. The first 30-minute segment with Laura was surprisingly tough to me, thanks to all those long across-the-step moves, "rubber band" and 360-degree turns around the step. Melissa's was an enjoyable, less intense workout though I got tired of her self-conscious "ovah!"s and "Lay-dee!"s. Both segments were simple enough that even when they missed a cue here or there, I could catch on fast enough.

Mark's segment I gave up on 10 minutes in. I guess I just really don't like ultra-dancy intricate step workouts that sacrifice intensity. Let alone with Mark's, you have to lower the step in order to have any hope of doing some of these moves. I felt like I was trying to do standard hi-lo dance moves while simultaneously clearing an 8-inch barrier. Even at 6 inches it was a big ankle-toe bruiser. Mark seems not to care that not everyone is over 6 ft tall with long legs.

I can see where complex step lovers would like his routine, but it was a real let-down for me. I particularly hate moves where you "swing" one foot back over the step to meet the other one.

Instructor Comments:
They were all pleasant enough with reasonably competent cuing, but none of them really made the A-list of step instructors for me. They all tended to repeat certain phrases and sometimes the jocularity felt forced to me.

acey