A step and weights circuit workout, Step it Strong is a great beginner/intermediate level workout suited (imho) to beginner steppers and exercisers who enjoy non- complex step and weight-lifting routines. The workout, alternates low/intermediate intensity step with short weight lifting routines using mostly compound exercises working different areas of the body simultaneously.

A short warm up on the step is followed by a brief stretch and the first step routine. The combination is taught by building additional moves onto the base move so there is lots of repetition and plenty of time to nail the moves. The most complex move in this is the mambo cha cha pivot.

The first strength section is possibly the hardest - four-count pushups with hands on the step moving into a one-arm balance on alternating arms, tricep dips off the step and tricep extensions with light weights.

The second step routine is a little more complicated than the first but still very straight-forward with a gradual build up to the full routine. The strength work consists of alternating front lunges onto the step with heavy weights combining bicep curls and overhead shoulder presses once the foot work has been mastered....so don't go too heavy!

Another straight forward step combination is followed by more leg work - side lunges and again bicep curls and overhead shoulder presses are introduced once the leg work has been established. This is followed by alternating back lunges off the step with bicep curls added in (no shoulder presses thank goodness) but a three-count pulsing move changes it up at the end.

The fourth step routine is fun with hamstring curls, over the tops with squats and the revolving door move. Again the combination is build up slowly and is easy to catch on to. Shoulder work is the focus in this strength section - lateral raises with light dumbells incorporating one-legged squats off the side of the step and finishing with a set of rear delt lifts.

The fifth and final step routine puts together the four combinations and is the most fun - we run through the routine several times before moving into the cool down and stretch. This cool down also serves as a warm up for the following strength section if you want a really quick workout.

The final strength section is work for the back, chest and abs and starts with alternate sets of lat raises including shoulder retraction using heavy weights, bicep curls and front raises. This is followed by chest flies on the step with leg extensions introduced to work core stabilization. Four-count pullovers complete this set and it's on to ab work. As usual Keli's ab work is tough - focusing primarily on the lower abs and incorporating some pilates exercises such as double leg extensions and the always-excrutiating bicycle move twisting shoulder to knee while extending the opposite leg. Lower back work - supermans and a killer swimming move where you rest on the step up to your hip crease only and lift and open the legs... works thelow back, bum and hamstrings and then "swim" kicking your legs in the air.... as Keli says you don't need a pool to get the benefits of swimming!.

A lovely stretch incorporating the cat stretch and lots of shoulder and back stretches ends the workout.

Concluding thoughts:
Whilst I love Keli to death - her Real Fitness tapes were some of my first workouts and are still on my video shelf - I don't think this workout is for me. Complex step lovers and advanced exercisers will be disappointed but intermediate exercisers especially those just getting interested in step or strength training will enjoy this workout - the step routines provide a good jumping off point for more complex step routines and the strength work is a great introduction with superb form pointers.

Instructor Comments:
Keli is one of my all trime favourite instructors - she always pays attention to detail and form pointers and her cuing is excellent.

Janet B