Franny just gets better and better! Like her 9905, this video contains two complete 1-hour workouts, first step and then hi-lo (I like how they put them in that order). There is a short abs workout in between the two.

The step surpasses 9704 as my favorite Franny step routine, and in fact I like it as much as Christi Taylor's Stepping Zone, which it strongly resembles. Franny, who used to specialize in athletic Cathe-like steps, shows a definite Christi influence here. The warmup is easy, fun and intense, combining dancy kicks with shuffles and hop-turns around the step. The main part of the step is split into two separate routines ala Cathe, each with four short combos. The first half includes a rather tricky, turning and straddling combo that I had some trouble with, plus some high-impact scooting over the top (like in 9905) that can be done as speed drills. The step's second half is less complex, with a hitch-kick combo that didn't give me as much trouble as the one in 9905, a 360 and a fun around-the-world combo at the end that briefly has your back to the TV (which I don't mind, but I know it bothers some people). The music rocks! There are a number of recognizable songs, like Vogue, No Scrubs, Every Morning and You Gotta Be.

The hi-lo is also fun, but it takes up more space than any of Franny's previous hi-lo, which is a big drawback for me. Thus I've only been able to do bits and pieces of it. There are some kickboxing moves like 9905, but overall it's not as intense and a little more dancy. Again, there is great music, culminating in the Austin Powers theme and These Boots Are Made For Walking at the end.

This video has some very noticeable editing glitches, almost like parts of it were retaped and spliced in, or stuff was cut out. The "cooldown" at the very end lasts all of about 10 seconds; Franny says they simply ran out of tape and time. But those are my only complaints; I otherwise love this video and give it an A+. I want to add, if you're new to Franny, you're probably better off starting with one of her older videos, like 9704. Franny's a little dancier than usual here, and her style takes a little getting used to, especially in the first half of the step.

Instructor Comments:
Franny sounds a little hoarse on this video, but she's still as poised, professional and down-to-earth as always. Franny, like Christi, clearly loves her job, her fans and VF. The blurb on the box says it all - FRANtastic!

Sue B