This tape seems to have received a pretty lukewarm to negative reception on the forum, but I really enjoy this tape. In fact, I like both routines, and even the core workout at the end. I am just guessing here, but I think it may have to do with Linda's personality, which can be somewhat cheerleader-like at times. Also, the music is not the best. The hi/lo music is not bad, but the step music is very old and boring. I also wonder if people have tried it more than once. My first time with the hi/lo, I was somewhat unimpressed, but the more I do it, the more I like it.

The hi/lo routine is a short 38 minutes and includes a long warmup (around 10 minutes) and a short cooldown (both are choreographed) but no stretch. It fits in perfectly as an alternative to a Cathe cardio during a CTX rotation (when you want a slightly easier day).

The main workout is 3 combos with a 3-4 minute intensity blast ("cardio crescendo") inserted between combos 2 and 3. There is no TIFTing in this workout. Even within the combos, there is very little TIFTing. Linda puts her combos together in a way similar to many Cathe workouts. She teaches blocks of the combo and then puts them together and reduces the repetitions of moves until you have a complete combo. This keeps the moves more fresh. I love the way the routine builds in intensity. You start out slow but it builds right up to the point where you are doing the crescendo. The intensity of the routine including the crescendo depends on you. This routine is easy to modify up and down. There are higher impact moves, but they are the kind of impact moves that feel good to me, not jarring, like some Cathe moves feel at times.

The format of the step routine is very similar, except it has 4 combos with the crescendo between combos 3 and 4. This routine is a little longer, 44 minutes with an 8 minute warm-up and a 4 minute cooldown. It is followed by an 11 minute core workout, which is very hard for me, but I try to do it anyway. There is also a very nice 10 minute stretch at the end, bringing the entire workout up to 65 minutes.

The choreography of both routines is probably high intermediate, but it is interesting enough for me. This is probably because of the way the routine is put together with no TIFTing. After 4 times with each routine, I still find the routines fun and in fact enjoy them more each time. I often get bored quickly, and I thought that might happen with this tape, but now I don't think it will happen.

Instructor Comments:
There is nothing that really stands out in my mind as either bad or good, when I think about Linda's personality, really. As I said, I think she may annoy some people, but she doesn't bother me. I like the way she put together the routines, and overall they seem more "professional" and well put toghether then a lot of other CIA tapes.

Lisa C