Benchworks

Kari Anderson
Year Released: 1991

Categories: Step Aerobics


I don't love this video, although it's certainly not the worst I've ever done either. It starts out with a short and uninspired warm-up, then continues on to some low impact stepping that only keeps the intensity up by moving quickly - no power at all. Kari then moves into some more powerful movements that, despite some power turns, are still pretty simple. I find that the ten minutes or so of pure power moves is enough to get my heart rate up, but leaves me wanting more (so much for the "advanced" claim on the cover). One thing that really annoys me about Kari Anderson is that she never seems to even out both legs. I could be wrong about this, but it doesn't seem like you do the same number of repetitions on each side. Thus, when I finish one move and expect to repeat it on the other side, a la Cathe Friedrich, she often moves right on into the next move. Strictly speaking, I think that each side of muscles actually are being worked the same amount; it just doesn't feel like it, and therefore I always feel unfinished at the end of her workouts! Anyway, you finish the step section, then move to upper body work using dynabands, and some abs. Neither of these sections are really enough to feel adequately fatigued by the end, particularly the ab section. I realize I'm being too negative about this video - if you need a workout that hits most muscle groups in an hour, this is a good one to reach for.

Carolyn Sproule

06/27/1997