This hi/lo workout with Donna is so much fun! The workout has already been broken down, so I will just add my comments. I would rate the choreography as advanced and the intensity as intermediate/advanced. IMO, the intensity and impact can be varied. The workout can be done mostly low-impact; I prefer to do high-impact. That said, I keep the intensity and impact high and found that my HR remains in the target zone throughout the workout.

On my second time through, I picked up most of the choreography. For an advanced exerciser, i.e. been doing workouts with Christy Taylor/Kari A/KV, this is no problem. A few times, I found myself on the wrong foot or turning the wrong way, but I am sure I will pick it up. One thing I didn’t care for was the combo with the “turn step”. I just don’t like this move done in hi/lo; it feels awkward and out of place. Plus I do enough turn steps during step routines. Oh well. Just a minor gripe. Finally, this routine takes up a lot of space. I had to modify a bit, but it is not difficult and the intensity stays high.

The ab work is fun and effective. I enjoyed the stabilization moves with legs in the air. One note: Sharon’s form on the reverse curls is poor.

The step routine with Lisa … I have not done the entire routine as of now. It looks like it might be fun, but I cannot seem to get past the beginning. It just bores me … and it kind of confuses me the way the combos are strung together. The choreography is fairly challenging. Final note: The music is a little boring, nondescript even. Maybe I will get to it eventually, but, as a result of my recent VF binges, I have too many other fun tapes!

Instructor Comments:
As a long-time, advanced exerciser, I find that the personality and technique of instructors immensely affects my motivation. Donna is upbeat, fun, and down to earth all at the same time. She cues well and puts together fairly complex choreography that flows. I enjoyed her in 9701 as well.

I just cannot get into Lisa. The only reasons I can pinpoint are somewhat trivial/petty. Her voice irritates me, especially when she refers to the background exercisers as “my friends” for the ump-teenth time. She just doesn’t motivate me. The things I like in instructors are missing: fun, athletic, good at demonstrating form. The workout looks like fun, but I just don’t want to do it. I have too many other workouts that are more enjoyable.

Jennifer H