CIA 9704: Two Workouts with a Vengeance

Franny Benedetto
Year Released: 1997

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance , Step Aerobics


This video has been reviewed extensively already, and I agree with most of the good and bad comments about the workouts. There is definitely too much taking-it-from-the-top in the hi/lo and it is very unbalanced towards the right lead. It is not a perfect tape, and the choreography is not super complex, but I continue to be drawn to this tape on occasion. I think it is partly because the music is fun and different than on any other tape I own, and also because I just really like Franny.

Anyway, the reason I bother posting a review of a tape so heavily reviewed is just to show how I have improved my enjoyment of the tape. I have found that if I skip the first 25 minutes from the hi/low section and just do the last 10 minutes, I can get a terrific 60+ minute workout. I do the warm-up and fast-forward until I get to the part where she starts teaching the final 32 count combo. This combo is taught in a balanced manner, and then you get to run through the entire routine which is not that complex and easy to pick up (if you have tried the hi/low before of course.) When you go into the step routine, your heart-rate will probably go down a bit, because it definitely starts out slow, but she picks up the intensity and impact fairly soon, and overall it ends up being a pretty good workout.

I cannot bring myself to do the entire hi/low routine anymore, but doing the last 10 minutes is great because it makes the workout longer than if I just did the step and I get a taste of the choreography without getting complete bored with that first combo.

Instructor Comments:
I love working out with Franny. Her cueing is pretty good. However, I have to admit I got very confused when I first started working out with her, and she said "walk, walk". I kept thinking I needed to take more steps than were necessary and I struggled with the reverse-v combo until I realized you just had to turn to the other corner. Once I learned her style though I think she does a good job. I like her choreography also - dancy and intense.

Lisa C

12/27/1999