CIA 9905: Non-Stop Workouts: Two Workouts in One

Franny Benedetto
Year Released: 1999

Categories: Step Aerobics


Since MaryAnn described this tape so well, I will use my space mainly to gush. Franny has outdone herself. Her hi-lo is every bit as good as Christi Taylor's 9801, but there's a difference. While Christi is for those days when I just gotta dance, Franny is for those Olympian, kick-butt days.

The hi-lo of 9905 has the most perfect melding of athletic, boxing and dancy moves I could ever imagine. Franny has performed a miracle: she created a boxing-themed workout I LIKE! Until now, boxing workouts bored me to tears. But on 9905, the punches and kicks feel like part of the dance! The first half of the hi-lo contains most of the boxing moves, including a section which resembles the boxing drills in 9704. But the second section, my favorite, has dancy combos worthy of Christi. Franny even plays with rhythms and shows several spins and creative arms in the last combo. The music, all-new except for some parts I recognize from Interval Max, fits perfectly and even changes along with the combos. There isn't as much "taking it from the top" as there is during 9801 - Franny does four complete run throughs (two each on the left and right) at the very end, so you can FF to the cooldown if you need to save time and/or muscle. But this is one of those routines that is so much fun, I hate to cut it short even when sweat is pouring down in rivers and my muscles are begging for mercy!

I have only done the step workout one and a half times. 9704 still rules as my favorite Franny step, but that is mainly my personal taste. For one thing, 9905 is noticeably faster - I timed it at 136 bpm. That is probably my absolute speed limit for step. I prefer slower speeds that allow me to use larger, more controlled movements. I'm also apprehensive about doing fast kickboxing on the step; I almost fell a couple of times. But there are plenty of creative moves like the whirlybird and nightmare, and unlike some instructors, Franny will actually cue you through the steps instead of just saying "Do the Whirlybird!"

I'll give the step an A despite my misgivings, just because it's Franny's. As for the hi-lo, what more can I say, it is Hall of Fame material all the way.

Instructor Comments:
Once again, Franny blends warmth and encouragement with professionalism and thorough cueing. She's so down-to-earth; she sweats and puffs just as you're sweating and puffing! Franny is not just Boston's best; she is one of America's best.

Sue B

02/19/1999