CIA 9906: LA training

Patrick Goudeau
Year Released: 1999

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


I am only reviewing the step routine at this time. I don't want to review the hi/lo until I have it figured out, and so far, I don't have it figured out. (You can take that as a mini-review of the hi/lo routine actually.)

I really like the step routine. It is very fun, very complex and not super-intense. This might be the lightest step routine (intensity-wise) that I own, and I like to do it when I am not up to a more advanced step workout, but want to do step. I would probably say it is a little less intense than Breakthru Step. By the way, the routine was choreographed by Michelle Dozois (from Breakthru Step) and Aileen Sheron (who did some tapes for Weight Watchers a few years back.) The style of choreography is very similar to Breakthru Step, but the moves themselves are all very different. The warm-up and cardio sections are 54 minutes.

If you are considering trying this video here are some tips on getting through the video without pulling the tape out and thowing it at the TV:

  • Preview it first! I tried the step without previewing. Really, DO NOT TRY THIS. I came very close to falling off my step several times, not to mention the sheer frustration I felt. Not only should you preview the workout, but you should preview it with your step nearby so you can practice the footwork and figure out what is going on. Have your remote in hand so you can rewind as needed. If you are familiar with Patrick G. you are probably thinking that the reason for this is all because of Patrick's super complex choreography and his mediocre cueing. These things are true, but it is not the only reason. It is because the tape editing is the WORST I have ever seen. On almost every new piece of choreography the camera goes to Patrick's feet with a different angle. This is incredibly confusing - you end up having no idea which foot he is using. Since Patrick goes on all sides of the step, this makes it almost impossible to figure out what is going on. The good news is that later you do get to see the workout straight on and can figure it out, which is why the previewing is mandatory. I complained to CIA about this and I was told the reason for this is that the background exercisers were so confused that they didn't want to include them messing up in the video. I shudder to think about how badly they messed up in the parts they didn't show, because Eddie screwed up quite enough on the parts where they did show him. I was seriously considering putting a piece of paper over his side of the TV, but the changing camera angles prevented me from doing this. This brings me to my next tip.
  • Pretend you are a bull and focus on the red. Patrick is wearing red and his background exercisers are in black. If you look at Eddie you will get confused. (Trust me!) The other guy is pretty good actually, but it is easier to stay focused just on Patrick since he is wearing red.
  • Don't be afraid to stay with an easier move. Patrick actually does a good job of layering the complexity when he is teaching. Some of the additional flourishes on the move are just not necessary. On one or two of the moves I just don't do them. For example, in the first combo you are supposed to the box step after the shuffle repeater squat move on top of the step. I don't like doing the box step off the step, so I do it like he originally taught the move - simply putting your foot down on the floor behind you.
If I haven't scared you away by now, I'll say again that I really do like this workout. The difference between the first and second try was like night and day. The third time I actually got everything down and had a great time. I think the choreography actually flows very well. There is only one part I struggle with still. One of the very first moves is the "wind-up". This is like doing a basic but turning at the same time so you end up facing the back wall. (A move done in many videos like CIA 7002 and Cathe's Step Jam 3rd combo). The problem is that you have to turn in the opposite direction than you would in any of the other places I have seen this move. I mess this up a lot. I tried staying with my version, but you can't because you won't end up in the right place.

The music in this video is good and different (another plus) but it is a little too low in volume (another minus).

This is definitely for choreography lovers only and people who are willing to put up with some bad before getting to the good.

Instructor Comments:
Patrick is his usual self in this video - charming and irritating (because it is so complex) at the same time. His cueing and teaching is not the best, but it is not the worst either. I think if the camera angles had been better and the background exerciser Eddie had been better prepared this video would be a lot easier to learn.

Lisa C

05/04/2000