Cardio Kick Step-Boxing is Kelly Coffey-Meyers' second workout combining kickboxing and step; in fact, it's often referred to as "Step-Boxing 2." I didn't tried the first workout, but many complained that Kelly moved too fast in that one. Cardio Kick Step-Boxing is energetic and upbeat as well, so you'll definitely need to have a head for complicated step moves to follow along with Kelly. You'll need a full vertical step for this workout, which would be difficult to modify without; one of the four background exercises does occasionally show low-impact modifications. The main menu of this DVD is as follows:

Introduction
Start Workout
Step-Boxing Mixes (see below)
Step-Boxing Mix and Match (chapter breakdowns)
Tutorial
Contact & Credits

Kelly begins with the step in a vertical position (perpendicular to your TV) for a 6-minute, high-energy warm-up which includes a few hamstring stretches at the end. Continuing with the step in this position, she leads you 4 separate routines, each about 5.5 minutes in length (22 minutes total). After a pause for a heart rate check and to move to step to a horizontal position, Kelly continues with another 3 routines in this position, again for about 22 minutes total. The last 8 minutes of the cardio portion consist of 2 floor-only kickboxing routines. For all of the step cardio work, each routine ends with a "drill," which is about a 2-minute segment where Kelly does just one of moves repeatedly. The core segment of this workout is unique in that it is done from a kneeling position (one knee on 1/2 roller; 8 minutes total). Finally, Kelly finishes things off with a 4.5 minute cool-down which includes some yoga stretches.

The DVD also offers several premixes:
Vertical Mix, 29.5 mins (warm-up, vertical step, core, & stretch)
Horizontal Mix, 37.5 mins (warm-up, horizontal step, combos 8 & 9, core, & stretch)
Core Mix, 12.5 mins. (kneeling core & stretch)

During the cardio portion, Kelly jumps right into each sequence with little cueing. She seems to expect you to have already watched the tutorial and to have the moves down, and thus her cueing is pretty minimal, making the view responsible for remembering what comes next. Even with the tutorial, I was totally unable to keep up with Kelly's complicated combinations, and so I quickly became frustrated. You're never performing simple punch-kick combinations here; Kelly sequencing is unique and different, but as a result, it often felt awkward to me. Usually, I am able to handle a little bit of complexity after some repetition, but that was not the case here. Finally, this workout requires LOTS of room--you'll need plenty of space both in front of and to either side of your step.

For someone who enjoys complex choreography and is familiar with both step aerobics and kickboxing, I definitely see how this workout could be a lot of fun. Kelly herself has a great personality and is full of energy, and I really enjoy her strength workouts. However, anyone who has issues with learning complicated moves is likely to experience problems with Kelly's cardio as I did, and so I would not recommend this workout for those who prefer more basic choreography like myself.

Instructor Comments:
As I said above, I like Kelly a lot--she is energetic and upbeat but also no-nonsense and non-chatty. She frequently encourages you with statements like "stay until the end" or "finish!"

Beth C (aka toaster)