Step Ahead

Candice Copeland Brooks
Year Released: 1992

Categories: Step Aerobics


This video has been listed as a Collage staff favorite, but it seems to get mixed reviews here. I personally think it's a classic step video - an underrated gem.

One mild disclaimer, though: I only do step aerobics once a week and own about 15 step videos (mostly Cathe & Kari). Obviously, my perception might be different if I did this workout more than 5 times a year!

I was nursing a heel problem last summer and needed a lower-impact aerobics tape that would get me in my THZ without hurting my foot any further. This was one of the few videos that worked out for me. I do feel Collage accurately lists this as an I/A workout. I certainly do not consider this to be an intermediate workout, at least not on an 8" step. I've done this tape using an 8" step and am operating at at roughly the same THZ as I do with a Cathe Friedrich's tape on a 6" step.

This is an older video, but it's a quality production. I liked the set, the female exercisers, and everything about Candice Copeland. Yes, her hair is a little unfortunate here, but it's not as unfortunate as Cathe Friedrich's hair in Mega Step Blast. There was one tiny problem: the first song is so cheesy it makes me want to cup my hands to my ears like Edvard Munch's SCREAM; otherwise, the soundtrack does improve (older style club music).

Candice's step routine is simplistic but fun. It sort of reminds me of Cathe's Mega Step Blast in that respect. The last step segment goes a bit slower than I care for, but at that time the tape has already been rolling for more than 50 minutes and I'm drenched, so it's a small complaint. The choreography is very reminiscent of the step classes I took in the early 90's. Keep that in mind. You'll be sorely disappointed with this workout if you seek fast, intricate step choreography ala Friedrich, Anderson or CIA. It's not that sort of step workout.

I'm keeping this video in my step rotation for lower impact cross-training. Besides, I always feel inexplicably happy after completing this workout! Step Ahead always puts a big smile on my face -- don't know why! Just does. I'm very glad I got this video despite its mixed reviews.

INSTRUCTOR: Candice Copeland is lovely in every way. She does remind me of Donna Read. It's true that she spends a lot of time discussing step safety, but I've been taking step classes since 1993 and never heard any of this explained before. I was glad to learn it. I just fast-forward through it, now.

Michelle Easton

10/26/2000