I usually like complex choreography and don't mind some high-impact. But I've kept this video ever since it came out because I just love it.

This video takes Tai Chi moves and works them into an aerobic workout. I don't know enough about Tai Chi to say if that's an impressive achievement, but it definitely makes for a different kind of aerobic workout.

I want to heartily recommend this video for all those people who think that it's impossible to get an aerobic workout without going high-impact. I don't think that this workout would get an intensity junkie's heartrate into the anaerobic zone, but it will definitely do for aerobic base-building or just a good cardio workout. There are a few high-impact moves, but they're very easily modified down. The bulk of the moves in this video are with the arms, which I find unusual. Using your arms will get your heart rate up, and you don't have to worry about learning difficult choreography, either.

Ginette has four background exercisers who are supposed to represent different kinds of energy: metal, water, fire, and earth (I think). I'm not convinced that they were well-cast in these roles, but their tops for the most part exemplify these energies. All the exercisers are wearing velour pants and tops that I couldn't wear without looking like a stuffed animal with cellulite. Ginette's outfit is bright red, and exposes her well-defined abs. She doesn't seem to sweat in the same places that I do, either.

The workout is 57 minutes long, and 11 minutes are dedicated to warming up, and 10 minutes are deveoted to the cooldown. Traditional stretching isn't included in either; all the stretches are ballistic. It works.

I tend to pull this video out when I'm recovering from illness or injury--this time it's a wonky knee. Every time I do it, I wonder why I don't do it more often. It's loads of fun, and it really gives your whole body a workout.

Instructor Comments:
I'm a sucker for an instructor with an accent, so I should warn you that my view may be skewed by the fact that Ginette has one. She's very animated and can give Cathe Friedrich a run for her money on plyo jumps (and I think she's closer to my age than Cathe's). But she's also very encouraging, and her descriptions of the moves are very helpful.

Mollie F.