I've held off writing a review because I wanted to do this video a bunch before writing. I didn't get these video's free from the Firm I paid for them. This is a very very fun cardio workout that uses a ball, tall box, short step, dowel and light weights. There are 3 instructors. Reminds me of Charlie's Angels a bit. But it's nice to see a different face for each segment.

If you don't like stepping up and down on a step or jumping around the floor to boring choreography then this is a video you should get. I would say it is advanced because there is alot of high impact. The warm-up uses light weights which I really like but I found it went kinda fast so I had to go down to 3lbs. I like using weights but I couldn't concentrate that much on the muscle stretching because I was trying to do overhead presses. It's a great idea to try and add weights during a stretch but I wish it was longer. Dale does the warm-up and I had to get used to her. I really like her now. She has some of the best abs I've seen. Very inspiring.

Carissa does the flirtatious ab work. I say flirtatious because that is what she was doing in front of the camera and that the abs were just not enough for me. I like the Firm because they constantly change exercises so you don't get bored. You do a little bit of tall box climb, then you do ball aerobics and then you do step. Kinda like Sesame Street. You know when you were a kid? Never boring. Time just flies by during this workout. There is some great upper body work too. Carissa does uses light weight and you pull them back and pinch the shoulder blades. This is so great for the back.

Then Dale does alot of upright rows and biceps during a more lower impact section while Carrissa keeps your heartrate up with fun grapevines, shuffles, jumpropes and lunges. Tamela's section is more rockin'rollish. Or the music is. I like her segments. She does this squat section with side lifts that also has a mambo chacha with biceps. She is full of smiles and I really like her.

I really enjoy using this video. It really gets my heartrate up! When I would do a full Cathe Friedrich or CIA step workout, my knees would be so sore afterwards. But when I use Core Cardio 2, they don't bother me because the whole video is like Crosstraining. A little bit of high impact and a little bid of step. A little bid of upper body and lower body toning.

Dale finishes the workout with more back work with lunges and dips. This is supposed to be the cooldown I guess but it still gets my heartrate up! So I walk around and get a drink before the cooldown with Dale. Dale uses a dowel and stretches to the Swan Lake ballet music which is relaxing. Dale has a beautiful smile.

The music in this video is excellent. All different kinds. It's all instrumental. This is my favorite Firm cardio tape!! I am even doing it more now than 45 minutes of stepping. Thanks Firm!

Mandy Lee