Step and Stretch

Jane Fonda
Year Released: 1994

Categories: Step Aerobics


I still do this one when I really want to just zone out when I do aerobics. There's no tricky choreography, no really funky dance steps, no big propulsion lunge-squat things. Just relatively basic, low-impact stepping. I like this one because of the music, (funky but low-key) and three of the instructors are competent, likable and fun. This is a good tape for beginners because the instructors offer so many options- jump, don't jump, step, no step- that exercisers at most any level can find their niche to help them inprove and get healthier. Also, the steps are basic and easy to follow- good for beginners, the choreographically impaired and people who've had a rough day or resistance workout and just want to let it go with some fun, heart-pumping aerobics that don't require a great deal of your body or your brain. The only section Jane leads is the stretch. It is relaxing and soothing, but I by far prefer the stretch on her stress reduction tape. For me, I find it loosens my muscles after a tough workout better than any stretch tape out there. I do recommend this tape, basically for beginners to intermediates who would like an introduction to stepping. I recommend the stretch segment for anyone who works and would like a longer, deeper, more comprehensive stretch than the five minutes that is offered at the end of most workouts.

An ever-changing cast of thousands.... to be fair, this doesn't bother me. I like Michelle LeMay. She's seems fun and funky and REAL. Linda McHugh and Jeff Blahnik are also fine instructors, again real and motivating. The worst one is Laurel. Everytime I've done this video, I wanted to strangle her if she mentioned my booty one more time. She seems the least professional to me. Fortunately, she is balanced by the others. Overall, they are a no-nonsense group, who keep the aerobics moving and the energy high.

linda

08/30/1997