I've become very attached to this video! I've done it 3 times now, and it shows no sign of getting boring. This is a 70-minute workout divided into 3 cardio sections (20 minutes each), plus a warmup and cooldown.

The first section is traditional hi/lo. The teacher, Russ, is fantastic, and creative with his choreography. He starts off with basic movements, then adds turns and other variations you can add at your option. Therefore, a beginner could do this by just doing the basic movements at first and then gradually adding the variations. The intensity is at an intermediate level. However, you may find your heart rate going down during some of the teaching parts -- where he's showing a new combo. You can keep your heart rate up by making bigger movements, or, if you've already done the video, you can just go ahead and do the "final" version of the combo, where he's added in all the steps. This section gets an A from me!

The second section is cardio boxing. Wow! If all boxing videos are this good, I'm going to have to get some! I expected this to be my least favorite section, but it's superb! Although there are some low-impact steps, most of it is VERY high impact. Even though I've been doing high impact for many years, my calves and feet really feel this one. So, if you don't like that, this part might not be for you. One person shows low-impact moves, but it doesn't look very intense that way. The instructor, Charmaine, starts with explanations of the moves, such as upper cuts, punches, etc. You do them with her, and this part is aerobic but not choreographed. Then you move into a choreographed routine that she builds onto a little at a time. This is the most intense of the three workouts -- I'd call it intermediate level. The music for this section is upbeat and invigorating (as with the other sections, too). This boxing workout gets an A+.

The final section is step aerobics. Since I do this entire tape all at once, I do *not* like the fact that the step is at the end. My legs are tired from the hi/lo and boxing, and I have a tendency to trip over the step at the beginning of the workout if I don't watch myself. Kelly is the instructor, and she's very good except for the fact that at the beginning she starts on the wrong beat a couple of times, which makes it hard to follow. But then she improves, and the rest of the workout is fine. The steps are mostly basic/intermediate, and the intensity is intermediate. She includes a few more-advanced steps as well, such as pendulums and runs up on the bench. It's fun, but it needs to be at the beginning of the video. I give this part a B+, mostly because of being off-beat at the beginning.

Instructor Comments:

There are 4 instructors: Kathy (I think) teaches the warmup. She mixes up left and right a couple of times. Russ teaches the hi/lo workout. He's great. Some of his mannerisms remind me of Jeff Vandiver, but they don't look anything alike. Russ is fun and has excellent choreography. Charmaine teaches the cardio boxing section. What a body! Also a top-notch instructor. I'd like to take some of her classes! Kelly teaches the step section as well as the cooldown. A couple of times at the beginning of each section, she seems to start on the wrong beat. It's distracting, but then it all works out okay.

You must get this video! I got it at Best Buy for $8.99.

Annie S.