I’m reviewing this workout after previewing and doing it once each.

General workout breakdown: This walking video lasts just under 32 minutes and includes some basic moves to strengthen the lower body. The base walking steps include walking (or marching), side steps, step with a heel in front, the “Foreman shuffle” (three steps and a tap), step knee, wide step, heel curl, and lunge (more of a tap out to the side or back); the base strength moves are squats and lunges. The video ends with a cool down and stretches for the calf, hip flexor, and hamstring. The focus on the lower body; there’s nothing to strengthen the upper body and few arm moves. The pace is along the lines of what I would consider a moderately quick stroll, so it’s not too fast.

Level: I’d recommend this to beginners with a little bit of experience because there isn’t a ton of form instruction on the squats and lunges. More intermediate exercisers could exaggerate the movements and use light hand weights to get a decent workout. I consider myself at least at the high intermediate stage with respect to floor aerobics, and this video is on the easy side for me.

Class: 1 man and 8 women join George and Petra. One woman is a senior citizen. Another is of a plus size frame and yet another of a “normal” size, but what I love is that the “thin” background exercisers all look realistically fit, not the type of skinny that you only get with genetics. Some of background exercisers demonstrate variations when there are some. Petra will preview some new moves, and she and George generally will stay with the basic moves when there are options to increase the intensity.

Music: upbeat music with a good beat: some of it’s pop music (recognizable, but nothing I could name), some of it’s standard exercise video stuff.

Set: interior studio space with muted lighting. A big sign in the back proclaims this is “George’s Gym,” and there are various pieces of boxing equipment, lockers, etc., lining the walls.

Production: good picture and sound. The camera shots were more or less helpful, but I wish the camera wouldn’t do so many close ups of people’s upper bodies, since this is a walking video, and I think it’s best if the camera always shows the instructor when there’s a new move.

Equipment: sneakers.

Space Requirements: Ideally you should be able to take two medium-sized steps to each side and forwards and backwards, but if you have less space, just stay in place.

DVD Notes: There are no chapters on this DVD, so have your remote handy to fast forward through the Warnings, GoodTimes logo, Walk it off with George! intro, and George’s description.

Conclusion: This is included in a set with Walk and Box which available separately from the infomercial set. It’s probably between the intensity of the Champion Walk & Sweat and Fat Blasting Walk. Personally I won’t keep this one because I have too many videos focusing on the lower body already. I will say that I felt a nice burn in my buttocks when I did this video after Tamilee Webb’s I Want Those Buns.

Instructor Comments:
Petra leads the workout. She cues decently, usually given you enough notice of move changes, and mirror cues (i.e. when she says “left,” she means your left). She’ll preview the more complicated moves (like lunges), but then she’ll show the less intense variation of a move, too. Her British accent is easy to understand. Her enthusiasm and plugging for walking it off with George is almost over the top here.
George is primarily here for encouragement, although he occasionally offers tips on posture or cues a move. George also throws in a joke or two about his days as a boxer, picks on some of the background exercisers, and banters back and forth with Petra. For someone who showed such amazing dexterity in the boxing ring, he’s not the most graceful when it comes to the dancier moves, but that’s part of what’s endearing about him.

KathAL79