This is the entry-level cardio video in the Project You series from Beachbody. I have several of their other workout sets and feel like Beachbody is a reliable company for me. I had high expectations for this set.

I am a high intermediate and cardio klutz, so I was a bit worried about this one. Some of Kathy Smith's older tapes have been a bit tricky for me, and I was expecitng this would feel too easy, that I would not be able to make the fancy moves work hard enough for me. I was wrong! This is a great cardio routine. I had so much fun and the time went by quickly. I also stayed in my target heart rate zone for 97% of the workout (most of the other 3% was warm-up time although it did beep at me once or twice during the kickbox) and burned about 190 calories. Not bad for half an hour!

The warm-up is a series of side steps and knee-ups with different arm moves. You do the little sequence for 8 reps of each move a few times, then 4 reps each a few times, then twice each a few times. Then you do a knee-up series following the same pattern (short series of moves done for 8 reps a few times, then 4, then 2) and then a kickbox section. A bit of this section was kind of tricky for me from a choreography standpoint and I feel I will need a few more passes through to really nail it. But I was nicely warmed up and kept the pace going. Then there is a short section with mambos again using the 8-4-2 progression. There are some little hops in here. It got me nice and sweaty. Then there is a very short cool-down.

The workout is part of a set and has its quirks as a consequence (e.g. no final stretch to speak of, as you are meant to follow this with a weight routine) but like most Beachbody programs, the individual workouts hold up quite well on their own. I look forward to mixing this one up with my other Beachbody programs and adding it to my regular stable of cardio options. I would happily recommend this routine to anyone looking for a short, effective and fun cardio routine.

Instructor Comments:
I really like Kathy. She has aged very well both physically and as an instructor. She comes across as friendly and experienced.

Joanna