This is everything Kathy Smith's Aerobox SHOULD HAVE been. Fun, challenging, invigorating, and different. If you found Aerobox monotonous but liked the concept (as I did), then this is for you.

In the warmup, you do practice boxing moves from the workout. This not only gets you ready to work, but also gives you some instruction on how to do the various moves. Then you go into some stretches.

The first part of the actual workout is kickboxing moves. Whoa, tough stuff. You won't believe the strength and balance you need to do these kicks. They're very controlled; it's not just wild aerobic-type kicking. Your heart rates gets way up there.

The next part is jump roping. The rope is optional (one person doesn't use one). This is a true calf-killer. It's also anaerobic interval work. You do 5 sets of 45 seconds each with brief rests in between. The 5 sets are all different jumping moves, so you don't get bored. There is one jump that is so hard, she doesn't go the whole 45 seconds. (You'll be glad!) This really does produce true intervals. Your heart rate REALLY gets up there.

The next part is for lateral strength. You do side-to-side movements VERY quickly. Don't be surprised if you can't go as fast as she does.

Finally, if you're still alive, you go into about 20 minutes of "standard" cardio (as opposed to interval cardio). This section incorporates boxing and kicking moves. If by some small chance your calves were not reduced to mush during the jump roping, they will be here.

I highly recommend this to anyone who can handle high-impact. If you liked Aerobox, this is 1,000 times better. This tape is not available from Collage -- it's put out by Sara's City Workout (1-800-545-CITY, $19.95). They also have other tapes, so you might want to get their catalog.

Annie S.