On cardio work, I am an intermediate to advanced exerciser who enjoys complex choreography at some level. I also enjoy my "easier" workouts on those mornings I don't feel like thinking that much. After trying many different cardio workouts with varying complexity, I have found that I enjoy many different workouts, but my absolute favorites are those that many complexity lovers on VF would classify as intermediate because the instructor takes awhile to build combinations and/or explains more than the most complex instructors. My favorites are instructors like Kari Anderson, Marcus Irwin, and Donna Read.

After reading about this workout here on VF, I was very interested, but was hesitant given I had never heard of this instructor before. A kind VFer loaned it to me to try. And, it almost immediately went on my "buy" list because I REALLY enjoyed this workout.

Carole leads this workout with two background exerciser. One does easier modifications and the other does the harder version with Carole. It is done in a studio with wood floor and walls. There isn't any decoration. The warm up and cardio step section last 44 minutes.

This workout is comprised of three long combinations that seem to flow really well. In each, she starts at the beginning and continues to add moves and complexity for quite awhile. The choreography is fairly basic, but put together in "different" ways. I tried to think of what workout I have that it reminds me of and came up with Candice Copeland's Step Ahead. They aren't really alike, but have the same feel for me with basic choreography with moves put together in a "different" way. The impact is minimal. I went with the modifier twice to avoid a higher-impact move (first, a jumping jack and second a ski move).

On the negative side, Carole never indicates where to unload the knee. This workout wouldn't be for beginners who don't know about that need. Also, once in awhile, I would be trying to follow the moves and the camera angle would be weird, moving away from them as I was trying to tell what they were doing. Once I knew the workout (like the second time I did it), it probably wouldn't be as annoying, if I noticed at all.

Overall, this was a really fun workout. It fits well with my desire to do longer cardio workouts (minimum 45 minutes) and not wanting to think about what I'm doing some days. I was engaged with this workout from beginning to end. The time went so fast and I really enjoyed it!

Instructor Comments:
She cues really well throughout the workout and has a really engaging manner. I hope she makes more video workouts!

Laura S.