Warm-Up: 9 Minutes
Workout: 45 Minutes
Cool Down: 3 Minutes

My Brief Overview:

Wow! What a fun workout! Coming from Sara City Workout videos, this wasn't that bad of quality...I only wish the music was louder!

From a fellow group fitness instructor, this tape is for instructors looking for new ideas (or high intermediate to advanced exercisers). This is my favorite double step video, next to CIA 9803. Marcos is a "king" of tapless step and though it took me a couple of times before I felt comfortable, his routine flowed smoothly.

The warm-up is done on the "home" step and adds the other step which he refers to as the "back" step. I love the "half-turn steps" and the innovative way he uses both the steps during this portion. The warm-up was very adequate and I felt ready to go afterwards!

The routine consist of 5-6 combos (I only did this once before writing...) and there is plenty of variety except for shuffle-turns which he uses twice. Throughout the workout he plays with rhythm and makes it fun. There were many "older" moves, like the Horseshoe, He's a real cutie and has a slight Latino accent and the music has a latin "flavor" as well. His cueing and motivation skills are excellent, with only one minor flaw that I noticed. On the down side, I felt that the cool down was rather short, like he was rushed or something and I cooled myself down even further. There are times that the camera zooms an angle view of his legs and I really didn't like it. I'd rather see the instructor head-on. At other times, there is a small inlet of his feet on the upper right corner of the screen, and I felt this was best for me. I also don't enjoy the one-on-one instruction, I feel that Marcos could have shined (personality-wise) so much more if he was pushing others in back of him to work!

Being a kinesthetic learner, it only confused me when I watched it. I just had to step in there (literally) and do it! I'm glad I did.

IMHO, a good video has an awesome role-model of an instructor giving great instruction; interesting background (set), awesome music, supportive, but not obnoxious cast members, quality production. The workout was great, but due to my own idiosyncracies, I give this an B.

Myra Marangi