I got this video off the exchange and just tried it this morning. I am a big Cathe Friedrich fan who was looking for a decent intermediate workout. Although this tape is not as exciting as a Cathe tape, it has basic choreography that is somewhat easy to follow. Keli keeps the intensity up by adding in arm combinations. It did get a bit confusing at times trying to get the arms right - I do think Keli's cueing could have been a little better. One other thing that bothered me was she always started with her right foot, which was my left foot. I like videos to lead with my right foot instead.

The tape has a throrough warm-up and stretch followed by three 10 minute stepping sections. Keli shows an arm/foot combo and then does it multiple times so it is easy to learn. Each section is progressively more difficult and the last section adds some optional power moves to get the heart rate up. Keli's style is very linear. She throws in a few turn steps but nothing more complicated than that.

I would definitely recommend this tape to an intermediate-beginner stepper. Since Keli does the moves many times, eventually you catch on. I would also recommend this tape to an advanced stepper looking for something less intense. The choreography may get a bit repetitive but it did manage to get my heart-rate up and it's a good tape for days you just want something basic.

One big plus on this tape is the ab section at the end. It is similiar in style to Keli's Abs & More tape. She does the reps slowly and really guides you through how the moves should feel. It is not a difficult ab routine but Keli really gets you to concentrate on the right muscles. I liked Keli's Abs & More but it was a bit too long for me. That's why I was pleasantly suprised to find a similiar, shorter ab routine on Ultimate step.

Overall, a good basic tape for a variety of fitness levels.

Instructor Comments:
Keli is a good basic instructor. Her moves aren't very complicated and she loves arm combinations. She has got such great form and can move her body in some interesting ways. She almost looks to be double jointed. Her cueing could be a little better - there were a few times I wasn't on the same foot as Keli because she didn't tell me, but the moves are fairly simple so it's easy to get back on track.

Janet W.