Totally Hot Cardio is one of my favorite workouts now, but I’ve definitely had a love-hate relationship with it. The background is that I first tried it in summer 2004 and got very frustrated with it and traded it. At that time, I was just getting into hi-lo and even moderate choreography. This workout does have moderate choreography compared to Patrick and Seasun, but it is at the top and dancy end of moderate choreography. I even tried the Move Master with little success. Christi uses counting in this video while demonstrating the moves, but that doesn’t work for me because I need the words/cues to make any connection to the actual workout.

I bought Mission Possible almost immediately after it was released, hoping this would be the gateway to ‘getting’ Christi’s choreography. Alas, it wasn’t, but it was invaluable to me in that I learned how Christi cues, the very base moves of some of her choreography, and what she calls certain steps.

Then, another VFer gave me some priceless (for me) advice in tackling Christi’s workouts. Following this advice, I tackled and mastered Funktional Fitness and Hi-Lo Heaven stage 1.

Finally, I was brave enough to take the plunge with Totally Hot Cardio once again. I reasoned with myself that I had a better background to learn it and the Move Master issues wouldn’t be such a problem anymore because I wouldn’t need to bother with it.

I am so glad I did! I really love this workout—it picks up my mood and I choose it often when I am feeling tired and don’t want to work out. I admit that the grapevines in the first combo go on and on, but I’m willing to overlook it while I warm up to “We’re Havin’ a Party.” The second and third combos don’t thrill me, but they are okay and the music is okay there.

The second half (combo 4-6) is the whole reason to get through the first half of the workout. There is another set of grapevines with uppercuts in the sixth combo, but I don’t think grapevines fit well there, so I simply substitute a sashay/chasse/whatever-it’s-called. I really like the music and sing along while dancing through Christi’s cues. After all, how could I not have fun while singing? (I know this isn’t the song title, but I love it when I’m exercising and hearing “I don’t wanna work.” ;-) )

Instructor Comments:
Christi seems to be having a lot of fun and cues well. I like singing along to the music while she sings her cues. She cues the moves ahead rather than on the move and is rarely late. I like her teaching style now that I've gotten used to it.

Karen (Rhae)