A.M. and P.M. Walking

Debbie Rocker
Year Released: 2006

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance , Walking Aerobics


This DVD is broken down into two approximately 30 minute walking routines. That includes the warm up, workout, cool down, and stretch. The first workout, AM Routine, starts off slowly and builds up, as though to wake you up for the day. The second workout, PM workout, is a little more subdued, as if preparing you to go to bed for the evening.

AM workout starts off with some great stretches and shoulder rolls. This is good, as you'll be using your arms a lot. Then the workout starts with lots of marching in place. Then you add do a move where you march three times and tap. Her next move is to march and add a knee. Then legs to the side. Seeing how she layers each move? It's as though you start from the center of your body and then the move gets bigger from there. In between, you are always going back to a "recovery" move, which is some rendition of marching in place. Near the end, where she picks it up, there's a segment on punching, do a skier type move to the back, some shuffles and easy jogs. Oh, there are also some rear and front lunges, which I jost jogged through. You end with a nice stretch.

The PM walking workout starts with the same type stretches and shoulder rolls. The moves in the PM walking are a little more vigorous. There's a out-in-out step, some punching, side steps with a cross, wide march, heel digs, hamstring curls, walking in place, (of course) and a few other moves.

The scenery is the same in each workout - lovely mountaintop with some palm trees swaying in the breeze. The AM workout is bright and clear, while the PM workout is (obviously) a little darker, as though it's the early evening. The music is not very memorable. Debbie is accompanied by two women, one of whom shows modifications.

PROS: This is a great workout for those who are just starting back to exercise or for those with some physical limitations (bad back, hips, knees). Debbie is very motivational in her manner and speaking. I love the things she said during the workouts. This is also a good workout if you have space restrictions.

CONS: I thought the workout dragged on a bit. Let's face it, it's a walking workout! I need something to get me going, like some more upbeat music. I also found that, although she had a lot of different moves, she didn't do them enough. She mainly marched in place, which was dull. I would have liked for her to move back and forth more or out to the side. I modified a lot, and was still a bit bored. She also does not mirror cue, and the cueing that she does is kind of crazy. Sometimes 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or 8 seconds before a move. You never really know when the next move is coming out. I guess that's not a big deal because the moves aren't tricky, but it is annoying.

I would have liked not to have to do so much to get my heart rate up. I wish the pace was quicker, but then it is a beginner workout.

So, I don't know what to give this workout. I would only save it for when I was injured, which I am right now. It won't be in my rotation a lot.

Instructor Comments:
Instructor was very encouraging and sincere.

bubbles76

07/21/2010