Type of workout: Step Aerobics
Level: Inter/Advan
Impact: Mixed
Choreography: Complex
Length: 58 minutes,[11 minute warmup, 43 minute step aerobics, 4 minute stretch]
Instructor: Kari Anderson

This is one of my favorite workouts, and it is kept in my regular rotation. The workout is broken down into two 20 minute routines with the 10 minute warmup or you can do the full routine straight through with warmup and stretch.

For me, a klutz, the workout was very complex at first. Even the warm up was a workout! If you are used to slow step aerobics (think Cathe Friedrich's Basic Step or Kari Anderson's Go), this will definitely get your heart pumping. It is full of twists and turns, and they start right in the warm-up. Kari does break down the moves a lot. There are some moves that face away from the TV, some that move far away from the step, and moves that go around the step. Ponies, shuffles, and v-steps galore! I think that it's dancy, but not overly so. She definitely puts a dancy spin on moves. For example, in the v-step, she encourages you to really shake your hips, instead of just doing a regular v-step. Love that!

I was sweating a lot, and the music is very upbeat. Latin inspired most of it. Kari is very fun and encouraging, and you can tell she's having a good time. I also liked that the background and set were very bright and colorful, unlike some of the drab, boring sets that you see in more "modern" videos (think her "Go" aerobics DVD, if you've seen it). As the workout was made up of people from her class, everyone is wearing a different, bright workout outfit, and nobody is color coordinated LOL! It was a nice change from Cathe's workouts (although I do like that they coordinate those outfits too).

All in all, I would highly recommend this DVD. In fact, I have 2 copies I love it so much. I got it at Ross for $5.99, but would gladly pay double for it. I burned about 300 calories in 30 minutes on two risers, and my hair was sweating bullets. If you like to feel like that after working out, then this is for you!

Instructor Comments:
Kari is having a great time, and there is real rapport with her backgrounders. She is lovely and you can tell she loves what she does. As a dancer, she even makes stepping seem graceful. This was my first Kari DVD, but it hasn't been my last. I really wish she would put her other step tapes on DVD.

bubbles76