Cardio For Beginners

Petra Kolber
Year Released: 2008

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance


Others have already posted very detailed and helpful descriptions of the content of this video, but I wanted to chime in and rave a little too. I consider myself to be a high beginner/low intermediate and am just getting back into regular fitness activities after a long period of sporadic, on-again/off-again workouts.

The two 10-minute and two 20-minute segments can be programmed to play in any order or combination. The 20-minute segments give a nice workout in a time crunch because I feel as though I've done SOMETHING but I don't feel beat afterward. The 20-minute dance cardio is pure fun, and the 20-minute athletic cardio is both well put together and the most intense of the segments on this video, relatively speaking. I'll echo another reviewer's comment and mention that it is very easy to modify the intensity of the cardio moves (up or down).

The shorter 10-minute segments are pleasant add-ons to the 20-minute segments but in and of themselves don't get my blood pumping that much. That said, the 10-minute segments are great warm-ups for other, longer workouts.

The only downside is that I really wish there were separate warm-up and cool-down segments. This would make it easier to put together a workout from multiple segments and keep the intensity more consistent. Most of the time I only play one of the 20-minute workouts for this reason, and when I want a longer workout I use a different video. Even so, I reach for this one often.

Instructor Comments:
I adore Petra Kolber. She is cheerful and motivational without seeming fake or forced. In this workout she is much more of the "do what you're ready to do today" persuasion than the "come on, push yourself" style of other instructors, but she gently pulls you along anyway. Her cueing is very clear and easy to follow. Finally, I recently learned that Petra is a long-term cancer survivor - what an inspiration!

AnnieB

09/12/2010