This is a 60ish minute strength & cardio workout led by Amy in a nice open set with hardwood floors, white walls, & white curtains in the background. Amy works out w/ 2 b/g exercisers, one shows beginner modifications. You will need a step bench & a variety of dumbbells for this workout. There is a bonus 12 minute ab routine as well and the dvd is nicely chaptered.

The workout is structured that you learn a base move and build on it to increase intensity. She does a strength set and then a cardio set, both strength & cardio moves build in intensity and some of the cardio got anaerobic- jumping onto and off of the step comes to mind. All the cardio is straight forward & athletic- easy to follow but not boring at all. The strength work starts with a LB move (for example) and then you add in an UB move and often a balance challenge- making this workout challenging and fun. The sequencing of the moves makes this workout totally do-able yet very tough.

Some of the strength work includes: squat with a KB type pull, tricep dips off of the step- lifting 1 arm & 1 leg up at the top, squatting off the step w/ a front raise, push ups off the step, stepping onto the step - off into a lunge w/ bicep work and a knee raise, side lunge-row with a front lunge onto the step-overhead press combo, pliet rotator cuff work, etc.

Some of the cardio work includes: jumping onto & off of the step, a Mt. climbers type move, going accross the step, knee up- hops on the step to a floor touch, etc.

The ab workout includes a lot of work on the step and on the floor- a lot of crunch, V sit and plank variations.

I like Amy & I really liked this workout. Tough but fun, athletic and easy to follow but not boring or repetitive. This is a fantastic workout and while I wasnt lifting heavy- my muscles were worked by the end. I would rate this workout lower advanced. I cant wait to try more from Amy- she is a great instructor with clear & precise instructions!

lindseylu8