Awesome Step Workout!

I work out every day religiously, and I use a step aerobics video 4-7 days a week. I have 13 videos in my current rotation and, when I want a kick-butt step workout, I pop Kathy Smith Power Step in my VCR. The video includes an 8:30 warmup, 3 12-minute segments of step aerobics from beginner to advanced (one can fast-forward to the cool down after any segment if they are a beginner or hard-pressed for time), and a 5-minute cool down. The video combines air-borne moves (getting both feet off the step in little jumps) with traditional step aerobics to give you a more intense workout and burn more calories. I do not have the spring-board step that Smith uses. I use the Original Step and have no problems at all. Each segment is high-energy and a lot of fun. The final step segment uses the step turned vertically which gives variety to the workout. Kathy Smith is also one of the best aerobics instructors. Her directions are so good that, after using this tape a few times, one can actually complete the moves without having to watch the screen (which makes it easier to maintain proper body alignment). She also mirrors her instructions (when she says "left" she means YOUR "left") which is always a plus. I consider myself at a high intermediate level, and enjoy this workout very much!

Great workout

Kathy Smith is an excellent aerobics instructor - she uses standard moves, great cues and she makes it easy for those of us watching to make the moves more or less intense, depending on our fitness level. This is a great workout, with lots of power moves (you can ignore these and do regular moves, also) and high energy. The lighting is good, the set is good & the music, though not great, isn't too loud or intrusive. And though the people behind Kathy were all in great shape & did well (except one person, see below), I get tired of all the plastic smiles on everyone in these videos. Sure, we know you're supposed to look like you LOVE it, but you can look pleasant without looking like a mannequin!

I love the fact that the video is broken up into distinctive sections for beginners, intermediate or advanced students. She gives everyone ample time to prepare for the next section, and she takes appropriate heart-rate checks in between.

The thing that kept me from giving it 5-stars is that it's obvious this wasn't filmed in one take - and unfortunately, whoever was editing it didn't get it exactly right. At different angles (obviously "take-2" or something) every so often, the folks on the tape are a second or two off. Also, there is one person who always seems about a beat behind everyone else, so everytime the camera cuts to her, it can be just a little confusing. Nothing terrible, but kind of annoying the first couple times I did the tape and I couldn't figure out what was wrong, I was just finding myself a beat ahead/behind everyone.

Good workout

I like Kathy Smith and this is a good workout. Maybe its just me but I found it really confusing when she was doing the segment where the step was vertical and she was facing in the opposite direction from me. I know that is probably necessary, but in that case she needs to explain what she is doing and actually cue the moves. Its hard to just catch on. There was one particular series that I still do not understand what she's doing

Other than that, the moves were easy to follow.

I particularly like that you could modify it by adding more or less power moves.