Step.1 Workout DVD

This is not for the beginning stepper. I have taken step classes before and am able to pick up the steps if instructed but this DVD has NO INSTRUCTION AT ALL. She just cues the moves but doesn''t give a demonstration of how to do the moves and it''s very involved and fast paced. It looks fun and I wish I could keep up and probably could if she broke down the more difficult steps. I am never using it again.

I''ve enjoyed this workout several times now, though I admit to being a bit clumsy with it the first time. It''s not for beginners as it''s fairly complex. I''m not a step beginner but I sometimes feel like it with an instructor I haven''t tried before. However, Carolyn gives clear instructions and builds up her combos slowly enough that a more advanced exerciser can catch on well enough, with a bit of practice. I recommend previewing the workout before you jump in and try it (something Carolyn also recommends in her introduction, actually). There are some old familiar moves and some new things I''d never seen before -which added to the challenge of learning but also added to the fun factor.

The music is great -original and spunky (Carolyn composes her own music!) -though sometimes during my first couple times I would have liked to hear her voice a little louder. That becomes less of an issue as you get more comfortable with the moves and just step along to the beat. Carolyn is joined by her sister Amy. Amy is quiet during the workout -maybe next time they can throw in some sisterly banter. :) Or not -not everyone likes chatter during workout videos, but I enjoy sisterly banter.

The workout starts with a pretty easy-to-follow warm-up. Then there are 4 combos, each building up each element to a full combination. After all the combos there''s a challenge which combines all the combos and then repeats twice. Then she ends with a little cool-down and stretch. I love the stretch on the step. The DVD also includes two "mini mix" premixes--shorter workouts that leave out the building-up instruction so you just do the complete combos or the challenge. It got my heart rate up pretty well even with just a 4" step. Those in better shape than I am can up the intensity with a higher step, of course.

Overall it''s a fun, challenging step workout with great music.

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I love this workout! I''m a fairly advanced stepper. I''ve done tons of step classes and videos and I enjoy the pace of Carolyn''s instruction and her mix of dancy and athletic moves. Her teaching style works for me. To keep up the intensity of the workout, she teaches each move through repetition and then adds the move to the rest of the combo. I find that workouts that break down each move too much get old fast once you''ve learned the routine, so I prefer less teach-time than others might. The moves are original spins on classic step moves and are fun and easy to learn. The format of the workout is the standard TIFT format, which I find easy to follow. I get a GREAT workout from this DVD and the time really flies by, exactly what I want in a step workout. I also love the music and think it''s awesome that Carolyn wrote it! The only critique I have is that the production quality isn''t the greatest, but that doesn''t interfere with the quality of the workout so it still gets 5 stars for me.

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The routine is difficult to learn. It starts out great with wide shots so the basic moves at the beginning are picked up relatively quickly, however it seems like the more complicated the moves get the more face shots of the instructor you get so while you are getting verbal instruction on what your feet are supposed to be doing you can''t see at all what she''s talking about. Used it a half dozen times and now it just sits on the shelf collecting dust in favor of dvd''s where I can see and hear what the more complicated moves are supposed to be.

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This instructor goes right into the steps without much instruction. I can see how this workout could be fun once you know the steps but trying to learn them without guidance is very frustrating. The other frustrating part is the camera work. There are too many close up views of the instructors face. You are not able to see what steps they are doing when the camera is in on a close up. I would not buy this DVD again or recommend it to anyone.