Search - Kathy Smith - Power Step Workout on DVD

Awesome Step Workout!

mwreview | Northern California, USA | 02/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Good workout, lots of fun and sweat!

Freyja Gabois | Vacationland (Maine) United States | 06/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As you can tell from my other reviews, I own a lot of Kathy Smith DVD's. The reason is she has solid workouts that are fun and she has great cue-ing and instruction. She always cues from YOUR point of view, when she says left it's YOUR left, which makes it easy to mirror her on the screen.

This step workout has 3 segments, designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced. The beginner should stop after segment 1 and go to the cooldown. The intermediate stepper should finish segments 1 and 2 and then proceed to the cooldown. The advanced stepper can do all 3 segments before cooling down.

Each segment gives you two options: high impact (power moves) or low impact. Higher impact consists of modifying low impact moves to contain more jumps. One person in each segment does the low impact moves so you can follow her.

Segment 1: 12 minutes long. Easy to follow basic stepping. Kathy and company use a springboard step but any step (or even no step for beginners) will work just fine.
Segment 2: 13 minutes long. Slightly more intense than segment 1 and more add on sequences. After you've been stepping 6 minutes Kathy moves to squats and lunges which gives you a rest and lets your heartrate lower. This is my only complaint about this video, I wish she would have added this at the end of the entire video and continued cardio through the entire 2nd segement. However, this segment only lasts ~4 minutes so it's not that big of a deal. There is a heart rate check after this segment.
Segment 3: 12 minutes. The step is switched to the other position for a bit more variety. A few squats and leg lifts in sequence finish out this segment.

There is a 5 minute cooldown and a little bit of a stretch (probably won't be adequate for most people after this workout).
She has a safety demonstration after the cooldown where she promotes the step she shows in the video, but should be viewed by first time steppers to make sure they do it properly.



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Tough but Excellent!

Janet | 01/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After reading some of the later reviews here I was a little wary about trying this video. But, unlike some of the other reviewers, I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, Kathy Smith is definitely not the best at cueing, but after you've done the video once or twice, you don't need her to cue you anyway. I am an avid stepper also, both at home and at a gym, and I did not find the routines difficult to follow in the least. The music and the setting are definitely not the best but that is not the important thing if you are using the tape to help you lose weight and feel good. After I learned the routines I just muted the sound and used my own music. The important things are there: the workout is challenging and you really sweat! However, I will say that it is defintely not a video for any beginner; whether you are a beginning-stepper or someone just beginning an aerobic workout routine."

Reach for it again and again!!

Janet | avon, ct United States | 07/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best cardio workout videos ever made. I have nearly 50 exercise videos I've purchased over the past 20 years and The Power Step Workout is one of the top 5 I reach for over and over again when I want to feel as though I've had a good workout. If you don't want a 45 minute workout you can do the warmup and the first or second workouts. Or mix and match different segments on different days. It's segmented to fit your fitness needs but each segment gradually increases the pace. You don't even need the step although using one provides greater cardiovascular benefit. The cueing is excellent and the routines easy to learn. The music is great without being distracting. I think you'll really feel energized with the small group while you work out. I think you also will return to this video again and again. Your heart and body will thank you. Kathy Smith knows how to make a great video. This video proves why she's one the best in the exercise video business."