This multilevel class is safe for and accessible to beginners, and just right for intermediates. Three of Fonda's able and motivating instructors teach the 45-minute step class. Half the room does lower-intensity moves; the other uses higher steps and higher-intensity techniques. The teaching technique is excellent: a pattern is taught on the floor before taking it up on the step. One participant does the routines totally without the step to guide beginners or others who don't feel comfortable using the step. The patterns never get very complex, but they are varied enough to keep you interested and energized, and you can adjust your step height to make the workout harder if you wish. The instructors cue seamlessly. Fonda herself teaches the 10-minute abdominal segment, with enough variations of the standard crunch to keep your abs contracting and your mind engaged. --Joan Price
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Intermediate Level Stepper Comment: You can get an excellent workout and have fun doing it. The level of difficulty can be adjusted for your fitnesss level. Good music and easy to follow steps. Even though this is an old tape, it still gets the job done. Customer Rating: Summary: Looking for more instruction Comment: I had a hard time following steps because instructors are facing you. I would love it if you could see the steps from behind. Several times over many years I have taken out the stepper, try to follow the tape, then put it back in the attic again. If I could find a tape or cd where the instructor is not facing you but are turned around to were you are looking at their back, I would buy it. Customer Rating: Summary: My Favorite Workout Tape Comment: I have been using this workout tape for many years and I just love it! I know it so well that I can increase the cardio as much as I can do. It has such a simple premise and after all these years I still am surprised at how quickly the time goes! You can do it in a small space in front of your television. I just love it! I wish that they would put it on DVD though! Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent Clasic!! In the Family for years. Comment: This is my favorite Jane fonda workout. I would do this workout with my mother when I was only 10 and really enjoyed it. The work out includes 45 minutes of step aerobics that are conducted by the most vibrant instructors. They really motivate you and provide what it takes not to bore you with the routines. They give you the options of what excersise level you wish to work with, and provide clear instructions.
The workout is followed by an abdominal routine in which Jane fonda goes through several types of abdominal crunches and leg lifts. The video ends with a nice stretch and the sensation of a good workout.
Personally it is one of those workout that I always go back to. Even now at 25. Customer Rating: Summary: So easy, you don't have to think about it -- try it with hand weights Comment: This was the first excercise tape I ever tried, and has remained my favorite after trying about five others. Trying new workouts can be such a drag, as it's exhausting as you try to learn the steps. It only took me [a total beginner] about five times to become quite comfortable with this workout. In fact, it's so easy, I don't need to pay much attention at all to follow it, and can allow my mind to wander to other things I need to mull over about my day. Before I know it it's over.
The other wonderful thing I've found, is the arm motions are sweeping and simple enough, that you can further increase your workout -- and train strength at the same time -- by holding light barbells while you do your step workout. When I've been out of shape, I've started with 1 or 2 lb. weights, and work up to 3 lb. weights, and sometimes trade out heavier or lighter weights in easier and more difficult parts of the workout. The heaviest I've ever gotten up to was 5 lbs. and 8 lbs., and after you've worked that much weight for that long [30+minutes], you know you've done something [a bit hard on the cartiladge in your shoulders though when you get to weights that heavy; no worries on the light weights].
