Customer Reviews

Body Tech [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love just watching Kari Anderson. The woman can move so gracefully, no doubt about it. More amazingly, she can execute these complex patterns flawlessly while TALKING at the same time. I'm not worthy, I'm telling you:) This is one of her more recent releases. It consists of a 7-minute-or-so warmup, followed by about 30 minutes of step aerobics, then about 15 minutes of weight training (focusing mostly on the upper body and abs), and then one of Kari's trademark relaxing total-body stretches. Her stretches are their own reward. You work hard to get there, and they're just what you need when the routine's done! Body Tech has much to recommend it, just because of its star teacher/choreographer (Kari has one numerous industry kudos and awards from her peers and the press--you can't get better recognition than that!)

Do you hate buying tapes, only to outgrow them in a month or two? So do I. No problem here, though. This one's also versatile, one you can progress with for quite awhile if you're just now hitting an intermediate fitness level or new to step routines. I would put the intensity level at about high intermediate to advanced, depending on your step level and whether or not you throw in all those turns and embellishments Kari adds to the workout. You can also adjust the intensity of the weight training by changing the size of your dumbbells.

Some of Kari's earlier tapes had great workouts, but the music, setting, dancer's outfits, or SOMETHING was always cheesily off-kilter. Not here. The studio is beautiful and well-lit, and I love the music she chose for this (the first half of the step section has a score that just gets me going!), and everyone's dressed in solid color exercise clothes--no flashy prints to make you queasy:) She builds her combinations gradually, and some of the background exercisers repeat the basic moves for those of us who are slow to catch on to Kari's variations. Unfortunately, they're not always in camera range, so you might have to watch this one several times or hit the rewind button the first few times you do this one. It's worth it, though!

I think Kari didn't include as much lower body toning in the weight section because she figures your lower body is really getting it during the cardio. She focuses more on the upper body work--and works YOU in the process. The forearms and rotator cuff are usually neglected in combination cardio/strength tapes--but not here! Another common complaint I have about combination step/strength training tapes is that you often must pause the tape and move the step in order to do the strength work, losing momentum and motivation in the process. Here you pick up your weights and go straight to it! I like that she incorporates the step throughout the strength work (using it for push-ups, abdominal work, and as a platform for stretching thoroughly).

It's a solid workout, worth doing, and as another reviewer said, you can get results. But on a personal note, I don't think I could do this one more than once a week. Because I get up with the chickens and birds to have time for exercise, I have to have something that's more party-ish most mornings--especially in the winter. I don't get as excited or pumped up just thinking about doing this tape the way I do Christi Taylor's tapes (which are in a class by themselves). Don't get me wrong. It's a great tape and I'm always glad I did it once I'm finished with it--it's just a tad less fun and a lot more businesslike than some of the other workouts I own.

That said, the tape is worth owning and I don't plan to sell or trade my copy anytime soon. It is, in my opinion, one of the best combination cardio + strength workouts available. Get it if you're in the market for that type of tape. And enjoy. . .

Kari Anderson is a great instructor that keeps her audience motivated. This workout is difficult, and for the more advanced, so if you are then you'll enjoy this. Even if you're not advanced, you'll appreciate how she breaks down her combinations and gives alternative moves. Kari keeps giving us challenging workouts that keep us from getting bored.

I love step aerobics and this video was perfect for me. It combines a great workout with some challenging choreography which keeps it interesting. This is the second Kari Anderson tape I have mastered and it has helped slim down tremendously.

Be patient. This video is so good but initially it can seem a bit daunting. Don't give up as this is another brilliant tape from Kari. The music is great and you can't help but move along with it. The moves are taught really well and you can catch on quite quickly. There actually aren't heaps of combinations but it's still a great challenging 30-35 minute cardio workout (excluding warm-up), then to follow, there is a great mini toning section and ab workout finishing with a cool-down. Do yourself a favour and buy this. It is worth it. The results will come fast if you do this three to four times a week.

This is one of the toughest videos I've worked out to yet! The choreography took a few times for me to finally follow properly, but I did eventually "get it". I would say this video is for more advanced steppers who have been doing step or working out in general for at least a year or so. It is definitely not easy, but you will sweat and get results. Also, the toning section w/weights was just the right length.