Customer Reviews

Kathy Smith - Power Step Workout [VHS]

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I love this step workout, it has become my favorite, and would highly recommend it. Its fun, easy to learn after a few times, and challenging.
Kathy Smith has a cheerful, but not false personality that enables you to watch the DVD over and over. I cant tell you how many times I want to toss a workout after watching it a few times because the instructor or the other people on the video's fake cheerfulness.
In this particular DVD Kathy is almost flawless (there are problems with some of her other DVD's)which in a step work could be dangerous.
I wont go into a breakdown seeing as other reviewers have done this already but I will say that I really like this DVD it has kept me motivated, I have had it for about 6 months and use it 2 to 3 times a week alternating between other DVD's. I have lost almost 60 pounds in the last 9 months with the help of Kathy Smith's DVD's. I started with Leslie Sanson's walking series DVD's and have worked my way to step. I continue to try many different workouts but this is one of my favorite The nice thing about this particular workout is that you can modify depending on your fitness level increasing the intensity as your fitness level increases. The instructions are clear and the camera angles are shot so that you can see foot placement which is very important in step, but its not disorienting so that you don't know what going on with the hands either. Another thing that is nice is you can use any step, some of the other step workouts require a special step that must be purchased for that particular workout, although Kathy does endorse a step, it is not required for this workout.

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.

Well, maybe not a coronary, but my heart was definitely pumping and thumping. I've done many of Kathy's tapes and was very pleasantly surprised by the challenge of this tape. The routines (that are anything BUT routine) build upon each other and become more fun, more difficult, more unique and more effective as you exercise.

I did this tape without the special springboard step, but it was still a lot of fun and a lot of work. The best part about the tape is that you can really notice your progress each time you exercise. Each day you're able to push yourself a little further; it's very motivating. Different moves and plyometrics keep you on your toes.

The industrial-type set is unlike any in her other videos; however, the music is pretty much the same as in her others. The cool down well deserved. Great for getting lean and heart healthy.

THIS IS THE BEST STEP WORKOUT VIDEO I'VE PURCHASED OR RENTED AND I HAVE DONE SEVERAL. KATHY SMITH VIDEOS ARE EASY TO FOLLOW AND GIVE YOU A GREAT WORKOUT.I'VE BEEN PURCHASING HER VIDEOS SINCE 1988.IF YOU WANT A WORKOUT THAT BURNS CALORIES AND SHAPES YOUR LOWER HALF, THIS IS IT.

I have three of Kathy's step videos and this is my favorite. The music is easy to listen to, and the moves aren't difficult. They do a GREAT job of toning the lower body while making the heart pound! I lost about 30 lbs doing this video along with her other videos.. she really delivers. If you're serious about weight loss, Kathy Smith will definitely help you. Anyone serious about losing weight and getting healthy won't be bothered by her voice, the music, the outfits, etc. The exercise is what is important.

This 50-minute tape is more aerobically intense and high-impact than "Step Workout" and less repetitive, but it has less toning, and no upper body toning. My heart rate stays up at an even, high level throughout all three aerobic segments. It is flexible enough to be good for a variety of levels of exercisers. There is enough variety to keep it interesting, but it is still not complicated to learn. I especially like the warm-up and cool-down/stretch.

The aerobic intensity seems pretty high and very even throughout the three segments, unlike my other favorite step videos, Kathy Smith's "Fat Burning Breakthrough," which uses a "wave" model of varying intensities, and Gin Miller's "Reebok Intense Moves," which uses an "interval" training system. All three burn a lot of calories and will really make you sweat!

The set looks like a gymnasium with brick walls, which is okay, and the outfits are easier to look at than those on some other tapes (no thongs or excessive skin showing). The music is pretty easy to take, with a good distinct beat to help you keep going at the right speed. Kathy Smith does not whoop or act silly on this tape.

I am a Kathy Smith fan and this is my favorite step video of her's. It really has three different ability levels and all three are a challenge.