Customer Reviews

Keli Roberts - Ultimate Step Workout [VHS]

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I take a lot of classes at the Gym and am used to a more challenging workout. This video is not for beginners because it doesn't explain the moves and Keli doesn't use standard names for all the moves. She also doesn't tell you whether you're leading with Left or Right. If you are an advanced stepper, this tape may be a little boring or slow paced for you. I had to add all the levels to my step to get my usual workout. If you at an intermediate level, this tape is great for you.

The abs section was killer - great abs workout.

If you are a beginner, I would recommend "Jane Fonda's Step Aerobic and Abdominal Workout ", it doesn't use a lot of complicated moves.

I'm an intermediate exerciser who had never tried stepping. I was absolutely awed by Keli Roberts after seeing her in Kathy Smith's Kickboxing workout - the woman is so powerful! - so I chose this as my first step video and I couldn't be happier.

Now I've read the comments from people not recommending this for beginners, and I have to disagree. If Keli is using the wrong names for the exercises, as a true beginner I can't tell. Maybe it will screw me up when I try another tape, but that's a chance I'm willing to take.

I was concerened about Keli not cueing right or left, since I'm not the most graceful person and I need all the cues I can get. It turned out not to be an issue since it doesn't really matter if you're using the same side or mirror imaging her. All the moves lead naturally from one side to the next, so pick a starting side and don't sweat it. It'll balance out.

Some right/left cuing would have made the moves easier to learn, admittedly, but it only took me about four runs to get a grasp on the first two segments. I love the music when the steppers get going: the *cthunk cthunk* of shoes on steps fits into the beat perfectly and I find it very energizing.

The ab workout was brutal - it inspired me to buy Keli's Abs & More tape. The guided relaxation was a little creepy, though. Out of nowhere she's gone from leading me through crunches to "feel the satin as it glides across your skin." Gah. No thanks. Some stretch instead would have made this video perfect. Thankfully, it's the last thing on the tape so you can turn it off and stretch on your own.

First, let me give you my background. I took step classes at a gym for 2 years before becoming pregnant. After having my baby I started using Kathy Smith's Step Tape. After 4 weeks, I needed something harder, so I purchased Keli Roberts' step tape. Although the box claims the workout is for beginner, intermediate or advanced steppers, I would not recommend it for someone new to step. Keli recommends beginners follow some of the other steppers, but the camera hardly ever shows the other steppers. I found it hard to follow at first. Keli doesn't use the common names for moves and her accent is hard to understand at times. Also, the cues and transitions are not good. Keli and the other steppers will start doing new moves before she cues you. I gave this video 4 stars because it does provide a good workout. After doing this tape 3 or 4 times, I started getting the hang of it and it became easier to follow as I learned the routines. There is a heart rate check half way through and I am always in my target range using a 6" step. The ab workout is really burns!! If you're new to step, I would recommend starting with Kathy Smith's Step Workout. Once that becomes easy, you're ready for this tape.

I really love this tape but it did take a few times to get used to it. Keli does not call like I am used to and does not let you know what foot to start with. However, if you really pay attention and start with the same foot she does, then when she says "now the other foot" you will be right in step with her. I did this tape probably 4 time before I truly got it and now I love it. It is one of my favorite workouts. Like every routine, if it is new to you it will be someome difficult. One other reviewer stated that she could not learn the moves while her back was to the tv. If she paid attention to what Keli was saying and kept in step with her using the same foot then you should NEVER have your back to the tv. I like the progressive stages of this workout. By the 3rd stage you are working pretty hard. It really gets my heart pumping. The steps are fairly basic and not at all hard to learn. Not dancy - which I hate. The cool down phase is not very good though. She goes from having your heart rate maxed out immediately to a very SLOW cool down.

I have owned this tape for about five years. I try new step tapes all the time, and keep going back to this one. I think it is great for all steppers, Keli starts out with more basic steps, and has three levels of difficulty/intensity. You can go on if you feel comfortable, or just rewind the darn thing and try again! There are other instructors in the background showing you the lower impact alternatives in case you are not as fiesty as Keli. Her short ab workout at the end is great, I feel pain each and every time i complete it. The relaxation part at the end is a little hokie, but it does relax you. Best of all, the workout isn't a wimpy twenty minutes. It is long, so if you can't finish it the first, second or third time, you have somethig to look forward to.

I really like this tape. I've had it for years and although I've tried other tapes, I keep coming back to this one. I agree with another reviewer that you have to know the lingo to do this tape so it may not be the best for a beginner. But I diagree with another reviewer that said she doesn't tell you what foot to use. She often taps the shoulder of the foot she wants you to use and she's not difficult to follow once you know what she's saying. I admit, it took me one or two times to catch on, but that made it all the more rewarding once I did. And I also agree that the relaxation part is really good. I also like the fact that it has 3 levels so you can still get a good workout if you don't feel like doing the whole tape that day. I think Keli is wonderful.

I just tried this video for the first time today. It is 50 minutes long; the first 6 minutes are for warm up, then up until 40 minutes there is the workout - 3 levels - and then two minute cool down and then about 8 minute of abs (quite good ab workout) then a few minutes of the end with overal stretch/cool down (didn't do this part).
From my initial viewing, I like this video. It's very energetic and many of the moves are seen in other videos - which makes it easier. Even though its an old video it didn't feel too dated and the instructor is cool - not annoying like many.
My only problem with it is that she doesn't give decent instructions, especially for moves coming up and which foot to start with and the camera pans right away to those behind her so you can't figure it out for yourself until a few reps have passed. Its very choreographed so dance/step experience will help.
If you're a beginner, or someone who just wants a decent aerobic workout, try Step Reebok: The Video (1992) which has really good instructions. I got that video free when I bought my reebok step and it really is great.
Though keep in mind, with any video there's always going to be a learning curve so no matter what you buy, you're always going to be confused little at first - but keep with it, it does get easier.

As the cover box states, this step workout is for intermediate and advanced steppers. I thought this meant that it would be more difficult to get through the workout in terms of fitness level, but I found that it is still highly adaptable for all levels. However, I don't recommend this for inexperienced steppers because it is assumed that one is familiar with common step moves and concepts of transitions. But if you are experienced, then you will enjoy this workout since it doesn't bore you with the basics.

Furthermore, it seemed to me that the moves in this workout were high-impact compared to the other stepping tapes I have used. My knees ached constantly throughout the routine and I had to adopt low-impact versions of some of the moves.

At the end of the workout, there is a short session for tightening the abdominal muscles and a wonderful relaxation session which is just what I needed after such an intense workout (make sure you have a rubber exercise mat). The relaxation segment is the best part of the tape - don't skip it!

This is an enjoyable and challenging workout in that it has upbeat music, happy performers, a stimulating instructor and fun patterns that change enough to prevent boredom. HOWEVER, you would benefit if you were already a natural at step and well-coordinated. The abdominal workout is EXCELLENT...one of my favorites of all my 70 plus aerobic videos. Keli Roberts is a great instructor with excellent form and technique. You should atleast be in moderately good shape to do this video, it is not for beginners or slow-learners.

I first learned about aerobics instructor Keli Roberts when I found the workout video Cherfitness: A New Attitude. I enjoyed this video so much that I purchased this one. I think Roberts' cueing is even better on this video (it's not as clean on A New Attitude). Her English accent is also not as intrusive as it is on the Cher video. It is not as fun as A New Attitude with Cher's comments and the popular rock music, but it is a good, solid workout. The first part is pretty basic and would be OK for the beginner. The second part of the workout (after Roberts switches the bench to a vertical position) is more intermediate/advanced because it requires a lot more endurance with lunges, etc. The workout includes a section of abdominal work which is always a plus. I do not feel that the abdominal exercise are as effective as the ones on the Cher video. The final cool down (there is also a cool down stretch which is very effective) is almost a meditation during which Roberts describes you as floating on a fluffy cloud. This part I found a bit much and I usually skip it. The entire workout (with meditative cool down) is 53 minutes. It is not as good as the Cher video but would still make a good addition to any aerobics library. The Cher workout is an hour and twenty minutes long, so it may not be as practical most days. I had to drop another star because of the silly cool down.