Customer Reviews

Total Body Circuit [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The video is an excellent step and toning workout. Isolated toning segments are interspersed between step aerobic segments. The video is a total 56 minutes in length, with the step and toning work lasting 36 minutes. Toning includes squats, lunges and pushups. Keli does the toning using a powerflex band, which you can order through an insert in the video. I use an exercise tube, but you could substitute the band work with weights as well. There is 8 minutes of floorwork at the end, which is mostly ab work. I've worked out in clubs for over 10 years and I am now at home with an infant. I needed a video which could give me a club quality workout for an advanced exerciser and this video did the trick. I would rate this video as an excellent replacement for a workout at the club for the Intermediate to Advanced person.

The Set: bright and cheery, from the whitewash hardwood floors, side walls are white, and the background has wide painting of brown mountains that reaches from wall to wall. Soothing if you notice it....

The instructor: She has an accent... but during the workout you don't even notice it... only during the intro... there are approx 6 people doing the workout with her... most are wearing one piece top and shorts, one with a bare midrift. She is formidable... her cueing is very good... every tiny little thing is explained, down to how to tilt your step... LOL

Music: appropriate, good, seems to match the workout very well.

The workout progression: Total approx 60 min.
warm up - 7min
Step aerobics - 5 min
Circuit weightwork - 10 min
Step aerobics - 5 min
Circuit weightwork - 10 min
Step Aerobics - 5 min
step cool down - 3 min
Abwork - 6 min
Back lifts and leg lifts 1-2 min
Stretch - 3 min

The weightwork: She does them all with an elastic band
but one and at times two of the students use hand weights..... (I used handweights and was fine!)
Both 10 min Circuit weightwork sessions contain these moves:
Press arms forward w/ not deep squats
Side lateral
Militaries
French Press
Triceps dips off box
Bent Row
Upright Rows
Biceps Curls
Push ups
Lunge off box w/ Biceps curls then rows
Slow Lunge w/ one arm rows

The Step Choreography: is very basic... in fact beginners will pick it up immediately...(basic step, basic lifts, lunges, some propulsion) and those who have two left feet like me... a lot of continuous not too fast repetitions.... but the weightwork breaks it up and you don't get bored...

Film quality: I guess good... very clear.

Equipment needed: A step, two pairs of dumbells or 3 depending on your level, or a rubber Power-flex band.

This tape is definitely what it says a Circuit Training tape....

If you like Keli Roberts Ultimate Step, you'll love this video. Even if you don't like Keli Roberts Ultimate Step, you'll love this one, because it is 10 times better! Like Reebok Circuit Challenge, this video offers a circuit training workout that combines step aerobics with resistance training in between. The Reebok Circuit Challenge is made up of short intervals: a minute of step, a minute of resistance, and so on. It's very fast-paced as a result. Keli Roberts Real Fitness--Circuit Training Workout has longer intervals. There are three sections of step that lasts from 6-10 minutes. The first and second segments are followed by resistance training for about the same amount of time. It's therefore not as fast-paced as the Reebok video but it is still very effective and doesn't drag. Keli's cueing is perfect and I was able to follow the workout almost without a stumble the first time I tried it. The step segments use the step in a vertical position which is a great change from most other step videos. The second segment of resistance offers some of the most effective exercises for the shoulders I've used! Keli uses a stretch band for these exercises. I have dumbbells and had no problems completing all the exercises. One of the background steppers was using hand-held weights, so the elastic band is not required. Following the workout, you get about ten minutes of abdominal crunches using the step in a slanted position. I find this ab workout more effective than the one used in Keli Roberts Ultimate Step. It also does not have the silly meditative final cool down at the end that Ultimate has. Keli Roberts Real Fitness is one of the best videos I've tried. I also recommend Cherfitness: A New Attitude. Keli is the instructor of this workout and, albeit it is very long at an hour and twenty minutes, it is a very thorough and enjoyable workout.

Keli Roberts puts together a tough, complete aerobic and toning workout with this tape. While the moves themselves are not too complex, the cues leave something to be desired. She tends to repeat the same moves ad nauseum, but the step segments only last 8 minutes at a clip, so it's not too tough to endure. The toning with resistance is super-effective and tough; you will feel muscles you forgot you had. The warm-up and cool down are okay, but there is a serious lack of leg stretching at the end. You will need to work on your hip flexors, rotators, hamstrings and quads on your own and give a little more time to your shoulders. Otherwise, very effective.

This is the second tape of Keli Robert's that I have purchased, the first being her Ultimate Step which is super too, and I really loved this tape! It is definitely a tough workout, I consider myself to be an advanced exerciser, and with the 8 inch step and power band toning segments I was constantly challenged and out of breath. Of course this workout is applicable to all fitness levels because of the variability with step height, power band strength, or you can use free weights in place of the power band. I ordered the power band from the insert from her tape and I think it is quite effective and challenging. I regularly lift weights, but I liked the concept of circuit training, where you alternate between cardio and strength moves, and Keli's creativity with the power band made the workout fun as well as quick. Keli gives you a great workout, along with a terrific ab and cooldown section. She also gives you this kind of complete workout in her Ultimate Step video. Her ab sections are very challenging, but you can work your way up to completing the moves. I hope that Keli puts out another video soon... I think she is terrific and her workouts are fun, motivating, and very effective! I have definitely noticed a big difference in my overall body condition, my abs, and my body tone. I stongly recommend both of her tapes!

I really like Keli Roberts workout. It will leave you sweating every time you do it and it will give you a good feeling after your done doing it. If you are a beginner, it will leave breathless as well the first few times. If you like a challenge, go a head and get it. It's great. I'm getting ready to purchase another one of her tapes, that's how much I like her workout.

I tried this tape last night for the first time. It was awesome. The step segments were broken up with resistance training. I used bands that I had on hand. Otherwise, there are modifications for hand held weights. The tape was challenging and interesting without any joint compromise (such as my knees). The ab section uses the bench at an angle. My bench lacks this ability so I laid flat on the floor. This was still an exceptional ab workout just the same. The tape consists of Keli with a group behind her showing the modifications. They are professional and without any of the goofy hooting and hollering that are on some fitness tapes. In my opinion this is far more interesting than her Ultimate Step which I found very monotonous (after only one workout).

Keli Roberts is one of my favorite instructors. And in this video, every muscle in your body is challenged to one degree or another, which to me is what's really important. Not to mention that it's so much fun! I like the way Keli is always making sure you're doing each and every move correctly. I will definitely be doing this one on a regular basis, right along with other videos that maybe put more emphasis on abs, for a complete and well-rounded workout. Good job, Keli!

This is my favorite video right now- I love running outside in the summer but I needed something other than the boring treadmill for the winter. Of the eight or so videos I now own, this is the best all around work-out. The time flies by and I finish feeling like I worked my entire body. It's broken up into segments so you step for a while, use the resistance band for a while, more step, more resistence, followed by the most intense step segment. My arms and thighs look much more toned. Keli is an excellent instructor because she knows what to say to keep you motivated and she doesn't have any fancy footwork- its all very easy to follow. I also enjoy her other step tape and I wish she had more videos!!

As a person who has been working out with exercise videos for over seven years, I have grown quite picky with the selection of tapes that are out there. So, after seeing Keli in Kathy Smith's Kickboxing Workout, I decided to give one of her videos a try. At first, I thought the choreography was a little confusing on the first two tries, but I have to say, WOW, was my heart rate up there! It has been a habit of mine to ALWAYS wear a heart rate monitor during all workouts, and this workout really kept my heart rate up there. Unlike a lot of videos out there, she starts the workout in about two minutes of the tape running, which is great 'cause you don't have to fast-forward through a long and drawn out intro. The stretches she uses are fantastic; I used to be much more limber prior to giving birth to my daughter last year. I guess to cut down on time, I have been skipping the stretches, but have added them back in again about a month ago; Keli's stretches really do work well. Honestly, I would say give the tape at least two or three tries so you can get the choreography down; the overall benefits of the workout are very challenging and you will not be disappointed.