Everybody Steps: A guide to step aerobics

I am restarting step aerobics. Have not done it in years so this dvd is just what I needed to get me going

In the early 1990s, when StepReebok was all the rage, I had utterly, absolutely no interest in exercise, period. Admittedly, by the mid-1990s, I was in college and had discovered that I loved to go out to the clubs and dance hard, as hard as I could, at which point I was pretty darn fit. Well, those days are long gone and behind me, much as I still love the music, and until Gin's DVD showed up on my doorstep, I will admit to having actively cultivated an anti-fitness, mind-over-matter intellectual persona that has left me with a rather sad legacy of crap posture, mistrust of various joints, and two left feet.So nearing 40, when I realized I had a nice milestone ahead of me for finally whipping myself back into some reasonable semblance of shape and a burgeoning wish to do so (out of necessity if nothing else), I made the rather random decision to try step for the very first time (without really realizing this was based on my oh-so nineties memory, though I suppose I figured that since I used to love dancing so much, step might work for me). After some extended browsing, I ordered Gin's video. The choice wasn't entirely random, because the reviews seemed rather good, and it was only then that I learned she is considered one of step's primary innovators.To get to the point? I am thrilled! I really don't care if step is passé or not. Gin Miller has somehow managed to single-handedly addict me to step from the very first day I had the DVD; I've been following it faithfully almost every morning since it arrived, and I'm truly impressed with her abilities to teach and motivate the most cynical among us. She is a born teacher: excellent cues, as sincere as she is self-deprecating, and to top it off, she is the real deal, by which I mean you are not being talked down to, nor are you being misled to believe this particular routine will let you "shred" weight or gain muscle at some unrealistic speed. After just two weeks, in any case, I've noticed my mood improving, my energy levels rising, and my general posture becoming vastly more confident (I had major scoliosis surgery as a teenager, another factor that has left me seriously apprehensive about exercise despite my doctor's encouragement).In any case: If you are a true beginner like I am, after years of not exercising daily, you will without doubt work up a reasonable sweat (add arm movements if you need more burn!) and appreciate Gin's ability to demystify the choreography other instructors rather blithely pass off as "basic step." In no time, you'll feel ready to ramp up to Gin's other videos, whether step or strength training, as I already have, and you will no doubt gain the confidence you need to start exercising regularly again. I will not stop now that I've properly started, and as I look forward to staying in shape heading into my forties, I'm happy to credit Gin single-handedly with giving me the perfect mix of motivation and instruction, and the humor to do so (and mind you, and I'm not so easily impressed). Thank you, Gin Miller. You've won me over!

I did step aerobics years ago and am trying to pick it back up. Gin Miller goes over each step and slowly proceeds to a good workout. Highly recommend this one for a beginner (or someone more advanced who wishes to add the risers under their step).

I worked out to step aerobics back in the early 1990's and trying it again recently with the DVD, it brought it all back. Gin Miller, a pioneer in step aerobics takes the beginner through the basic steps clearly and easily. Her manner is quite informal and keeps you relaxed even while you work up a good sweat.The recording is not without a few technical glitches. The transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is a little off and you have to recalibrate your step a little bit. Gin also refers to an "A" step she's going to show you, and never gets back to it. Not a big deal, just something to chuckle about.Also Phase 4 of the DVD I think spends a little too much time learning the turn step and some of the other basic steps are sort of rushed through at the end such as the straddles, etc.Even with the flaws, this DVD comes highly recommended from this middle-aged clod who needs an indoor exercise program for the cold winter months. I find I can do this workout daily and add some complexity to it if need be, and this DVD is highly adaptable to this sort of liberty. Overall, a very nice DVD.

My friends do step aerobics at the YMCA. They've done it for years. All started by just attending classes and floundering away until they could reproduce the movements. However, I'm a bit too self-conscious about knocking people over and looking like the odd man out, so I decided to get a dvd to help teach me the basics. I'd tried the dvd that came with my step kit and found it to be abysmal. No instructions and a fast pace that led me to stamp my feet and plop onto my couch in frustration. Since this one had so many positive reviews, I decided to give it a try. So glad I did! Gin is a fantastic teacher. This is to step aerobics what the ABCs are to writing. She demonstrates the most popular steps in detail, gives you a few trial runs, then goes into a full set. It's actually quite a workout in and of itself.Highly recommended to anyone who ever watched a step class and thought "how do they all stay synchronized like that." Now when I hear "corner knee," I just do it. I've since gone onto her basic step, but I constantly loan this one out to friends and family who want to learn the moves. One of the few beginner videos that actually lives up to its hype.

This DVD is great for anyone just starting out with step aerobics or for those who are making a triumphant return. I'm new to Gin Miller, and I found her to be enthusiastic without being annoying, encouraging without being "fake", and most importantly her instructions were clear as was the video footage itself. I won't be requesting the soundtrack to this DVD, but the music is upbeat, keeps a good pace, and I found as I worked out it more or less "faded" into the background for me as I got into "the zone". The DVD itself is broken into sections, and Gin separates the sections by doing an "exertion check-in". I found this check-in was helpful not only in making me stop to think about how hard I was working, but also as a way to stay motivated to go onto the next section.Seriously - a great DVD for beginners, but can also provide a challenging cardio workout for those who just want to stay away from overly "dancy" moves. If you're thinking about joining a stepclass at a gym, try this out. Or, if you want to avoid the gym all together but still want a great workout, this DVD is for you, too.

Excellent dvd for beginners. She makes step aerobics fun and actually you are so busy focusing on what she is saying (she commentates continuously over the thumping background music) that you don't really have time to think about anything else. She makes it really enjoyable and is quite humourous though possibly not intending it at times. I bought a second copy for family and will recommend to others too

Parcel arrived next day as promised. I have had this dvd before so knew its contents. If you have not done step before or for a while this is great. All the steps are demonstrated at the start and when the work out starts they she goes through them slowly and then adds them to the routine . Great!

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I love this dvd if you do it daily it really helps you to tone your bum and tighs. The exercises are easy and well explained.

Is a good introduction to Step Aerobics as a genre of exercise