Simply Step: Classic Moves

I started using Gin Miller's step workouts in the 1990's because I needed a low impact workout I could do at home that wouldn't hurt my ultra-sensitive knees. I'm back again because I need to lose weight after entering a rather long plateau phase.I like Gin's excellent cueing, which is still just as stellar as it was in the nineties. She was 49 when she made this workout, so I'm within a few years of what her age was at the time and I could be fairly confident about being able to finish the entire thing without falling over. While the moves themselves are fairly basic and depend on higher reps and user-chosen intensity to elevate heart rate, this DVD gets the job done. You will lose weight (if that's what you want), gain endurance and muscle tone while helping your heart and blood pressure--all without hurting your joints. That's what I ask for in a workout. I alternate this workout with belly dance and yoga to keep my body in a semi-surprised state.I noticed one problem with camera movement for a second or two and a single incorrect cue (at about 46:25), but other than that the production value is high and Gin doesn't miss a beat. The music isn't my favorite of all time, but as an accompaniment to the exercise, it works. Besides, her personality and humor make the workout much easier to tolerate than most--even though the stepping isn't fancy. I don't really need fancy, to be honest. I need to be able to follow the moves without tripping over my feet with all sorts of dance steps. Gin Miller has always been able to make me feel less than clumsy, and that's an accomplishment.

I remember taking step classes in the 90's and really taking for granted how good the workout was. While I waited for this DVD to arrive I did some research and found that they burn between 400-680 calories per (which is comparable to a run). I recently have not been able to run due to my flat feet (major shin splints and lower back pain) but I needed to get some pure unadulterated cardio in so this was my big hope and it delivers. I will say that I feel more comfortable with this workout because by all accounts Gin Miller created the step programs we are familiar with today via Step Reebok. The workout is intense but if you monitor you exertion level with the scale on the screen you can make it through the entire thing (you will be dripping with sweat however :). The warm up is insufficent though for such a vigorous workout so sadly you will have to make other arrangements then start her video to prevent injury. Caution: if you are like me an do a lot of workouts at home this is old school all the way and is NOT 30 MINUTES. Its more like an aerobics class at the gym for 60 minutes. This can be good if you really want to get maximum results but be aware you will be working longer and harder than other cardio DVD's on the market. Happy stepping!Oh and by the way, the moves are all classic step so if you have ever taken one before you'll be amazed how much you remember. Newbies def start with 1 step or none at all and focus on endurance. Mu ha ha ha!

I love the Gin Miller step videos. I purchased 3 of her videos online after being satisfied with reviews, and they do not disappoint. If you are just getting back into aerobics exercise for the first time, or if it has been a while, I recommend starting with Everybody Steps to start out gradually, but they are both great. Gin Miller does a great job guiding even the most clumsy of us through a good step workout, without frustrating you or making you feel like a lost cause. She is likable, encouraging, and genuine. I have tried other people’s workout videos in the past that have frustrated me because I couldn’t keep up, and that seemed more like an opportunity for the instructors to show off rather than helping the viewer to improve their own bodies. That is not the case with Gin Miller videos. I actually look forward to working out now. I am in my forties, about 50 pounds overweight, and not coordinated at all when it comes to dance. If I can do it, anyone can.

This video is a basic step video if you can adapt easily to the fact that it is designed for all levels and not just beginner. With each new move, Gin shows a beginner step, then adds to it if you want to make it harder for intermediate and adds to it again for advanced. However, you do not have to do the intermediate or advanced step moves and you can just keep doing the beginner step moves. I say this because many reviews are not clear about how the video is structured. You can do this as a beginner if you are able to keep the same move going without getting confused when Gin is also showing and doing intermediate and advanced moves. I think that this is an excellent video to grow with because as you get comfortable with the moves you can add in the intermediate and hard arms to make the workout harder. I am a definite beginner and I have not had any problem keeping up with this video, I am starting to do some intermediate moves, but overall I just keep doing the basic step moves. I have not been able to work out for the full 50 minutes, I usually stop after the warm-up and 20-30 minutes of stepping and forward to the cool down. This is a great video to challenge you, keep you energized and you can adapt the moves as you progress.

This and her Everybody Steps tapes are perfect for those who are beginners, especially those of us who hate the flouncy, fluttery, girly step tapes out there. People shouldn't think that just because someone is female that they want to sashay around like chorus girls. There are also many who, when trying to follow along with some of these tapes we see that are out there, get a glimps of ourselves in our mind's eye and think, "I look stupid doing this--"Fantasia" springs to mind. Gin is very basic. You don't feel weird following her. She's friendly, like a neighbor tutoring you on this stuff, and very likeable. I had heard her name years ago, but never investigated her stuff. I feel now that I have wasted a lot of time and money on videos that weren't as good as this one.