Shapely Girl: Let's Get Stepping with Debra Mazda - Beginner Step Cardio Workout

I'm new to "step aerobics" and purchased this dvd because of other reviews I had read. I'm 57 years old and working on losing 55 pounds. Getting back into "exercise" has been difficult since I'm so out of shape and carrying that extra weight. I was looking for a dvd that wasn't to hard on the knees as I have 1 that is bad. Debra is a good teacher and very motivating. There is an excellent tutorial at the beginning that walks you through each movement and allows you the time to practice until you get it "right". Once I had mastered the moves I moved on to the actual Step session. Being new I did not add any risers to my step, I figured if I could get through the entire thing I'd be doing good!The moves are basic and easy to master. Her cues are pretty good, there were a few spots that you had better be paying attention when she changes...but after a few times I knew where these were so it wasn't a problem. Your gonna sweat, oh yeah you will! I was dripping by the end. Want a bigger challenge and a tougher workout....add a riser! Easy to follow, great for people like me with "two left feet", gets your heart rate up and holds it there for a great cardio workout. It did not bother my bad knee either. I have since gone on to add that first riser and had to ditch it because that little "extra" DID bother my knee....but even with no risers it's a great workout. This is NOT "dancy"...I have no coordination and dislike those dvd's that are more dance than exercise. Her "team" are real women of size and are motivating in their own right, if they can do this and keep up it gives you something to work toward! I really detest the 80 pound women in the background of most dvd's, you know the ones that you can bouce a quarter off their abs! These are plus size gals that can MOVE!I would of given this a 5 star rating but I personally felt the warm up and the cool down needed to be longer, especially the cool down. I know this and stop the dvd and do my own cool down then start it again to follow through with the stretching. I wish she would make more step dvd's because I do like her style.

I really like this workout. In my 20's I used step aerobics to lose some weight and had the legs of my life. Fast forward 15 years later . . . I got away from workingout and I have gained weight. I bought this DVD because I hoped that it would ease me back into working out.I first did the DVD yesterday. I thought the DVD was going to be below my fitness level. I walk every day and use the elliptical. I can't say that I push myself hard--I just do it and try to enjoy it. I also rotate in a Firm DVD. So, I thought I was in good shape--decent at least. So, I started the DVD and was exaggerating the moves intending on getting a good workout. I assumed this DVD was a little below my level. Well, I was wrong. A couple of times I had to march in place to catch my breath. I insisted that I was going to use my arms and that I was in good shape. Clearly, I am not--I about killed myself and should have dropped the arms at some point but refused. After the workout I felt exhausted--not in a good way--in a I am not going to do anything a while way.Today I did the DVD without raising my arms above my head and got a good workout. I love the DVD. It is simple and straightforward. Exactly what I was looking for. I would have liked a more thorough stretch but I just do my own after the DVD. I like Debra. Again, she is straightforward. I do not like the Denise Austin type of rah rah DVD's--the first couple of times that rah rah is ok but after doing the DVD over and over again it is way too much and annoying.With Debra, she just tells us what the next steps are, counts, etc. Nothing over the top just a good solid workout. Also, the people on her "team" or regular people. They aren't the perfectly toned size zero's that we see so often in other DVD's. I use to think that the perfectly toned people in other DVD's were inspiring but I found that these women inspired me more. I would want to take a break and march but I wouldn't let myself . . . I would say "Ok, Gina, if they can do it you have to be able to do it--toughen up--quit whining".I think this is an intermediate DVD. I have the firm DVD's and feel that this got me sweating more and working harder. If it is too hard you can drop your arms like I did or use a shorter step. If you are not getting enough of a workout you can use a higher step.There is a toning segment after the workout that I haven't done yet. It seems to be about 10 minutes. I watched it and forgot to time it. Just solid basic moves. If you are new to stepping there is an intro that will show you all of the moves and help you ease into stepping. Stepping is a great way to shape and tone your lower body. Stepping also gives you a more intense workout. I am looking forward to reshaping my body again and think this is just the ticket.The workout is just under 40 minutes with a 4 minute warm up and a 3 minute cool down. The music isn't overwhelming--just right. I wish Debra would make more step DVD's to integrate with this one!Gina

A little about me. I am 58 and have many medical issues including myotonic muscular dystrophy, disc degerative disease lower back, and had open heart surgery 7 months ago. I am overweight and totally out of shape as I have not been working out at all. My neurologist said the more I move, the less my muscles will deteriorate. I used to do heavy workouts including step aerobics so I am familiar with the steps. This video seemed like the best beginner video to help me.First workout today. I didn't make it through it but I did pretty good considering. There are 5 ladies doing the workout with various step heights and one girl in the back did a modified version with no arms. That is pretty much who I followed but I took it down a notch for my beginning because the steps are still a challenge for me so I did no arms and feet mostly on the floor with some on the step. I made it almost 3/4 way through not doing nearly as much as the others. It is a good workout and you can modify as you need to but just keep moving even if just marching in place which I had to do a couple times. Good music with great beat to help keep in time. I really think this is the workout I need to help me rebuild my muscles and lose weight. I am unable to do the toning portion because I cannot get on the ground or I won't be able to get back up.In summary, this says it is a beginner step-cardio workout but I found it challenging yet able to do it and will gradually be able to put more effort into it as I go making it more intermediate level by adding arms and hops to increase the level to intermediate. I LOVE IT!

Like all her exercise DVDs, this is very good...keeps you going and is very encouraging throughout!These are real people with real weight problems, and there is a good section where she asks them all how they feel about their size and shape and the difficulties they have encountered becoming fit. She herself has made that journey..from fat,to fit!The steps are easy to follow, and there are precious few exercise DVDs out there about which one can say that!So..not just for beginners, but also for older people who still like doing step and cannot follow those complicated choreographed step DVDs.You end up feeling exercised and happy ! She also has walking, and land aerobic DVDs and they are all good and encouraging! Wish she would make more!

There's real bigger girls on this DVD doing it with us and making mistakes just like us and Debra is really good at it, its a really good DVD it gets the heart pumping but it doesn't make you struggle, I recommend it its not boring at all which is what I hate about most exersize but I've kept this one up.

This DVD took some time to arrive but considering that it came from the States it didn't take long.The DVD has a helpful tutorial to teach the various steps. Then the workout starts at a gentle paceand gradually becomes more demanding. Don't assume it is all gentle workout it does get quite challenging!

Lots of fun and you can take it at your own pace,just don't give up! Surprised at how long it is, but thats all the better. Couldn't find anything similar here in UK. Really like the idea that all shapes and sizes are catered for, gives inspiration.

Very good, she's a very good instructor