The Method - Step Up to Dance Review
...who are looking for a challenging step DVD, you've found it! I love step aerobics & am trying to build my collection of home workout DVDs. While I love Reebok The Video, I wanted something with more choreography and this DVD delivered! I'm pretty coordinated and when I used to take step classes, I could easily keep up with instructors who liked to mix up moves rather than stick to basic ones. However, in all my years stepping, I've never seen instructors try the creative combos found in this DVD - probably b/c everyone, myself included, would've just stood and stared, which was my initial reaction when I tried this DVD today! However, I liked Lisa Wheeler's cueing, her voice (unlike Denise you know who!), and the combos so much I decided to concentrate and learn the steps this first time. I won't lie to you, it took me well over an hour just to get through the aerobics routine, b/c I kept having to rewind and redo the combos (and despite all the pausing in my cardio routine, just by relearning the combos over and over, I broke a major sweat!). I really hate to build, build, then repeat the same steps, so I really loved the structure of this DVD. You get to do 3 amazing combos, each punctuated by quick but effective thigh/glutes moves, then at the end you get to put all 3 combos together. I love this format for it makes the time fly and I was having so much fun focusing on the steps that I didn't have time to focus on the burn :) After the aerobics segment, there's a challenging ab workout that uses Pilates principles and really works your core. This is one DVD that I know I will not get bored with.
The Method - Step Up to Dance Overview
Combines cardio step moves inspired by jazz, ballet and modern dance, with the precision toning techniques of yoga and of the work of Joseph H. Pilates.
Genre: Exercise/Fitness
Rating: NR
Release Date: 22-APR-2003
Media Type: DVD
The Method - Step Up to Dance Specifications
This dance-filled, intermediate/advanced cardio-step 60-minute video draws moves from jazz dance, ballet, and modern dance as well as traditional step aerobics to give you a workout rich in choreography challenges. Leader Lisa Wheeler instructs superbly--she has you follow her assistants while she shows you a change before inviting you to do it with her. Even so, choreography changes and layering (adding more moves and variations onto the basic choreography you've learned) happen so quickly that you may find yourself stopping the video as you learn it. The good news is that you won't get bored later on. Strength and balance intervals from yoga and Pilates interrupt the cardio for a well-rounded and energetic workout performed to live drumming. At the end of the long cardio workout, Wheeler puts all the combinations together for a routine of over 20 different moves. After that, you drop to the mat for a 10-minute, Pilates-based abdominal segment--done so slowly that you can't cheat--then a yoga sequence for flexibility. --Joan Price
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Customer Reviews
Intermediate Step - dusty - Ohio
This is a step routine with intermediate intensity and choreography. I did not think this was hard to do and was able to get it on the first time through. The instructor is very pleasant and cues well. I'm not sure why the word 'Dance' is in the title of this video, because it's more athletic than dancy. To keep my heart rate up I had to add more high-impact moves like jogging instead of marching and running up instead of stepping up, but overall not a bad workout for a lighter day.
I love this one - C. Martin - Georgia
I really enjoy The Method and this one is one of my favorites. I appreciate a good challenge, and you will certainly get that in this video. I like any video that incorporates cardio with toning and stretching. You get all three in this one. I am not sure I understand the confusion other reviewers experienced about this being a step video. If the title didn't give it away, the fact that the instructor is on the cover standing on a step and the description on the back of the video should have!
Hated it but now I love it.... - L. Merewether -
The first two times I went through this video, I couldn't keep up and got really frustrated. Now that I have practiced a bit and mastered the routines, this is my current favorite video. I get a really nice workout and I don't get bored. If you like step aerobics and you have some patience to learn a routine, this is a great video. If you want something really straight forward with a solid no fuss workout, you may want to look at other videos like Kathy Smith or Keli Roberts.
Impossible - S. Burton - Orem, UT USA
I like to be able to do most of the steps in an exercise video the first time I try it but, barring that, I like to be able to tell that I will be able to learn to do it in the future. This instructor (she's kind of lackluster and not inspiring--in other words: BLAH!) doesn't give enough information about right and left foot. There are a lot of turning around moves and I need more instruction when I can't see the TV. The steps feel so unnatural that once I've turned back around I'm never on the correct foot. It's really difficult even for an experienced dancer. (Karen Voight is an EXCELLENT instructor.)
The introduction is very brief and doesn't tell any of the benefits of this workout. She doesn't give any safety tips or tell you how to get the most out of the exercise. Why did they bother putting it in?
This video requires MUCH more space than most people have in their living rooms. If you don't have lots of empty space, don't get this DVD. Also, they use this little "The Method Toning Bar" as a sort of prop at one point in the workout. I suppose you could use a chair instead--a very tall-backed one--but I just balanced on one leg and was fine. (I hate it when you have to use their special little props and they don't suggest any alternate equipment.)
I also didn't like the ceaseless drumming. It's just plain loud. A little variety in the music would be nice. And why do they have five people on a crowded-looking set all doing the exact same steps? It just adds to the confusion.
It's hard to get your heart rate up when you're frustrated with difficult steps and lack of space (which is adequate for most other videos). I didn't enjoy this workout at all and felt badly that it got such high reviews: thus inspiring my investment.
All in all, I just didn't like this program and will probably not buy any more "The Method" DVDs because they get such mixed reviews. Here I am, throwing my review into the mix for this program. Hopefully it will help newcomers to "The Method," like me, make a more informed choice.
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