Go For It!

This is a two-part video. First is step, followed by strength. The step is about 35 minutes and is very good - intensity ranges from intermediate to advanced, and the choreography is basic athletic, but not boring. At the end, she gives you a nice stretch. Following that is strength work, and this is an abbreviated version of Charlene’s Show of Strength workout. You start with some challenging plank work, and then from that point on, things get easier (at least in my opinion!). Other exercises include some unique one-legged squats against a wall, shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, and glutes. Charlene uses a ball for a lot of it, but it’s optional (someone else shows the moves without a ball). She only does 10 reps of each thing, so you can use very heavy weights. All of this is done in just under 30 minutes. The only drawback to the tape is the ugly set. Or should I say non-set. It’s just plain white. Grade A+ for the workout and for Charlene’s great personality, but a C for the set.

The step portion of this tape is fun and not terribly difficult to master. It's sort of like "We Love Step" Jr. in choreography and intensity. One of the background exercisers is heavily pregnant and shows easier modifications on a six-inch step platform. Charlene herself does this workout on a ten-inch step; you can get a decent workout that is less taxing to your knees on a lower platform. In any case, it goes by quickly and is perfect for those busy days when you just can't find time to do more.

The weight portion of the video is tough, particularly the core work, and especially if you do it with a workout ball. Several of the exercisers don't have a ball, so they show you the standard version of the exercises. The plank work will leave you with sore abdominal muscles, but if you keep with it, you'll get much stronger. I also guarantee you'll be feeling your triceps the next day, too, after those wall push-ups.