Workout DVD #22: Kathy Smith’s Power Step

See the DVD | step | 45 mins

WARNING: a real overuse of links are peppered throughout this text. Click at your own peril!

Netflix writes:

Step your way to a better body with fitness guru Kathy Smith’s cardio Power Step Workout. Set to energizing music, Smith’s workout begins with the all-important warm-up, followed by three aerobic segments that increase in difficulty. The Power Step Workout is appropriate for all levels of fitness; Smith and her assistants show viewers how to tailor the workout based on fitness level, and the routines can be mixed and matched.

Day 35

I actually felt good this morning when I woke up. Thank you health angels! I was really pleased that I could work out today as yesterday I felt like a blob just sitting about at the PC all day.

Kathy Smith does some really good workouts. I wrote about her kickboxing DVD on day 2/Feb 9th of my 3 month get fit program, so 33 days on Ms. Smith makes a comeback.

Another member of fitness royalty, Kathy Smith has been around for a very loooong time, and she knows her stuff. This workout was like a typical step class – well ones like I am familiar with anyway. I digress: check out this guy’s amazing step class! I have never done anything like that – wish I could.

Back to this workout: there is a nice warm up that lasts about 8 minutes and then you have the option to do the cardio sections 1 [25 mins], 1 & 2 [35 mins] or 1, 2 & 3 [45 mins]. I went all the way through to section 3.

There are lots of easy moves [I thought] but with the addition of jumping, or ‘power moves’, to up the intensity. The production is top notch and flawless.

Kathy uses an ‘air bench’ which looks like a lot of fun, but you can just use a regular step. I went to kathysmith.com but there was no information about the air bench under her list of products so I guess it just went the way of the thighmaster… shame, looked like a blast.

What I can’t believe is her age! Wikipedia says she is 56!!! Unreal! If I could look like that now, let alone 56, I would be so blessed. That motivates me to get moving, big time.

As I had felt pretty crappy yesterday I didn’t use the usual 2 risers with my step. I used one to start and then near the end, none. I felt that my workout was going nicely but I didn’t want to overdo it. I kept looking at my heart rate monitor and only a handful of times did my HR go above 85%.

So here are my stats for today:

3/12/08

52:56 [workout time]
34:35 [in aerobic zone 60% -80% Target Heart Rate]
139 bpm [average heart rate]
164 bpm [highest heart rate]
385 [cals burned]