Step and Tone Workout

This is the greatest "4 limb" step workout I've ever found!! (really!). And there is not many of them out there that I can find!!! (or at least ones that have continuous aerobic stepping using dumbells for an entire 30-40 min straight without stopping in between!) Thank you Gilad for creating this timeless classic workout!!!!It's easy to follow, the steps are very basic, Gilad's cuing is superb as always, the dumb bell movements are easy but effective, there's a little bit of lower body toning, abs, and a wonderful view of the beach!!! What more can you want? :)If you love basic non -dance step aerobics, then this is for you! If you also love "4-limb" workouts with light dumbells and high reps, than this is for you! If you love aerobics mixed with toning than this is for you! If you don't mind that this workout is a little dated, than this is also for you! If you workout indoors and enjoy viewing the beach, than this workout is definitely for you! (or any of Gilad's videos for that matter) ;)I'm a high intermediate-advanced exerciser and I use this almost every 2-3 days sometimes!! During my weeks of just high cardio I usually include this and alternate it with Gin Miller's Power Moves to help burn more fat quickly! I have done the entire workout and boy does it feel good! I can feel every muscle in my arms! 3lbs work just fine for me too but if I want to bump up the toning I will use 5lbs! The moves are very easy to do and to follow. Like others have said, you WILL use the dumbells for the entire stepping segments!I use my 6 inch stepper, but for higher advanced exercisers, you may want to use 8 inches, or heavier dumbells. I will say it is easy to modify with heavier weights which is also why I LOVE this workout! The arm movements are not too fast which is great for those who want to go heavier some days, or lighter on others. So very versatile too!!For the aerobic stepping:The first segment you focus on biceps. The second segment you focus on shoulders. The third segment you focus on back and triceps. THAN you do them all together in a row! During the step aerobics my heart rate stays up there in my zone so I know I'm getting a good solid cardio workout along with light toning. FIRM workout lovers- you WILL enjoy this!!! (especially if you are highly into the FIRM Classics and don't mind the dated look and music)-infact this workout pairs GREATLY with FIRM Classic Vol 4 on alternate days too. The music was a bit boring, but trust me, you are too distracted working so good during the step that you probably won't mind (although I was secretly hoping for a more "beachy-tropical" caribbean style type music lol). The stepping is also very basic and repetitive, but mind you-this is most likely because of safety -since it would be more dangerous to incorporate complicated cheography dancy steps while using dumbells on a step in most cases. It also makes it more easier to pay attention to your form and arm movements without tripping all over the step. So I'm honestly glad the stepping wasn't so complicated if I'm going to be using my arms with dumb bells, esp for this long in a workout. ;)The lower body portion:You will use your step, and he does squats, calf raises, and more squats using one leg at a time on the step. You can also choose to grab heavier dumb bells for a more challenge, or you can use none like I do and still feel a good burn. :) The lower body toning is not as long as the stepping portion, but its a great little add on and the moves are very easy and everything is done while standing. :) For those who are short on time, they can simply use this for the aerobic part and abs section only.The Abs:Very basic, but thorough enough to feel a good ab workout. :) Not the hardest ab workout I've done of course, but a nice addition to getting that full body tone workout when you do the whole entire video.I feel absolutely refreshed after finishing this entire workout. I prefer to not use any weights during the lower toning part but on some days I may just grab my 15 lbs and use them for some extra "umph"! ;)Overall Grade A++ for a great solid cardio/tonight workout!! If you find this workout a bit challenging, don't give up! Just don't use weights if you are a beginner OR only use 1-2 lbs at most, but always make sure you get the stepping right before using weights. But if you are advanced-heavy up or use a higher step and you WILL feel challenged!So happy I found this hidden Gem!

I am an intermediate exerciser and this is my first Gilad workout. I am familiar with the basic steps in step aerobics. This workout is easy to follow (just uses basic steps) and really boosts your heart rate up. The workout comprised: Warm up / Stepping while toning the upper body with light weights / Lower body toning using the step (e.g. placing one leg on the step while the other is on the floor) / Ab work on the floor with the step / Stretch. I used a Reebok Mini Step and 1lb Weights. The Apple watch that I wore registered 385 KCAL for active KCAL, 470 KCAL for Total KCAL and 148 average heart rate (range 85-174 HR during the workout) for this workout - YMMV. I was just gonna to do half of the workout but it is so fun and I end up doing the whole workout.

I've always heard of Gilad, but never tried his videos. I only joined gyms to go to the step classes, so I'm a huge fan of step. Most of the videos I've tried haven't really interested me. But this one is easy to follow but really gets your heart rate up. I was sweating like crazy by the end and really felt like I had a good workout.This video does not have fancy step choreography, but it is a solid workout and REALLY works the muscle groups. The stepping part is secondary to the tone, but you're working out nonetheless. In fact, you barely notice you're doing step during the routine, but afterwards you really feel it.I gave it five stars because it is "step and tone" and it is a great workout. He breaks the workout down into pieces, so you can do 30 minutes, 40 minutes or a full hour. I also found that after the second time I did the video I was completely familiar with the routine enough to be focusing on my form instead of what the next step was.My husband complains that it sounds like he's barking orders...but that could just be because they're out on a beach (I noticed that about his other step video too). I don't feel like he is. Also, I have worked out in gyms before, so I know how to do a lot of the weight lifting parts, but he doesn't actually go over proper form except for on the step. So if you're not big on weights, watch the video carefully so you know you're form is correct.All in all, I wish I had this video years ago.