Total Body Circuit

The instructor: She has an accent... but during the workout you don't even notice it... only during the intro... there are approx 6 people doing the workout with her... most are wearing one piece top and shorts, one with a bare midrift. She is formidable... her cueing is very good... every tiny little thing is explained, down to how to tilt your step... LOL

Music: appropriate, good, seems to match the workout very well.

The workout progression: Total approx 60 min.
warm up - 7min
Step aerobics - 5 min
Circuit weightwork - 10 min
Step aerobics - 5 min
Circuit weightwork - 10 min
Step Aerobics - 5 min
step cool down - 3 min
Abwork - 6 min
Back lifts and leg lifts 1-2 min
Stretch - 3 min

The weightwork: She does them all with an elastic band
but one and at times two of the students use hand weights..... (I used handweights and was fine!)
Both 10 min Circuit weightwork sessions contain these moves:
Press arms forward w/ not deep squats
Side lateral
Militaries
French Press
Triceps dips off box
Bent Row
Upright Rows
Biceps Curls
Push ups
Lunge off box w/ Biceps curls then rows
Slow Lunge w/ one arm rows

The Step Choreography: is very basic... in fact beginners will pick it up immediately...(basic step, basic lifts, lunges, some propulsion) and those who have two left feet like me... a lot of continuous not too fast repetitions.... but the weightwork breaks it up and you don't get bored...

Film quality: I guess good... very clear.

Equipment needed: A step, two pairs of dumbells or 3 depending on your level, or a rubber Power-flex band.

This tape is definitely what it says a Circuit Training tape....


A step aerobic workout w/ toning intervals between step work   February 6, 1999
45 out of 45 found this review helpful

The video is an excellent step and toning workout. Isolated toning segments are interspersed between step aerobic segments. The video is a total 56 minutes in length, with the step and toning work lasting 36 minutes. Toning includes squats, lunges and pushups. Keli does the toning using a powerflex band, which you can order through an insert in the video. I use an exercise tube, but you could substitute the band work with weights as well. There is 8 minutes of floorwork at the end, which is mostly ab work. I've worked out in clubs for over 10 years and I am now at home with an infant. I needed a video which could give me a club quality workout for an advanced exerciser and this video did the trick. I would rate this video as an excellent replacement for a workout at the club for the Intermediate to Advanced person.


Awesome! Much Better Than Keli Roberts Ultimate Step!   February 28, 2003
mwreview (Northern California, USA)
30 out of 31 found this review helpful

If you like Keli Roberts Ultimate Step, you'll love this video. Even if you don't like Keli Roberts Ultimate Step, you'll love this one, because it is 10 times better! Like Reebok Circuit Challenge, this video offers a circuit training workout that combines step aerobics with resistance training in between. The Reebok Circuit Challenge is made up of short intervals: a minute of step, a minute of resistance, and so on. It's very fast-paced as a result. Keli Roberts Real Fitness--Circuit Training Workout has longer intervals. There are three sections of step that lasts from 6-10 minutes. The first and second segments are followed by resistance training for about the same amount of time. It's therefore not as fast-paced as the Reebok video but it is still very effective and doesn't drag. Keli's cueing is perfect and I was able to follow the workout almost without a stumble the first time I tried it. The step segments use the step in a vertical position which is a great change from most other step videos. The second segment of resistance offers some of the most effective exercises for the shoulders I've used! Keli uses a stretch band for these exercises. I have dumbbells and had no problems completing all the exercises. One of the background steppers was using hand-held weights, so the elastic band is not required. Following the workout, you get about ten minutes of abdominal crunches using the step in a slanted position. I find this ab workout more effective than the one used in Keli Roberts Ultimate Step. It also does not have the silly meditative final cool down at the end that Ultimate has. Keli Roberts Real Fitness is one of the best videos I've tried. I also recommend Cherfitness: A New Attitude. Keli is the instructor of this workout and, albeit it is very long at an hour and twenty minutes, it is a very thorough and enjoyable workout.


Keli Roberts Step/Circuit Workout   January 19, 2000
Pamela L. (Connecticut, USA)
18 out of 21 found this review helpful

Keli Roberts puts together a tough, complete aerobic and toning workout with this tape. While the moves themselves are not too complex, the cues leave something to be desired. She tends to repeat the same moves ad nauseum, but the step segments only last 8 minutes at a clip, so it's not too tough to endure. The toning with resistance is super-effective and tough; you will feel muscles you forgot you had. The warm-up and cool down are okay, but there is a serious lack of leg stretching at the end. You will need to work on your hip flexors, rotators, hamstrings and quads on your own and give a little more time to your shoulders. Otherwise, very effective.


A very good Workout.   August 31, 2000
Ingrid Small (Grafenwoehr, Germany)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I really like Keli Roberts workout. It will leave you sweating every time you do it and it will give you a good feeling after your done doing it. If you are a beginner, it will leave breathless as well the first few times. If you like a challenge, go a head and get it. It's great. I'm getting ready to purchase another one of her tapes, that's how much I like her workout.