Everybody Steps: A guide to step aerobics

Gin Miller is the founder of steps aerobics, and nobody breaks down, explains, and engages more than she does.After years of doing step when young, I went back to it in my 50s. Unable to follow Cathe Friedrich, I researched step aerobics, and discovered Gin Miller. Alléluia! Not only are things clear, finally making sense, and fun, but Gin is relatable, no-frills, her enthusiasm and down- to- earth style empowers the newbie to feel confident and no longer like a loser! I am finally rediscovering the fun of step aerobics.As Gin has said in one of her famous, advanced, Reebok DVDs, one needs to distinguish between " performers" and " teachers". Performers know their step moves backwards and forward, but do not impart the knowledge to the exercisers --- Cathe !!Teachers, like Gin, on the other hand, empower you to own the choreography, have fun with it, and disintegrates all fears of not getting it.If you feel frustrated, or like a failure, start with Gin. And continue with Gin. The 2 beginner DVDs ( this one and " Simply step Classic Moves") allowed me to regain the confidence and fun I had when taking step classes way back when.Cathe Friedrich always left me in the dust, frustrated, and feeling like an idiot ( " you know it now" ---- nope! " Did you get that!?" --nope! Etc..) Cathe's choreographies are super convoluted and fast, no matter the level That is not the case here. Gin gets you to the convoluted stuff without your knowing because she engages you and thinks about you following first, not the routine first.I cannot encourage exercisers enough to give her a go. Plus, her DVDs are cheap, and most of them are also online for free, so .. I found her so clear, genuine and contagiously positive that I purchased these routines I first did online.Gin is THE step teacher, and Cathe is a step performer. Don't get me wrong, however : Cathe Friedrich is an awesome trainer...for advanced only exercisers ( not even sure about intermediates).Gin on the 2 mentioned DVDs is so relatable: No fancy outfit, no team ( you work out one- on- one with her, she comes to " your side of the screen" so you can do moves with her), no unreachable body ( she is plump --- almost 50 she says at some point-- and wearing a baseball cap or no hat, and a simple Tshirt and sweat pants). So refreshing!!And amazing: She also looks her age. Nobody in the fitness world can be more inspiring and empowering.

In the early 1990s, when StepReebok was all the rage, I had utterly, absolutely no interest in exercise, period. Admittedly, by the mid-1990s, I was in college and had discovered that I loved to go out to the clubs and dance hard, as hard as I could, at which point I was pretty darn fit. Well, those days are long gone and behind me, much as I still love the music, and until Gin's DVD showed up on my doorstep, I will admit to having actively cultivated an anti-fitness, mind-over-matter intellectual persona that has left me with a rather sad legacy of crap posture, mistrust of various joints, and two left feet.So nearing 40, when I realized I had a nice milestone ahead of me for finally whipping myself back into some reasonable semblance of shape and a burgeoning wish to do so (out of necessity if nothing else), I made the rather random decision to try step for the very first time (without really realizing this was based on my oh-so nineties memory, though I suppose I figured that since I used to love dancing so much, step might work for me). After some extended browsing, I ordered Gin's video. The choice wasn't entirely random, because the reviews seemed rather good, and it was only then that I learned she is considered one of step's primary innovators.To get to the point? I am thrilled! I really don't care if step is passé or not. Gin Miller has somehow managed to single-handedly addict me to step from the very first day I had the DVD; I've been following it faithfully almost every morning since it arrived, and I'm truly impressed with her abilities to teach and motivate the most cynical among us. She is a born teacher: excellent cues, as sincere as she is self-deprecating, and to top it off, she is the real deal, by which I mean you are not being talked down to, nor are you being misled to believe this particular routine will let you "shred" weight or gain muscle at some unrealistic speed. After just two weeks, in any case, I've noticed my mood improving, my energy levels rising, and my general posture becoming vastly more confident (I had major scoliosis surgery as a teenager, another factor that has left me seriously apprehensive about exercise despite my doctor's encouragement).In any case: If you are a true beginner like I am, after years of not exercising daily, you will without doubt work up a reasonable sweat (add arm movements if you need more burn!) and appreciate Gin's ability to demystify the choreography other instructors rather blithely pass off as "basic step." In no time, you'll feel ready to ramp up to Gin's other videos, whether step or strength training, as I already have, and you will no doubt gain the confidence you need to start exercising regularly again. I will not stop now that I've properly started, and as I look forward to staying in shape heading into my forties, I'm happy to credit Gin single-handedly with giving me the perfect mix of motivation and instruction, and the humor to do so (and mind you, and I'm not so easily impressed). Thank you, Gin Miller. You've won me over!

I am restarting step aerobics. Have not done it in years so this dvd is just what I needed to get me going

I worked out to step aerobics back in the early 1990's and trying it again recently with the DVD, it brought it all back. Gin Miller, a pioneer in step aerobics takes the beginner through the basic steps clearly and easily. Her manner is quite informal and keeps you relaxed even while you work up a good sweat.The recording is not without a few technical glitches. The transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is a little off and you have to recalibrate your step a little bit. Gin also refers to an "A" step she's going to show you, and never gets back to it. Not a big deal, just something to chuckle about.Also Phase 4 of the DVD I think spends a little too much time learning the turn step and some of the other basic steps are sort of rushed through at the end such as the straddles, etc.Even with the flaws, this DVD comes highly recommended from this middle-aged clod who needs an indoor exercise program for the cold winter months. I find I can do this workout daily and add some complexity to it if need be, and this DVD is highly adaptable to this sort of liberty. Overall, a very nice DVD.