Amy Bento: Advanced Step Challenge 2

I've been dancing since I was 4 years old and have been performing/dancing professionally since I was 9 years old, so I have a lot of experience with choreography - following a class or having to teach a class in mirror-view. I also LOVE step and have been taking step classes at the gym for about 12 years (I'm almost 30 now - yikes!!). When I read the reviews for all the Amy Bento Advanced step challenge workouts (most reviewers were very discouraged with regards to the speed and the intricate steps in the DVD), I was actually encouraged to buy all 3 (at the time 4 hadn't come out) at the same time. I was so excited when they came in and I couldn't wait to see what all the hype was about (in terms of her difficult choreography and late cueing). I was completely floored when I popped it in and as many other reviewers posted, within the first few minutes (warm-up and first combo) I was sooooooooooo completely frustrated and felt defeated. I was really disappointed in myself because I consider myself a very quick learner (especially with choreography memorization), and I didn't think that a workout DVD could possibly be so hard to catch on to! So, I put the DVD(s) away... It must have been a year later since I first bought the DVDs that I saw them lying around and decided to pop ASC2 in and just watch it (baby steps). Watching it a second time made me stress out again! It was just as hard as I remembered it being! So, I decided I could either put it in the pile of "stuff I've wasted my money on", or put my ego aside and take the approach used in my dance classes to break down combos. I'm so glad I decided to do the latter! After I broke it down and it had a chance to marinate, I was amazed at how awesome the workout is and it has now become one of my favorite workouts to do (I actually get excited to do it after I get home from work)! Basically, I watched one combo at a time to start... just watched. Then, I played the 1st combo in slo-mo while doing the moves in 1/2 time using my step - this really helped with the moves where your back is turned towards the TV. By doing the whole segment in 1/2 time, even though it was really time consuming, by the end of the segment I had pretty much memorized the whole combo. The next step was to play it in real time now being able to connect her vocal cues to the steps. After doing the actual combo a few times in real time, I was able to add the arms full-out and throw in a few of my own little stylized things. This is pretty much how we do things in dance class (in most of my dance classes anyway) - you show part of the dance with music, then break it down without music, practice it without music, then add music and do it in real time. Then you repeat the cycle with a new combo and add on. I was able to learn the whole DVD in 2h and I now do it every other day (in fear that if I don't do it frequently I'll forget the choreography and have to re-learn the whole thing BUT also because it's so fun). Once you get the hang of it, time really flies! And it doesn't even feel like a workout (but you'll know it is because you'll be out of breath and drenched with sweat... at least I always am!). In these DVDs, Amy definitely has a different teaching style than other aerobics instructors out there. I think her vision was to create something that was really fun and intricate and advanced. But I think she knew that the only way to create a step workout at this difficulty level (choreography-wise), she would have to skimp on the break-down time of the choreography. Even in the previews of the more difficult moves, I wouldn't say she breaks it down adequately enough for someone to pick it up in one viewing. BUT if she did break it down step by step on the DVD, it would take hours, so, I think she did the best that she could. All in all, I love this series. This one (#2) is particularly my favorite because I just really like the combos and the set is more pleasing to the eye than #1. I don't use the modifier but it is nice that this DVD has that option as well as premixed workouts which I haven't tried but think is nice to have(again, unlike #1). I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great step video and a great challenge. Like anything new or challenging, take it step by step. You don't have to learn it all in one day, even learning one combo at a time and doing it a few times in a row will make for a great workout in itself (until you're ready to move on). My only regret is that I didn't take this advice sooner as I waited a whole year to start enjoying this workout.

I've attempted this workout numerous times over a couple of months and have yet to make it through the workouts without getting totally confused. I've done plenty of step aerobics in the past and had no problem catching on. Amy's steps are too complicated for the average stepper who just wants to pop in a video and get their workout done. Here are some specific things that make this workout challenging: Most of the steps require you to turn your back to the TV at some point, so you can't really watch what Amy is doing while you practice it. Also, she doesn't "build" the routines, which is a style that allows you to get used to a step before you move onto the next one. She just does the whole thing and you hope you'll eventually catch on. She tries to compensate for this by using preview steps for the complicated parts. But even the preview steps are hard to learn without replaying them over and over so you can practice them. She goes through each one twice at a slow pace, and then does it at "normal" tempo, which is really pretty fast. Again, you often have to turn your back on the TV. Amy's workouts have the potential to be both physically and mentally challenging, making for a very stimulating workout. That's IF you can ever learn the steps. I haven't totally given up on it yet, but I'm close.

I love this video!!! Being healthy is working your body AND your mind! Yes, it is difficult to learn, but I'd rather learn step workouts than do crosswords or other puzzle to keep my mind sharp, like the experts say we should do. I am an advanced exerciser and use Cathe, the old Firms, Christy Taylor, etc. and I think this workout is by far the funnest I've ever done. The time flies, it doesn't feel like a workout because it's fun, yet I'm a sweaty mess when I'm through. There are 5 chapters (routines) to learn and I found just going through one-by-one each day I wanted to try it worked great for me. The bonus of this video is the premixes... multiple workouts are available, from around 38 minutes to almost 1 1/2 hours. This is an excellent DVD and I wish the one star people would give it another try.

Incluye gran cantidad de contenido y muy variado. Las progresiones de las coreo regular, pero en general me ha gustado mucho

I would consider myself an advanced stepper and I absolutely love this DVD. It was a little hard to follow at first but just took a few tries. The always changing moves make the workout go by quickly yet effectively! There is also a Power Ups section for an extra boost of cardio, and a strength training section (though this does not show up on main menu for some reason). Along with that there are several "NRG" mixes which combine certain combos & strength etc. Great value!!

I disagree with the reviewers above who complain that the routines on this disk are too challenging and complicated. Yes the routines are complicated but they are also learnable. Also, to get the best from a step routine you need the workout to be challenging and then you have the option of either following the routine at maximum pace or lower pace such as when you don't step high and you just keep your steps low or moderate. As you watch Amy with the other girls you will observe that she has 4 companions with her, the two on the right are working out in an more energetic manner and the two on the lefty of the screen are working out at a lower / more moderate pace. Also, you can lower or raise your step. For me, this DVD workout is effective because I need to lose some serious weight (2 stone +) and I need something that will motivate me. The music on the disk is good and Amy has a nice manner - she is not bossy and appears quite relaxed and amiable - not some cleaver clogs. Also, I have been unable to purchase Kathy Smith step DVD's in UK format - I actually ordered two and they would not play ion my blu ray player and I was gutted. Just be brave and go for it with this disk. I give it 5 starts. If you go to any proper gym in the UK nowadays (Virgin Active etc) this is the type of step workout you can expect. Hope this helps you decide. Good Luck in getting fit. Miriam.

Not motivating, too complicated and can't see how you'd get a workout with this DVD.

I am an advanced stepper and I found this tape extremely hard to follow. She does not cue very well and it is difficult when you are trying to follow her and she is going all around the step - you end up with your back to the tv a lot and then she doesn't cue which foot to step onto. I got really frustrated first time I used it. Then I just adapted it so that I stayed front all the time and it was much easier to follow her. This complicated of choreography does not allow you to put all your efforts into the work out. I was more afraid of tripping over the step trying to watch her to see what she was doing then actually put some power in the moves.