Jane Fonda's Step Aerobic and Abdominal Workout Reviews

• GOOD Step Workout GREAT Ab Workout!

  
  By AD39QGHGWAOPQ on 2002-02-27
  This workout video is divided into two parts. First there is
  a 45-minute step aerobic section which includes a warm-up,
  several different step combination featuring a rotation of
  three instructors, a cool-down, and a short lower body stretching
  segment. The second part is a ten-minute ab workout hosted by
  Jane Fonda herself. The step workout is not difficult, in fact
  it may be aimed more for beginners as the instructors often ask
  the viewer to pay attention to their breathing and lessen their
  movements if need be. I consider myself at a strong intermediate
  level and work out with step videos 4-7 days a week. When adding
  my own propulsion, I still feel I get a good workout with this
  video. I like the rotating instructors (especially the cute guy,
  I get tired of only watching women instructors on aerobics tapes).
  I feel different instructors bring variety to the workout. The music also
  changes with each rotation. Not the most hip music (this is
  probably not a tape aimed at the young), but oh well.

  The ab workout makes this video well worth seeking out. Fonda
  does an excellent job explaining the moves, especially how to
  breath during the crunches. I used to be confused on the correct
  breathing procedure during abdominal crunches. Often, I would
  unconsciously hold my breath. After using this video, I know
  the correct breathing plus correct arm placement for all my
  ab workouts!
  
  

• A great workout.

  
  By A2BO41VARYGTAC on 2001-02-09
  Don't listen to those detractors of this exercise video. I consider myself an intermediate, and I find it a great routine. I have been doing this tape on and off for years now, and I am not bored with it. In fact after you really get to know the routine and steps, it's a lot of fun, and there are certainly enough ways in which you can challenge yourself. Beginners can start on the floor before advancing to the step. And once you are using the step you can increase the height as you get fitter. Plus there are different levels of intensity that you can follow, for example, bigger arm movements or higher knee or leg lifts, plus you can do high impact moves as opposed to lower impact. The instructors are friendly and helpful, and each movement is easy enough to follow so you're not falling over your feet all the time (which can lead to injury) like some exercise tapes I've done. The final 10 minutes you get a one-on-one with Jane for a great ab workout that really works. This is a workout that will make you feel and look wonderful. Recommended.
  
  

• Jane Fonda's Step Aerobic and Abdominal Workout

  
  By AD6TQFVRZOH0W on 2000-01-08
  I have always loved Jane Fonda's series of workout videos. This is one of her best! Even though Jane is not even in the step routine, her presence is. This workout if safe, upbeat, and fat-burning with three wonderful instructors that take you through 45 minutes of all kinds of routines and music. The last 10 minutes of the workout is with Jane and is focused on your abs. She does a wonderful job of crunching all of your ab muscles the right way with some stretching afterwards. If you want to start step aerobics or are bored with your current routine, THIS is the one for you!
  
  

• Totally Unhip, but totally works

  
  By A3NUTWQPKRIVRB on 2004-08-08
  I agree with another reviewer... this is not an exciting workout, but I have been coming back to this workout time and again for over 10 years. This routine goes by so quickly and doesn't kill you, yet you get fit so soon! Start off by using "no step" a few times and before you know it, you are putting everything you have into it with the step.
  
  I rarely did the abs part of the workout because I am always crunched for time. Also, this workout NEVER hurt my back. I quit this out of sheer boredom and tried the firm for 9 months and really killed my back. I've just gone back to Jane and will probably never leave her again!
  
  

• Excellent workout overall, but...

  
  By A3869CQLA4D5FP on 2002-04-29
  I was a bit disappointed that Jane Fonda didn't appear on the step portion of this workout, since she IS on the cover of the video and since, I think, she's a better instructor overall. Nevertheless, the video was enjoyable for other reasons--you'll definitely get a good workout, the music is lively, and the moves are very easy to catch on to. High and low impact moves are separated and easy to follow, but most of the 'high impact' moves involve just lifting the arms higher, without enough jumping, which would have made it more challenging.

  Another bothersome aspect of this video is that they lead with the right foot so often that after a while my right knee was hurting. After doing this video a few times I realized what the problem was so now I alternate which foot I step up with, even though they're not alternating on the tape. I've never done a step video that didn't regularly alternate the lead foot they're stepping with.

  I should add that the abdominals section is great--Jane Fonda explains everything so clearly that even the unusual moves she's doing make sense and are easy to learn.
  
  

• Too basic, and too easy
  By A3RN7H3FB84XY on 2004-11-18
  The ab work after the main step/cardio workout is absolutely fabulous. As always Jane Fonda is great at instructing and the ab work is really hard but really worth it, as you almost can feel your abs shaping and toning up during this section.
  But the step workout could be a lot better. The coreography is way too simple if you have been stepping for years. And I found that the stepping section was just way too easy for an advanced excerciser like me.
  Try the other Jane Fonda video, step and stretch, for a better and more challenging step workout!
  
  
• One of the Best There Is
  By A1L4RDILGM7D9E on 2005-12-12
  The music tempo is around 120 beats per minute in this one, very slow and basic. Some step videos today have tempos as fast as 134 beats per minute! This seems very unsafe to me. With this workout you can use a low step height on an easier day and up to 8 inches and get a really intense workout. I love all the options of doing high or low impact, lots of arms or low arms. I like to exercise, not dance. The moves are very basic but fun to me. This is one of my top 5 favorite step videos and it's extremely safe. I love the warmup WITHOUT a step. Too many modern step tapes warm up on the step, which to me is not a warmup but the same as just jumping into the aerobics portion. I don't think that's safe. My knees thank me for doing this high-quality and safe exercise video. The length of the workout is just perfect, too. I love EVERYTHING about this workout, even the music! As soon as it's available on DVD, I will buy it immediately.
  
  
• An extremely well conceived effective routine for all ages
  By A12P47PFTELHUU on 2002-07-09
  This review may help others like me in choosing what may be the best lifetime exercise solution to stay fit. When this video came out in the early 1990's, my wife was looking for a way to raise her energy level by getting back in shape and staying there. So she bought the kit (video and step) and got started. After seeing many of her sessions, I also gave it a try and got as hooked as she was on this particular video for several reasons. The crew and the music score are entertaining, timeless, very professional, enthusiastic, personable, and the music is admittedly outstanding and will cater to all tastes. You don't tire of it and coming back to it is like visiting old friends. The exercises are progressive, intelligently conceived, effective, adjustable to suit all folks, and flexible enough to challenge all levels of fitness as anyone can work up a good sweat with the program. And still be happy when in a very gradual way you are brought to the conclusion of each session. After years of this you don't get bored because it's not dated and you can make the sessions as demanding as your current fitness and shape level permits. You can actually expect to sustain your energy level and your shape for a whole lifetime with this aerobic session if you ideally combine it with a moderate weight-lifting program on alternate days as we recently started doing. The aerobics themselves are outstanding enough that they warrant being discovered. The truth of the matter is that we have now worn out the tape and have bought a new copy in 2002 because we could not find it on DVD where it now should belong as a classic.
  
  
• Excellent Step Workout!
  By A2BWULDO20ELP2 on 2002-12-09
  I bought my aeorbic step about a month ago. This was the first step video I tried. I chose this workout video because I wanted to try step aeorbics, and Jane Fonda is the leader in workout videos.

  This workout is fun and effective! I consider myself to be in pretty good shape and this workout makes me sweat buckets! The step portion of the video lasts for 45 minutes. Jane is not in the step class, but it feels as if she's there. The 45 minutes of stepping goes by really fast. The moves are fairly simple to learn. I'm very uncoordinated, so it did take me about 5 or 6 times of doing this video to catch on to the choreography. However, if you are the least bit coordinated, it shouldn't take you as long as it did me to catch on.

  The workout starts with a five-minute warmup. Then the stepping is taught by three instructors who take turns leading: Laurel, Jeannie, and Mark. I like all three instructors, although I must say that I think Mark could have been a little better with his cueing during one particularly difficult (for me) sequence. Otherwise, I think they all did a fine job. After the step aerobics, Jeannie leads a cool down.

  Jane is alone while she leads the 10-minute abdominal class at the end of the tape. These ab exercises are quite challenging without being extremely difficult. I love the way Jane teaches. She's very encouraging without being phony.

  I enjoy this tape much more that the Step Reebok video that came with my step! At least the people in Jane's video look as if they're having fun and want to be there. I think this video would be good for beginners through advanced, and especially good for intermediates. If you are advanced, you'll probably have to raise your step up to the highest level, and then it would be perfect.
  
  

• Aerobics & Attitude=Fat Burning/Optimal Quality of Life
  By ARLUY9OKXOG1T on 2002-07-04
  I never comment on my experiences as a consumer but I can't resist this one. After having my first child in 1993 I was devastated by my new shape. Obviously, the person who negatively commented on this video in June 2002 made 3 grave errors; 1)She believes one must "sweat" to burn calories, hence develop a fabulous figure, 2) she didn't finish the video so how in the world could she sweat, and 3) a positive attitude is 1/2 the battle, because if you have a negative attitude, you'll never stick it out long enough to experience the greater things in life. I liked the change up of instructors because I believe exercise should be fun, otherwise you won't keep doing it. The music is upbeat (not trendy), therefore, you never get tired of it. You name it, I've tried it and this is the only thing that really works for me! I didn't buy the tape to see Jane, I bought it because of the life changing benefits I would reap by including proper diet and exercise, which means you must progress beyond the fastforward button on the remote. Let's face it, Jane is the guru of aerobics and she is viewed as such by her peers. She understands what it takes to produce positive results. That is why she is a household name, and we are NOT. Thanks Jane, you changed my life, body and attitude.
  
  
• Stellar step video for all levels
  By AB985NMDEVUER on 2003-01-04
  I taught aerobics for a few years and when I'm not in the gym, I step back to Jane Fonda's Step and Abs tape. If you paid attention in any step class, you know how to make a class more challenging for yourself. This tape considers the beginner through intermediate - you can augment the movements here to make it an advanced workout: highest height step, and arms above the heart, and hopping.
  The instructors are interesting - even the students add to the interest - its the closest to feeling like I'm in a gym class of any tape I've used.
  Also, its 1992 vintage makes it closer to the origins of the step craze - before the instructors tried to make step aerobics into a complex dance class.
  
  
• Not Very Exciting, But Gets the Job Done
  By on 2003-10-04
  I've owned this video for almost ten years, and in that time I've gone through periods where I was doing this workout every day (for two years) and periods where I switched to other forms of exercise (other videos, walking, Tae-Bo, yoga). Although the other forms of exercise were more interesting -- appealing to the secret MTV viewer in me -- the real proof of this tape's success is the fact that I keep coming back to it.

  When I first bought this tape, I weighed around 165 pounds. After doing this tape every day for a year, eating whatever I wanted (no dieting at all), I was down to 125 pounds. If I had altered my diet in addition to doing this tape, I would obviously have lost the weight more quickly. I won't kid you -- there were many days in that one-year period when the last thing I wanted to hear was the sound of these instructors' voices, but I stuck with it and saw the results I was looking for. The length is perfect -- just under 45 minutes not counting the abdominal workout, which I never used -- so I could easily fit it in before or after work. If you're looking for something simple and basic that produces results -- and if you don't care about music or "hip" photography -- this tape will work for you.
  
  

• DVD please
  By AFFKHQKCJ98D0 on 2005-09-19
  I used this VHS tape safely for years. I would love to buy it on DVD.
  
  
• okay if your just beginning step, but not very challenging
  By on 1999-07-18
  To give this video credit, i suppose it would be alright if you had never tried step before, since the moves are all very basic. Actually i found the entire video rather boring. The music needs much improvement. I don't think I broke a sweat through this entire workout, and was feeling like I didn't get a sufficient workout at the end.
  
  
• not for advanced steppers
  By on 1999-06-04
  This would be a great workout for the people just beginning to step. The cueing is very easy to follow and the instructors take it pretty slow. On that note, I didn't find it very challenging and my heartrate just didn't get as high as it should have. Some of the parts are repititious and there is a lot of explantion for the beginner, making it difficult for those of us who want to skip the basics and get to sweating!!
  
  
• Good for all levels!
  By on 2001-04-21
  I disagree with those who say this is only for beginners. I've been doing this workout on and off since it came out in '92. You really can challenge yourself by using the highest possible step and following the high-impact instructors. I still work up a sweat every time I use it.

  The music isn't great, but its not terrible either. They have everything from a country tune to pop, so I guess it depends on your personal taste.

  The camera angles are great. You can always see what everyone in the room is doing, so you never miss anything. Some other exercise tapes that I've used cut into weird diagonal camera angles and flash from one person to another as if they're trying to make it seem more young and hip...but it really only makes you dizzy and distracted. That won't happen here.

  The instructors change throughout...so you never get bored. But they are all good and explain the moves thoroughly before going into them.

  I highly recommend this tape!
  
  

• Eventually Fonda shows up in the video!
  By A2E1EFNIZL2FVA on 2002-01-04
  This 1992 aerobic stair stepping was made before Jane Fonda was challenged to compete with some of the upcoming celebrity workout video exercise gurus. So, it is safe to say that it is made when she was more serious into exercising and not focusing on competition for sales.

  The video workout is in two segments, a 45 minute high energy low impact step aerobic geared for all fitness levels as the class of about 15 utilizes either no step bench to varying heights of the step modules. It is advised that you do the step workout and abdominal workout on separate days. Since the second part is only 10 minutes, I encourage incorporating it as a habit after the step workout. The workout isn't difficult, however, you will need to pay attention to fast changing steps because they step off the bench with many movements there also.

  I don't prefer the instructors switching constantly, I don't like too many intricate steps, motions, stepping. What I prefer is more consistency with movements, but I guess they have to make it exciting. The music is, as usual in Fonda's tapes, pounding, technobeat consistent sound.

  Second portion is where Jane comes in; she uses a step bench to strength and tighten the abdominals, and also includes pelvic curls which work the lower abdominals. Here, focus is only abdominal work. This is where Jane Fonda is at her best. I have followed her doing some fantastic work focusing on the abdominals, but maybe stair stepping isn't her forte.

  Not challenging enough for advanced people. MzRizz.
  
  

• A Fun and Different Workout
  By on 2002-02-20
  I recently tried this workout (You may remember me, I'm the one who rated 'Buns of Steel 7' that was among the things that my fiance's ex-wife left in the house! This tape was another thing left behind.) and loved it. It is 45 minutes long and although Jane Fonda does not lead the step aerobics she has several instructors who alternate with leading the routine. The music is great, especially the latin music in the beginning and the instructors are good and easy to follow considering that they rotate. One segment is done with the step perpendicular to the TV which makes for all those challenging straddle moves. After the step portion, Jane Fonda comes back to lead the abdominal routine. I didn't do this part, I always do 'Hit the Spot Abs' for my abdominal work. This tape is a good solid workout and I recommend it to those who love stepping.
  
  
• for beginners only
  By on 2000-05-02
  Any intermediate or advanced stepper would not enjoy this tape. Not challenging enough for me. I breezed through it, barely broke a sweat, and was frankly bored. But I could see where it would be great for a beginner stepper.
  
  
• Great for Beginners
  By on 2000-03-03
  I bought this video to get back into shape two years after the birth of my second child. This tape has three instructors that do a great job of reminding you the correct body positions so you don't hurt yourself. The best part is that the moves are not too confusing and "dancy" like some tapes can be. Unfortunately the aerobics portion is only about 35 minutes long and after a few weeks of doing this tape you may find yourself wanting to go on.
  
  
• Horrible Step Aerobic Tape
  By A2FJAE3HFQVA1 on 2002-06-16
  This is the worst step aerobic tape that I have ever purchased. Don't waste your time or money purchasing this video. Jane Fonda doesn't even instruct the step aerobics! This video is a joke. I didn't even break a sweat. I was so annoyed with the simplicity of the moves that I didn't even finish the entire work out. I did fast forward through the video and watch to see if the routine ever became more challenging, but it did not.
  
  
• It Works!!!!
  By A4722S3TJ08NA on 2003-01-27
  I've owned this video since 1993. At that time I weighed 260lbs. With proper diet and the daily use of this video I lost 110lbs. Then I had my first child and gained 60lbs. Went right back to the video and lost 40lbs. Then I had my second child now I'm back to the video. It works but you need to be self motivated so that you do it at least six days a week.
  
  
• GREAT WORK OUT FOR BEGINNER ON A STEPPER
  By on 2003-08-10
  I HAVE HAD A KNEE INJURY FOR 10YRS AND IT IS HARD TO DO SOME EXERCISES I AM ALSO 30 POUNDS OVER WEIGHT AND I HATE TO EXERSISE. MY COWORKER BROUGHT THIS TAPE IN ONE NIGHT AND WE TRIED IT AND I LOVED IT EVER SINCE, IT'S EASY ESPECIALLY FOR A BEGINNER LIKE ME, THE TRAINNER EXPLAINES EVERY MOVE STEP BY STEP WHERE YOU UNDERSTAND THEM, I'VE BEEN EXERCISING FOR 2 MONTHS 4 TO 5 DAYS A WEEK AND HAVE LOST THE 30 POUNDS I WAS 185 AND AM 150 AND NOT REALLY HAVE HAD TO ON AN EXTREME DIET I JUST PUT ON THIS TAPE AT 8:30 AT NIGHT AN WORKOUT IT'S A STRAIGHT 45 MIN HEART PUMPING SWEATING FAT BURNING STEP AEROBIC TAPE THEN YOU GET 15 MIN OF JANE FONDA AB CRUNCHES AND ABDOMINAL WORKOUT IT REALLY WORKS GUYS I WORK ON AN EVENING SHIFT FROM 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON TILL 10:30 AT NIGHT SO I USUALLY WORKOUT AT 8:30 AT NIGHT SO I CAN BURN WHAT I ATE DURING THAT AFTERNOON. I REALLY CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TAPE IN FACT I HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO FIND IT BECAUSE MY COWORKER BOUGHT IT A LONG TIME AGO WHEN JANE FIRST MADE THIS TAPE, I CALLED MY LOCAL STORES AND SOMEONE TOLD ME TO TRY AMAZON.COM THAT IF ANYONE WOULD HAVE IT AMAZON WILL AND THIS IS WHERE I FOUND IT AND THANK GOD AMAZON HAD IT AND FOR ONLY $... ANYWAY IT'S A GREAT TAPE THAT JANE FONDA AND HER CREW PUT OUT I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BEST STEP AEROBIC TAPES FOR BEGINNERS AND IT WORKS EVERY PART OF YOUR BODY, ARMS, LEGS, THIGHS, BUTT, WAIST, ABS, SHE DID NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OUT SO YAW GO OUT AND BUY IT. I AM LOOKING GREAT AND FEELING GREAT AND I AM PROUD OF MY SELF LIKE I SAID I WAS SOMEONE WHO HATED TO EXERCISE AND WHEN WE PUT THIS TAPE IN THE INSTRUCTORS MAKE IT FUN AND IT'S EASY TO FOLLOW I LOVE AND ALL MY COWORKERS DO AS WELL . THANKSSSSSSS
  ROBIN FROM TEXAS THANKSSSS AMAZON FOR HAVING THIS TAPE!!!!
  
  
• One of my favorites!
  By A8IL44P4I4HYT on 2003-11-09
  Found this tape years ago. I'm now online, cuz I've used it so much it broke. Instructors are great at cueing and I'm advanced and feel like I get a great workout. It's good for all levels, from beginners to advanced and I highly recommend it!
  
  
• Jane Fonda is the best!
  By ATW8TQ96SR3ZN on 2004-02-23
  Jane Fonda is the master of home workouts. Sure, the video is several years old and the people do wear funny late 80's and early 90's outfits, but the workouts are among my favorites. The routines are fun, enjoyable and easy to learn, and there's a great no-nonsense, let's get down to business attitude coupled with a let's have fun together attitude. You'll get a great aerobic workout as well as great floor exercises. My only complaint is that the workouts have not been released on DVD. Jane Fonda-if you are out there reading this, please please- we want the DVD's!!!!
  
  
• Something for Everyone
  By on 2000-01-22
  I was an avid exerciser until I had a child. Although I'm not over weight I feel my body craving for tone and definition. This video is GREAT for all levels. There is so much opportunity for switching between high and low intensities. The instructors do a great job reminding you where to place your feet, to breath, get a drink and so on. They're there to really help you!
  
  
• This is the greatest one if you've never tried step exercise
  By A1BTFAIV9EB0K2 on 1999-09-02
  This is the greatest one if you've never done any kind of exercise before and it's specially wonderful if you're trying to lose weight like me I lost almost 15 pounds and at the very beginig it was only diet but as I started practising the more I did my step class the more I lose... And only Jane could make it! Thank you Jane!
  
  
• good for beginners, but...
  By A26ZDF3062SJVR on 2001-01-05
  this is a good video to keep on hand if you're getting back in to excercise after vacation or being sick & need to work back into it slowly. It's very basic and loses it's challenge after a few times. It is a wonderful tape for somebody completely unfamiliar with stepping, though, since the routines are taught on the floor before bringing it up to the step. But in no way is this an intermediate/advanced video.
  
  
• My all-time favorite
  By on 2001-09-26
  I have had this video for years, and I always come back to it time and time again. It is fun, high-energy, and easy to follow. No herky-jerky, hard to follow sequences--and the camera is always showing you what is going on. I like the 3 leaders--motivating and fun. Really gets my sweat to flying even though I can do it in my sleep I have done it so many times. 45 minutes of step and then an ab routine done by Jane--which I usually skip...I find it difficult.
  
  
• Excellent
  By on 2004-05-24
  An easy but effective workout -- I just love this tape and you will see results in no time. My only disappointment is that Jane leads you in the abdominal workout, not the step routine, but otherwise this is very good.
  
  

• Jane Fonda's Step and Stretch Workout
• Jane Fonda Collection: The Complete Workout & Stress Reduction Program
• Jane Fonda Collection: Complete Personal Trainer Series - Low Impact Aerobics and Stretch; Abs, Buns & Thighs; Total Body Sculpting
• Jane Fonda's Lower Body Solution
• Jane Fonda's Complete Workout