30 Minutes to Fitness: Step Boxing with Kelly Coffey Meyer

I bought this last year and then I waited over a year to actually do the routine. I had done one of the other Step Boxing DVDs and wasn't super enthusiastic. The other one I tried stopped with the cardio halfway through and went into sculpting with weights. (It is just not my preference to do weight routines to a DVD, unless it is something like P90X or P90X3, where you can challenge yourself with higher weights and you're not necessarily doing the same reps the instructor is doing.) I was afraid this was going to be more of the same, and that there was going to be even less cardio in only 30 minutes.But, I've been doing 75-90 minutes of cardio every day, all year (trying to lose weight) and I was getting SO BORED with my other DVDs because I've done all of them dozens, if not hundreds, of times. So I put this in last night. I'm like, the worst that could happen is that I would stop after 15 minutes of cardio or something and switch to another DVD. But when I started exploring the menu options, there was one where you could do the warm-up plus both cardio workouts (#1 and #2). That ended up being 51 minutes (I skipped the cool-down; I feel that most cool-down segments on workout DVDs are a waste of time and don't really do anything for me -- I get my stretching in my morning yoga sessions). And it is actually hard to find a 51 minute cardio DVD these days. So I am very happy about that.I do feel this is a good workout. It starts a little slowly for me. I do like the warmup because it introduces you to some of the choreography you see later on, without stretching. So you are moving right away. I went ahead and started with a step; I have a similar step to the ones demonstrated in the DVD but I used both risers underneath instead of just one (in the DVD, the demonstrators use only one riser to adjust the height, and one lady doesn't use a step at all). I should point out that I am quite fit at this point in the year after so much exercise so I could complete all 51 minutes (and then I actually did another 25 minute workout afterwards). If you are just starting out, you do have the option not to use the step, to only do one of the cardio workouts instead of both back-to-back, or just stopping before it is finished. I was challenged, though, and my heart rate did eventually increase a little and I broke a sweat maybe halfway through.I don't even remember the music. I can be annoyed by workout music, but it is not really something that motivates me. The camera work was good. I don't remember any silly effects or transitions, I don't remember any camera angles that I hated (you know in some workouts when they like zoom in on the instructor's abs and you can't see what she is doing with her legs...). Audio was clear and I did not find the instructor's voice annoying.I do have a little bit of a beef with the instruction. The choreography is tricky. And it is not adequately built up. In other workouts (I'll use old Kathy Smith DVDs and The Firm as examples, because I've tried plenty of both of those), you build up to new combinations slowly, adding one or two moves at a time. Here, you are adding like four or five moves at a time and you don't go through it with enough cueing to pick up the moves easily. There are a few combinations that show up in the warm-up, and it is nice that those are familiar when you get to them in the workout. But there are a lot of segments with fancy footwork that took me forever to pick up. I do feel that I had everything straight by the end of my first run through, but I know that when I go to do this one again, I will struggle for a bit.Also, there were a few times when I felt like I might hurt myself. For example, there was a part where she has you jump up onto your step. With both feet at the same time (kind of like a plyo box). Well, I nearly fell over and almost twisted my ankle. So, my advice is to practice this move on your own until you have it down before trying to do it in the workout. You can do a modified jump up with one foot at a time instead.There is a little kicking but not much. There is quite a lot of punching, though. I understand this; it is more conducive to doing on a step. (And it is called "step boxing" and not "step kickboxing," you know.)I totally skipped the dumbbell segments. Right now I am eating in a calorie deficit of 400-500 calories per day and it is pretty much impossible to build muscle while doing that. I am focusing on cardio to get the last few pounds off (I'm about four pounds from my goal, and I can achieve a much better calorie burn with cardio) and then I will do a recomposition phase with a more targeted strength-training/muscle-building program. These segments are there if you want them, though, and I don't mind that they exist since I did get a 51 minute cardio workout out of a DVD I did not expect it from.

I feel like I am in pretty good shape, I do mostly Zumba and occasional step workouts 4 hours a week plus strength training and yoga. I am finding this to be a challenging and effective workout, especially for my upper body! I hadn't realized how neglected my arms and back were! This is definitely staying in my rotation.I recommend doing this workout without the step until you are comfortable with the moves, that way you can concentrate on not missing the step when you do add it in. I personally waited about 3 weeks (doing both routines twice a week), but I was probably being overcautious. I can tell you, it is still a tough workout without the step! And its an easy modification to make (plus one of the girls doesn't have a step, and she is easy to see throughout the DVD). All for the sake of not twisting your ankle, its definitely worth taking your time to learn the moves first.I finally added the step in for the first time yesterday, and WOW that ramped it up! I actually struggled to get through the whole time with the step, but that might have had more to do with my lack of sleep the night before than the routine, so I'm going to keep going with the step and hope I do better. Although I do know that if I just can't handle the step, it is still a great workout just on the floor, and either way I'll be keeping this in my regular rotation.

I have always loved step aerobics and recently got into kickboxing. When I saw this video, I had to try it and definitely was not disappointed! It is definitely fast paced, but she builds up the routines, so she's easy enough to follow. I'm always sweating when I get done, but it is so fun I barely notice how hard I've worked.

This is a VERY fast paced work out! It is definitely not for beginners. Although it's only 30 minutes, it is very intense from beginning to end. (Even the warm up is high intensity and there is absolutely no cool down at all). You will absolutely sweat and get a great cardio and upper body sculpting workout with this DVD. She moves at super sonic speed and doesn't teach any of the moves. There is not a lot of cueing either. It took me a week or two before I got the hang of it and I'm not new to step or kickboxing. The focus is mainly on punches and a little bit of kicking at the very end. Workout one is not as high impact as workout 2 (but equally crazy intensity). If you are looking for an advanced, intense DVD without someone holding your hand through it (that is only 30 minutes) then it is great. If you are in any way a beginner, I wouldn't recommend it.

i like it but in less you plan on doing it a lot where you can memorize the steps, its not worth it. I have a large collection of Kelly Coffey Meyers dvds that i just rotate and while i feel this would be a really good workout, i know that i wont be doing it enough to get to the point were im not fumbling around wasting time. but otherwise if you plan on doing it often it seems like it would be a great way to get your cardio in

I love this workout. I am not the best when it comes to choreography and I have not done any step exercises since high school, but I really like this workout. It is fun, the time flies by and I actually work up a good sweat even when not using an aerobic step. It's a nice change from weight lifting, spinning and yoga, which are my normal workouts. And it is nice to have something that I am motivated to do at home.

Kickboxing and step aerobics are probably my two favorite types of exercise, so I love Kelly's step-boxing DVDs. It's a great way to get a good workout in 30 minutes. Also, as with her other 30 minute to fitness DVDs, there are great pre-mix options. Happy to add this DVD to my collection.

I discovered Kelly through Exercise TV - Sportskool. Her workouts are intense and make you sweat. The step routines can be difficult but you don't have to use the step and its still a great workout. She also repeats and builds on the routines to give you plenty of time to memorize them. I recommend this video.

Wanted to start back doing something but don't fancy the gym. So far (three days in) I have found this dvd great, just getting use to the routine, there are lost of workouts on the dvd as well as tutorials and stretches. Really enjoying adding the boxing to the step which I am use to doing. Well worth the money.

I love step and this routine is hard work but interesting.

This work out is excellent . There is weights, step and kick boxing. You can create your own workout by the multiple premixes. The step can be a bit fast however, after a few times you get the hang of it. And all of the workouts are 30 minutes unless you want longer then go to the premixes.

Good work-out, lots of good combinations!

Like all of her videos, Kelly Coffey-Meyer challenges your body while maintaining healthy form. Love her workouts!