I bought this video from Collage for $19.95. It was
rated in their catalog as Beginner/Intermediate but I
would definitely rate it a solid Beginner. It's taught by
Judi Sheppard Misset along with another Jazzercise
instructor and a cast of 3 other Jazzercise instructors
exercising along with them including a guy and a pregnant
woman. The set looks like a sunroom with natural light
coming in from the windows. The production quality is
excellent. The date on the box is 1994. The tone of this
video is warm and supportive.
If you are like me and
have always wondered what Jazzercise is, this video is an
excellent introduction both to Jazzercise and general
principles of safety in an exercise program. Before the
exercise session begins, there is an excellent
demonstration of the correct and safe way to do various
moves like flick kicks, kick ball change, chasses, demi
and grand plies that are used not only in this tape but
in Judi's other tapes. So although this is a beginner
tape and I am probably an intermediate to advanced
exerciser, I consider this tape worthwhile. I'm not
really sure that I would have otherwise been able to pick
up how to do all the moves without watching the demo
section several times.
Having said all that, I must admit that the aerobic
section of this tape is my least favorite of all the
Jazzercise tapes. It's a too low key for me. I miss the
Judi of old that would sing along with the music and
generally do some high powered vamping during the
routines. It made the exercise more fun and exciting!.
The music is quiet, jazz music which just does not get my
blood pumping! I can't understand why the live Jazzercise
classes play good vocal music but Judi's tapes mostly
play instrumental jazz music. I wish more good
instructors would have a great soundtrack on their
exercise vids like DonnaMite! Good music does something
for the soul while you're working your body.
The moves are done in both a slightly higher impact
version, with little skips, etc., but are also clearly
demonstrated in a light or low impact version. They are
easy to follow and well-cued. The moves are traditional
Jazzercise like flick kicks, kick ball change, triple
steps, chasses. Judi varies them by going back and forth,
side to side and diagonal. Generally, Jazzercise videos
don't require tons of room and aren't particularly
difficult to follow once you learn the unique moves.
Collage gives a breakdown of 5 minutes warm up, 18
minutes aerobic, 7 minutes standing toning, 5 minutes
floor toning and 5 minutes total of 2 separate stretch
segments.
The toning and stretch section is probably one of the
best on the Jazzercise tapes that I own. It includes some
standing weight work like plies while doing bicep curls
or overhead raises. It includes standing adductors
(raising one leg at a time up and down) and standing
hamstring curls. There is a section including floor leg
lifts and ab work. I would characterize the toning as
traditional except for the welcome addition of some
standing leg work. In fact, I like this toning and
stretch segment so much that I may use it as the toning
portion of all my other Jazzercise tapes when I'm not
actually doing the aerobic section on two tapes. The
toning and stretch moves are safe and the stretching
feels good.
In conclusion, if you want to learn Jazzercise and/or
begin an exercise program this would be an excellent tape
for you. If you already know Jazzercise and/or are an
intermediate to advanced exerciser, than this tape is
probably not for you.
In general, Judi is an excellent instructor and easy
to follow. She is also fun to exercise with. I am making
her tapes more intense for me by using 1 1/2 lb.
gloveweights on each hand that I purchased at Target for
about $15.
Yvonne Delamater
4/97