Afro-Caribbean Step

When I'm evaluating exercise videos, I look for tapes that give me the same exhilarating feeling that I get after a great class at the gym, especially something different, challenging but not too far beyond my reach, and worth repeating. Debra Bono's Afro-Caribbean Step hits all three marks, presenting viewers with three different levels of difficulty so they can gradually move up in intensity as they become more familiar with the steps. The program also includes a nice, slow, warm-up and a gentle cool down, finishing off with a short abdominal toning segment (something all steppers crave at the end of class...so they can lie down). Ms. Bono's cues were easy to follow, and the music really made me want to dance. In fact, the only thing missing was the pulse check, although there is a break in the middle of the routine for a "perceived" exertion check. Sporting excellent choreography and an original twist on traditional step routines, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (E. Druda)