Basic Step DVD confusing!

J

JanaW

New Member
I'm not new to working out, but I am new to using steps for anything more than the basic up-down endurance testing, and the DVD that came with my new steps is really confusing.
Cathe doesn't let the watcher know what foot to use on each step; example in the L step - I never got that one at all. By the time I figure out which foot needs to come up next and whether it gets stepped on or just tapped, she's gone on to another step sequence completely.
I spent most of the first ten minutes bouncing around like a demented 'superball' - trying desperately to track what she was doing and keep up. I failed.
A little more 'left foot up' 'right foot out' and some slow explanations of the steps before bouncing right into them would help considerably.
I'm disappointed.
Unless there's a separate chapter on the DVD I haven't found that shows each step and how to do it - SLOWLY! - I can see hours of frustration ahead of me.
 
Gosh, I'm sorry you had such difficulty. Try to be patient just as when learning any new skill. You might want to go to www.collagevideo.com and search for other beginner dvds if you want to learn step. Gin Miller puts out some good basic step videos to get people started. Collage also has video clips and customer reviews on their site. HTH, Deb
 
I understand your frustration. I am advanced with Cathe, but got her Basic Step workout because I'm somewhat of a completionist, wanting to at least see all of her workouts! As I was doing the workout, I tried to look at it from the perspective of a newcomer, and I can see where it would be not as clear as it should be. I distinctly remember her cuing a 'rocking horse' move (which step newbies would have never seen before) by saying it's 'just like riding a horse'. Whaaa? I don't think so! A "knee, curl, knee" cue would have made much more sense and been clearer. Instead, she gives more of a 'watch and follow me' cue.

What I recommend is watching the workout a few times, pretending to go along with it in your imaginination, then when you get to any parts that are confusing, you may have to think of your own way of describing the move to 'get it' (like "knee, curl, knee" for the rocking horse).

Also, as you noted, it's important on many moves to know whether you put weight on the other foot or just tap it, which you can pay more attention to when viewing without doing.

Good luck! It does take time to get used to an instructor's style of cuing. Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll get it.
 
What step height did you try Basic Step on? I have only been doing step a few months and I still remember the first time I tried it--thinking I'd never get it. Now I've got all Cathe's step workouts and love them (and I still trip up plenty trying new ones). Anyway, I think it's easiest to start without risers on just a 4" step alone and then as you learn to bump up if you desire. Some people even try it without any step at all at first--you could try just doing the moves on the floor and at least then there's no chance of falling off a step as you learn.

Edited to add: other videos to try are Kari Anderson's Go: Step for Beginners or Christi Taylor's Mission Possible which also includes floor aerobics. I think Kari's is a little simpler, but Christi's includes a great slow instructional segment. Both can be found at http://www.collagevideo.com

***Lainie***

http://web.mac.com/lainiefig/iWeb/Site/Exercise.html

"The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself." -- Mark Twain
 
Boy, I know how you feel. I just tried to do Low Max and gave up after rewinding things over and over. I just can't get some of the steps. I too was a superball. I am hoping Low Impact Step will help me a little. I'm glad I'm not alone. I am going to make sure I fit in other cardio activities and I am going to keep practicing little by little and maybe I will get it in another 20 years! LOL
 
I am so sorry you are frustrated. The advice above is great -- you should definitely stick with it, and you will eventually master it!

Cathe is the best, so stick with it and have some fun! She will take your body places you never thought it could go it you just hand in there.
 
Thanks to everyone who replied. There are some very good ideas in there!
The other thing I'm going to try is running the DVD on slow-play - if I can see the moves clearly, that should help.
There's also that little pause button :)

Thanks again!
 
Please don't get discouraged. As Kathryn mentioned, it is good idea to watch the DVD first and get a feel for the moves. I recall thinking Rhythmic Step would be impossible but through persistence and a few rewinds I can make it. So....if I could do it so will you, with patience of course!
 
When I can't get her step work I rewind over and over again until I get it. It takes a long time, but that is what has worked for me. I'm still a klutz on Rhythmic Step but I don't do it enough to really have gotten it down.
 
The Rocking Horse was difficult for me! And the around the world thing (forgot what it's called). I did rewind a few times but when I would get confused and not be able to follow, I would still do the workout in my own version ;-) I figured that if I kept moving, even if the moves were completely wrong, it would make it easier to get back into the routine than stopping completely. I'll get it all eventually, it will just take time because I'm not used to doing step workouts. I'd rather have a workout that challenges me and allows me to work up to Cathe's level than do a workout that I can get right off the bat and not challenge me enough.
 
I understand what you are saying. I consider myself an advanced exerciser, and when I began using Cathe a year and a half ago, I was surprised that she was not as strong in cuing as some other instructors. It wasn't really an issue for me since I've been doing step workouts for 20 years. After a couple of times of doing a new Cathe workout, I know the choreography, and like a few other posters said, I'm glad that they are so advanced. However, I do think about people with less step experience when Cathe's cues are not very clear. My advice is to just keep doing the workouts and practice the more complex steps right after the workout. Good luck!
 
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