5 Step Fat Attack With Claire Richards From Steps

An hour of Steps pop tracks and muscley men in military slacks. An interesting combination but funnily enough it works and gets you through the workout without realising it.

What I also like about this is that Claire is a healthy and curvey size 12 rather than a skinny celeb at a size which is totally unrealistic and unsustainable. I know Claire has since put on the weight but it is not because this DVD does not work – it’s about eating healthily too.

It is a good one for you if you are new to fitness DVDs as the routines are made up of simple moves, there is no complicated choreography (apart from 2 moves where you need a few more go throughs to get on top of it) and no dancing, therefore this would certainly be suitable for men as well – if you don’t mind jumping about to Steps. Saying that though, it is not too easy, the cardio section gets your heart pumping, gets you sweating and gets you breathing hard, so if you are a beginner keep the intensity at a level that suits you and build up to it.

The instructor has a personality and talks you through the moves and gives everyone encouragement too. Claire does the low intensity versions of some of the moves. A strong military theme, I guess this was to be a bit different, and includes plenty of punches, kicks, marching, jumping jacks and similar – all set to some super pop tracks, which always adds to a good feel workout.

Claire introduces each section which is annoying and pointless after the first time so there is a little bit of time wasted transitioning between the sections. There are 2-4 songs in each section and a routine for each song. The routines are built up so that you get to learn the moves and then repeated several times. I thought it was good fun and would keep this one to use when not in the mood for dancey steps.

What you get:

Engage Your Body Warm Up = 11 min 45 sec

Side steps, punching, squats, marching, lunges and stretches – does the job and could be used as a workout for those short on time or a complete beginner.

Fat Assault Aerobics = 12 min 40 sec

Skipping, marching, jogging, jacks, knee raises, kicks, running boxes, heel flicks – lots here to raise your heart rate and gets hard

Combat Manoeuvres = 17 min 52 sec

As expected with lots different punching moves, weaves and kicks in a routine that makes you feel it. There are 3 bare chested men in this one – could put some of you off.

Target and Tone = 10 min 33 sec

Wide & narrow push ups, plank, variety of stomach exercises, leg lifts which on front and pelvic raises. Good routine for major muscle areas.

At Ease Cool Down = 8 min 10

Usual type of stretches you see at the end of an aerobics session and not too quick. Don’t be put off by the flexibility of the guys.

MrsGoldsmith’s Rating:

Fun: 6/10

Good pop tracks to keep you going

Fitness: 6/10

Great cardio section to build fitness, could be longer

Value: 7/10

Nice all round workout, split into sections to suit your time constraints and you’ll enjoy doing it