33 Customer Reviews
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Cardio Force with Anni Mairs |
  Deceptively Simple Moves... |
| ...that add up to a great advanced workout. Those 1-lb. handweights make an amazing difference. For example, "fast feet" is one of my favorite high intensity interval moves; think of doing that while raising and lowering your arms with handweights for 1 full minute, and you'll get the idea. The individual combos that comprise the 1-minute intervals don't initially seem that hard; but after a minute you'll have changed your mind. And I really appreciate an advanced step workout with simple choreography. I get frustrated with so many advanced step workouts that rely on complicated turns and dance steps that end up more of a mental exercise than heart one. Unlike many previous reviewers, I wasn't bored with the intervals; I was too busy keeping up for the whole time period. Why not 5 stars? Anni just doesn't have the charisma and motivational skills as a comparable Cathe F. or Gin Miller DVD. But definitely worth buying and doing! - posted by Janny on 6/19/2011 |
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| Verdict still out on this one.. |
| I do think this is an intense workout and it does really work your shoulders/glutes. But as a lot of the other clients stated, it is only one minute intervals but they do get somewhat tedious. I can't do the jumping, turning etc intervals so have to modify. It is killer on the knees. But personally, the verdict is out as to if I really like this instructor. I have no idea why, but just not real thrilled with her personality. And don't expect to take a water break - as she states the breaks are quick. That's an understatement, there are no breaks until she does a heartrate test. I do think if done over and over, you can really get into shape with this workout, but personally I probably won't be doing it much. - posted by Marsha on 2/22/2011 |
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| ANNI KICKED MY FANNI |
| The reviews for this workout seemed to run from IT'S GREAT to IT WORKS BUT IT'S BORING. My assessment: the point of doing a single exercise for 60 seconds isn't to kill time, it's to make you really feel those last reps, "the ones that count". This workout does work (I was sweating and feeling the burn very soon after it started) but don't look at the clock wondering when a particular exercise will end - listen to Anni and make those last reps count - go deeper, higher, faster! This is a workout that really would have benefited from a 60 second counter in the corner - that helps in these kind of one minute spurts to give it your all. Maybe I'll just have a clock handy next time. Also, Anni sometimes says "take a break but a quick one", when really there's no break at all, and a couple of quick water breaks would have been nice. Abs section at the end is short but sweet. Overall I give Cardio Force a thumbs up. - posted by Susan W. on 9/8/2010 |
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| Good Cardio Workout! |
| I've only done this workout once since I received it, but I really liked it. It's my first Anni Mairs' dvd and I liked her energy and easy-to-follow moves. My heart rate was challenged and I like the addition of weights to the workout. If you're looking for a good 45 minute cardio workout, this is a good one for your rotation. - posted by Mindy on 9/6/2010 |
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| Like, not love |
| Anni is an excellent instructor. She is motivating and really knows her stuff. However, I like, not love this video - if the choreography were more interesting, it would sustain my interest. But I did get a good workout! - posted by Diana on 6/24/2010 |
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| Get ready to sweat |
| I am a 50 something intermediate/advanced exerciser, work out 5 days per week. I didn't much like this workout the first time I did it because I enjoy doing combinations of moves as in step and Kbox, not doing the same move over and over. And if you don't like the move you're doing (pushups, rotating jumps), one minute can seem like five, which is how I felt many times the first time I did this one. That being said, I've done it three times now and like it better each time. Why? Because I'm already seeing results. Each time I find myself able to do a full minute of a couple of moves that I could only do for half that time the last time I tried. Or I find that my obliques are nice and sore from the oblique twists or that I don't have to hit pause to rest as often. And although the fast pace is tough, it does make the workout go pretty quickly. There are some fun moves in the workout (kicks, punches, step), and Anni is pleasant and cues well. One of the background exercisers cues occasionally, which is a bit jarring, but other than that, I'm glad I bought this one and will do it regularly. - posted by Jana on 4/29/2010 |
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| Attention Anni: Please make more videos! |
| What makes this workout unique, challenging, and wonderful are the 1 minute intense sets. 1 minute doesn't sound like a long time, but it really is if you're doing pushups, 180 degree jumps, and step lunges. Another thing I love is that Anni doesn't repeat any of the moves. You complete one exercise and you move on to the next. Plus - Anni is in amazing shape - she keeps up with the 20-something year olds behind her no problem. Anni: please get busy and make more of these workouts! - posted by Marina on 4/2/2010 |
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| Great fat-blasting cardio! |
| I get a great workout using this DVD though I'm not really an advanced level exerciser. I modify it by any combo of: omitting the step, using lesser range of motion, lowering the impact, and/or skipping some sections -- works perfectly for me and there's lots of room to grow! - posted by Claire on 12/29/2009 |
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| Kicked my butt! |
| This was my first dvd from Annie and she kicked my butt! You really get into the workout from the beginning and since it was my first time using it, I omitted the weights, since I have no 1 lb,. weights but used weights for the toning. I sweated and felt my heartrate go up and that nice burn kicks in! I enjoyed it and the music was awesome! I hope her future workouts are as this one was..... - posted by Vivian on 10/11/2009 |
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| Attention all fellow choreography-challanged exercizers... |
| I am a 42 year old and have an extensive video collection thanks to Collage. I workout 6 days a week and have always found it to be really challenging to find a video that is basic enough for me to keep up with choreography and still work up a sweat. I used to think Gin Miller was the only one that could kick my butt with basic steps, but not anymore. DO NOT let the sweet face and the chipper voice fool you, fellow exercisers, this woman is disturbed!! I am in pretty good shape and really ordered this one for a "slow workout day". Little did I know I wouldn't be able to keep up the first 10 times I did this it. Anni has superb cuing and I didn't fall behind because of the complexity of the moves but because she chose moves that would have you gasping for air by the end of the minute. This one ain't for sissies! The funny thing is, while I set out to make it a personal mission to beat this woman, in the process I have managed to break a platuea I have been stuck in for 6 months. I am finally having to look at that new pants size because after working this sadistic piece of work into my workout schedule my clothes are starting to get looser. Sorry Anni, it is definitely a love/hate relationship!! All joking aside, make more soon!!! I am officially a fan! - posted by Beth on 5/14/2009 |
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