5 Step Fat Attack with Claire Richards from Steps [DVD]

As a regular home exerciser, I buy at least one new fitness DVD every year. This time, it came down to a choice of three - Coleen Noleen, Jayne Torvill and this one.
I chose 5 Steps, expecting a good aerobic dance based workout and was not disappointed. The DVD is split into sections - warm up, aerobic fat burner, combat moves, toning and cool down and you're able to do either the whole lot or put together the parts that you want.
The music makes you want to dance, the moves are easy to follow (although the combat moves take a bit of practice!)and I felt that I got a really thorough workout. This one won't be hitting the charity shop any time soon! Highly recommended.

I own a lot of exercise dvd's and exercise to them 3/4 times a week so I am quite fit. I buy most of the new ones that come out, always looking for routines that work, but are FUN at the same time - that is crucial for me, as it means that I will be more motivated to do the work out time and again... and this one IS hard work but it's also a lot of FUN.

It's fast moving, and definitely gets your heart rate up, although you may have to work up to doing the whole thing if you are not very fit or new to exercise. I loved the music, it really made me want to move with it. Oh and there is no denying the men at the back are an added attraction too! hehe..

There isn't too much talking on the dvd, and personally I prefer that as if you use the dvd regularly, it can get really boring listening to the same chatter time after time. Claire is there doing the exercises with me, and that was enough for me.

This dvd is quite hard work, but I really loved it.

At much the same size as Claire when she started, in January I made a decision to turn my life around. The first time i did this it was faaar too difficult - it was really intense and I thought the instructions/queing was poor. So, I spent my first few months doing Natalie Cassidy.

Now 2 stone lighter, with my weight loss plateauing I decided to give it another go. With my improved fitness level I found this do-able. Dont get me wrong, it works you really hard but I can get through it. Ive found doing this every other day has got my weight loss going again at a good pace.

It is quite cheesy with the men stripping off more in each section, but I find myself laughing at all the "c'mon troops" and cheesiness - and the smile helps me get through it. I have to say, it looks as though the guys have just turned up on the day, they dont have a clue!

Although I dont doubt that doing this workout can help you lose weight, after watching the Claire Richards wedding documentary I dont believe this is how she lost her weight. she went through various trainers and many clips showed her doing exercises which are not in this. The trainer in the video only came in at the last stage and he didnt even choreograph the routine - so it wasnt jut doing this that made claire lose her weight.

Having said all that I love doing this workout.
The warmup is a bit of a workout in itself and gets you pumped up and motivated.
The first song in the aerobic section really gets you knackered! but the songs keep you going.
The combat section is simple enough once you get the hang of it.
The toning section is great - one song for arms, one for abs and one for bum.
two song cool down is really relaxing.

stick with this, do it with a smile on your face and you will get results!

UPDATE - now a further stone and a half lighter =)