Walk to the Hits Radio Remixes

I like the music and the energy of this DVD. The set is bright and cheerful. I like Leslie when I just don't feel like doing a lot of impact or higher intensity. The workout has already been broken down in another review so I won't go into that.

Calling sections of this workout Hiit is really stretching it in my opinion! I think Leslie needs to so some research on what is considered true Hiit. I will keep this DVD though, as I've said above, I really like the music and the energy of this workout.

Since this has already been broken down I won't go over that again (not that I can remember it in that much detail LOL!) I wasn't feeling too enthused when I chose this workout but I wanted something a little different than what I'd been doing for exercise(walking on rebounder to virtual hikes) and Leslie has always been a staple for me since I frequently quit and re-start and am 47 and, um, plump - quite plump...anyways I was hoping for her usual moves with some good music. I felt like she didn't do as much of her usual moves then threw in these HIIT segments that to me were high impact. I really prefer a brisk pace so I did a bit higher impact and instead of going easy after the HIIT I tried to keep the arms moving and kicks, etc a little more energetic than what she called for. She does use the same song for the HIIT - can't remember the name but recognized it - and good thing I like it because there were at last 4 sessions with it. I had planned on doing 1 mile and kept waiting for her to say it's been 1 mile - it didnt happen - I glanced at the clocking thinking this was one long mile then noticed a meter on the bottom left of the screen and it showed 2 miles! so I guess in spite of feeling I wasn't 'into' the workout I guess I was! I went ahead and did the 3rd mile and cooldown - felt a little strange that mile 3 showed during the stretching. I have to say in spite of my lack of much interest beginning the workout I did feel good partway through and afterwards and think it's one I will try again just for different music. After doing it once though it's not my favorite Leslie though it IS fun - the people look like they're having fun and the set is bright and I like the music notes on the wall behind them.

Leslie leads this 3 mile, 46 minute walk with a group of walkers in a bright set. You wont need any equipment for this workout.

After a warmup, Leslie & crew perform her go-to walking moves - kicks, march, knee ups, side step & variations of all of these: cardio lunges, hip twists, ham curls, & travelling side steps. The middle portion of the workout features 4 HiiT segments (about 8 min), featuring the same song & exercise. Concludes with core work & a stretch.

This is an intermediate workout that is easy to modify up or down to suit your needs. Songs include: Everybody Talks, I Like to Move It Move It, and other popular current songs. Great, feel good workout. I received this dvd to review.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this DVD to review for the web site Metapsychology Online Reviews; you can read a more detailed version of my review on that site.

Leslie Sansone's news release is a bit different. First, it is a three mile walk set to modern radio hits. Second, it supposedly features HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, a popular current fitness trend. Unfortunately, Sansone's version of "HIIT" doesn't conform to the usual norms for this style (more on this below).

As always, Sansone instructs live in front of a large class. On the Main Menu of the DVD, there is the choice to play the full Radio Remixes or to play Miles 1-3 individually; also, each of these selections has a "Play with Music Only" option. I have provided additional details below.

WARM-UP (3 minutes)

The warm-up can be accessed by choosing the "Play All" option only. As is typical for her warm-ups, Sansone introduces her four basic steps: the walk (march), side step, kicks, and knees.

MILE 1 (13 minutes)

The first mile starts appropriately with the tune "Get This Party Started" by Pink (the same song is repeated at the beginning of Mile 3). Sansone begins at a fast pace, adding many variations on her usual walk steps, including grapevines, bounces, and shifts. Oddly, however, prior to starting the "HIIT," she actually spends about two minutes SLOWING DOWN the heart rate by walking at a more relaxed tempo. The "HIIT" sequences themselves last about 20 seconds. They are very repetitive, as they consist of the EXACT same moves (high jogs, bounces, and twists) set to the EXACT same song ("Everybody Talks" by Neon Trees).

MILE 2 (14 minutes)

The second mile is very similar to the first. As with Mile 1, there are about two "HIIT" intervals; preceding each interval, the walking moves are performed at a slower pace. After completing the HIIT segments, however, Sansone again bumps up the speed. This section includes the song "I Like to Move It, Move It" (Will.I.Am).

MILE 3 (13 minutes)

In some ways, the final mile was the most confusing. Sansone says she is going to "sneak in" some additional HIIT, but rather than perform another 20-second interval, instead, she does a longer, more moderate intensity sequence. For the second half of this mile, the music has a bit of a Latin flavor to it, and by the time the clock hits the 40-minute mark, Sansone states that the cool-down walk has begun.

STRETCH (3 minutes)

For this brief stretch (included only as part of the full walk), Sansone targets the back, shoulders, calves, and hamstrings.

As noted above, the "HIIT" that Sansone includes in this walk is definitely NOT true High Intensity Interval Training, which is generally defined as working at near maximum intensity for a short period--usually about 20 seconds, which Sansone does do here--followed by a brief recovery (a 2:1 rest-to-work ratio is probably the most common). So, anyone purchasing this DVD because it advertises "HIIT" on the cover is likely to be extremely disappointed.

On the other hand, it is undeniable that the background exercisers are having a great deal of fun with this routine. As the workout continues, Sansone more frequently walks among them, obviously enjoying herself. For long-time fans of Sansone's DVDs, Radio Remixes could possibly be a very agreeable change of pace. As a high intermediate exerciser, however, this workout just was not for me.