Walk On: 5 Fat Burning Miles Indoor Walking Exercise DVD with Jessica Smith

This Walk On set of five 1-mile routines seems to be an early video in the series. The quality of the routine is excellent as in later DVDs but there are slight differences in how it's produced. To begin with, the music reminds me of aerobics classes from the 90s, a little disco flare to it. Jessica gives less information about the benefits of each move but they seem to be the foundation for moves in other DVDs. This 5 Fat Burning Miles selection would be good to start with if you are new to Walk On. The workouts feature Jessica, her mom Debbie and their friend Beth demonstrating different levels along with modifications. The studio was a little blah but I enjoyed the music and the routines didn't strain my knees or quads too much. The slightly shorter routines worked well for me since I'm building up my endurance after an illness. I'm closer to Debbie in age, mostly get regular exercise including yoga and have muscles that are temporarily weaker than what would be normal for me. I only do two miles at a time currently though the flexible format makes it easy to do as many as you want in whichever order.The individual miles start with a warm-up and are:1) Brain Booster - some unusual coordination challenges2) Belly, Buns & Thighs - emphasis on lower body3) Power Posture - works areas like upper back that help with posture4) Turbo Charged - somewhat similar to interval training5) Boogie Down - more dance-likeAll run a little less than 15 minutes. A countdown timer appears in the lower right hand of the screen towards the end of each walk. The series can be followed in sequence or can be customized. There is no floor work in the main routines nor a need for any equipment. Two additional stretching and strengthening routines are included: The Strong Feet & Ankles Workout and The Strong Knees & Hips Routine. At least one requires a chair. I haven't done either yet because I mainly use this series for cardio.I don't know whether it's just because it's my newest Walk On DVD or because the routines seem to flow more smoothly but I really enjoyed the 5 Fat Burning Miles. I have at least four Jessica Smith workout DVDs and, of the three that are Walk On miles, this one is the easiest for me because there is much less dipping down into squats. I still had enough of a workout to get sweaty by the end without feeling any knee strain. Of course, I substitute with the easier version of jumping jacks which was about the only alteration I found necessary on any of these five routines. It's upbeat without going at too fast a pace and presents the foundations of exercises that reappear in altered versions on other videos. I recommend 5 Fat Burning Miles for anyone new to this workout series or anyone who needs a gentle on the joints yet good cardio workout.

I have used Jessica's Walk Off Body Fat and Walk On - 15 minutes for years. This video is a great addition and I like that you can choose different miles. The strong feet and ankles and strong knees and hips routines are an added bonus.

Even though I have been doing Jessica's walking routines for over a year now, I am still amazed at how effective they are for re-shaping my body and for making me feel so good and energized. I used to be one of those intense cardio junkies. If exercise wasn't super-intense, it wasn't worth doing. Well, I am living proof that that doesn't have to be the case. Even though I was pretty fit before, I am now in the best shape of my life. I also have no aches and pains, which was all too common for me when I was doing intense cardio.Once again Jessica has created a great walking program. With this DVD, you can mix and match your 15 minute walks. All sections, including the two bonus workouts are approximately 15 minutes. The warm up and cool down are 5 minutes. You don't need any special equipment for the main sections.The sections:Warm UpBrain booster walkBelly, buns & thighsPower postureTurbo chargedBoogie DownCool Down2 Bonus workouts:Strong feet & anklesStrong knees & hips.GENERAL IMPRESSIONSMy initial take on this DVD was that I didn't think it was as intense, cardio-wise, as Jessica's other walking DVDs. This is just fine with me since Jessica's new moves and new twists on walking made me really concentrate on what I was doing. The time flew by and the workout was over before I knew it.The set is the bright, white airy room. Jessica's Mom, Debbie, does easier versions of the moves. Beth does the more intense versions. A little countdown clock appears in the lower right corner at 8 minutes remaining the workout.Jessica is a master at coming up with new ways to walk.BRAIN BOOSTER WALKAs the name implies, you will be working your brain during this session! Jessica has us doing one pattern with our upper body and a very different pattern with our lower body. Try to picture trying to march in place, all the while patting your head and rubbing your stomach. Yah, it's kind of like that.The hardest move in this section was holding your hands in front of you, sticking out your thumb on one hand and your pinky on the other hand. Then switch. And you do this all while marching in place.BELLY, BUNS & THIGHS WALKThis section has the usual knee lifts, side leg lifts, skater taps, puddle jumps. The new fun move here is the heel tap with the funky chicken crunch. How can you be in a bad mood after doing a move like that?POWER POSTUREThis is good for whatever ails you. We all sit hunched over our computers and our phones these days. It's great to move and stretch and concentrate on your posture. Jessica puts in some glorious stretch moves like the arms out, thumbs up press back, toe tap pec deck, and swimming motions.TURBO CHARGEDIf you want to pick things up a notch here, you can do a light jog. I love the music in this section, it's a fast beat that is perfectly timed with the moves. You'll jog forward and back, do some jumping jacks and do alternating kicks with your arms overhead.BOOGIE DOWNI didn't think this section was that dancey, I think it was named this because of the music. Either way, it was fun. Some of the moves in this section include: toe tap front, toe tap side, alternating heel dig to corner, cha cha front and back, and side step with arms open wide to side.BONUS WORKOUT - STRONG FEET & ANKLESEquipment needed: sturdy chair, towel. No shoes are needed.I need this workout. I do a lot of barre and ballet and my feet are always cramping up on me.Exercises in this section include: flex & point feet, ankle circles, spread toes on floor, pick up towel with toes, foot massage.BONUS WORKOUT - STRONG KNEES & HIPSEquipment needed: sturdy chair. No shoes are needed.I consider this workout to be "barre light." Many of the exercises are those you would do in a barre class. I happen to love barre, so this was right up my alley.Some of the exercises in this section include: seated single leg lift, single balance knee lift, single balance circle knee, clam shell, bridge, inner thigh lifts.I can't say enough good about this DVD. If you love Jessica, you will enjoy this workout.

Such a fun alternative to the walking videos by Leslie Sansone. In this DVD, you can even choose what order you would like each mile to walk.