Welcome! This page answers some common questions about the Turnstep Video Reviews.
Each review is submitted by somebody to this site. It is then edited (mostly just for large spelling or formatting errors) and added into the database. The main page will always show a list of all the current reviews.
Each reviewer tells a little information about themselves, and then some basic information about the tape: how long it is, who makes it, how much it costs, etc.
The next step the reviewer does is to rate the video in the following 10 categories:
A higher number is better. The number as well as the text are displayed as part of the review. Remember that the reviewer does not write the descriptions in this section, they just pick from a list. See the complete category list below.
The final step is the review itself. It is wide open - the reviewers can write whatever they want, usually in support of the choices they made in the category section.
Please add your own review, even if the video has already been reviewed by somebody else. The more opinions per video, the better!
| Safety | This category measures the overall safety of the tape. Does the tape present unsafe moves? Does it give warnings and alternatives for any unsafe moves? Are proper techniques used and emphasized in the tape? This is potentially the most important category. |
|---|---|
| 1. Unsafe: Totally unsafe/downright dangerous, should not be viewed. 2. Dangerous: Some dangerous moves, few or no warnings. 3. Very bad: Few or no warnings for unsafe moves. 4. Bad: No mention of form or of proper movement technique. 5. Average: Some mention of form or proper movement technique. 6. Good: Alternatives are given for unsafe moves, most moves are clearly explained. 7. Very good: Lots of warnings and alternative moves. 8. Excellent: Perfect form, all moves are very safe or given safe alternatives. A role model for all other tapes. | |
| Warmup/cooldown | This category measures how well the tape has a warmup and a cooldown period. All tapes with aerobic activity should have at the least a short warmup and cooldown activity. A "bad" warmup or cooldown is one that is not long enough, is too fast, stretches the wrong muscles, or has other major issues. |
| Does not apply: warmup/cooldown not needed (stretching/yoga/etc.) 1. No warmup or cooldown at all. 2. Warmup only, no cooldown. 3. Cooldown only, no warmup. 4. Has both warmup and cooldown, but both are bad. 5. Warmup is bad, cooldown is good. 6. Cooldown is bad, warmup is good. 7. Warmup and cooldown are good. 8. Both warmup and cooldown are excellent. | |
| Fun | This category measures how much fun the tape is. Does the tape make you smile and the time fly by? Are you disappointed when it ends, or relieved? |
| 1. Extremely boring: about as fun as a root canal. 2. Very boring and repetitive. 3. A little on the boring side. 4. Just about normal - not boring, not fun. 5. Average: Pretty fun. 6. Very fun: Keeps you entertained and motivated. 7. Extremely fun: Really adds to the quality of the tape. A real party-in-a-tape. | |
| Motivation | This category is very similar to "Fun", but measures motivation, or how likely the tape is to make you want to get up and workout. A lot of this has to do with the personality of the presenter and the way in which viewers react with them. (An example of a tape that might be very motivating but not very fun is a "boot camp" tape) |
| 1. Very unmotivating: You keep waiting for the tape to end, and are not inspired to do the workout at all. If this were a class, you would walk out. 2. Unmotivating: You can drag yourself through it, but not easily. If this were a class, you would never return. 3. Average: Fairly motivating. If this were a class, you would return again. 4. Motivating: The tape makes you want to do the workout. If this were a class, you would look forward to going to it again. 5. Very motivating: This tape could get you out of bed at 3 am and exercise. If this were a class, you would become a regular after the first time. | |
| Ease of learning | This category measures how easy it is to master the tape. Does the presenter explain all the moves, or just jump right in? Are the more complicated moves broken down or done at half speed? Please keep in mind that this is a tough category for those making tapes: if you take too much time explaining the moves, the explanations will get very boring once you are familiar with the tape. It can be a tough balance. |
| 1. Very bad: Moves are never explained/very difficult. If you do not already know the moves, you will be lost. 2. Bad: The presenter jumps in without explaining the moves. 3. Good: Moves are explained when needed. 4. Very good: Explains difficult moves well. 5. Excellent: Explains all moves very well, goes slow when needed | |
| Intensity | This category measures how hard the workout is. It depends a lot of the fitness level of the reviewer, of course! |
| Does not apply - stretching/yoga/tai chi/etc. 1. Very low intensity - you will not break a sweat 2. Low intensity - may break a sweat, but not a hard workout 3. Medium intensity: Good, average workout 4. High intensity: Very hard workout, you *will* break a sweat! 5. Very high intensity: Should only be attempted by the very fit: will "kick your butt"! | |
| Music | This category measures the music used in the video. This does not measure any problems with sound on the tape: that is done in the "Sound Quality" section. For this section, was the music motivating? Was it annoying? Did it go well with the workout? |
| Does not apply (no music on the tape) 1. Terrible: The music is distracting and does not work at all. 2. Bad: The choice of music is not good. 3. Average: The music is nothing special, but it works. 4. Good: The music has something you like: the songs, a driving beat, etc. 5. Very good: The music really stands out on this tape and is a good match for the workout. 6. Excellent. Fun songs, you would play this in the car just for the music. | |
| Video Quality | This category covers many things not directly related to the workout itself: Does the tape skip? Is the camera work jumpy? Can you always see the presenter clearly? Is the lighting good? Most of the time, these things will not be noticeable unless something is wrong! |
| 1. Terrible: The tape has defects that prevent you from watching or you cannot see some of the moves due to lighting/camera work/etc. 2. Some minor faults but the tape is viewable. 3. Normal, no complaints. 4. Excellent quality: This tape was made by a pro, and it shows. | |
| Sound Quality | This category covers the quality of the sound itself. Can you hear the music and the presenter? Does one overpower the other? Are there any sound problems? The music itself is rated in the "Music" category, not this one. |
| 1. Terrible: Major sound problems: Gaps in the sound, out of sync with the video, etc. 2. A few minor problems but the tape is usable. 3. Normal, no complaints. 4. Excellent quality: Everything is at the perfect volume. | |
| Overall | The big picture. What you thought of the tape. |
| 1. Terrible: Safety issues, and the tape should not be used. 2. Extremely bad: Very major issues with the tape. You warn strangers about it. 3. Very bad: Major issues with the tape. You warn your friends about it. 4. Bad: Minor issues but not a good tape. You are not likely to view it again. 5. Average. Decent tape, but nothing to get excited about. 6. Good: Has some features that you like. No problems with it. 7. Very good: You really like this tape and would watch it regularly. 8. Excellent: One of the best tapes you have ever seen. Everything about it is high quality. 9. Best of the Best: The best tape you have ever viewed. This tape has no flaws at all. | |