WRITTEN BY MOLLY MARTIN

"Dance Explosion! with Debra Bono: More Afro-Caribbean Step" (64 minutes, $19.95; 201-342-2631; www.bodybgood.com). Reviewed by Carol Wuorenma, 53, of Kirkland.

"A great cardio workout," Wuorenma said of this tape, which featured quick and fast movements that were smooth and controlled, not leaping or explosive as the video's cover implies. "The tricky part is the choreography, which is quite challenging." Because there isn't a lot of instruction, she could not recommend the tape for anyone unfamiliar with step aerobics: "It would be just too overwhelming and frustrating. But if you've had instruction in step and have done it before, I would very much recommend this tape."

"Tae Bo Advanced" (57 minutes, part of four-video set for $43.90; 877-823-2648; www.taebo.com). Reviewed by Louise Bauer, 45, of Mukilteo.

"This video is definitely for someone who is familiar with the basics of Tae-Bo" or kickboxing, Bauer said, because the fast-paced workout doesn't offer much instruction on technique or safety. She thought the routine had some drawbacks, including several double-time moves that were difficult to do while maintaining good form, and the lack of calf and Achilles' stretches at the end, despite instruction throughout to stay up on the toes. "I think that the video was fun, however, and while I don't think I'd use it regularly, it's good for a backup."
 

			Fitness news you can use RECENT RUNNING BOOKS "Getting Real About Running" ($14, Ballantine) is by world-class marathoner Gordon Bakoulis, who twice was among the top 10 women finishers in the New York City Marathon. It includes three-month, six-month and one-year training cycles, plus sections on children who run and runners over 50. "Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running" by Dagney Scott, editor of Women's Sports and Fitness magazine, newly out in paperback ($15.95, Rodale), includes a six-week schedule for going from walking to jogging, plus a 16-week intermediate training schedule, six-week beginning-competitor schedule, and eight-week schedules for advanced competitors and half-marathons. "Train Running: From Novice to Master" ($16.95, The Mountaineers Books) by Kirsten Poulin, Stan Swartz and Christina Flaxel, M.D., covers selecting a shoe, plus tips for running on different terrain, exercises to prevent ankle sprains, drills for jumping and falling safely, finding protection in lightning or thunderstorms, strategies for encounters with bears, mountain lions and wolves, map reading and other navigation, and training for events.

"Strong Bones Yoga" (60 minutes, $19.95, 800-247-6553; www.strongbonesyoga.com). Reviewed by Helen Zoerb, 72, of Newcastle.

"This is a quiet, calming, soothing tape," said Zoerb, although some of the movements and holds can be endurance tests — "I had some screaming quadriceps the first time I worked out with it." Three approximately 20-minute workouts feature Viniyoga (described as a quiet, slow practice), along with resistance training focusing on the health and strength of the bones. Zoerb liked the music, narration, selection of resistance exercises and the low-key instructors who show two levels of intensity and use a chair, blanket and light (1- to 3-pound) to moderate (4- to 7-pound) hand weights. "The video was fun and interesting," she said, "but mostly calming and relaxing, and I will continue to do it."

"BodyTrends Fitness Video Series" ($18.95 each or $75.96 for four-video set; 800-549-1667; www.bodytrends.com). Reviewed by Doreen Earl, 39, of Bellingham.

Earl thought "Total Body Sculpting" (24 minutes) was "overall, an OK video for a very beginning student," with good demonstrations and cueing, though she found some face-down positions on the stability ball uncomfortable. She said "Top to Bottom Toning" (19 minutes, beginners to intermediates) — which uses a stability ball, ball base, mat and BodyTrends' Fitness Tube — covered the major muscle groups with basic, easy-to-follow exercises. She thought "Abs, Back and Buns" (25 minutes, beginners to intermediates) was perhaps too difficult for beginners (staying on the stability ball), and not hard enough for intermediates. "I think most of the exercises demonstrated on the ball would be better executed without it, allowing for improved control and a range of motion." She said "Toning Arms & Legs" (28 minutes, intermediate), which uses BodyTrends' Fitness Tubes, Fitness 8 and Fitness O, lacked variations in intensity and had uninspiring music. Overall, Earl found the series boring, and said she wouldn't like to do them more than once.

"I Want Those Buns" (30 minutes; $14.98; 800-737-1825; www.naturaljourneys.com). Reviewed by Lori Parnell, 40, of Bellevue.

Parnell found the many squats and lunges in the first of two 15-minute workouts to be more of a "pain in the quads" rather than in the video's target muscle group. She said she was unable to walk or get in and out of chairs normally for four days afterward. "Therefore, I would not recommend this segment to anyone who has knee problems or isn't at least of an intermediate fitness level." She found the second workout, which uses a chair for balance, worked the buns more, and she wasn't severely sore afterward. She planned to continue with that workout on off days from the gym, but she's not sure she'll attempt the first segment again: "Too many pulsed lunges and sumo squats filled my quota of funny looks and teasing comments from my co-workers for this year!"

Molly Martin, assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine, is on leave of absence. She can be reached at mmartin@seattletimes.com or P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.

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