Workout Review: 5,000 Steps Fast Walk with Mom by Reps to the Rhythm
On those gray, rainy days—or just low-energy days—sometimes you just need to change up your routine and try a new walking workout. While I’ve covered a whole bunch of options in the past, you might be surprised by how many more are still out there. And since I’m all for variety, I’m constantly in search of new workouts with new instructors—so today we’re checking out a 5,000-step workout from the Philippines with Keoni Tamayo of Reps to the Rhythm.
I love how each walk-at-home instructor has a different style—so there’s something out there for everyone. Reps to the Rhythm workouts don’t come with any flashy backdrops or scenery—just a clean in-home space where the instructor has room to move (as long as his cats don’t get under foot). There’s a timer in the top right corner of the screen to show how much time is left, a progress bar in the bottom right to show how much of the workout you’ve completed, and a step counter in the top left corner. So if you’re one who likes to keep track of the numbers and the clocks and the percentages (like I do), you’ll definitely appreciate the information.
This workout features mostly basic moves—walking in place, side steps, toe touches, and more—with arm motions added in for extra movement. It’s the kind of workout that you can easily modify to make it more or less intense, depending on your fitness level and your energy levels. Without a picture-in-picture preview or spoken instructions, though, the transitions from one move to the next can get confusing. The instructor will point in a direction or point at a foot and switch moves without any other warning, leaving you to figure out the choreography as you go. And you might get so caught up in counting cats (I got up to six) that you’ll miss the switch altogether. I’ll admit that I was sometimes surprised that the instructor’s mom could switch from one move to the next so effortlessly—because I often struggled. But, fortunately, the moves are usually done in short combinations, so you’ll eventually get the hang of it—and, if not, you can always make up your own moves until you get back on track.
While I prefer working out with a little bit of spoken instruction and encouragement, this instructor at least keeps the energy levels high. He’s upbeat and fun without ever saying a word—and I found myself looking forward to his smile and double-finger-pointers or double-thumbs-up whenever he switched to walking in place. So while I missed the interaction, I still generally enjoyed the workout—and I might just try more from Reps to the Rhythm in the future.
Pros:
– Simple steps
– Added arm movements
– Upbeat instructor (and mom!)
– Counters to keep you informed and motivated through the workout
Cons:
– No spoken interaction
– Transitions to new steps can be challenging
You can watch the full workout below–and find more from Keoni Tamayo on the Reps to the Rhythm YouTube Channel.
