Audio tape update - exercise tapes

American Fitness, May-June, 1994 by Kathy Fortmann

Rock and roll, funk, country, step and slide formats, '70s disco and oldies--this year's selection of music is broader than ever and competition is stiff among vendors.

You may find it frustrating that many vendors offer the same fare--remade songs in varying tempos. For example, every instructor who purchases tapes probably has the standards "Mr. Vain," "Tribal Dance," "Rhythm is a Dancer" and "Everybody's Free." But as the market grows, so do the new music companies with new ideas.

When evaluating music, 32-count phrasing is a must for smooth transitions. Consistent bpm and superior sound quality are important. If you teach step and slide, look for tapes with a consistent bpm between 122-126, rather than a tape that starts slower and increases pitch. You can expect to pay up to $22 for a new tape, but less current tapes are often discounted.

Aerobic Beat Productions (310) 659-2503

This company is headed by Ken Alan, a specialist in exercise music and member of the Step Reebok Development Team. Alan also publishes a newsletter to inform instructors about the best aerobics music.

These tapes offer many original songs and artists unheard on other aerobics tapes. Senior workout tapes are also a specialty. Aerobic Beat Volume 8 includes 46 minutes of warm-up and aerobics, featuring "Team Work" and "Only for Love."

New tapes cost $18.95. The first four aerobic volumes are also available on albums.

Aerobics Music Inc. (800) 748-6372

Aerobics Music Inc. has produced top quality tapes for 10 years. You won't find street rap or techno in their selections, but dance music is their specialty. Formats include step/slide, step, high- and low-impact aerobics. Hot Hits, with side A for step and side B for slide, features exclusive, original songs. For students who love classics, Stepping With the Oldies is a great buy, using all original recordings including "Respect" and "Please Mr. Postman."

New tapes range from $19.95 to $25.95. A money back guarantee is included.

Body Rhythms (203) 489-3526

New to the market, Body Rhythms is unique. Drums and percussion instruments are used in its African, American and Latin rhythms. The music is all instrumental, using easy-to-follow 32-count phrasing for step, high and low aerobics. In addition, Body Rhythms' percussionists are available for live performances at clubs or special events. They accompanied Denise Tucker at the ECAC convention in New York City.

Body Rhythms tapes are offered in sides. Buyers may choose any two sides from the catalog and a tape is custom produced for $23.50.

Dynamix Music Service (800) 843-6499

In its fourth year of production, Dynamix has grown in terms of selection and quality. In addition to aerobics and floor work, Dynamix offers funk, step, country aerobics, oldies and water formats. Dynamix's step music is offered in a slower speed for beginners and intermediates (120-124 bpm) and a faster speed for advanced students (124-128 bpm). Dynamix is endorsed by popular presenters Kendall Hogan, Candice Copeland-Brooks and Carl Powell.

Step/Slide 7 is a new release offering 90 minutes of energy packed rhythms, with excellent remakes of Mariah Carey's "Dream Lover" and Janet Jackson's "If." For step, Dynamix's Ultimate Collection--Step is a good purchase. It features 90 minutes of step/slide music, including "Rhythm is a Dancer" and "I Can't Help Myself." Dynamix tapes provide a warmup speed of 120-125 for step or slide.

A frequent buyer program allows instructors to purchase tapes at a discount before they are released to the general public. New tapes are priced at $22.95.

Hard Body Hitz (407) 880-3300

This new company is operated by a music business insider who owns a commerical recording studio. So far three tapes have been released. The Step 'n' Style tape sizzles with excellent remakes of "More and More" and "Don't Rush Me." Some of the same songs appear on the high-impact and step tapes in different bpms.

Prices range from $14.95 for a 45-minute tape and $19.95 for a 90-minute tape.

Muscle Mixes (800) 52-MIXES

The official music service of Step Reebok, Muscle Mixes consults with Gin Miller and the Step Reebok training team in music planning. Step tapes are perfectly mixed and of motivating quality. If you don't have pitch control, some of the music may be too slow for step, although perfect for slide. Muscle Mixes offers Step Reebok, slide, aerobics and walking tapes with a variety of disco, rock and Motown.

Motown & Soul is an upbeat combination of high-impact and step favorites such as "ABC" and "I Can't Get Next to You." Slide Reebok offers 35 minutes of slide music at 130 bpm and a cool-down on side two. Though shorter in length (30 minutes) Slide Reebok is fairly priced at $12.95.

Muscle Mixes listening line lets you review the music before purchasing (dial 407-MIX-3909). New tapes are $21.95, and a money back guarantee is offered.

Musicflex (800) 835-2246

Musicflex has greatly improved its once "chipmunkish" vocals, although overall sound may not be as clear as competitor's tapes. Musicflex's variety of formats includes aerobics, step, interval, Latin, funk and technofunk. Much of their appeal is high-energy disco songs, many of which are remakes of rock and roll or top 40 songs. Traditional high/low aerobics tapes are offered in three speeds for varied intensity. Musicflex does not generally use original artists. Most of the songs are remakes, such as Musicflex 12's "Ride Like the Wind" and "Whoomp! There It Is."