Rating: Summary: Pretty darn good--- Review: Well, I bought this a couple of days ago, and I've done it twice so far, and its definately for me. The reason I say that is I've been a dancer for 16 years, including instructing. I gave this a rating of four, because of the dvd format and the "edgy" choreography. It is taught dance style, in counts of 8, while leading up to a final "presentation" at the end. I didn't give it a five because it takes a good dancer to learn this choreography, so why doesn't it have the endurance level of a good dancer? I did sweat, but barely. I probably will do this video a few more times and be all set with it.
Rating: Summary: Great beginning workout Review: I got this DVD five months ago, and I still really enjoy using it. The steps are really not difficult to learn -- I got it within just a few days (I'm a plus size gal and not all that coordinated). The the inset box, where the steps are demonstrated from the back view, was very helpful. The intensity level is just right for someone starting out -- gets the heart rate up without leaving you gasping for breath halfway through. You can increase the intensity by making the moves bigger. This workout is easier (and shorter) than Paula's earlier tape "Get Up and Dance". Paula and her group of four dancers are enthusiastic without being shrill. The steps are fun and they change up enough that the moves don't become monotonous. The only problem I have is that the stretching and toning section at the end relies heavily on plies and lunges -- and if you have arthritic knees like I do, you won't get very far. I usually switch to another video to get some stretches I can do more comfortably. Overall, I highly recommend this DVD.
Rating: Summary: The Un-cardio dance DVD Review: I can't imagine who this workout would be good for. If your in somewhat decent shape and are looking for a good cardio workout ,to burn fat, this is not the dvd for you. (don't let the title fool you) It is so slow moving, you'd be better off twiddiling your thumbs! If you are out of shape and want to start a fitness program this isn't the "workout" for you either, the steps are just to complicated. The only reason I'm giving it two stars is because it's a good instructional video for learning some dance moves. Paula starts the moves out slow and adds on more moves as you go along to form a complete routine in the end. However, because so much time is spent with her hashing out the moves slowly, you never really get a chance to get your heart rate going. Bottom line:worthless as a workout ,decent as a dance class
Rating: Summary: Great Work Out Review: This Video is a real energetic workout and it is fun too. It gets your heart pumping and at the same time teaches you some fun dance moves. It is a little tricky at first to get the moves down. I suggest watching the video first before you try it. A great feature is the shadow box that allows you to stand behind Paula while she teaches the steps. You do need a lot of room to do the work out, but if you are willing to move the coffee table and a few chairs, like I am, IT'S WORTH IT!
Rating: Summary: Fun and easy with enthusiastic Paula Review: This workout still rates as my favorite of all time. It's fun and easy, especially with the instruction box in the corner so you can follow Paula and her dancers move for move. The beginning features tips for working out, a warm-up and stretch, then learning the moves. You put the routine all together and afterward a cool down and another stretch. I reccomend it to any Paula fan I really hope Paula continues to make fitness videos, I will be the first to buy it!
Rating: Summary: Fun workout. Review: This video is for beginner and intermediate levels. The choreography is harder, but if you do the tape a couple of times it will become easier. It starts with a warmup and is followed by a cardio section with six little dance routines. It then has a toning section that focuses on the thighs and a stretch/cooldown. The dances are taught at a slower tempo and after you learn one dance, you put it together with the previous dance, building up to the final routine. There's a little box in the right hand corning showing the foot work to guide you through. Has basic exercise video music. It's a fun video, although if you do it too much it could become too easy and you may be board when the dances are being tought half tempo. I prefer her get up and dance video over this one. Get Up and Dance is a little higher impact and moves faster. Still, this is a fun video to add to your collection.
Rating: Summary: Frustrating Review: Different strokes for different folks. I found this workout tape to be extremely frustrating because it's seems to be more interested in looking cool than giving a good workout. I thought the steps were very difficult to master (and I tried, oh, how I tried!), and Paula's background dancers were too annoying to warrant rewinding the tape to see how the "follow me" Paula did the footwork. The only things saving this tape from a completely rotten tomato are the lower body firming segment at the end and the aforementioned "follow me" Paula, a window in the lower corner of the screen in which Paula does the steps as though you're dancing a row behind her. They should have kept that window up a little longer through each dance sequence.
Rating: Summary: Wonderfully uncheesy Review: The idea of exercising in front of my television set generally embarrasses me; perhaps I associate exercise videos with dancers in the background squealing "WOOOO!" every time they lift their legs. Paula Abdul's video is wonderfully understated, very challenging, and a true pleasure to dance to. That's the key, though--you're learning a dance and then doing it; you're not repeatedly doing the grapevine and the whatever else they call various aerobic steps. I have a dance background, and I found the routine challenging at first. I just played the DVD twice in a row until I could feel a bit less disoriented and clumsy (and I'm not a clumsy person). I was glad I stuck with it, however, because her moves are really fun and her music is not the least bit annoying. I did not give the video five stars because, as another reviewer indicated, you need a very large space in order to do the routines adequately. Very few people I know have the kind of space in their living rooms they'd need to do this workout correctly. I just did things diagonally instead of right/left and front/back, but I would have rather not found myself crashing into my table here and my couch there. One final note: another reviewer found her insert box useless, but I found it very helpful to watch the moves done from the direction I was facing.
Rating: Summary: not instructional Review: Unless you're an experienced dancer, I wouldn't recommend this video. there aren't any explanations. it's just following dance moves you're expected to already know
Rating: Summary: Cardio Dance... Review: I mastered "Get Up And Dance" and I loved it! I was looking for a new challenge and I found it with this DVD. I really like the warm up, it is not your basic stretching ect. It's fun and I almost feel like I am dancing in her video! The problem that I have with this video is that I think you need to have more room than your average living room. Not to mention that Paula and her dancers can move so easily b/c they are on a tile floor and my living room carpet makes it harder to feel like you are doing the moves the right way. All around I think that this video gives me a good workout and after I finish it I feel good, and I had fun. In fact the first few times I did it I was laughing at myslef b/c it was fun, not frustrating! I would say get "Get Up and Dance" first and if you like Paula's style then go for Cardio Dance.
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