Rating: Summary: Clumsy, awkard, off Review: I'm a Kathy Smith fan, and she's a talented instructor I've stayed with for 6 years, so I forgive her for making this video - it's terrible. There's absolutely zero to recommend it: Kathy's clothing is incongruent to the atmosphere; the tape is unenergetic, zero cardio; the camera doesn't show their feet, and worst of all they are in this ugly looking club and there are so many people dancing that Kathy has to modify her steps or be crushed in the crowd -- they are truly packed in there like sardines! The whole tape is an uncomfortable experience. Kathy is a fabulous cream-of-the crop instructor, so try her other DVDs, but don't spend your $$ on this.
Rating: Summary: Great Fun - Muy Caliente! Review: I have never had so much fun with an exercise video until I did the "Latin Workout". I was very impressed with Kathy and her assistants. The music was marvelous and very authentic. I love Afro-Cuban music. I really worked up a sweat. You can get a lot out of this video when you put more effort into the moves. This video is so enjoyable the time just flies by. I really had to get used to moving my hips. It felt so dirty but in a nice and sexy sort of way. I can exercise to this video everyday. So if anyone is considering starting an exercise program with a lot of fun, start off with this video.
Rating: Summary: Don't Buy Review: I just played this video for the first time as a novice to latin dancing and I found it incredibly hard to follow. She doesn't take the time to really teach you the steps and there are too many tight shots of the dancers where you can't even see their feet!! This is - by far - the worst work-out video I've ever used.
Rating: Summary: Truly Latin... Review: When I think about the weight struggles I have now, that I did not have then, I realize that back in the day I would go out dancing to Latin clubs a whole lot. I had a trim waist, and beautiful thighs and calves. I believe that you will get out of this what you put into it. If your moves are inexperienced and somewhat clumsy, you probably won't get much of a workout because you spend 2/3rds of the time trying to get coordinated. If you have Latin dancing experience, this is a GREAT tape! She truly has captured real Latin moves and put them into a fun, what feels like, personal dance lessons tape. I do feel however, that with the great Latin moves, we need some basic concentrated muscle usage; especially in the upper body. Latin dancing works out your lower body more than the upper body. What would enhance this video is a segment for upper body concentration. I would recommend adding this workout to your library for the sake of breaking the monotony and adding variation for those days when you don't really want to work out, but know that you should do something. Well... go out dancing in your living room and break a sweat with great music.
Rating: Summary: Bad tape , not good for weight loss Review: This tape I found too slow and boring and not good for weight loss. The moves are basic cha cha and salsa and that isnt going to get anyones heart rate up. If your looking for results and dont have time to lolly gag around then dont waste your money, instead get her step videos for some real results.
Rating: Summary: Fun for all fitness levels! Review: To begin with, in order to be happy with your workout video purchase it is good to know what it is and what it is not. This is a 40 minute LOW IMPACT work-out that is broken into two 20 minute segments to be done together or on their own. What you will be doing is essentially dancing to infectious latin music and having 40 minutes of fun. If you are like me, good music makes working out easy. Have you ever run on the treadmill listening to the radio and suddenly started working out faster and better when your favorite song came on? Well, this work out is a great choice if you love latin music and you love dancing. I bought it in order to have a fun alternative cardio routine and I'm very happy with it. I cannot say this is the most intense cardio workout on the planet - but it does not have to be. Even for advanced exercisers, there are days when you just cant force yourself to perform to super-human limits and this is a great work-out for that day. For beginners, this is a FUN work-out and you will work up a pretty good sweat just following the moves. To get an idea of how intense the workout is, just imagine dancing non-stop in a club for 40 minutes. The steps are easy to follow for beginners - although if you find it hard to follow dance moves or hate dancing all together please don't bother picking this video up and then critisizing it. Similarly, if you are an advanced salsa dancer and impress the crowds with your dance moves at clubs, this work-out will be boring for you - unless of course you do your own thing to the music. This work-out is ideal for beginners who need something simple to get them started, for kids, for people of all fitness levels who just want to have fun dancing. This is NOT a workout for strength and muscle building - you should have a separate routine for that to alternate with this one for good overall fitness. You will learn the basic steps to the cha cha, the merengue and the samba and you do not need any equipment except for a moderate area to dance in. The setting is in a club with a live band and no-one is even wearing tradional work-out clothes. Kathy is fun and motivational as usual and having lots of fun! I did not think her cueing was bad and she did not struggle with the moves in my opinion. She was not trying to teach an advanced latin dance class - she was just leading an exercise class with simple dance moves for fun and she did that VERY well. A member of the cast was a more advanced dancer and often demonstrated more advanced moves to the dance. But overall, no-one should buy this tape in hopes of learning to become a professional dancer - take it for what is is - a simple cardio work-out with basic moves to latin rhythms and you should be very happy.
Rating: Summary: Fast moving, fun and genuine dance moves...fabulous!! Review: The combination of the music and moves make this tape about my favorite cardio workout. It's fast moving, with inspirational dancers and after a couple of runs you get added icing on the cake of smoother dancing movements. The only complaint is that sometimes she is hard to follow and doesn't make it clear when to balance both sides with repetitive moves...but the fun outweighs it all (I even did it with my daughter, age 11).
Rating: Summary: Her back should face us Review: This tape seems to be designed for people with an extra pair of eyes in their back. If Kathy Smith wants us to start with the same foot as hers, she should have her back facing us. The only way I can follow is to have my back facing the TV.
Rating: Summary: WHEW! Review: I was getting bored with the same exercise videos, so it was time for a change. This DVD was very fun and exciting. It's so easy to follow, my seven year old can do it with me! I didn't realize how hard I was working out, until I noticed I was sweating! This video is GREAT!
Rating: Summary: "SWIVEL THOSE HIPS!" Review: If you are a latin dance novice or pro this workout video will appeal to you. It combines latin dance moves-cha cha, meringue, salsa-with Kathy's favorite fat burning cardo moves. It is fun, and the music (a live band) keeps you motivated. There is a room full of dancers to watch and learn by, and the best part is everybody moves a little differently, so you can find your favorite "instructor". The only draw back I have experienced is that the workout for the most part only gets your arms pumping back and forth, and rarely over your head, which I feel is a critical element in a workout. But not to fear, if your really get into the moves and "swivel those hips" you will more than break a sweat. I would recommend getting the DVD, as it makes it easier to flip between the two workouts, and to the cool down, which could have been a little more extensive. Make sure to stretch out on your own, especially your back and hips. All in all it is a satisfying workout, and earned its rightful place in my "workout library".
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