Rating: Summary: I learned the steps... Review: The workout is not that great. However, you will learn the steps & have fun if you like Latin rythms.
Rating: Summary: A departure from the usual! Musically energizing! Review: Latin dancing falls into a category of its own. The music is fun, high-energy, sassy, peppy, and sexy. This is your Gloria Estefan-type music. Kathy Smith has done it again, reinventing standard exercise programs. Here, the Latin rhythm workout takes place in the Los Angeles Conga Room dance floor and with the backdrop of a complete live latin band.... now that's different! She encourages one to wear smooth sole shoes and to do the exercise minus carpet. Smooth shoes enhance those dancing pivots you will make; again, you need smooth surface you you must pivot. You will be dancing here, yes, So hone up on the cha cha and get ready to dance the salsa, merengue and the cha-cha. Surprisingly, Smith does very little instruction BEFORE the workout starts. She will briefly demonstrate, but I believe it is helpful to show us different angles of the leg positions, and we don't get that here. There aren't any demonstrations on these steps offering side views for us to follow. Even when the dance changes frequently, there isn't time to learn, you just go into these steps. If anything, dance steps will take time to learn. At the end is an instructional bonus on partner dancing; two dancers teach the steps to each dance with a partner. But as I say, it is at the end of the tape. Oh well, you may just learn to do these for the local dance clubs. Workouts I and II. The workouts are 20 minutes each, and if you work straight through, you will be doing the 40 minute heart pumping full power workout. The Band - The "live" band is mild, not penetrating, energetic and easy on the ears. They don't take from the workout at all, as they are strategically placed without close-ups. This workout is fun, different, challenging. When you are able to follow the instructors, you are doing great, it will be an accomplishment. I encourage this videotape. As always, Kathy Smith videotape workouts have all been top quality. She hasn't let me down yet. .....MzRizz...
Rating: Summary: DON'T BUY IF YOU PLAN TO DO THIS ON CARPET! Review: IT WAS A GREAT VIDEO, BUT IF YOU TRY TO DO MANY OF THE STEPS ON CARPET THEY JUST DONT SLIDE. IF YOU HAVE HARD WOOD OR TILED FLOORS YOU SHOULD BE FINE, NO SNEAKERS THOUGH OR YOU WILL BE STICKING, IT IS A FUN WAY TO EXERCISE, IT IS AEROBIC, BUT YOU WILL WANT TO WEAR SOME FLAT TYPE DANCE SHOE.
Rating: Summary: One of the best I have seen! Review: I have used aerobic videos since 1987 and have many of them, several by Kathy Smith. This video not only gives you a good cardiovascular workout,you also learn many Latin dance steps. The video is fun to do, you don't feel like you are exercising which is another plus. I have wanted to comment on this video for a long time because it is such a good one for those of us who have many tapes and get tired of the same old thing. It is low impact so anyone can do it. There is a wonderful band playing latin music to workout by. I felt like I had really accomplished something after I learned the Samba, Cha Cha and many other Latin moves. I am ready to go dancing!
Rating: Summary: This is a fun video Review: Unlike the other reviewers I find that by modifying the intensity of the dance moves in this work out you can get your heart rate up to your target zone. There is a dancer in a white t-shirt directly behind Kathy who really 'moves' and if you follow her arm movements etc...you will break a sweat. I enjoy doing this video and find it inspires my 14 year old daughter to get off the couch and cha cha with me!
Rating: Summary: Awesome Review: I really love this video!! Having had some dance background, it is refreshing to have an aerobics video with dance incorporated into the workout. It is really fun to do, and the music is lively. I find it interesting that other reviewers called this workout "easy." I am always sweating at the end of this video, and it is a good cardiovascular program for me. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy their exercise routine!
Rating: Summary: Kathy doesn't know Latin Review: I bought this video expecting to learn Latin dance and get a workout. I was disappointed on both. Although it is interesting because it is different from most videos its not very difficult aerobically and...... she's pretty clueless when it comes to the steps. She should have just stepped aside and let some of the other dancers lead that knew more than she did. At one point in the video she says "look at Carla" because she can't really do the steps. If you are looking for a minimal and fun workout that just keeps you moving this is it. If you are looking to learn to dance go elsewhere!
Rating: Summary: What Fun! Review: Well, I've just started doing aerobics again after many, many years of not working out at all. So, 3 - 4 times a week I go to the gym on my lunch break for an aerobics class. I wanted to do cardio work 5 times a week, though, but I wanted to make sure it was fun. So, I saw this DVD, and thought, what could be more fun than Latin dancing? And, it is fun! Probably not the most challenging work out in the world, but for beginners (and re-beginners like me), and for people just looking for some lively workout fun, this is a great addition to your regular workout regimen.
Rating: Summary: Fun and Easy Review: This is a great tape for those times when you want to work out, but don't want to FEEL like you're working out. It's fun, goes by quickly, and the steps are fairly easy to learn. Do this tape in the mornings, and it will give an energy lift that will last you through lunch. However, if like me on most days you want to push yourself harder, this tape works best as a compliment to a more challenging, traditional cardio workout. And another thing- wear comfortable shoes that have flexibility in the toe area or your feet will be yelling at you.
Rating: Summary: a deviation from the norm... Review: Yes, Kathy Smith has really motivated me in the past, and I give her a lot of credit for her capacity to catch so many fitness trends and make them accessible to those of us who can't get to glitzy gyms. However, this tape really disappointed me. I felt like the workout was really limited to my lower legs, no matter how hard I tried to incorporate the rest of my body, the only part of me that felt worked was my calves. I need a more whole body approach, so I will turn back to Kathy's other workouts. This one is dusty on my shelf...
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