Rating: 
Summary: I barely broke a sweat
Review: The Latin band and dancers were great fun, but I would recommend the video only to people who are brand new to working out and to dancing. I've got some experience and felt like I wasn't working at all. I went through the tape once and will give it away.Probably in an attempt to make the dance steps as easy as possible, Kathy Smith focuses for too long on each one. Each segment of the video uses just one step, which you do over and over with only minor variations. There's very little upper body involvement, so it's hard to increase the intensity unless you get pretty far from the basic choreography. If you're looking for a more involving Latin aerobics tape, I highly recommend Viva! Aerobics by Elise Foss. She uses many of the same basic steps but combines them in much more interesting ways, plus she involves the upper body and makes it easy to add intensity. She's also fun and engaging.
Rating: 
Summary: All I need now is a dance partner!
Review: This workout is fun, fun, fun! Kathy is as great as ever, the other instructors have big, natural smiles on their faces, and the whole class looks like they're just so darn happy to be there! I am not a fan of sappy enthusiasm and maybe that's why I appreciated the real energy of this group. While I admit that this isn't the most grueling workout in terms of fitness challenge, it is different, interesting, and fun. I love the atmosphere of the Conga room and the live band plays some fabulous music. Don't expect to break a sweat or get your heart rate up too high, but if you want to dance this is the video for you! Now if only I could find a partner for the special instruction at the end....... (A million times better than the CRUNCH Fatblaster Goes Latin video!)
Rating: 
Summary: Great break from the usual workout.
Review: I really like this video! No, it doesn't work you really hard, but it's an excellent alternative for days when you have less energy. I use it when I am not going for the most intense workout I can get, but still want to get my heart rate up and sweat( it's about 40 minutes). What I enjoy about it is that it's really fun to do. Everybody looks like they're having a good time. The music by the live band is great and the moves are a lot of fun. I'm sure that this one will remain a favorite of mine for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, easy to follow, but not enough.
Review: This is a fun workout with great live Latin music. The steps are easy to follow, the combinations are not very difficult and even though Kathy herself is a little stiff, her enthusiasm is great. You can always watch her partners for a better sense of style and rhythm and add your own extra hip swivels and arms. Everyone on the tape is really into it and having fun, and that's a plus. The video is based mostly around a basic salsa step, cha cha and merengue with added aerobics steps and the occasional turn for variation. It's not very difficult at all. There is a short, basic step review, then one medium tempo 20 minute workout followed by another faster tempo 20 minute workout so you can do one or both back to back depending on how much time you have. I work out a lot, so this tape didn't get me drenched in sweat, but I was pretty warm. This would be good for beginners looking for a fun way to get a little exercise but for those who work out more regularly, I would combine it with something else. Have fun!
Rating:
Summary: Good workout
Review: I think that this workout was pretty good. Because it didn't FEEL like working out, I didn't think I was doing anything. However, after I found myself out of breath and sweaty, I discovered it is a pretty good workout. It was just that it wasn't boring, which made it different than other videos. My only complaint about this video is that the music was somewhat stale and Kathy yelled too loud. There was only one good song in the dance workout sequence.
Rating: 
Summary: Light and fun; Coordination definately required
Review: I really enjoyed this tape, however I would hardly call it a workout. The tape was fun and I loved the music, but I can burn more calories programming my VCR. I purchased it, not to mix in with my excercise regimen, but to learn basic latin dance moves, so I was not disappointed. However if you're looking to burn major calories, this tape is not for you. And if you're not good in the coordination department, spare yourself the frustration and the money.
Rating:
Summary: Too stiff & aerobisized
Review: The camera seemed to shift around a lot making you almost dizzy since there must have been 20 people in a very small dance floor area, but it spent very little time on people's legs and feet. The camera was only on her when it had to be when she spoke since she can't dance. The two acompaning teachers are sweet & enthusiastic, but they also seemed very stiff considering they are professionals. I kept focusing on a blond in the back (at least I can see her feet between Kathy's & the other teacher's heads) who had more style, skill, technique, fluidity & enjoyment for dancing then all of them put together. Maybe everyone was nervous, but they just should get used to the camera before taping then. At the end there was a bonus "dancing with partner" and the woman was still giving instructions & berating the male teacher about how to move & when he didn't spin her on cue. The only plus I can give is they did teach you how to "flick" your foot. (That subtle extra step that looks stylish when dancing) I liked the ZUMBA DVDs much better. They taught the steps very slowly, patiently and well even for the most uncoordinated person. Without using those DVDs first, I would have not been able to follow hers at all. I also give an unexpectred two thumbs up for Jamiaca Me S'wet DVD. I learned fluidity & to just follow the beat more, though it is Reggae music. I just wish there more dance DVDs out for everyone's tastes & styles.
Rating:
Summary: Shake those hips!
Review: This is a fun dance workout if you enjoy Latin dance music and really get into the dances: Salsa, cha, cha, samba and merengue. I am a good dancer so I found the steps very easy to learn. You just have to let yourself go and get into the enthusiasm of the dancing. I find it to be an intermediate kind of aerobic workout. beginners can just do the first 20 minutes. I do work up a sweat. Do it in work out clothes you feel kind of sexy in, not lumpy sweat pants. It seems to help me get into the spirit of the video which is definately sexy! I gave it 3 stars because Kathy Smith herself looks a little awkward to me doing this video. She is not wearing the right outfit for it either. She looks like she is going on shopping errands in her modest sweater set. The dancers around her look much more natural and sensual as they dance. But, that's just my opinion. Her moves are stiff compared to the other dancers, so I prefer to follow the other dancers. They are more fun to watch. Other than that, it is fun to do as a break from my other videos.
Rating:
Summary: Needs a better learn the moves section
Review: The camera person tried to be fancy and shoot lots of angles, some of which don't show the feet! During the no-feet sections I just stand and lose momentum. The dance steps are precise-- I'm not a natural dancer and I ended up shuffling around flat footed. I wished there was a section where I could do the moves slowly and gain the muscle memory necessary to execute the moves quickly. The moves involve a lot of stepping backwards and forwards with your knees turned in, be careful not to strain your knees.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific fun, learn some moves, and get in shape!
Review: I purchased this DVD after reading all of the customer reviews, paying close attention to the ones that claim this is a rather low-impact DVD. I tend to agree, but that's what I prefer, since 1) I am a beginner anyhow and 2) I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This DVD is perfect for the aerobic and dance neophyte wanting to learn some interesting moves and feel good about herself/himself! While I do admit Kathy Smith's shell-and-cardigan clothes are rather incongruent with the atmosphere and activity, she and the other dancers are energetic and having a lot of fun -- which makes the DVD enjoyable to dance/workout through.
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