Rating: 
Summary: Chalk another one up for The Method
Review: This is a great cardio video to use, especially in the cold, dark days of winter when I don't feel like dragging myself anywhere near outside. No tired aerobics tunes, just some lively drumming and excellent instructions from both Jennifer Kries and Lisa Wheeler. I don't have the largest living room but I can get by with just one modification on Jennifer's routine. Pretty low-impact too - Jennifer's section can definitely be done barefoot, Lisa's section is slightly more difficult to do barefoot... have some ankle strength ready if you don't want to buy jazz shoes. Takes a few tries to learn the steps but once you do, you'll find this is a great workout, cardio-wise and also for toning your legs (lots of plies and ballet barre work without a bar).
Rating: 
Summary: A nice change
Review: This is a nice change from all your normal workouts. It isn't at all trendy dance but modern jazz and ballet. The first workout is the longest, and I have only done it once or twice because I found it a little boring. (Too much stretching without enough dancing) The second wourkout is about 20 minutes, and is one of the funnest workouts I have done, which is saying something. I always break a sweat very quickly, but in the first I barely sweat at all. The third workout is a cool down that is based on yoga, but since I personally am not in to yoga I haven't done it.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much for a beginner
Review: This tape would probably be O.K. for an intermediate dancer but it is not suited for a beginner. It is too complicated. Please be careful if you don't dance much or are not gifted with grace and timing!
Rating:
Summary: Get your long-legged Danskins on momma and move it!
Review: This video is a great way to add some flavor to your weekly exercise routine. (Those familiar with Debra Waterhouse's *Outsmarting the Midlife fat cell* will doubly appreciate the novelty and fun of this video.)The video includes two different dance "routines" and one cool down. Jennifer Kries instructs the first section; she (and her 'class') is accompanied by in-studio drummers. (A bit 'tribal'; fun.) The second segment is led by Lisa Wheeler. The music and movements have a bit of a jazz/Spanish flavor. The cuing in both segments is good (althought the camera work in the second segment could have been clearer-- show me the instructor not the drummer!!). I have a background in dance (from a long long LONG time ago) which also helped me follow some of the movements and references (ballet). Like riding a bicycle; once you learn... It's a fun tape; great work out. Give it a go.
Rating:
Summary: Improves both mind and body
Review: This video is absolutely exhilarating! As an amateur Latin Ballroom dancer,I find this very useful before dance lessons
and practice and most especially before competitions. It keeps
me focused in both mind and body. My coordination is remarkably
improved.This in addition to my Yoga practice keep me in tip top
shape.Lisa Wheeler is excelent and precise in her cues.
Rating:
Summary: Great workout and fun...
Review: This workout was (for me) on level with the Tae Bo basic workout, but it was alot more fun. I felt like rather than just going through the motions to complete an excersize, I was actually dancing. I'm not the most coordinated of people and have never taken any dance classes, so it will take me a while to get all of the moves down. I felt a little silly at first due to my lack of coordination, but I think this will be a tape that I enjoy and stick with. My only complaint about this tape was the way the camera kept panning the room or sliding to someone besides the instructor. I would just start getting the foot moves when the camera would pan somewhere else and I'd lose it. Despite this minor frustration, however, I think this is a good buy.
Rating:
Summary: Nice change, but needs practice
Review: To the point, I am very happy to discover Lisa Wheeler as an instructor, not as one of Kries's dancers (J. Kries says she is the teacher of teachers and I think she is right). Even though I was very familiar with the Method tapes, J. Kries's section was at first very difficult to follow. All I could think of was exchange bin. But then Lisa's section started, which was easier to follow and so much more fun. She does a short warmup and then does really fun dance routine. Lisa teaches the moves very slow so you get the moves down and then she speeds it up. Lots of stretch moves makes you feel that you really elongate muscles. Her cueing is excellent too. She made me change my mind about the tape. The last segment is cool down with Lisa and this is very relaxing and soothing. If you have the New Method tapes (3 tapes by J. Kries), you will see most of the movements used in New Method in this one tape. I am glad that I gave all 3 New Method tapes away. This one is a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Dance, Dance, Dance
Review: Well besides the fact that I combine section 2 with other Method videos and don't use part one much at all, this is a well rounded dance workout that is fun and do-able. The first section is fun but you need allot of space and you have to put up with Kries's "abstract" dancing. I think this section is hard, eventhough I am a dancer, but it is the style and space I have a problem with. The second section is excellent, much shorter, but excellent. It is more up beat and jazzy, it doesn't require much space and the cuing and explanations are better. I enjoy mixing this section with section three of the Method's Cardio Bootcamp and part one of Precision Toning (these tapes are great).
Rating:
Summary: If you love to dance, this is the video for you!
Review: Whether you have a background in dnace or not, this video is FUN, FUN, FUN! I was leary about buying a video that was based on dance, because I am used to getting my workouts in a dance studio, but really, this is the next best thing. The instructors ARE dancers and that makes all the difference. It's also great to do when you just need to blow off steam from your hectic work day! BUY IT, ENJOY IT!
Rating:
Summary: 2 Different Dance Classes That Hardly Feel Like Working Out
Review: Workout Description: Jennifer's "Body Rhythms" = 22 minutes dance warm-up, 8 minutes of dance aerobics, and 5 minutes of cool down and stretching for a total of 35 minutes; Lisa's "Body Lines" = 6 minutes dance-inspired warm-up, 15 minutes jazz dance aerobics, and 12 minutes yoga inspired cool down for a total of 33 minutes
Workout Level: low to mid-intermediate; low impact; fairly complex choreography
Instructor: Jennifer Kries (Certified Pilates instructor; has taught and choreographed a variety of performances; founder of the Balanced Body Center at New York's World Gym.) & Lisa Wheeler (Has a degree in Dance and Theatre; certified personal trainer; has performed professionally for over 15 years). Both instructors are low key and cue well. They are instructing their class rather than the viewer, so when they say left, you have to decide whether to follow along or mirror them while ignoring their clues. Both use dance terms liberally without much explanation of their meaning.
Class: Jennifer's class has 5 women and 2 men; Lisa's class has 4 women and 2 men. All class members are professional dancers.
Music / Set: The music is performed live and is (bongo type) drum-heavy instrumental. The interior set is fairly dark, with brightly-colored columns draped with swags.
Equipment Needed: sneakers, jazz, or ballet shoes, although I often do this barefoot
Caveats: Be careful if you are on carpet, particularly with pivots (turns). Some of the camera angles are not helpful, cutting away to the musicians or focusing on the dancers' faces instead of their feet. You may have some difficulty figuring out Jennifer's leg moves because she wears a long filmy skirt. These routines will take you a couple of times to get down completely: Jennifer's because you will not be able to look at the TV a lot and Lisa's because it will take a few times to pick up the choreography. I recommend previewing both segments before attempting them. Dance experience is helpful but not necessary.
Additional Comments: You will need a lot of space for these workouts. Ideally you should be able to take two fairly large steps forward and back and three fairly large steps to each side. Jennifer's aerobic segment takes more room than Lisa's, which I can just barely squeeze in my 6' by 8' space if I do a lot of the moves diagonally.
This is a strange workout in that those beyond high beginner-low intermediate level of cardiovascular fitness won't get their heart rate up much, yet the moves are complex and quick enough that those new to exercise will have a lot of difficulty completing the routine. As a mid-intermediate exerciser, I find these routines perfect to use as warm-up routines (particularly the warm-up and aerobic segment of Lisa's routine) or on days when I want to take it easy. I've only done Jennifer's class two or three times, as I much prefer Lisa's dance routine and instruction.
The DVD allows you to select Jennifer's workout, Lisa's workout, or Lisa's yoga cool-down. The only extra is a weblink for The Method.
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