Search - CosmoGirl! - Get Fit and Fab with Jillian Michaels on DVD

Cassandra P. from LUBBOCK, TX
Reviewed on 11/30/2010...

Difficult if you don't have a smooth surface to dance on. My living room has carpeting, so I couldn't do a lot of the moves. It's not a bad dvd, just not practical. The move were a little difficult to learn, too. I liked the other health and nutrition segments.

GREAT DVD FOR TEENS

Beatrice Healey | 09/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great dvd for teenagers. I loved how Jillian sat down and talked to a bunch of teenagers and problems that we face. I really related to what they had to say. I really enjoyed watching it and I did not want it to end."

COSMOgirl work out

Christina Walton | 07/28/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It is a neat idea - a little drawn out - my kids do love it though it is a little too old for them (11, 9, 8)."

Good dance routine, but steep learning curve and too intense

NYC_Babe | Brooklyn, NY USA | 06/18/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Starring Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame-- and aimed towards teenagers-- "CosmoGirl! - Get Fit and Fab" is a cardio workout vid in which viewers are taught to dance in a hip hop style.



On the whole, I liked the casual, laid back, and fun atmosphere of the video; it felt less like an exercise video than a dance class. I also liked the fact that it was teaching you a genuine choreographed routine, as opposed to some videos that are really just aerobics moves with some dance moves thrown in.



In spite of its strengths, I found a few problems that knocked it down from a 5 star to a 3. First problem: learning curve. Like I said, the cardio workout teaches you a fully choreagraphed routine. It does this by going through it step by step. First, you're introduced a move in half time, then asked to practice it 2 or 3 times at actual speed. That's all well and good, but sometimes some of the more complicated dance moves are rushed through before you have a chance to really get them. As a result, there's a steep learning curve on this video. You might have to view it at least 3-4 times before getting your footing and even then it might be another 2 viewings before you can actually keep pace with anyone and have it all memorized down pat.



Another problem was the pacing and intensity of the workout. Basically, when you're taught the routine, you're not just performing each new move at least 3 times; every so often you're restarting the routine "from the top"-- and you're doing all of this without a single break. Then right after you're taught all the moves, you're immediately asked to perform the routine from start to finish for something like 4 times in a row. As if that wasn't bad enough, the pacing of it all is extremely fast. Between the lack of breaks and fast pacing, you'll be sweating profusely and gasping for air halfway through the video.



One last problem I had with this video was the "exuberance" of the dancers. Many times Michaels would have you practice a new move from the position of the one you'd just learnt. Unfortunately, whenever she'd count down sometimes some of the girls would start showboating, strutting, and vamping for the camera instead of positioning themselves. This made learning the routine confusing at times. After all, it's very hard to remember what position to start from when practicing a new move, if all the dancers aren't taking up that position to begin with because they're too busy ogling the camera.



So all in all, this video was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, it offers a genuine dance routine with the right kind of atmosphere to motivate and inspire. On the other hand, it has a steep learning curve, can be confusing at times, and a little bit too physically challenging. I wouldn't totally pass on it, though. My suggestion is to rent this video first and if you like it enough to buy it, to keep that pause button ready when things get too intense.

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