Search - Dance Off the Inches - Calorie Blasting Party! on DVD

Fun dance workout which can easily be broken into shorter se

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 04/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Calorie Blasting Party is a fun, 42-minute dance workout which is made up of the following segments: a 4-minute warm up, four choreographed dance sequences (each consisting of about 4-5 individual dance patterns), and a 3-minute cool down. Instructor Julianne "Julz" Arney teaches the dances using a unique, 3-tempo format. First, she will introduce the steps at the slowest tempo, Tempo 1. Then, once you have the basic idea, she will speed it up a little to Tempo 2, giving you some additional time to practice. Finally, you'll perform the dance at full tempo, Tempo 3.



As mentioned above, the dance sequences (about 8 minutes each) consist of 4-5 individual dance patterns which Julz teaches one-by-one. I have trouble with complex choreography, but I generally found the steps here to be simple, easy-to-learn, and fun as well; there were a few times during the workout that I struggled to follow along, but that didn't seem to matter much as long as I was moving. I do think that doing the steps at the slowest tempo sometimes made them actually HARDER to replicate; I would have preferred moving more quickly to Tempo 2. Furthermore, it would have been great to have a Tempo 3 only option on the DVD for once you are already familiar with the workout.



The DVD is well-chaptered, which is nice because you can easily do only a couple of the dances if you're looking for a shorter workout. In addition, a 5-minute bonus "Dance Off" combines some of the moves previously learned, in an all Tempo 3 segment--I liked this but would've liked it even better if it was longer. The first time I tried this workout, I had trouble keeping my heart rate in my target zone, but the second time (which was following a strength workout), my HR definitely stayed elevated; I expect that it will be even easier to keep my HR up once I become more familiar with the moves.



Overall, I am happy with this workout and believe that I will get a lot of use out of it."

Good workout but boring...

Y. Li | 06/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"What I like about the workout is that it is easy to follow. The instructor breaks it down slowly first then do the moves up-tempo. It provides a decent workout for beginners.



On the downside, the workout must be targeted toward an older crowd because the decor/outfits/and routine are just uninspiring. I just could not bring myself to do it again."

Much the same

Miss Mia | KY | 07/21/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I have been looking for something to help me get started on a regular exercise routine. So, I checked out this DVD from my local library and I am so glad I didn't buy it first.



I thought this video would be very different from all the rest, but it just reminded me of a slightly updated version of the old Kathy Smith dance video, but at breakneck speed. I would rather learn dance than jazzercise. Sorry.



I didn't even finish the first work out. I recommend you try it before you buy."