 Challenging, Fun, and Funny |
| Review Date: May 7, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Shamontiel L. Vaughn, Chicago |
Pros: I hate doing aerobics and I'm not into health clubs, but when it's cold outside, I have to compromise, so when I saw this DVD on an infomercial, I gave it a shot. I love to dance and I love hip hop. From another site, I checked out how the actual dance aerobics were and enjoyed that enough to buy this (it's a little too expensive though).
Fat Burning Cardio: Shaun T doesn't go so fast that you can't keep up, but just enough to keep you energized. Plus, the man is extra funny, especially when "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls comes on. There are those who can count steps and there are those who can really dance, and from his body movement, I'm convinced he can really work the floor. This is by far the most fun I've ever had when doing aerobics and I plan to go through the whole 4-week plan, especially since Chicago weather is crazy anyway so I know I can't jog everyday like I want to. Didn't know he was an Alpha Phi Alpha until I looked at one of his sites, so that explains the frat hop dance he does, and that is my favorite part of the "Fat Burner" DVD.
Ab Sculpting: The abs are the most difficult part to gain muscle in but his workouts automatically make me feel the burn (yes, I know, very cliche to say). But surprisingly, it's my legs that are getting the most workout just from the dancing involved.
Total Body Burn: That workout was hard. I'm sure it'll get easier with time, but for the most part, I wanted it be over. On the other hand, I loved the music the most on this one, especially Lumidee, as well as the dances that resembled tribal techniques. The second time around, however, this workout wasn't so bad. Still worked up a sweat (and I'm not a sweater so that was surprising) but not as surprisingly hard as the first time around.
Secrets to Flat Abs: Since I'd done the work-outs already, this stuff was kind of like studying for a test after you've already taken it and the scantrons are collected. But if I'd done this first, it would've been useful.
Five Minute Workout: Speaking of exercises that'll kill you, that one had me so worn out that I sat on my floor for about ten minutes and didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep. It's such a quick but fierce workout. You feel like you worked out that 22-25 minutes from the intensity of it.
Teach You How to Dance: I got a little lost with that one because he was getting excited with his choreography and some of the moves were a little old school and slightly drag queen, but it will be enjoyable for people who don't really know how to dance.
Cons: Although he does hip hop dance, I have yet to hear a real hip hop song. This is more like dance/pop music, but it's all good since I like a lot of that too and the language won't get BeachBody in trouble. |
The most fun you can have standing up!
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| Review Date: August 29, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Peplinski, Michigan |
I teach Pilates several times per week, so my core is pretty strong already. I love working my abs but I needed some more cardio in my life! These workouts are incredibly effective, they worked my core in all new ways, and got my heartrate up for a nice calorie burn.
So far my favorite is the Fat Burning Cardio, that was just plain FUN - I wanted to do it again as soon as I was done! Ab Sculpt was fun and effective and even gave me some new ideas to incorporate into my weekly Pilates classes. I didn't expect too much upper-body toning out of these DVD's, but the Total Body Burn had my arms begging for mercy! I also expected the Last Minute Abs DVD to be nothing more than a lame way for Beachbody to increase my price, but that was HARD - 5 minutes felt like 50!
The greatest thing about all these workouts is Shaun T himself. His instructions are clear and easy-to-follow, his encouragement doesn't feel contrived, and he very clearly enjoys his work. He sure makes me laugh and enjoy myself! No workout can be effective if you don't want to do it, but Shaun T keeps me coming back for more.
As most of the reviewers have noted, this doesn't use "real" hip-hop music. In fact, it doesn't even use real pop music - if you listen to the singers and lyrics, you'll realize that this is actually the royalty-free fake pop sold to aerobics teachers all over the country. SO WHAT? You're not at a real dance party either, you're doing dance-based exercises in your living room.
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HIP HOP ALL THE WAY
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| Review Date: July 24, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Chichimo, CT, United States |
| THIS PROGRAM KICKS ABS!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT - GOT MINE FROM QVC. I HAVE NOTICED A DEFINITE SHRINKAGE IN THE WAIST AND EVEN THAT KILLER BRA BULGE AREA HAS SMOOTHED OUT. I WAS SO, SO SKEPTICAL, BUT ONCE I GOT STARTED, I DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. THIS PROGRAM IS ADDICTIVE AND I MISS IT WHEN I DON'T DO IT. SHAUN T. IS FUN AND ENGAGING (AND A DEAD RINGER FOR WILL SMITH I MIGHT ADD). I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT WORKOUTS, BUT THIS IS ONE I GO BACK TO TIME AND TIME AGAIN! |
Fun workout...never boring!
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| Review Date: May 27, 2007 |
| Reviewer: JTD, Charlotte, NC USA |
| This is by far the best home workout I've done. I usually get bored with my dvds after a while and they wind up catching dust on my bookshelf. I went through all 8 weeks of the HHA rotation (4 weeks if you have the basic package)and I'm going to start it over again next week. When I first started, Shaun T. annoyed me a little; he talked way too much for me. But after a while, I got used to it, he has great cues so he's easy to follow, and he is funny. He definately adds something to the workout; he isn't dull and that's what makes it so fun. And he isn't too hard on the eyes. This workout does make you sweat and it is absolutely fun to do. I'm not sure if I lost anything, I didn't take my measurements before hand and I didn't change my diet. However, I do notice that I have a waistline now, I have more definition in my legs and after having a flat behind for as long as I can remember, I think I have a little bit of a tushy now. I do look good in my jeans, if I do say so myself. I still have a stomach pooch in front but this second go round I'm going to really watch my diet and hope it comes off. Very good workout. Love it! |
Great Workout - but remember the "Big Picture"
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| Review Date: August 6, 2007 |
| Reviewer: C. W. Lawson, SF East Bay, California: United States |
I found these workouts to be fun and very challenging. At first, I could not complete the entire routine. I couldn't believe how fast their feet were moving! After 3 times through one long workout, I can pretty much keep up.
Although the Ab workouts are effective, please keep these points in mind:
1) Getting great "6-Pack" abs cannot be accomplished by just a lot of ab exercises. It also requires an extremely low body fat percentage--roughly 10% for men. Only a small percentage of the male population has such numbers. Observe how little body fat the particpants in the video have. Just a few extra pounts of belly fat will completely obscure the small ab muscles.
2) Achieving low body fat will most likely require significant dietary change. This is needed because poor eating habits can easily counteract the effects of a brisk workout. For instance, one large hamburger, consumed in 10 minutes, totally negates the benefit of a very long workout.
Having said all this, I found the Hip Hop workouts a lot of fun. I'm glad I spent the money. |
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