"Spoon-fed hip-hop aerobics" is what
this 50-minute workout should be called. During the
opening credits, they show the Pros dancing fast and
furious. But workout, unfortunately, is nothing like
that. First, the pros assure us that hip-hop aerobics is
just like regular aerobics, "but with a little more
attitude." After a long (about 9 minutes) warm-up
and stretch led by Tracy and Nancy, the workout begins.
Pepper, Donna and Joel each teach a segment. Within each
segment, the moves are broken down and taught add-on
style, and repeated over and over and over...After Donna
teaches her segment and we start from the top with
Pepper's segment, suddenly...the camera cuts away to
Nancy, asking us if we're OK and to take it easy if we're
not! I found this to be very annoying. Finally, after all
three segments have been taught, the Pros run take it
from the top only twice before going into the cool-down
and stretch. For some bizarre reason, push-ups are
included at the end too. Because of the way the workout
is taught, it is very easy to follow. Some of the moves
were fun. But the repetition really detracted from this
workout. And I barely broke a sweat because of that too.
I think the hip-hop section could have had more moves,
without sacrificing length, if there wasn't so much
repetition. Finally, the set--I never watched ESPN
Fitness Pros when it was on TV, but this set is
hideous--it looks like Barney exploded. It's *that*
purple.
Instructor comments: The Fitness Pros for this
workout are: Tracy York, Nancy Popp, Joel Greco, Donna
Richardson and Pepper Von. All of the Pros provided
competent instruction, but Donna and Pepper stood out.
They were fun, and they appeared to be having a great
time--they really deserve their own hip-hop workout tape!
Elaine C.
6/19/97
