Hip Hop Abs Dance Party Hard Body

Shaun T.
Year Released: 2007

Categories: Abs/Core , Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance , Upper Body Strength


I am a 51 year old restarter. Last year, 2014, was a really bad year during which I was sick as a dog with bronchitis for 6 weeks around the first part of the year, I had knee replacement surgery at the beginning of July (a good thing given I could hardly walk by the time of the surgery), and my husband had heart valve surgery at the end of October and I was majorly involved with his recovery. As a result of all this health excitement, my fitness levels plummeted throughout the entire year and I wasn't even exercising by the last part of the year when all my energies were going to caring for my husband. Now, it's 2015, my husband is on the mend, and I'm ready to get back into the fitness groove!

At this point, I am trying to just do workouts I find fun in the general arenas of cardio and strength six days a week. I want to work out between 25-35 minutes each of these days, so shorter workouts that I can do most of to all in that timeframe are good. I was drawn to this workout because it was reported to be fun and it's short, around 30 minutes.

This workout is part of a series that is hyped as teaching you to dance while getting you fit. This workout is one that combines cardio, a few toning moves, and ab moves. The steps/moves are not difficult, although some beginners might find the pace of some of the moves on the fast side. And, you don't need a lot of room. As long as you can grapevine side to side and walk forward and back 4 steps, you will have the space. If you don't have the space, you can stay in place or make the movements small. You don't need any equipment or props other than some small weights which you can carry through the workout, if you want. They aren't necessary and you could skip them or you can use anything that is light weight that won't strain you during some fast moves. I use my Fitstix because I like making noise with them in a workout. (smile)

The music is hip hop lite. It must have been because I enjoyed it and I'm not into hip hop at all. I think that it moves the workout along really well. There are some high impact move and there is a modifier who was pretty easy to follow. Once in awhile, she wasn't on the screen when I looked for her, but she usually was.

This is a workout I enjoyed, but which I don't think I'll keep long term. I am just not a trendy person. And, I don't like enforced fun. Shaun T is back up by a group of relentlessly perky and enthusiastic young people and everybody is having just soooo much fun. It reminded me of the old Crunch workouts, another series of workouts that I enjoyed some of the workouts from, but ended up not keeping them because they just weren't for me. Shaun T is pretty perky and cheerful himself, but I find him fun and motivating. Just not enough to overcome his background crew.

I think that some people will really enjoy this workout and benefit from it. It's well done, just not for me.

Instructor Comments:
He is enthusiastic and motivating. He cues pretty well, although sometimes it's as he does it.

Laura S.

01/08/2015