This workout has already been broken down thoroughly, so I am just going to add my opinions on the workout. NOTE: This DVD is now titled “Cardio Dance Express.” I am reviewing this workout after having done the entire 45 minute routine twice.

I really enjoy the Firm workouts, from the original classics through the Goodtimes BSS1-4 series to the new Pink Firms. They all very in intensity, music, background settings, and instruction, and I definitely like some more than others, but most of the Firm workouts do provide a solid intermediate workout. I enjoy Alison from some of her other workouts: Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn, Ultimate Fat Burning Workout, Core Solutions, and Dangerous Curves Ahead. She has very clear instruction and is enthusiastic about her moves. She calls her background exercisers her “girls” (as in, “okay girls, are you ready?”) which I think is cute. Makes me feel like part of the background exercisers!

With that said, I took a BIG gamble buying this workout. I stringently shy away from complicated choreography (even “moderate” choreography on Collage Video makes me cringe!) and I am NOT a dancer, and with rare exception (I seem to be more adventurous lately) I do not buy dance videos. I even get cranky sometimes when just ONE section in a regular Firm video is dance inspired (like in 500 Calorie workout for instance).

But this being a Firm workout, with Alison who is one of my favorite master instructors, and the DVD having gotten great reviews, I decided to give it a try. I was really worried about not being able to follow along, so I started to preview it, but the music got me so pumped up I decided to just give it a stab and stop when it gets frustrating. I tried the whole 45 minute version, and like Collage says, there is really no distinct warm-up or cool down. It just jumps right in. I was surprised I was able to fairly keep up – at least enough not to get frustrated. This is thanks to Alison’s clear cuing and my limited experience with dance from other Firm workouts which I was able to master with some repetition and patience.

As the other reviewer said, there are four distinct dance genre sections. I found the swing routine with the Charleson kicks to be the most complicated and stumbled over my feet a few times. However during my second go-around I was able to keep up better and thought this section was the most fun out of the four. The final section (ballet inspired) had some very good standing core work and all in all I had a gentle sweat going. I would categorize this as higher exertion than an Ellen Barrett Studio workout but less exertion than an athletic Firm cardio workout (or cardio portions of) Dangerous Curves Ahead, Pump Jump and Jab, or the like. That being said, the two times I did this workout (and will likely continue to use the video this way) I did it as an extra credit afternoon workout session after my regularly scheduled morning session on a weekend day. It was gentle enough to use as a second workout but I would probably be disappointed to use it in lieu of a regular cardio workout because I still prefer high intensity athletic workouts to dance.

The set for this workout was the same set used for Pump, Jump, and Jab, very light and open with colorful walls. The background exercisers included Emily and three others which I have seen before (but are not master instructors). The blonde to the right of Alison (to my right) does some low impact modifications but not consistently through the workout. It’s like Alison remembered to tell you to watch her for modifications but not until about halfway through the workout.

I would say this video is at the intermediate level and has moderate choreography. It was upward to complicated for me, but for most (especially for those more familiar with dancing) is probably at a doable intermediate level. There was some hops and high intensity but no plyos or anything that would fatigue the legs. This is definitely a pure cardio workout with some standing core toning in the final segment.

It was ultimately an enjoyable video for me and I plan to keep it, but it was not so amazing that I plan to run to the store ASAP and buy more dance workouts. I think it’s good for me to diversify and this provides a refreshing change of pace for me. The music was FUN! That was the main reason I decided to give it a try and I was pleased. I give the workout a B+.

Instructor Comments:
I really enjoy Alison. She is my 2nd favorite of the new Pink Firm master instructors (Kelsie is my favorite), I would say she is a better cuer and just more charismatic and fun than Allie, Emily, Rebekah, Annie, or Tina.

Emily B.