Dance Moves

Patrick Goudeau
Year Released: 2004

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance



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This will be a very brief review, in that my viewing of this workout was very brief.
I know Patrick from G-Force's Superstep, which I loved. I also have a very complex CIA of his which I don't do often, although I remember loving the choreography on it. I had high hopes for this video, and was sorely disappointed.
I watched the warmup and first combination of this workout. That was all I could handle. There is basically no instruction in this workout, which is annoying not only for the obvious reason, but also because in the intro Patrick specifically addresses the fact that many people "don't know how to dance", and he's here to teach them. Argh. Teaching would involve breaking down and explaining the moves, at least somewhat. That doesn't happen here. Rather, Patrick and his background guys (all of whom know exactly what they're doing--very competent!--I wish they'd let us in on the secrets!)just start dancing, and Patrick occasionally throws out "are you learning it?" Well, no, Patrick, because you're not teaching it. Hmph.

Instructor Comments:
Patrick is giggly, silly, and lacking greatly in instruction in this workout. Ohmygosh, he annoyed me.

Wendy2

04/17/2006

I’m reviewing this workout after doing it several times in the year or two that I’ve had it.

General workout breakdown: This dance-inspired floor aerobics video lasts just under 55 minutes. It includes a separate warm-up (which includes a short combo and some dynamic stretches) and cool down (which involves a few dance moves and static stretches), but the bulk of the video is spent building up the main routine, which is repeated A LOT at the end. (You’ll cut off 5-10 minutes if you call it a day before Patrick has each background exerciser and himself do the routine separately, but it’s a sacrifice you might be willing to make.)
Patrick doesn’t really do traditional hi/lo aerobics (think grapevines, hamstring curls, repeaters, etc.). When people call him dancey, they don’t mean he does only Latin dance moves (mambo, cha cha, salsa, etc.) or bellydance or anything like that. Rather, Patrick borrows most of his moves from cheerleaders, dance teams, music videos, etc.; this is most obvious in the names of some of his combos, like “Cheerleader” and “Janet,” and in his manner of teaching in 8-counts rather than building up combos from base moves.

Level: I’d recommend this to someone who’s at least an intermediate in terms of cardiovascular activity and who feels comfortable with complex choreography. I consider myself at least at a high intermediate level in terms of cardio; this video got my heartrate up but didn’t wipe me out. I can pick up any Christi Taylor, Marcus Irwin, Rob Glick, etc. hi/lo choreography within a couple of times, but Patrick’s combinations and manner of instruction are different enough to require multiple conscious attempts before I feel comfortable with them. I personally need more of a break down, with no more than 3 moves at once, whereas Patrick has no qualms throwing out 6 at a time. I was able to conquer this video, more or less, after a couple of weeks of trying thanks to a couple of sessions where I did each segment of the Beginner’s Workout over and over until I felt I had a prayer of a chance once I got to the workout proper. But I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to see me doing this because my footwork and arm movements are nowhere near as crisp as Patrick’s.

Class: two male dancers join Patrick.

Music: pulsing dance club-type music.

Set: bright interior set with white floors and pastel shades projected onto the textured white back wall.

Production: good picture and sound. Most of the camera angles are helpful, with small inserts of Patrick doing the routine with his back to you during the slow portions. But, as seems par for the course for many complex choreography videos, sometimes the camera manages to focus on the wrong half of the body just when you need it not to. Also, there are a couple of shots which show the TV monitor being used during the filming. I think this is supposed to be cool, but it’s a bit much for a simple fitness video…

Equipment: sneakers (make sure you can pivot).

Space Requirements: You’ll need quite a bit of space for this, something like three decent sized steps to each side, front, and back.

DVD Notes: The menu lets you play the whole workout or “customize your workout.” The latter option lets you select the warm-up, routine (which is all one chapter, which is too bad because it would be nice to be able to skip back to the beginning of a combo to practice it), or cool down; you can also do the beginner’s workout, which is basically the insets of Patrick doing the moves slowly all combined together without any cueing. You can skip the introduction to the workout and the one to the routine proper.

Conclusion: Patrick’s energy and creativity are evident in this routine, which will delight choreography nuts. If you’ll scream if you have to do another grapevine or hamstring curl or repeater, definitely check this out. Also, if you want to be (or to have been), are, or were a cheerleader, dance or drill team member, back-up dancer, etc., you’ll probably find this video right up your alley. Teenagers will probably enjoy this video, as Patrick exudes a youthful vibe. I like—but don’t love—this video, but since I overwork my brain and have enough stress as my life now stands, I think I’ll pass this along.
This is longer than Patrick’s previous dance aerobics offering, Aerobic Dance Workout. It doesn’t have significantly more combos (there are nine here); instead it has more TIFTing. I think Patrick’s a bit more professional in ADW, but DM doesn’t have the bright lights getting in the camera all of the time that plagued ADW.

Instructor Comments:
Patrick is energetic, enthusiastic, and encouraging. He’s very relaxed in front of the camera here, constantly joking around and giggling. He mirror cues and cues moves well, although he’ll ease up on cueing the more times you do a combo. Patrick’s method of teaching is to throw 8-counts at you; he’ll do each combination at a slow pace, then at a medium-pace, and finally at the final quick pace. (He says this will give you an interval workout.) He will put them together in blocks and of course TIFT (take it from the top). While Patrick teaches you the steps as they will be done in the final version, except for maybe adding in more turns, he does do some slicing and dicing (i.e. doing combo 1 on the right and then combo 2 on the left instead of combo 1 on the right and left, then combo 2 on the right and left). A few times you’re with your back to the TV for the combo.

KathAL79

03/17/2006