Thread: Dance workout that will actually make you sweat?

Is there such a thing, assuming you're in good shape to begin with?

I would love something belly-dance oriented (beginner level, so I can think more about burning calories than technique), but I'll take any dance-related suggestions.

I'm a little skeptical after getting the Kili "Island Girl" and WDNY Samba Reggae Workout some time back and finding they didn't raise my heart rate much at all.

How are the Luscious, etc workouts from WDNY for cardio?

TIA!

ive heard Hard Candy is a really good work out. and i always like cheeky girls dvds

Here are some videos you might consider:

• World Dance Aerobics by Keti Sharif. My full-length review is at Belly Dance Exercise Video Review: World Dance Aerobics, by Keti Sharif
• Cardio Bellydance by Melissa. This is a World Dance New York video. My review is at Cardio Bellydance, by Melissa: A Video Review By Shira

A lot of my friends are using the Jilian Michaels DVD's these days.
There's the 30 Day Shred workout or the Ripped in 30.

I heard Khalida recommends these.

I have, in order of my preference, from LOVE it to meh:

Jillina's Shape Up and Hip Out (light cardio but a good drill too)
Masala Bhangra Workout (definitely cardio, they are up to 4 or 5 volumes now)
Melissa's Cardio Bellydance (WDNY) okay, but not my favorite at all.


Consider just stringing some intense choroeographies together too. I have a repeat of Jillina's and Suhaila's drum solo music on my ipod, and doing each one about 3 times is enough to get my heart rate into the target zone and keep it there for 30-35 minutes.

Originally Posted by ZoeDeKooning

A lot of my friends are using the Jilian Michaels DVD's these days.
There's the 30 Day Shred workout or the Ripped in 30.

I heard Khalida recommends these.

she is kick @$$ but also knee intensive!! i have her wii game. Its really silly but you can skip it and just do the workouts.

Also not bd but has good dance footage at the end credits. If you are in good shape you can try Veena and Neena DVDs Slim Down and Fat Burning. They are 30 min each but are a killer cardio. Ive had the Fat Burning one since I was 16-17 and could run a 8 min mile and I remember still being winded...

I wouldn't use it to LEARN bellydance from, but I rather like Kathy Smith's Flex Appeal, with Ansuya. There's a lot of consistent movement and much of it has the arms above the head. It's not intensive like jogging or Zumba, but it definitely is dance related.

I get really good workouts with the Suhaila Bellydance Fusion series. I particularly like the yoga and pilates ones and did not care for the Jazz one. I don't think I've tried the other ones.

Good thread!

I know alot of dancers kinda hate on Rania Bossonis, but as a beginning Bellydancer, I found on certain days her quick cardio workouts to be a lot of fun. They're short and sweet.

Not to hyjack the thread, but on the same token, do you ladies know of any great workout dvds for more advanced dancers? I love Thrillin' Drillin' with Sadie, or Michelle Joyce's Drillz Drillz Drills, but would love a longer, more flowing drill segment. Ideally something in a hour or less that has a warmup, cooldown, drills, and maybe some layering and combos, but all done in a flowing, progressive style so you really build up a sweat. Many great dvds have a feature like this, but you have to fast-forward through partsd and techniques and explanations, etc. to get to the actual drilling (though that's important too!;-)

Posted by Elianae:

do you ladies know of any great workout dvds for more advanced dancers? I would love a longer, more flowing drill segment.

See this page on my web site for a list of workout DVD's categorized by dance skill level along with reviews of a bunch of them: Belly Dancing: Shira's Reviews of Fitness Videos

Thank you Shira. I really appreciate your advice, and admire your comprehensive website. You certainly know your stuff! ;-) I'll go look at it now.

I've heard good things about the Ultimate Practice Companion with Aziza.

Originally Posted by Elianae

Thank you Shira. I really appreciate your advice, and admire your comprehensive website. You certainly know your stuff! ;-) I'll go look at it now.

I've heard good things about the Ultimate Practice Companion with Aziza.

Yes, the Ultimate Practice companion is a must-have!

+ 1 for the Practice Companion with Aziza

Thirded! Aziza's practice companion is one of the instructional DVDs that I return to most often

i hope sherena makes a dvd someday...she will make you sweat...like a dog lol

I know Sherena's got at least one video out,. though I think it's a performance one, notinstructional. She rocks!

Just got the Belly Dance Shimmy Workout by Sarah Skinner and it is a lot of fun and a great workout.

Oh yeah! Saw that one! Looked intriguing!

Originally Posted by Elianae

I know Sherena's got at least one video out,. though I think it's a performance one, notinstructional. She rocks!

Wait, what?? Where is this? I wants!!

sherena doesn't have her own dvd out...just the pbd final 6