Sweat Summary: Working out doesn’t have to be work. This DVD turns exercising into a dance party with three easy-to-learn Latin dances including a Samba, Cumbia, and Reggaeton routine. Sweat Factor: medium sweat Mood: Caliente What We Liked: The spicy routines are not overly technical, so even Latin-style dance newbies can pick up the steps quickly. What We Didn’t Like: The Reggaeton routine felt more like toned down hip hop instead of true contemporary dance hall. Rating: Sweat it, 2.5 remotes
Rating System [sidebar]Full Review: While you might not see us on So You Think You Can Dance anytime soon, learning three new, sexy dance routines is a fun way to burn calories and work up a sweat. The choreography is designed to mimic intervals, so you’re raising your heart rate dancing to quicker tempos, then recovering with slower-paced moves.Check out the DVD’s step-by-step guide that breaks down the 10 most challenging combinations, or jump right into the routines. First up was the spicy Samba, a Brazilian dance you see at Carnival. This routine integrates lots of arm raises and lifts, so after 11-minutes, you’ll feel the burn. The Cumbia routine (our favorite!) is a Colombian-style of dance that’s all about the hips (your obliques will thank you). And the final routine, a Latin-flavored dance hall, hip hop Reggaeton dance, was all about sexy booty shaking, yet left us slightly underwhelmed with the moves.Maybe it’s just us, but quick turns (think sexy hip swivel circles) make us a bit nauseous. The Cumbia and Reaggateon routines include lots of them, which we needed to modify by swiveling and shimmying facing forward, instead of around in a circle.If you’re looking for a way to torch calories at home, dance cardio DVDs are fun and don’t require any equipment! Available at amazon.com ($15). [pagebreak] Favorite Move: Slinky Move from Cumbia routine Media Platforms Design Team 1. Stand with feet hip-width apart, left hand on hips, right elbow bent with palm up, like you’re holding a tray. Keeping a slight bend in knees, take two quick steps to the right, staying on balls of feet and pushing hips out to left, engaging obliques. 2. Repeat to the opposite side, switching arms as you take two quick steps to the left. Repeat both sides 10 times.
Media Platforms Design TeamWhat To Wear: Loose cargo pants are the instructor’s outfit of choice. The loose fit allows you the freedom to twist and turn, shimmy and shake without feeling constricted—but any bottoms that have a comfort fit will do. Editor’s pick: Since the spicy Latin Cardio Party routines are all about having fun and being sexy, this is a perfect time to break out the sparkly Reade Leggings Glitter from Phat Buddha ($56; phatbuddhawear.com).
