Customer Reviews

Crunch: Fat Blaster Goes Latin [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I love a good workout and am an avid fan of Latin music anddancing, so I couldn't wait to try this video when I brought it home.What a disappointment! About the only thing with a Latin flair was the instructor!

The workout is not aerobically challenging for anyone except maybe a beginner, I found the choreography too basic, and I was most let down to find that the music doesn't even sound Latin. I'm not even sure how they were allowed to promote this as a "Fat Blaster" workout either.

On a more positive note, the instructor is very motivating and easy to like, and as one other reviewer noted, it was nice to see the range of body types. All the Crunch videos give you the feel of being in a real class. As well, it's a short workout if you don't have much time. Unfortunately, the positives are not enough to make up for the negatives.

If you're TRULY looking for a Latin workout, try Kathy Smith's Latin Workout. It isn't the toughest workout either, but the music's better and the choreography is much more like Latin dancing. END

Having read the other reviews of this video I find that others have approached the video with two expectations that have left them disappointed. First, some expect this is really going to be a strenuous workout because of the words "crunch" and "fat blaster". Secondly, some expect this workout to be the equivilant of a latin dance class. Anyone approaching this video with either notion would be disappointed. However, I am a computer potato who has just recently returned to working out and I find this video both great fun and a great workout. It is a lot of fun to do in the morning to really get going or after work as stress relief. I think that Gloria does a fantasic job teaching combinations of low-impact aerobic moves that do have a latin flavor. I appreciate that there is not a lot of instructional chatter, the mood is very upbeat, the workout is challenging without being impossible, and the video participants really seem to be enjoying themselves. This video would be best appreciated by an aerobics beginner - if you already do two hours a day of high-impact aerobics or hold a latin dance trophy this video is not for you.

It took watching the tape three times to learn the moves, but it was fun learning! They're not difficult, but the pace is fast. The music is energetic, and the dance moves are great! You can really get into the rhythm and get your heart pumping. If you have the patience to learn the moves, you should have fun with this tape. The 30 minutes goes by fast!

This is a very fun video, I have done it twice and still can't get the moves very well. This means I won't get bored with it anytime soon. It is an intermediate level video so advanced exercisers probably won't get their heart rate up. But if you are at a intermediate level and love to dance and feel sexy this is a great video for you.

I do this workout 4 times a week. It is great if you just have 30 minutes to burn some fat or a great warm up before an intense weight training set. Gloria Quinlan is adorable, has a pleasant voice to listen to and moves very naturally. This workout is a mix of basic latin dance steps and your basic aerobic moves (v-step). It's also what you make it, intensity can drive the workout. I also use Kathy Smith's latin workout and will sometimes do Kathy's right after Gloria's. There is no comparison, one is an apple the other is an orange. Kathy's tape has great content and is based more on the latin dance steps with lots of variations such as pivots and cross steps. Kathy's video has a much faster pace. Kathy does not seem to be quite as natural with latin moves and is painful to watch. I have to follow the female dancer next to Kathy. I would probably like to see Gloria leading Kathy's video.

As a fan of latino music and dance, as well as a busy person looking for good cardio videos, I was disappointed on both counts. While the instructor is quite likeable and it was nice to see a variety of body shapes among the class participants, the negatives outweigh these positives. One, the music is simply AWFUL! The music on the Kathy Smith Latin video is much better (and at least authentic latin). Two, the changes could have been cued better (instead of "pay attention to the changes" - tell us what the changes are!). Three, I had to really throw myself into the choreography, and even then I only broke a very light sweat towards the end of the video (while the Kathy Smith Latin workout is also rather "lite", I work up a much better sweat because I throw myself into the steps and add my moves of my own). Four, there is very little actual dancing in this video, and often the movements are not well-synchronized to the music. At least on the Kathy Smith video I can easily fall back into the class' movements because everyone is on the beat. The one additional plus is that it's a "short" workout, but it doesn't even feel like a very good workout. This one gets shoved into a box and put in the garage.

The instructor does a great job of breaking down somewhat difficult moves. The cast is all upbeat and inspiring. Give yourself a few times to get the moves down but once you do, que bueno!

I had to write this review, because as an instructor myself, I did the tape from a different perspective from most people. The workout is so true to Gloria's style, which is fun, energetic and full of nice surprises in the movement. Gloria has such a passion for what she does and it comes through in this tape. Her back-up people were all wonderful and enthusiastic and I loved that they were a nice representation of different body types. You won't feel intimidated by this workout. Be patient with yourself learning the movement, it will be worth it! Great job Gloria! As a bonus, Dragonfly Productions, Inc. produced this video, so you know it is a quality product.

I like the dance moves in this video, however the people in the class are EXTREMELY IRRITATING! It really detracts from my ability to fully enjoy the class itself. I'd put the tv on mute, however I need to hear the dance instructions.

The moves in this video are not really that challenging, but it may take you a couple of times of doing the tape to get the hang of them. Gloria's cues are pretty on target, if you pay attention. You do side steps, low kicks, knee ups, triple steps, a Meringue, V-steps, box steps, Cha Cha's, some Salsa moves and a few other Latin dance moves whose names escape me at the moment. All of these moves are of course accompanied by various arm movements.

Gloria is a good instructor and isn't one to grate on the nerves, unlike the people in her class. I'm all for having high energy and being into what you're doing, but these girls take it to the extreme. They are constantly hooting and hollering and making noise overall. It's very annoying, which is partly why I do this video very rarely. Also, it doesn't seem to get my heart rate up that much, so it's not what I would consider a great cardio workout. But, it's decent in a pinch, if I don't feel like exerting myself too terribly and just want to get in some form of exercise for the day.

I'm surprised about the negative reviews of this video. I'm glad I decided to try this workout anyway. I've done a lot of videos and it's hard to find a video that doesn't bore me, let alone a video that I want to do all the time. This video actually makes me want to workout and it gets my heart rate up (I've done tapes at all levels, including the tough Firm and Gin Miller videos/DVDs, so I'm not an out of shape beginner).

This is one of my favorite dance videos for the same reason other people don't seem to like it. I like the fact that it does not slow down unnecessarily to give instructions and then later pick up the pace. That's the problem with a lot of dance videos. When you've mastered the moves, you get bored and your heart rate goes down when you have to go through the instructional phase of the workout for the 100th time. I prefer real dancing over traditional aerobics and kickboxing for a workout, but most of the dance-oriented videos out there have too many pauses or the moves aren't vigorous enough for a workout. With Crunch Fat Blaster Goes Latin though, I feel as if my 30 minutes were well spent. I push myself harder with this one because I like the moves (especially the sequence with the samba) and you get more out of it that way. The moves aren't at all complicated, so there's no need for the instructor to teach the moves at a slower pace.

To top it off, I love the instructor. She's not overly perky and irritating like many others, but she's still lively and fun. And thankfully, there is a lot less of the annoying whooping that seems to accompany most Crunch videos. Or maybe I was having so much fun that I didn't notice it.

Not every video will work for everyone, but if you like a little fun in your workouts without sacrificing the satisfying feeling of working up a good sweat, this might be worth a try for you.