Product Details

• Actors: Culture Shock Dance Troupe
• Directors: Craig Woolsley
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 192943006X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,485 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun, but still not what I was looking for., October 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Culture Shock: the Hip Hop WorkOut [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Recently we lost our Jazzercise class in our town, and ever since I have been looking for an aerobics tape that might resemble Jazzercise (All Jazzericse tapes are old and not much fun). Since I love the look of Hip Hop dance, and I enjoyed the funkier choreography in Jazzercise, I thought this might be the ticket. Well, it does get your heart rate up, and it has dance moves that satisfy that desire to dance, but once I learn the routine I don't see that it is going to keep my interest in the long run. I don't go clubbing, so I don't use this video to improve my dance club style (I'm a 41 mother of 3, and can't see myself bursting into a hip hop routine at the local dance hall!), but if I did, I think this tape would be helpful to get some of those funkier moves down.

As the other reviewers have said, this tape is divided into two "routines," taught by two very different instructors. At the end the two routines are put together for a nice long one. In a way, the tape reminds me of Jazzercise interval classes (I think that's what they were called) in which a short segment is taught at half-tempo, then at regular speed, then a new section is added on, until you've got one long routine.

What I wish they had done was put the routine to real music, so that you could use the music changes to help you remember the move that accompanies it. What they have done is used music as background, and when a "song" is finished, another one runs right into it-- but the dance move does not relate to the music.

I was very encouraged in the first half of the video. Or, I should say in the first part of the first half of the video. I could follow the moves at half-tempo pretty well, but whenever it sped up I had some difficulty. I am still learning the first routine. I really like Lenon's teaching. He cues very well, and must certainly have some formal dance background. What I like about his style is that he continues to cue, even at regular tempo.

The second instructor, Kim, I don't like at all, and I'm not going to even bother to learn her routine. Her cues consist mainly of grunts and "uh-uh"-- nothing to indicate WHAT the move is, but more the beat to which you're moving. (And while Lenon is teaching her "oh yeah"s drive me nuts.) Her moves seem to be more advanced, which would be ok if she really cued them. She demonstrates at half-tempo, then speeds up and grunt-cues, and it takes an incredible memory to remember what move comes after what, when she doesn't call the move anything in particular.

So, for me the tape is only half useful, but it is a nice way to spice up the weekly workouts.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dancy, dancy, fun, fun, fun!, April 10, 2000

By 

Eileen (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Culture Shock: the Hip Hop WorkOut [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In one word, the Hip Hop workout by Culture Shock dance troupe is FUN. The tape is described as a "cardio-dance experience" on the package, which is more accurate than "Hip Hop workout". The format is more similar to a 50 minute dance class than to an aerobic workout, but there is no question that it will get your blood moving. As a workout, this tape falls in the intermediate aerobic category, with complex dance choreography. Someone who enjoys Petra Kolber's. Step, Rhythm and Moves would probably enjoy the Hip Hop Workout.

The workout has two instructors and three other participants (aptly called dancers). The steps are well-cued and taught at both half-tempo and tempo. The half-tempo could drive you batty if you are looking for a continuous aerobic workout, but the half-tempo portions are necessary to learn the complex choreography. The workout could also be called an introduction to intervals, since the dance steps, when done to tempo, are quite challenging.

A large portion of the dance steps will be familiar to anyone who has done aerobics or ballet; it is the "flavor" - the arm movements, the upper body stance, and the music - that make this different. For example, the warm-up includes step touches and plies, and the workout has a grapevine and a tombe pas de bouree; however, the grapevine has an added dip and jack that make it different, and the pas de bouree goes into a funky ball change that you didn't learn in tap class. These steps are demonstrated briefly, but a familiarity with the basic steps helps when it comes time to add the arms! Some steps have no equivalent terms that I know of but are fun none the less. I felt quite funky when I mastered the penguin step!

The first half is choreographed and taught by Lenon Peachblum, an enthusiastic fellow who has obviously taught dance before. Kim Battista choreographed and teaches the second half with lots of encouraging comments. Both instructors cue well and break down the choreography into manageable chunks, but their different styles make the two sections feel very different. Lenon uses very large body movements that can become quite aerobic, with some small steps such as heel-toe-toe moves that balance the overall energy level. Kim has a more uniform energy level in her steps but uses some very nice syncopated rhythms in her moves. Both sections, though, flow together well and become a fun dance at the end.

The two slightly negative points in this workout are segments spent marking time and the lack of stretches during the cool down phase. Since the choreography is complex, some time is spent working on a particular step, necessitating some marching; however, there are other points where time is spent in marching or sidestepping that could be used to make the workout more aerobically challenging. The cool-down section is exactly that, with no stretching. For a tape that is otherwise very well done, I find the lack puzzling.

This is not a tape to be done perfectly on the first try. The choreography will take a few times through to get. As Petra Kolber says, "First learn the feet, then you can add the arms." Since I don't get hung up on perfection, I've been able to enjoy the learning process and just have fun.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FUN WORKOUT, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Culture Shock: the Hip Hop WorkOut [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought this video to add variety in my aerobic workout. I have the the basic and advanced TAE BO tapes and they are excellent. More interesting than treadmill and jogging but can also get monotonous when you do this same kind of workout everyday.

I'm 25 and I love watching (but not necessarily performing) hip hop and street dancing so I thought I'd choose a video like this. At first, the moves are simple enough. Side stepping. Touch stepping. No problem. But then it gets more complicated and you could easily get confused, overwhelmed, frustrated and left out. But aaah the power of REWIND. I did a lot of this. Im fairly coordinated but it took me almost a week to learn the whole routine from start to finish. It helps a lot if you take in the moves in small increments. Dont get me wrong, though. I LOVE this video. The choreography is SO COOL and FUN to do. Once you learn the steps and the timing then get in sync with the dancers, it's the greatest feeling!

The dance crew is personable and engaging with excellent instructors. Tina Ingrassia is HOT. Girl, you are so fine. You are one gorgeous woman. Did you ever consider modeling? I love Lenon's style and grace and especially his teaching ability. Kim's energy and enthusiasm is also most welcome. She adds a lot of FLAVOR to the moves and the group. Gary has got to be the coolest breakdancer! Go Gary! Who could pass up Vanessa's gorgeous, gorgeous smile. Great dancer too. They all are.

As a workout tape it does serve it's purpose in bringing your heart rate up but might disappoint those who are looking for a more vigorous pace. It's more on the level of TAE BO basic in terms of intensity. But this tape is SO FUN. Highly recommended. Ive already mastered the whole dance routine so Im looking forward for the next volume to come out.