Customer Reviews

HIP HOP ABS DVD Set - 6 Workouts Set

5 star:		(144)
4 star:		(69)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

Pros: I hate doing aerobics and I'm not into health clubs, but when it's cold outside, I have to compromise, so when I saw this DVD on an infomercial, I gave it a shot. I love to dance and I love hip hop. From another site, I checked out how the actual dance aerobics were and enjoyed that enough to buy this (it's a little too expensive though).

Fat Burning Cardio: Shaun T doesn't go so fast that you can't keep up, but just enough to keep you energized. Plus, the man is extra funny, especially when "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls comes on. There are those who can count steps and there are those who can really dance, and from his body movement, I'm convinced he can really work the floor. This is by far the most fun I've ever had when doing aerobics and I plan to go through the whole 4-week plan, especially since Chicago weather is crazy anyway so I know I can't jog everyday like I want to. Didn't know he was an Alpha Phi Alpha until I looked at one of his sites, so that explains the frat hop dance he does, and that is my favorite part of the "Fat Burner" DVD.

Ab Sculpting: The abs are the most difficult part to gain muscle in but his workouts automatically make me feel the burn (yes, I know, very cliche to say). But surprisingly, it's my legs that are getting the most workout just from the dancing involved.

Total Body Burn: That workout was hard. I'm sure it'll get easier with time, but for the most part, I wanted it be over. On the other hand, I loved the music the most on this one, especially Lumidee, as well as the dances that resembled tribal techniques. The second time around, however, this workout wasn't so bad. Still worked up a sweat (and I'm not a sweater so that was surprising) but not as surprisingly hard as the first time around.

Secrets to Flat Abs: Since I'd done the work-outs already, this stuff was kind of like studying for a test after you've already taken it and the scantrons are collected. But if I'd done this first, it would've been useful.

Five Minute Workout: Speaking of exercises that'll kill you, that one had me so worn out that I sat on my floor for about ten minutes and didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep. It's such a quick but fierce workout. You feel like you worked out that 22-25 minutes from the intensity of it.

Teach You How to Dance: I got a little lost with that one because he was getting excited with his choreography and some of the moves were a little old school and slightly drag queen, but it will be enjoyable for people who don't really know how to dance.



Cons: Although he does hip hop dance, I have yet to hear a real hip hop song. This is more like dance/pop music, but it's all good since I like a lot of that too and the language won't get BeachBody in trouble.

Let me start by stating that I'm a middle aged man who can't dance!
So now you are probably asking ... what was I thinking? This series of DVDs is clearly targeted at women, and the dialogue in the DVDs reflects that Shaun believes (probably rightly so) that the majority of the viewers are female. Well with that said, I can still say that I'm glad I bought this exercise series - even though I believe it was a late night insomnia induced purchase.

I was looking for something to help me work my abs that wouldn't be total tedium and this one came with the added bonus that it would "teach me to dance". Ok so here's what I really got:
- an extremely well paced cardio workout for someone just getting back into shape. The Fat Burning Cardio routine is the best paced cardio routine I've ever done. High intensity moments are followed by lower intensity moments to let you catch your breath.
- a good motivator in Shaun.
- moves that are not boring but let's face it - they are like dancing, so if you don't like dancing in front of a group of people you won't like doing them in front of the rest of your family. Trust me, they make fun of me still for the couple of times that they saw me working out with these DVDs. I exercise early in the morning now before anyone else gets up.
- and I felt better busting out a few moves at a wedding this past weekend but let's face it ... I still can't dance!

There is something that I would also mention however, if you have bad knees then find something else to do. Some of the moves in these DVDs (even if following the low impact gal) are hard on the knees.

I've been doing them now for two months and I still find myself enjoying it. I usually lose interest in exercise by this point so that alone should tell you that this is a good one.

I teach Pilates several times per week, so my core is pretty strong already. I love working my abs but I needed some more cardio in my life! These workouts are incredibly effective, they worked my core in all new ways, and got my heartrate up for a nice calorie burn.

So far my favorite is the Fat Burning Cardio, that was just plain FUN - I wanted to do it again as soon as I was done! Ab Sculpt was fun and effective and even gave me some new ideas to incorporate into my weekly Pilates classes. I didn't expect too much upper-body toning out of these DVD's, but the Total Body Burn had my arms begging for mercy! I also expected the Last Minute Abs DVD to be nothing more than a lame way for Beachbody to increase my price, but that was HARD - 5 minutes felt like 50!

The greatest thing about all these workouts is Shaun T himself. His instructions are clear and easy-to-follow, his encouragement doesn't feel contrived, and he very clearly enjoys his work. He sure makes me laugh and enjoy myself! No workout can be effective if you don't want to do it, but Shaun T keeps me coming back for more.

As most of the reviewers have noted, this doesn't use "real" hip-hop music. In fact, it doesn't even use real pop music - if you listen to the singers and lyrics, you'll realize that this is actually the royalty-free fake pop sold to aerobics teachers all over the country. SO WHAT? You're not at a real dance party either, you're doing dance-based exercises in your living room.

[...].

I used to exercise regularly, about 30-60 minutes a day five times a week. However, when I graduated from college and lost my free gym membership, I fell out of the habit of exercising. What's more, I tore an oblique muscle a couple years ago that still acts up when I try to do crunches on the floor, and I can't run anymore due to an old knee injury. I had been looking for a good at-home workout that would not strain my knees or my side, but I figured that'd be impossible to find. I had seen Hip Hop Abs advertised last spring, but like many people, I was skeptical of any infomercial workout that looked like so much fun. Still, after months of feeling desperate to get into shape again, I read up on Hip Hop Abs on a variety of online product review sites. After seeing that the majority of the reviews were overwhelmingly positive, I threw caution to the wind and purchased the first Hip Hop Abs package: Secret to Flat Abs, Fat Burning Cardio, Total Body Burn, Ab Sculpt, plus Last Minute Abs and Hips, Buns, and Thighs.

I have to say, this is one of the best investments I've ever made -- what a great program! The workouts are strenuous enough that you work up a good sweat but not so exhausting that you can't move the next day (though you totally "feel the burn"). Even better, my knees are fine with this program, and amazingly, my oblique has not acted up either. Shaun-T has absolutely infectious energy and is a great motivator -- he makes the workouts fly by (seriously, 30 minutes feels more like 10), and he's really funny to boot. I started to see results after the first week: my legs, stomach, and shoulders were much firmer, and my jeans fit noticeably better.

UPDATE: I've now been on the program for about two and a half months, and I still love it just as much as when I first bought it.

Fat-Burning Cardio (30 minutes): This workout is really fun and the perfect length to get your heart going without totally wearing you out. The more I do FBC the more I learn how to make the movements work best for me, and despite having done this workout three or four times a week for the past two months, I still find myself smiling and feeling like I'm working my muscles anew every time.

Total Body Burn (45 minutes): This workout lives up to its name; it is absolutely exhausting, but it's the one to go for when you really want to work up a sweat. This longest workout in the package keeps you moving for the whole 45 minutes by incorporating cardio with weights and working every part of your body (abs, arms, legs, back, buns). I consistently "feel" this workout the day after.

Hips Buns & Thighs (25 minutes): This has a lot of movement to it and will definitely get your lower body burning, especially your inner thighs and glutes. There's a lot of arm movement in this as well, so your whole body gets a workout. Warning: the mat exercises will likely make your thighs feel like they're on fire by the time you finish, but it's worth it.

Ab Sculpt (25 minutes): This definitely works your abdomen (lots of standing crunches), but the moves also give your thighs and arms a workout as well. There's not as much outright cardio involved in this as in the other workouts, but it's good for muscle-building (I like using it as a compliment to Hips Buns & Thighs).

Last Minute Abs (5 minutes): If you are looking for a quick way to get your heart pumping that will consequently make you feel like you're doing to drop dead, look no further than here. This workout is only five minutes, but each one of those minutes is DIRE. I could not even finish this one the first time I tried it, but I've since been able to make it through (though I usually still feel like I'm going to drop afterward!).

Though all of these workouts are challenging in different ways and will definitely work your body, the best part of them all is Shaun-T. He keeps cheering you on every step of the way and inspires you to keep going even when you don't feel like you have any steam left. Sticking with Hip Hop Abs has been the easiest workout commitment I've ever made.

I just purchased the Hip Hop Abs package. I get leary when I see advertisements of this sort. But, I tried it with my daughters one evening. Well, I couldn't get throught it all totaly,(let's face it, I'm not as in 'shape' as I thought), but the workouts are fantastic. Shaun T teaches you how to keep your 'core' stable as you tighten your midsection. Tilt, tuck and tighten is no joke. There are different levels to the workout tailored to your level of intensity and capability. I loved it!! I've heard that when you have stopped exercising and start up again, your muscles remember and it doesn't take as long to 'bounce back' as one would think. How true, the next morning, I could feel a difference in my abs and lower abdominals. They felt much stronger. I will definitely continue to work out with this program. As I progress I will update my review.

I LOVE Hip Hop Abs! I have never been one to enjoy exercising, but definitely needed something to keep me active, and I was tired of donating to gyms (going maybe once in a year's time!). Hip Hop Abs was the answer for me! I actually look forward to popping in the dvd and dancing up a sweat (honestly!). Before I know it, the time has slipped away and I've completed an awesome cardio workout. Shaun T keeps me motivated and moving the entire time, he keeps me pushing myself to my limit during the duration of every workout. I have a pretty bad back and knee and am always afraid of re-injuring myself when I try new workouts---I am pleased to say any of the aches I feel after this workout are all in the right places (especially my abs and butt!)! No knee or back pain whatsoever! If I start a dvd a little more sore than usual, I'll follow "Tanya" who provides modifications for all the moves and still get in a great workout. I have accumulated a plethora of workout dvd's from yoga to tae bo, to cardio express and Jillian Michael's...but I keep coming back to Hip Hop Abs. It's really as fun as a workout can get! Enjoy!

THIS PROGRAM KICKS ABS!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT - GOT MINE FROM QVC. I HAVE NOTICED A DEFINITE SHRINKAGE IN THE WAIST AND EVEN THAT KILLER BRA BULGE AREA HAS SMOOTHED OUT. I WAS SO, SO SKEPTICAL, BUT ONCE I GOT STARTED, I DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. THIS PROGRAM IS ADDICTIVE AND I MISS IT WHEN I DON'T DO IT. SHAUN T. IS FUN AND ENGAGING (AND A DEAD RINGER FOR WILL SMITH I MIGHT ADD). I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT WORKOUTS, BUT THIS IS ONE I GO BACK TO TIME AND TIME AGAIN!

If you are going to order the product at all, definitely order it from Amazon.com.

I didn't heed others warnings about the underhand and unethical selling techniques the maker (BeachBody Fitness) of this product employ. As I was completing the purchase of the videos from the BeachBody website, they put the purchase through before they even showed the total amount that would be charged.

When I called them to cancel the order, which I placed on a Sunday, after finding out they were charging me why more that described, they told me that even though they had not send the purchase order over to the shipping department they could not stop the order. I also talked with a manager there for about 30 minutes with no luck.

When the package showed up I had to refuse delivery, and it went back to the BeachBody shipping warehouse, but they still charged me $13.73 for shipping.

Don't order direct from BeachBody's Website!!!

This is by far the best home workout I've done. I usually get bored with my dvds after a while and they wind up catching dust on my bookshelf. I went through all 8 weeks of the HHA rotation (4 weeks if you have the basic package)and I'm going to start it over again next week. When I first started, Shaun T. annoyed me a little; he talked way too much for me. But after a while, I got used to it, he has great cues so he's easy to follow, and he is funny. He definately adds something to the workout; he isn't dull and that's what makes it so fun. And he isn't too hard on the eyes. This workout does make you sweat and it is absolutely fun to do. I'm not sure if I lost anything, I didn't take my measurements before hand and I didn't change my diet. However, I do notice that I have a waistline now, I have more definition in my legs and after having a flat behind for as long as I can remember, I think I have a little bit of a tushy now. I do look good in my jeans, if I do say so myself. I still have a stomach pooch in front but this second go round I'm going to really watch my diet and hope it comes off. Very good workout. Love it!

I found these workouts to be fun and very challenging. At first, I could not complete the entire routine. I couldn't believe how fast their feet were moving! After 3 times through one long workout, I can pretty much keep up.

Although the Ab workouts are effective, please keep these points in mind:

1) Getting great "6-Pack" abs cannot be accomplished by just a lot of ab exercises. It also requires an extremely low body fat percentage--roughly 10% for men. Only a small percentage of the male population has such numbers. Observe how little body fat the particpants in the video have. Just a few extra pounts of belly fat will completely obscure the small ab muscles.

2) Achieving low body fat will most likely require significant dietary change. This is needed because poor eating habits can easily counteract the effects of a brisk workout. For instance, one large hamburger, consumed in 10 minutes, totally negates the benefit of a very long workout.

Having said all this, I found the Hip Hop workouts a lot of fun. I'm glad I spent the money.