Customer Reviews

The Method - Dance to Fitness [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

As disappointed as I was with Step Up To Dance, that's how happy I am with Dance To Fitness. The moves are done slowly, with posture, balance and strength being emphasized. The first segment is about 35 minutes long and is considered the "warm-up". I, for one, was dripping sweat by the end of that segment. The second segment is done with Lisa Wheeler who I really like. Then there is a wonderful stretch. As a 44 year old former aerobics instructor/belly dancer with osteoarthritis in my back and neck and with another disability that is a daily challenge, this is a workout that I can do, enjoy and feel that I'm getting alot out of. I highly recommend this tape.

The execises in this video is made up of two parts led by two instructors who are great, both as dancers and instructors. I have several other fitness videos but I cannot help but reach out for this one whenever I put on my tights to start exercising. It is addictive :-) Seriously, I think that it helps if you have some dancing background but even if you don't, don't worry! The instructors are very good and you will learn the steps and get to enjoy them more with every exercise. One more word though. I used to dance classical and modern ballet as a hobby but had to give it up due to personal reasons. I restarted my fitness program with an easier dance workout video and then moved on to this. It may be a bit hard for a first time exerciser. The only thing that I criticise about this video is that the camera focuses on the drummer a couple of times and this causes problems for the continuity of the dance, especially if you are a beginner. But on the whole, I greatly recommend this video for everyone.

The routines in this video are for those who have an intermediate knowledge of dance terminology, so if you have never taken lessons before, you may not understand what the narrator is talking about. It does NOT take into account that all the bending-while-stretching excercises may NOT be good for those with any type of back problems. In other words, if you've had back problems in the past, as I have, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO ALL OF THE ROUTINES! I appreciated the lack of techno-irritating type music a lot of these videos contain. But if you don't like bongo or drums, you will not like the background beat. The first routine made me feel very stretched-out, strong and relaxed without feeling too over-excercised. But after the first routine, I could not possibly have done the second and third right away. All in all, pretty advanced.

To the point, I am very happy to discover Lisa Wheeler as an instructor, not as one of Kries's dancers (J. Kries says she is the teacher of teachers and I think she is right). Even though I was very familiar with the Method tapes, J. Kries's section was at first very difficult to follow. All I could think of was exchange bin. But then Lisa's section started, which was easier to follow and so much more fun. She does a short warmup and then does really fun dance routine. Lisa teaches the moves very slow so you get the moves down and then she speeds it up. Lots of stretch moves makes you feel that you really elongate muscles. Her cueing is excellent too. She made me change my mind about the tape. The last segment is cool down with Lisa and this is very relaxing and soothing. If you have the New Method tapes (3 tapes by J. Kries), you will see most of the movements used in New Method in this one tape. I am glad that I gave all 3 New Method tapes away. This one is a keeper.

I cannot stress enough what others have said: this DVD is not really for beginners. I was looking for an energetic workout that didnt have the same cheesie music and overly eager instructors, and that would help me build muscle, burn fat, and at the same time, teach me balance and poise. The set, music and instructors are perfect for what I was looking for, and yet I found myself flailing around my living room trying to keep up with the steps.

As a general rule, I have liked everything Jennifer Kries has put out. She has a excellent voice, she doesnt have that faux high energy attitude, is enjoyable to watch and to listen to, but I found myself very frustrated with her Body Rythyms section of the video. She moved quickly into steps that I found somewhat complicated, and it will certainly require some practice before I will get comfortable with that section. The sheer dance skirt she wears also makes it a touch difficult to see exactly what she is doing with her legs and feet sometimes.

Lisa Wheeler is the instructor for the second part, called Body Lines, and I had hopes that this would be the more fun, higher cardio workout. I actually found this part to be even more difficult. Ms. Wheeler takes you through the steps more slowly, but there was some very complex steps that she did not really explain how to do, and added them into the workout (like the Jazz box step). I became extremely frustrated because if you dont get one part of the series of steps down, its difficult to move to the next part.

I believe with practice and repeated viewings, or if you already have some basic dance knowledge, this tape will be a fun workout, but for someone new to working out, new to dance, or just plain uncoordinated, this tape is a test of patience.

I give it 4 out of 5 because I love the music, the set, and I like Jennifer Kries, and I believe with some patience and work, I will personally get better at this workout, but I only reccomend it to people who have never done any kind of pilates or dance with the caveat that it will take practice and patience to become proficient at these dances.

If you cannot get to a dance studio for a class, this is a good tape to get. I use this tape as a supplement to my normal studio schedule.

As a dancer and certified teacher, I can say the exercises which Jennifer Kries leads are some of the classic core exercises which I was trained in and still exist today. However, I would have liked Jennifer to have issued some quick words on proper technique (especially for flat back, ankle presses and plies) to avoid strain or injury.

I notice the method teachers do not "mirror" teach which may be confusing at the beginning. When they refer to the right side, it is THEIR right side and your left side. This is one technique which they should work on.

Be warned the stretching exercises are at a minimum (in relation to a normal dance class) but should serve the purpose. I normally stretch before I use the tape. The choreography in the second section is fun and challenging. It is classic jazz style - not hip hop or funk. But it is nevertheless enjoyable and a good workout.

This video is a great way to add some flavor to your weekly exercise routine. (Those familiar with Debra Waterhouse's *Outsmarting the Midlife fat cell* will doubly appreciate the novelty and fun of this video.)

The video includes two different dance "routines" and one cool down. Jennifer Kries instructs the first section; she (and her 'class') is accompanied by in-studio drummers. (A bit 'tribal'; fun.) The second segment is led by Lisa Wheeler. The music and movements have a bit of a jazz/Spanish flavor. The cuing in both segments is good (althought the camera work in the second segment could have been clearer-- show me the instructor not the drummer!!). I have a background in dance (from a long long LONG time ago) which also helped me follow some of the movements and references (ballet). Like riding a bicycle; once you learn...

It's a fun tape; great work out. Give it a go.

As a teen dancer I have struggled to find a video that I can do at home when I don't have classes. This is the first one that actually does real dance stuff. I am very pleased with it in that regard, however the video is almost like a throwback to the 80s with crazy colors and weird instructors. It can get dull because the drums sound exactly the same the whole time, but if you're looking for a real dance video (not like those MTV Grind videos) this is a winner.

There are three sections in this video. Unfortunately, the first dance section is terrible. The instructor counts out steps but never tells you what you're doing. Because there's no vocal instruction, it's nearly impossible to follow the dance movements and watch the video at the same time (most of the steps require a frequent head-down position). The video is very poorly filmed with too many tight shots on the upper bodies of the dancers, making it difficult to see the dance movements. The instructor also wears a filmy skirt that makes it impossible to see her movements clearly. If you are a trained dancer and have a good command of dance terms, you might be okay with this video. You will also need a space the size of a small rehearsal hall, not the small space most home exercisers have. The other two workouts were all right, although also with unfortunatly selected framing for a fitness video.

I really enojoyed this video. This was one of my first Amazon purchases in the late 90's. At the time I was a bit of a frustrated want to be dancer, perhaps that is why I enjoyed this video so much. This tape has two workouts, The first workout is tought by Jennifer Kries. It begins with a vigourous warm up with lots of plies, stomach contractions, streching, releves(toe raises). Then a dance routine that really gets you moving and finally finishes with several series of battements(leg kicks) and a light cool down. If you have ever taken dance class this video will be very familiar to you, but even if you have not taken dance you will pick up the moves easily. The second workout is tought by Lisa wheeler. This is not one of my favorites and I usally skip it, but it still gives a decent total body workout plus a yoga strech at the end.


P.S. If you have back issues becareful with the warmup and if your not very coordinated be really careful at the end of the first workout becasue there is a lot of moving with leg kicks.