Tracy Anderson: Dance Cardio Workout

Despite the reviews I went ahead and ordered this thinking surely I could learn it and eventually keep up... I like the idea of a several dance routines but there is a lot of jumping and entirely too much twirling for my taste. The work out is hard on the knees and I am only 35 and in ok shape, but could do without the twirling. Plus, when you're twirling you can't see what move she's on. They got creative with the camera work, but that doesn't really help when you are trying to imitate someone! I'm not sure why she bothered to teach some of the steps. Seems to me she should start out by staying "Try to do what I do and keep up." LOL Half the time I was doing a galloping/pony dance in place trying to see what she is doing. I'm going to stick with it because even though I may not be doing exactly what she is doing.. I am moving and burning calories and I did feel it the next day. Maybe a few more times I'll be able to do more then 2 steps per song. There is great benefit in a video that has more then one "leader" because then you can watch another person for modifications.I highly recommend Turbo Jam. Chalene likes what she's doing and keeps the energy up. With this video I felt like I was at a dance off that I was failing miserably at.UPDATE: After 2-3 weeks I am able to keep up with the first 3 songs and have learned to get some of the moves. The dances are still hard on the knee and I do some modification through the twirling because I just can't twirl that much (without feeling super dizzy)I am enjoying the workout and it is definitely intense. I did purchase the MAT workout but have not tried it yet. Still hoping to master this dvd. I guess I would recommend the dvd if the user understands this is DANCE and you will need to take the time to learn it. If you have a lot of dvds and are looking for something different this is it.

I had this DVD for quite some time but was afraid to try it thinking it'd be too difficult. I finally decided to commit to it and at first I thought I'd never get it! It took a while to get the first dance with a lot of pause and rewind, but eventually I got it, and the rest of the dances were easier to pick up. They all follow an 8 count. I would learn one dance at a time, then add a new one once I mastered the previous dance. I really liked the mental challenge because it prevented me from getting bored.I have no dance background, but I am not a beginning exerciser. I bulk a lot in my legs, and I have trouble with weight fluctuations, so I thought this would be an ideal workout for me. Within 2 months or so of doing it, I have dropped a pants size and I am leaner in my torso. It really works. I took me about 2 weeks to get all eight dances, and sometimes I still pause for breaks in between dances. It gets a little hard after the 4th and 5th dance to do them full out. You have to listen to your body, and know when to take breaks, or just modify a routine.Yes, it does cause physical discomfort at first. However, I have played sports, and there is no workout worth it's salt that doesn't cause some sort of soreness until you get used to it. Athletes get sore muscles, so do dancers. This is normal, and means you are actually exerting yourself.Tracy's method is unorthodox. I don't know how anyone, especially a beginner, can commit to both DVDs in a row six days a week. It's not necessary. Just eat healthy, pace yourself with the dance cardio and you will see results. This is coming from someone who has a real struggle maintaining a lean figure. My dad wears size 40/30 pants!

I have used this with the Glutecentric muscular structure workouts and lost 5 lbs and a half inch in 30 days (I only had 10 to lose and the last are the hardest). These are dance combinations with instruction from the front and back so you can mirror the movement. I am not a dancer but I just jumped in and got the hang of it after watching the instruction twice. This method depends on mind body connection and muscle balance and confusion so you just have to accept that. The point is not to simply combinations - there is more going on here if you are familiar with TA's toning workouts. I was sore and off balance the first 10 times I did this sequence and hadn't done any impact exercise for years (just barre and Pilates). Now I actually crave doing this (crazy) and am so strong from it. Totally sold.

So Tracy Anderson strikes me as the least fun person to spend an evening out with. Which may be why Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna like her so much. She makes no small talk and has literally zero ability to move facial muscles.BUT - the woman does a good workout and despite finding her to be a scary little person I have recently found myself stocking up on here dvds.The first time I did this one (routine run through) I couldn’t see myself doing it again. Tried the full speed routines though and don’t think I’ve sweated so much during a workout. After a few times I had picked up at least the basics of the routines and because I had to concentrate so hard the time flew by!I can definitely see this giving me results and will be sticking with it.

I lived somewhere quite large (my living room space was the size of two standard living rooms/lounge areas..) however, when I turned this on for the first time I still felt I needed to be in a dance studio! Not recommended for use if you have a standard UK sized living room. I didn't finish the DVD incidentally, as it was not practical to move around the way the DVD encourages without running out of space. The only fitness video I was excited about, purchased and wished I had sent it back. May have to take to a charity shop all these years later!

This DVD really should be marketed as only suitable for people with a dance background - without it you will find the steps too fast and not enough information about how to do certain things, such as pliés, safely. If you are lucky enough to have a dance background it's a great little set of energising routines. I felt really good after doing them - and like many reviewers have said, the saving grace is that you can follow Anderson from the back (good for the steps and also because she's neither very charismatic nor, strangely, very attractive). It's very RnB dance video style dance with quite a lot of hopping and jumping jacks added in. If step ball change is your thing you'll have fun with this.

My advice is, save your money and put some music on and just dance. Dance and add some plyo moves e.g. Jumping jacks and (if you subscribe to the Tracy Anderson method), er, em, jumping jacks. Because essentially this DVD is an extremely complicated set of dance moves coupled with a few basic plyo moves. E.G. Jumping jacks.I have numerous exercise DVDs and go to the gym regularly, but avoided Tracy Anderson like the plague. But I thought it was inevitable that I'd eventually buy her DVDs and I did. And guess what? I hate it! Oh, we'll ok I don't hate it.....I just don't see the point of it!No that's not quite right. I like her mat work out. However, if you follow Tracy's advice you have to dedicate two hours a day to her regime. One hour toning and one hour cardio. Me? I do numerous hours of exercise but couldn't dedicate this amount of time to this type of cardio.What do I mean by this amount of cardio? It's complicated and has to be learned, followed to the letter and patience is required.Personally I'd much rather go to an aerobics class, go for a run, participate in a spinning class, go to Zumba etc,etc!!!I on't dislike her teaching style and am totally behind her toning/mat work out, but the dance cardio? Forget it.

I have done this DVD now for a few years now so I thought I should review it. I have always kept quite fit with running and exercise videos over the years but dancing has never been something that I have tried before. This DVD is fantastic. In fact I am using it again after my third child to get back in shape(although I have been running first to get fit). Yes this DVD is harder than running!!I know there are lots of things that people don't like about this DVD but I think they are nit-picking really as my physique has never ever been as good before Tracy Anderson. If you combine with the mat and are prepared to work and put the effort in you will see amazing results.My advice would be get to fit before you start this DVD do some running or something. It definitely isn't a DVD for beginners or for anyone with a lot of weight to shift as you will find it too hard and be put off. When I first started this DVD I got shin-splints a couple of times so watch out until your body is used to it.You will get the moves down just be patient and take your time. I found it easier in the end to just dance around following Tracy from the back view instead of watching the breakdown as when it gets to full speed it's too hard to put the moves together anyway. Eventually you will begin to pick the routines up and when you do it's an amazing feeling.This is not a DVD for someone who wants an easy workout it takes concentration and motivation. It is for someone who loves a challenge. PS I'm 40 so it can be done :)