What's your favourite dance workout?

November 22, 2013 8:16 AM

I love workout DVDs, but often HATE the music they have in them. I get especially annoyed when the instructor isn't even moving to the beat, so imagine my joy when I discovered Zumba a couple of weeks ago! I don't have a regular schedule, so can't really guarantee that I'll be able to attend classes, so I think I'll be exercising in my small living room. What other DVDs or styles of fun and intense dancey workout things should I try? Bonus points for something that burns off a lot in a short amount of time.
posted by joboe to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

I love workout DVDs, but I have very little sense of music or rythm, so I'm not sure I'll be that helpful... But my favorite dancey sort of workout with lively music is Brazil Butt Lift (if you can get over the awful name).

The forums at videofitness.com would be a great resource for you.
posted by Kriesa at 8:34 AM on November 22, 2013 [1 favorite]

These are a little older, because I stopped doing that kind of exercise, but still... The Hot Pants Workout, Masala Bhangra Workout, New York City Ballet, Dance with Lisa, and anything by Tracy Anderson.
posted by gakiko at 8:37 AM on November 22, 2013

There are about a zillion fun dance workouts on DVD available on Amazon. Look for the top rated and check the music.

There's a lot of fun to be had with Xbox Kinect (now much more affordable with new Xbox coming out) and Dance Central, too.
posted by bearwife at 9:03 AM on November 22, 2013

I don't have any specific videos, but you might want to look into capoeira, which is both intense and music-focused. (Look at some Youtube videos to see if the music is your cup of tea.)
posted by tchemgrrl at 9:15 AM on November 22, 2013

I had a blast with Hip Hop Abs.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 10:45 AM on November 22, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The New York City Ballet Workout is a nice and challenging DVD. Think it's geared for people with at least a little ballet experience.

I like Tribal Fusion Belly Dance but you might want to check out some of her other DVDs if you're looking for something to burn off a lot in a short time.

Capoeira should be a nice workout too but I've only done it through in-person classes myself and I'm not sure what's out there video-wise. Also the music may indeed take some getting used to if you're not already familiar it though, which might not be what you're looking for.
posted by Shadow Boxer at 1:57 PM on November 22, 2013 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. A few mentions of capoera, which would be fun but I don't think I have the space for. The room I use is pretty small, as mentioned above.
NYCB workout and Hip Hop Abs both sound along my wavelength. I should probably have mentioned that my physique means that I am not interested in focusing on my butt.
posted by joboe at 11:49 PM on November 22, 2013

Best answer: I just discovered this last night and did it 4 times in a row.. sweat buckets!!!! http://thighgaphack.com/get-your-cardio-on-with-me-new-youtube-channel/ - It's a cardio dance workout to "I can't be tamed" by Miley Cyrus, but far from the typical cardio/aerobics video where your heart rate barely gets pumping

I'm looking forward to the next one she puts out (According to the newsletter it's going to be a routine to work b) Of course, this will only work if you like pop music
posted by soooo at 2:09 PM on November 24, 2013 [2 favorites]