The last time I was on an airplane I was flying to Portland, Oregon for FitBloggin. It was such a great conference and I met so many amazing bloggers. You can read more about FitBloggin, including tips for a blogging conference, here, here and here. One of amazing bloggers I met was Gina from The Fitnessista. I started reading her blog about a year ago and immediately became hooked. She is a fitness instructor in Arizona and she teaches one of my favorite classes . . . ZUMBA! I was a little nervous when I met her at FitBloggin because, well, I can be kind of shy. But she was so incredibly nice.
Recently Gina achieved one of my dream goals, which is to produce a fitness DVD called Soli Beat. When I heard she was not only coming out with a DVD but it was going to be a dance DVD, I immediately had to order it!
I was so excited when it arrived! Unfortunately I had to wait a few days to actually try it out because I had other workouts already scheduled. But when I *finally* popped the DVD into my player, I knew it was worth the wait.
The DVD, called Soli Beat, is a compilation of different dance genres from various areas around the globe. It includes:
· a high-energy warm-up,
· samba reggae (a Brazilian dance combining traditional samba with reggae influence),
· bhangra (Indian folk dance),
· djole (a dance form from Sierra Leone),
· samba domme (I’m a little unclear but I think this is more traditional Brazilian samba),
· merengue (Dominican, Latin dance),
· Kuku (an African dance),
· plus a bellydance cooldown (Middle-Eastern dance where moves originate from the core).
Gina co-teaches with a fellow dancer, Sasha, and they have three backup dancers. The females are all wearing these little bellydance skirts, which look like so much fun because they jingle-jangle! The entire DVD is 60 minutes long, with each dance segment lasting approximately 7-8 minutes.
The great thing about the separate segments, besides the fact that you get to try different dance styles, is that Sasha and Gina go through all the moves for the dance and then repeat it 2-3 times, each time they layer something in like more arm movements or more stylistic movement. This method of teaching allows you to learn the steps, become comfortable with them and then increase not only your style but also your heart rate from the repetitive movement.
Now I know you are saying to your computer, “But Brittany, I have two left feet and I am NOT a dancer.” Well, I’m here to tell you to throw that assumption out the window. The layering technique used in the DVD breaks down the steps but if you need even more assistance learning the moves, the ladies have put together a step-by-step instructional section that will slowly break down all the moves in the DVD. Also, this type of dance is just conducive to moving, rather than focusing on the technicality of the steps.
The entire DVD is set to live drumming music. I actually went to a samba class a few years ago at Alvin Ailey that had live drummers. The beat was so intoxicating, it was impossible not to shake your hips and move your shoulders. I felt that same sense of excitement with the drummers on this DVD. Plus, it’s an incredibly clever way to avoid copyright issues while still providing great music that makes you want to move!
The music has been adjusted so that it is pumped up and the instructors’ voices are not very present. While I know a lot of people have a hard time with this, I prefer dance instruction this way because dancing is not just learning the moves, it’s feeling the music. A famous ballet choreographer, George Ballantine, once said “See the music, hear the dance.” Basically what he is saying is that when you listen to the music and move the way the music is dictating you, you are going to be more successful than focusing on the technicality of the movement or the instructor’s voice. Plus, if you need more assistance, you can always go back to the step-by-step guide where the ladies explain things!
I loved this DVD! It was a ton of fun and I was sweating up a storm by the time it was over. I burned about 620 calories in the 60 minute class. You could potentially do the warm-up, select a few of the genres to do and then do the cooldown if you don’t want to commit to 60 minutes, but I would recommend trying the 60 minute class at least once. It’s honestly so much fun and a great workout!
You guys may remember that I recently posted a review of Cassey from Blogilates DVD. I’m so excited that all these bloggers are producing their own DVDs. It gives me hope that one day I can do the same!
Readers, have you ever danced to live drums before? Would you consider trying out this DVD? Are you so type-A like me that you will not switch up your pre-planned workout schedule to accommodate something new right away?
* I bought and paid for this DVD myself. I was not asked to write this review nor is this a sponsored post. I just genuinely enjoy dance workouts and wanted to give this one a try!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit
October 7, 2013I read Gina’s blog too and have forever! I think this is so awesome. It looks like a blast. I do, TurboFire, which is like kickbox-cardio-dance, so I bet I’d love this DVD, too! PS, is that your house?? LOVE
FitBritt
October 8, 2013I love TurboFire too. I’m sure you would love this DVD. Unfortunately this is not my house. I am on vacation!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit
October 7, 2013I read Gina’s blog too and have forever! I think this is so awesome. It looks like a blast. I do, TurboFire, which is like kickbox-cardio-dance, so I bet I’d love this DVD, too! PS, is that your house?? LOVE
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit
October 7, 2013I read Gina’s blog too and have forever! I think this is so awesome. It looks like a blast. I do, TurboFire, which is like kickbox-cardio-dance, so I bet I’d love this DVD, too! PS, is that your house?? LOVE
Tara
October 7, 2013I read her blog too and happy that she got to make the DVD with Sasha! I wish she had a blog for me to read too. 🙂 I haven’t ever danced to live drums or tried a dance at home DVD but sometimes I will do the short ones on Comcast ONdemand! 🙂
FitBritt
October 8, 2013Oh cool! I didn’t know there are ones On Demand. The DVD is really fun! You should give it a try.
Tara
October 7, 2013I read her blog too and happy that she got to make the DVD with Sasha! I wish she had a blog for me to read too. 🙂 I haven’t ever danced to live drums or tried a dance at home DVD but sometimes I will do the short ones on Comcast ONdemand! 🙂
Tara
October 7, 2013I read her blog too and happy that she got to make the DVD with Sasha! I wish she had a blog for me to read too. 🙂 I haven’t ever danced to live drums or tried a dance at home DVD but sometimes I will do the short ones on Comcast ONdemand! 🙂
FitBritt
October 8, 2013Oh cool! I didn’t know there are ones On Demand. The DVD is really fun! You should give it a try.
Tara
October 7, 2013I read her blog too and happy that she got to make the DVD with Sasha! I wish she had a blog for me to read too. 🙂 I haven’t ever danced to live drums or tried a dance at home DVD but sometimes I will do the short ones on Comcast ONdemand! 🙂
Tara
October 7, 2013I read her blog too and happy that she got to make the DVD with Sasha! I wish she had a blog for me to read too. 🙂 I haven’t ever danced to live drums or tried a dance at home DVD but sometimes I will do the short ones on Comcast ONdemand!
Paige@FitNotFad
October 7, 2013I have never tried anything like this but it looks like a blast! Also LOVE your living room..I’m a sucker for black and white anything 🙂
FitBritt
October 8, 2013Thanks Paige. I’m actually on vacation so the living room isn’t mine but it’s still fun! 🙂
gina (fitnessista)
October 7, 2013i’m so excited that you liked the dvd! i was waiting to hear what you thought of it, and since you love to dance and have tried so many workouts, it means so much to us that you enjoyed it 🙂
please let me know if you ever have questions about producing your own!
hope you see you again sometime soon <3
xo
g
FitBritt
October 8, 2013Thanks Gina! The DVD is great. Congrats to you! 🙂
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
October 8, 2013Thanks for this review Brittany! This is a DVD I’ve been considering since I saw it. It’ll definitely be one that I’ll be adding to my collection sometime down the line.
FitBritt
October 8, 2013It’s a great one! Check it out!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
October 8, 2013This sounds like it is right up my alley! You look so cute in your pictures!! I love all the different genres!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
October 9, 2013I’m a bit hesitant to switch things up but I love the fitnessista so I might just have to try this! Also can we talk about how your home is gorgeous!!!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
October 9, 2013I’m a bit hesitant to switch things up but I love the fitnessista so I might just have to try this! Also can we talk about how your home is gorgeous!!!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
October 9, 2013I’m a bit hesitant to switch things up but I love the fitnessista so I might just have to try this! Also can we talk about how your home is gorgeous!!!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
October 9, 2013I’m a bit hesitant to switch things up but I love the fitnessista so I might just have to try this! Also can we talk about how your home is gorgeous!!!!
Cailee Joy @ http://www.hellohealthyeating.com
October 9, 2013Wow! Looks like fun!! And congrats on the high calorie burn… that’s a sweet bonus considering you had fun 🙂
FitBritt
October 16, 2013I really worked up a sweat with this one! 🙂