DVD - An Exhilarating Caribbean Workout

I just finished my 1st workout. I recently lost almost 100 lbs. So I work out a lot. Not in the best shape still, but I can keep up pretty well. I wasn't winded or anything, but it was sometimes hard to keep up because there was very little preparation for the transition to the next move. However, overall it was very fun. It went by so quickly. Before I knew it the 45 minutes was done. And I timed it, so I know it was the full 45 minutes EXACTLY! The warm up was great, the cardio was great. I expected more from the upper body toning. I loved the lower body toning. The abs were challenging, but that's a good thing. Some of the stretches were a little hard to do. But it's good to be challenged and have something to work up to. It was very fun and not to mention SEXY! My advice would be to watch the whole DVD through at least once before the 1st workout and you should be fine. Will be doing this daily!

This was fun and if it wasn't for some major flaws then I would have rated this dvd 5 stars for originality. The editing on this was terrible. For the majority of the workout there was no explanation of the moves or cues for some major transitions (yes there is a chart but it isn't much help). Another weird thing about this dvd is that there is no warning to get your weights. In one frame there were no weights and in the next they appear. What the hay?! But, I thought the dance moves were fun. Just watch it a couple of times to get the moves down. The instructor has good energy and I would like to see another improved dvd.

I am Trinidadian and this is a super way to exercise and enjoy my favorite soca tunes. This is a great comprehensive work-out, incl. warm-up, cardio, abs, and cool-down. It takes about 45 min. and I feel like I have done a legit work-out with this. It's a nice way to switch from my swimming program.

Due to the quality of the DVD, I can't do the work. It keeps skipping or pausing. However, what I did see, looks like it would be an amazing workout.

I thought this was a good idea. I bought this item to break up the monotony that Zumba had become and I actually read the reviews before making my purchase. The presentation of the item was good. There is a little booklet/chart in the DVD case that show pictures breaking down some of the moves and some healthy eating tips. That being said, when it came to the DVD itself I was disappointed. My DVD player was broken and it would not play in my laptop, don't know why. When I replaced my DVD player and could finally play the disc, I immediately had issues: * the instructor just jumped in with the moves there is no breaking down of the steps that anyone with a Zumba would appreciate especially a particularly fast and complicated routine in the chutney bacchanal section * the booklet/chart is completely useless in helping to get the moves down * the cuing is poor eg she'd say "now to the right" but does a move where you alternate to the right and left * there's hardly a workout just a lot of wining I remember one reviewer saying there was no cue to get your weights, but the chart does say that there is weights needed for the toning section. All in all this was not what I was expecting, it wasn't exciting, it certainly wasn't worth the money I paid for it plus shipping and paying a freight forwarder to get it to me. I'm sorely disappointed especially as I'm stuck with something I'll probably never look at again. I DON'T recommend it. Now back to doing Zumba.

This is truly a great workout that is upbeat and easy to get the moves. You are guaranteed to sweat within 30 minutes and the music keeps you motivated when you think you are at witts end. I will definitely recommend this program.

Good workout but instruction in video could be better and moves should be shown at slow tempo first before doing it full out

The instructor, I thought, is perfect. She is energetic, without any of the fake perkiness typical of many workout instructors. And the workout is tremendous, high impact and using muscles you probably have not used in other cardio workouts giving you quite the burn. One of the major pluses of this workout is that it has one of the most intense, comprehensive cooldown/stretch section I have ever personally seen in a cardio video. Most I have done are cursory at best. This minimized soreness IMO. The ab section is great and so is the upper body toning. I thought the lower body was a bit weak, but she gives your lower body a thumping in cardio so I give her a pass. Why did I dock one star? Because she is terrible at cueing. Now, note that this video does not break down steps for you so you basically start off in full speed. Thus, cueing when to shift steps or transition to the next move or what to watch out when it comes to form is extra critical. She is okay with this in the "wine and tone" sections but in the cardio sections, she is not at all helpful. You will eventually catch on to transitions (you are on your own when it comes to form, mostly) but I think cueing is a very important part of any routine, especially when you switch between workout tapes constantly, and given the high speed of this cardio routine. Key things to keep in mind: 1. She does not break down steps for you, so you better be prepared to take longer learning this routine, or to pay careful attention. 2. Requires a LOT of space. If you have a small crowded study you might knock over stuff. 3. You need very good shoes. This is high impact. Plus, if you have knee trouble, hip trouble or ankle trouble, you might want to google the moves first to see if you can do all the jumping and wining down.