Hip Hop Abs Dance Party Rockin' Abs

The Hip Hop Abs Dance Party DVD is the third Hip Hop Abs (HHA) set that I have purchased from instructor Shaun T. I really enjoy both the first HHA set and the subsequent Hip Hop Abs Level 2, so when I had the opportunity to get this DVD as well, I jumped on it. Dance Party has two longer routines, this one, Rockin' Abs, and another, Hard Body, plus a 5-minute bonus, Ab Blaster. For each workout, Shaun T is teaching live in front of a large group of both male and female exercisers. Shaun mirror cues to the viewer throughout the workout. Finally, you have the option of using weighted gloves or light dumbbells for these routines.

ROCKIN' ABS (31:08)

This routine begins with a 3.5m warm-up. Moves include side-to-side steps, robo, heels front, and push the floor. The first sequence (8m) is the Flava Combo. There is a mix of old and new exercises, including the J Rock, Up Rock, Get Busy, Flava Hook, and Washing Machine. The Hip Hop Extended Combo (9m) uses weights for the Capo Slide, Flat Back , 360, Rocking Horse Extreme, Flava Extreme, and Frat Step Extreme. With 10m left, Shaun T cues you to get your mats ready for the Drill Extreme (8m), which involves plank/forearm plank and hip drops, coming up into Night Fever between sets. Shaun finishes on the mat in a C-sit position for twists with the weights, three sets of tricep dips, and then weighted crunches bringing one knee in. The 2.5-minute stretch includes a lying hamstring stretch, sphinx/cobra, and concludes standing.

I didn't enjoy this workout quite as much as some of the other HHA that I own (including Dance Party on this DVD), mainly because I wasn't crazy about the "extreme" moves as well as the floorwork. Still, I think that Shaun T. does a masterful job at offering cardio combinations that are a lot of fun while still being very simple and mostly low impact (there is some higher impact, but one of the exercisers, Tania, always modifies).

HHA Dance Party Rockin' Abs is appropriate for those who enjoy dancey cardio, who don't mind an instructor who can be a bit goofy at times, and who put greater value on having an enjoyable workout than a "killer" one.