VIDEO: "Dance and Be Fit: Carnaval," (Acacia, 2010)
STYLE: Dance aerobics
INTENSITY: Overall, moderate to somewhat heavy, but can be scaled up or down by the viewer
STRUCTURE: Warm-up, 5 minutes; three cardio segments, 12 minutes each; cool-down, 5 minutes
GIST: Very nearly derailed by awful cuing, but too much fun and too good a cardio workout to not try
So, as promised, I'm gearing up for Mardi Gras by checking out Carnival-themed workouts, and because it's available streaming on Hulu (score!), I started with this offering from the "Dance and Be Fit" series:
If it looks kinda corny, well, it is! Corny-cool. Presenter Kimberly Miguel Mullen is -- sorry, Kimberlys of the world -- very much a Kimberly. She's got an ever-present cheerleader smile and a high-pitched peppy voice that prompted my dad, who was within earshot as I did this video at my parents' house, to ask, "Are you working out with Minnie Mouse?"
But Kimberly brought the goods. I got loose. I laughed frequently. I got sweaty and pumped up, which inspired me to keep pushing and do everything full-out for maximum effect. And, with 36 minutes of continuous cardio (minus the short commercial breaks on the Hulu version), it was good enough for a Saturday's work. Silly + sweaty works for me, especially with moves like these:
Isolated hip circles and pelvic pops with arms outstretched. Great, effective warm-up.
Running and blasting into a side-kick. "EXPLOOOODE!" Kimberly says.
I felt these explosions in my butt the next morning.