Shape & Tone With Fitsteps by the winning combo Strictly Come Dancing stars: Natalie Lowe & Ian Waite and Olympic swimmer Mark Foster is the trio’s second DVD fitness workout compilation, delivered through dance. Healthista’s Ony Anukem finds out whether you can really Cha-cha-chá yourself fit ….
Strictly Come Dancing is one of the nation’s most beloved TV Shows (and a personal favourite in my household) so the idea that I could become the belle of the ballroom, after three 30 minute workouts, seemed almost too good to be true. And as the adage goes, when something seems too good to be true…it is too good to be true – or perhaps it’s just because I have two left feet. The DVD claims (guarantees in fact) to target key stubborn trouble areas like the legs, bums and tums and promises fast results, as a regular FitSteps Class supposedly burns over 750 calories in 45 minutes.
a regular FitSteps Class supposedly burns over 750 calories in 45mins.
The Workouts
The DVD is presented by Waite and Lowe, along with the help of some other members of the FitsSteps Team, and it is broken down into three 30 minute workouts:
Ian’s Luscious Latin Workout
Before I started this workout, I thought that this would be my favourite one, as I had hoped the Latin American vibes would really heat up my cold winter mornings. You can imagine my surprise when I found myself doing lunges and mountain climbers. The Latin influence slowly seeped in and my favourite part was the Rumba; however there were more fitness steps than dance steps.
Natalie’s Beautiful Ballroom
Growing up, like many young girls, I did Ballet and Contemporary dance (yes I trained for 10 years and I still call myself a dance novice) before starting this workout I felt it would be regimental and dull – like my ballet classes back in the day.
the idea that I could become the belle of the ballroom, after three 30 minute workouts, seemed almost too good to be true.
I was taken by surprise when I ended up enjoying it the most and some of the old moves came back to me, particularly the Waltz. Lowe reminded me of a girl in my ballet class that my teacher absolutely adored, because of her elegance and poise when she danced.
The original FitSteps 4X4 Workout
When I started this workout I didn’t know what to expect and to be honest even after finishing it, it is hard to categorise into a box. This workout challenges your whole body in a fast and fun way. I am not normally a fan of cool downs but I must say that this one was special.
Ony’s verdict
The DVD is set up so that you can do all 30 minutes of a workout – or you can pick and choose the order if you are pushed for time or want to focus on a particular dance.
I did the whole DVD over 3 days, with a 30 minute workout each morning in place of my regular gym class slot. Whilst I appreciated the lie-in (as the commute to living room isn’t nearly as long as to the gym) I found that Lowe and Waite didn’t explain things nearly as clearly, as my trusty instructor Darren at the gym. Again, this could be linked to the fact that I have two left feet, or perhaps the moves are genuinely hard and need clearer instructions.
at certain points I didn’t feel as though I was working out, I just felt as though I was having a good ol’ jive.
The accompanying music for the workouts is energizing but at certain points I didn’t feel as though I was working out, I just felt as though I was having a good ol’ jive. However, these moments were few and far between, as for the most part I was breathless, sweating and confused. It is important to challenge yourself when you are working out, but having no clue what you are doing can be counterproductive. I lost count of how many times I had to pause the DVD, and rewind because of the lack of instructions. This only frustrated me more because Lowe, Waite and their dancers moved with such fluidity and ease – whilst I looked like a clumsy baby elephant.
Lowe, Waite and their dancers moved with such fluidity and ease – whilst I looked like a clumsy baby elephant.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, my favourite part was in Original FitSteps 4X4 Workout where I got to let down my ponytail and play my best air guitar with Waite.
Nevertheless, I would give this DVD a 3 out of 5, though I struggled to follow along, it really did workout my legs, bum and tum. I would say these workouts are tailored towards intermediate to advanced dancers so as to get the full benefits.
The rating: 3/5
BUY Shape & Tone With Fitsteps [DVD] £10.00
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