Monday, October 10, 2011

Hip Hop Abs

This post is WAY past due!  I apologize for that - I've been in a rut for quite a while now, but I'm hoping that I'm back.  I completed the entire first 2 weeks of Hip Hop Abs, then the 3rd week I missed 2 days, and the 4th week I missed 2 days.  So, 4 days shy of completing the program fully, but I didn't want to start it over.  Honestly, I think it was too easy for me at that point (granted, I've had a month of pretty much no working out since then, so it would probably not be too easy for me right now....).  I didn't gain any "weight", but I gained in my measurements.  :(  You win some, you lose some.  :)

On to the review!!

Pros:
  • I absolutely love Shaun T!  He's pretty cool, definitely not boring, fairly entertaining, and a very good teacher.  I think the biggest part of workout dvd's is having a good teacher.  If you can't learn the moves, then you can't get a full workout and you'll probably get frustrated along the way.
  • The moves are fun.  Very upbeat and not too hard, in my opinion - but take this as you may.  I was in drill team in high school.  :)
  • Gets you sweating!  Even though the moves aren't too hard, you still have to keep up and your body is going and going until the end.
  • Helpful in learning to use your abs.  Of course, if this wasn't the case, then it wouldn't be a very good ab workout.  What I mean is, Shaun reminds you throughout the workout to keep proper form with your abs.  During, and after I finished the program, I would catch myself holding in my abs throughout the day.  I would have probably kept that habit had I not stopped working out....Oh, sorry, squirrel moment.  :)
  • A bit educational.  I did learn a little about my abs.  For instance, I never knew there were actually 6 muscle parts to your abs.  Interesting
  • The music is good and very upbeat.  As with any set of workout videos, it can start to get old, but I still liked it.
  • If you have kids, you and your kids would probably have A LOT of fun with this workout!

Cons:
  • If you're like me and you use your exercise time to think, forget it.  In order to workout properly to Hip Hop Abs, the only thing you are able to think about is what is happening on the screen.  After a few weeks it gets a little easier, but this is definitely not your mindless workout - you have to FOCUS!
  • As I said earlier, I think it was too easy for me. So I would honestly rate this as a beginner workout.  Wow...did I just tell the blogging world that I don't think I'm a beginner anymore??   Here's my levels for your reference: Just starting, Getting the hang of it, Beginner, Not quite Intermediate, Intermediate, Advanced, P90X2?  I think I'm at "Not quite Intermediate".  I think.  Yeah - I just made those up.  Just now.  I might keep them.  :)
  • I don't believe I have any more cons to add to this list.  Therefore, the Pros outweigh the Cons.  Yay for Hip Hop Abs!

Ok, so seriously.  It was a good program.  I just wish I'd thought to buy the Deluxe Package because then I would have had more advanced workouts for later.  I do have a few extras that came with the regular option.

 So there you have it.  My thoughts on Hip Hop Abs.  :)

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