For the past two or three months I’ve been exercising more than I’ve been dancing. And having reduced my legendary tummy somewhat through pilates, ballet basics and guided walking,, I must say that I’ve become more than little skeptical of just how much a light bit of belly dancing can do in this department. All I can say is, I’ll see it when I believe it.

Rania’s Belly Abs DVD is typical Rania. I haven’t been overly familiar with her videos, but do own about half a dozen and can tell signature Rania when I see it. The moves, the format, the instruction – it’s all very Rania. Nice-ish. But, as an exercise program, I have several quarrels with this sort of thing. Actually, I have a problem with it as a dance program too. Here’s why:

First off, I think dancers and video-makers had better move on from giving a tiny handful of combinations as content. There should either be lots of them, or there should be a challenge to them. I say this because there are videos out there now that have changed the rules. Neon’s Bellydance Rhythms workout gives you 40 combinations – none of them simplistic. Well, maybe  a few. Videos like Luscious and Love Potion are sprinkled with tons of little combinations. Aradia’s Rhythms video has just a few combos, but all challenging and complex. And I was working with Michelle’s Killer Ziller combos and find these too quite complex.

The combinations on Belly Abs, on the other hand, I can learn in one session. And while you might say well, what about newbies, the video does not seem to be aimed at beginners. There are 5 (or maybe 6) little combinations on Belly Abs. They’re not unuseful at all – but if you know your basics, all you need to do is see them once.

Now you may argue that the simplicity makes these combinations more easily repeatable and that’s what will give you a good workout. I’d agree if only I felt really really working the abs. Unless you’re unexercised, I’m not sure they do much. At least I believe that it would take more than these six little conbos to put a sizable dent in a self respecting stomach. A few undulations, very light hip drops and kicks, pelvic tucks, a twist or two – my tummy would laugh at that. The workout needs to be tougher, more varied and sustained for a good long time. I did round after round of these combos and couldn’t feel the slightest tiredness. I also am very skeptical about Rania’s breathlessness at the end of it all. She’s done some highspeed performances and must be used to a hundred times this level of activity.

Of course, the combos are not the only thing on the video. It begins with a warm up. This is really your typical dancer’s warm up with plies and reaches etc. Just more abbreviated. Again, if you want your abs reduced, it’s going to take more. We then move on to a few crunches. Very few. My problem with these is that they are all from the same category. They seem to me to target the obliques. They’re standard crunches and side crunches. This again is too short and unvaried a stint to do much.

And that’s really it. There’s a cool down at the end, but that’s neither here nor there. This video is about 43 minutes in all. It’s errrr..okay. If you’re doing no other exercise and have a lot of weight around the middle to lose, it won’t be enough. If you’re slim and just have a hint of a paunch, this – or any exercise – will surely help. If you haven’t been exercising, this is a start. But it is not a full-fledged and solid exercise program.  There are too many alternatives, both in the fitness category and in the belly dance category – that will do a better job. In fact, other than Rhythms, Jillina’s Shape Up ‘n Hip Out comes to mind. That’s a whole cardio routine (120 minutes) and it would give your abs a thing or two to think about though it’s not targeted at abs alone

So yes… this is overall a disappointment for me. It needed to be way tougher to do some real damage!

Thank you, Dina, for this alert. This looks quite fun!

I didn’t know there were videos that actually get you to walk for exercise, right at home, in front of your TV or computer! As it happens there are dozens and dozens of these – and they’re quite effective.

Walk expert Leslie Sansone has a huge series of walking videos, each of them introducing variations in method, time, “distance” and muscle use. I’ve tried two of these, “Muscle Mile One” and “30-Minute Walk”. I must say, I totally enjoyed both!

This is how it works. There’s practically nothing to learn. The basic movements are a) marching in place, b) a side step (out-together, out-together), c) a gentle kick forward, d) kick back, e) knee raises and f) a few varieties of arm reaches.

So why do you need the video? Well, because instructors like Leslie get you to damn well move.

Check out this deskside walk, for instance:

Very nice concept, except in offices like mine, everyone would stop working to stare. They would then proceed to give each other blank stunned looks that clearly say “What’s WRONG with her?” You’d have to record the audio from this clip and take ie somehwere where no one can see you – and I can’t imagine many places in an office where that could be. Still, it’s a nice concept.

It’s easier of course to do this walking session at home And for that you have a big variety of videos to pick from. Leslie has one that breaks up the walk into morning and evening sessions. She also adds an abs and lower body mini workout to these. She has videos in which she changes the movements. For example, “Walk and Kick:” She also has some in which she uses various bits of exercise equipment, like light weights, resistance band or medicine balls. I tried the one with light weights yesterday and enjoyed it thoroughly.It was a quick 15-minute 1-mile walk and for me, it worked like a warm up. I need to look for one of the more challenging ones.

Leslie ups the challenge using different intervals for the step and by varying the temp. There are segments where you’re doing a light jog, and then you slow it down to normal again. Then you could be doing a few different arm reaches wih weights, and then you go back to normal walking. The tempo of the music can double each segment until you’re jogging. It’s not very listenable or motivating music, but you can’t use your own because you won’t be able to do the tempo changes. And no one will keep telling you when to change moves.

The nice thing is you actually don’t have time to get bored. She does a very good job of keeping you motivated and just as you begin to wonder if it’s too much of one step, you change. The cuing is excellent and you quickly get used to her jokes when you know that this is doing you good. So far, I’ve found msyelf more than willing to finish the session and quite eager to take it up the next day.

This light bit of cardio can be very nice for those who don’t want to bother learning any complicated exercises and just want to quickly get moving. When it’s time for more challenge, work with a tougher video or move on to other exercises like aerobics or pilates or dancing. But do-along walking is the quickest.

I particularly enjoyed wearing the right gear for this. It helps get you in the mood. I wore tights and a spaghetti thingy and my Nike shoes and did my hair in a swishy pony tail. That made me feel very sporty indeed. Loved it.

Here’s Leslie’s 5-Mile Walk.