Belly Abs with Rania
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!
If I ever make a belly abs video, one thing I would make sure to do is to put in lots of one-hip circles and one-hip figure eights. Those require a lot of ab control. And to be really ruthless, traveling omis.
In personal bellydance news, I impressed my teacher yesterday by performing a basic shimmy layered on top of a horizontal figure eight – you have to be careful while doing that in the beginning, because you’re extending your spine to do the 8 while keeping your hips moving fast enough. It turned out well, and since I can do the 3/4 shimmy moderately well she says I can do her intermediate class. Yay!
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Congrats Sajia
Mala, I love your reviews! This one sounds really fair – and honest. I like to know what I get, and I think this will not be it..
Hey Dina.
I try to be fair in my reviews, but I guess there’s no escaping the fact that one sees it from one’s own point of view. Belly Abs isn’t for me, but it may well be nice for someone who just doesn’t exercise. It still won’t put a dent in a sizable stomach – but it would get the person moving, which is a start.
Beyond that though, I really haven’t understood the selection of crunches and I definitely don’t think any DVD should be giving out such little “meat” as is the case with these combos. You’ll find more complex combos on youtube for free! String them together and go go go at top speed.
Sajia… it’s a thrill when a tough move just suddenly falls into place. And everyone struggles with shimmy layering. I haven’t yet managed to layer a shimmy with torso moves, and definitely not with the undulation. I haven’t really worked at it! Must!
I kind of like this dvd, mainly because it is so short and I know I can do it in one go without getting lost if I get hassle from the kids -summer holidays-aagh! Or as an add-on to a proper workout. I don’t think it’s a long term fav, but I quite like it for now. I agree with you Mala, it’s not tough enough, I’d like a more substantial crunch section, and it really doesn’t feel like much of a workout. Also I am beginning to get slightly irritated by the way Rania says combiNATION. Yes, I know I’m ridiculously picky, but with all the amazing dvd’s out there I can afford to be!
When I want to completely kill my abs I do Billy Blanks Tae Bo Abs, it’s horrendously tough.
Like you Mala, I’m doing a bit more fitness at the moment, less dancing. I feel a bit self conscious about my flabby tummy both when I’m performing and in class and it’s detracting from my enjoyment of dancing.
No, that combiNATION! doesn’t sit well on Rania at all. That style just isn’t hers. She should just try softening up and sweetening up a little. That would work better.
I also very much like the fact that I could pick up the combinations real quick. I wouldn’t mind a dozen videos that just focus on that. Oh yes, Keti Sharif does that with her entire volumes of little combinaitons. But you have to like Keti’s style. But now that I learnt those, I’ve already taken all I can from the video and am not likely to want to refresh my memory for a long, long time. Quick shelf life, that!
It’s when you start to evaluate ifor the purpose for which it seems to be meant — actual weight loss/toning of the abs, that I think it doesn’t measure up. And nor do many other DVDs.
Ruth, why do you to such a horribly difficult workout?? I’m aware of this video but haven’t seen it. Might one of these days. But if it’s that difficult, you may not end up working with it very often. You don’t want to get ab-shock! Just do pilates or something else once or twice a week for maintenance.
I have a ton of fitness videos. I must review them!
Oh! I love the look of it! Lovely do-it music. In a group, it must be an absolute blast! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnZQfUf6k74
I used to do lots of tae bo.
Cannot do it anymore because of an old knee injury.
With only moderate knee or hip joint issues Tae bo is not a good choice.. it is in general not good for the joints pretty much strain.
Most likely my injury was a result of Tae Bo even though I did not hurt myself during a Tae Bo class. Doctor and physiotherapist said it was from overstrain (I did not only Tae bo, but many other things – but Tae bo definitely was the one activity that was hard on the joints I did at that time).
Just for you guys to know to be aware of it when doing it. Not being able to dance because of joint pain s**ks
Yes I agree Dina, the Tae Bo workouts are so fast it is difficult to remain in good form. I only use the abs one which is mainly floor exercises, but even then it’s tough on the body. Billy Blanks is hilarious, although I don’t think that’s intentional. it’s only 30 mins too so I can fit it in easily. I seem to be leaning towards shorter workouts/practices at the moment
I also like to feel a bit of muscle ache the next day, and like I’m using a lot of energy, otherwise I don’t feel like it was a proper workout. I’ve tried pilates a few times and it just makes me want to sleep! l do a bit of yoga because it is so refreshing, but I just didn’t get on with the pilates.
I’m doing a course in a couple of weeks to qualify as a zumba instructor, it’s pretty cheesy, but good fun, and a proper workout.
I reckon I might go back to doing some weight training as well, I used to do a lot and it got me into good shape quickly.
Uh oh… I’m already doing too much to impact my knees, so that input is worrisome. I think I’ll know when I go at it one round though. And Billy Blanks is definitely very funny. I’ve only seen one called Basic Workout.
I can only say I LOVED Tae Bo. It was the kind of workout I’d looked for till then, incomparable regarding energy and FUN.
Beware it is really hard on the joints, and I was thinking I was doing it in good form. I think it is so strenuous that it is hard for anybody to do it in good form. I mean actual Thai box or kickbox masters do hurt their joints, and not only from being hit or striking against something in the wrong way.
You have to do it fast and with strength – inevitably you put a lot of strain on the joint.
I still miss it, and would not discourage anybody, because it was just so much fun and I never got my heart rate up that good. I will not do it again though,because my knee issue showed me I miss doing moderate energy things just too much when I can’t do them.
on another topic girls:
doesn’t this look STU-STU-STUNNING??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIWkQVpFBAg&feature=sub