Bellydance Fitness for Beginners – Basic Moves & Fat Burning

The basic moves section of this DVD is good for someone who is out of shape (like me) and looking for something that stretches and challenges at the same time. It doesn't really burn fat or get your heart rate going like, say, a Tae-Bo workout would, but it does get your body moving and teaches you some unusual dance moves at the same time.

The fat burning section is something else entirely. Intermediate users who have some tone and strength to their muscles might be able to deal with the constant up-down-up-down movement, but even after a month of fairly steady exercise with other titles, I still can't get through the first part of this workout. The constant bouncing in particular seems to agitate my knees and ankles.

So, in short -- the first workout is good for stretching, coordination, grace, and learning a little bit about bellydance. The second is good if your knees and ankles can take it and you have the endurance to tough it out. That person isn't me, but it might be you :)

DVD options include sound type (Dolby 5.1 or Dolby 2), editing out the commentators's voices, and information about the benefits of bellydance. The dance footage that was originally part of the credits on the VHS versions of these workouts is also included, and I would almost say that they're worth the price of admission. As difficult as I found the second workout to be, I find watching Veena and Neena dance to be awe-inspiring. They are very good at what they do, and their costumes are incredible!

I have more energy and i acctually look forward to working out now, instead of dreading it. It is not strenuous, instead it is more relaxing. I feel good when I am done instead of worn out.

Neena and Veena have a lot of enthusiasm and thier attitude makes you feel good about working out. They are so graceful and fun to watch. I find myself doing the moves to music as I clean the house because they are enjoyable.

If you are not in shape when you get it, take your time learning the basic moves section before you try to move onto the fat burning. If you stick with it, which i'm sure you will want to after you try it, it really works. My body is so thankful for Neena and Veena. :)

I bellydance and this dvd is a great dvd! It tones and strenthens the muscles I use while bellydancing, such as my thighs and hips. I love this DVD. I especially love the special features. In the commentary, Veena and Neena reveals more information on the specific moves done in the dvd and some background/history of some moves etc...Also In the special features are EXTRA DANCE FOOTAGE. It is my favorite part in the special features section. Five seperate dances are shown, and I must say, VERY beautifully done. Each dance shows different forms of Egyptian bellydance (dancing to a drum solo, with a veil, cymbals, a sword, and a cane.)

Basic Moves is a slow, non-impact workout that is so much fun!!! It was hard for me to believe, just by watching the dvd, that the workout could have any effect on me. But it did. This workout doesnt build bulk, instead it tones the muscles and trims the fat on your body.

Fat burning is very hard for me. Its hard to keep up really. But its IS a good workout. There is lots of jumping/bouncing in this part of the DVD, so there is lots of emphasis on the calves.

My two favorite indoor activities are Ballet and belly dancing. And, Neena and Veena are usually the belly dancing I do. I can do four to five routines in one night, and I get a great workout for my whole body. However, I've had to work up to that over the past five months, or so.

Basic Moves is a good introductary tape and really helps you get started and confident in what you're doing. Fat Burning is a fast-paced cardio routine. Neena and Veena are great instructors and the routines are quality recordings, with very few continuity errors.

My few complaints with the DVD are that when playing through both workouts, I shouldn't have to suffer through the closing credits between sequences, and the commentary tracks, while interesting, were VERY sparse. I think each one lasted for about half the routine.

Both of these are such minor quibbles that I don't think it brings down the overall quality of the routines. I just wanted to mention it for the absolute purists out there.

As another reviewer mentioned, getting a hip scarf is a good idea. I bought one, and it helps me make sure I'm keeping the right tempo as I move along with the tapes. I can watch the girls' scarves, instead of my own hips!