The Charge

Beats the @#%$&@*# Stairmaster.

The Case

I know pretty much nothing about the Samba, save it's a dance usually performed by hot South American women in frilly outfits. I supposed that's all I would ever have to know to continue through life, but thanks to Samba master Vanessa Isaac, I now know some simple history behind Brazil's dance of choice, and perhaps just enough choreography not to sprain a ligament if I tried a few moves.

Samba Party Workout is not so much a dance instructional—though I'd hazard you might be able to hold you own in a Brazilian club if you've mastered the moves on this disc—but more an instructional DVD geared toward burning off those pounds. So file this one under "fitness."

Vanessa Isaac is a renowned dancer and instructor, and, thankfully, a pleasant personality. If you have no clue what Samba is, don't feel like a fool—her approach to instruction is easygoing and non-threatening. The workout itself runs a shade over 30 minutes, beginning with a warm-up and ending in a cool-down. Aiding our teacher is a handful of duff-shaking females.

The disc launches straight into the workout. It's a slightly different approach than what I've seen in similarly-themed dance routines, but I think it's a good move by the producers. First, the dances didn't seem too, too terribly difficult (not to say I wouldn't cause significant property damage if I undertook the workout, but someone of moderate coordination should fare okay) and, second, a slower, step-by-step breakdown of the core Samba moves is included as a bonus feature. I can see this proving to be really helpful, as Isaac takes the audience though the footwork very methodically, starting in slow temp and eventually building to real-time.

Other extras include a short documentary called "About Samba," which delivers a crash course in the history of the dance, an opening montage of behind-the-scenes footage and interview snippets, an introduction by Vanessa Isaac, and a handy workout selection menu.

Should be a fun way to shed a few calories.

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