Dirty Dancing Official Dance Workout and a Giveaway!

In my book, there’s nothing worse than a workout DVD that has all the potential and material in the world but doesn’t capitalize on it. It’s like a sports team with all the talent and no drive. Or a relationship where you have similar interests but no spark or pa-CHOW. Or a low-fat dessert that looks great and has few cals but tastes like dirt. Or a Dirty Dancing-themed workout that doesn’t include the song “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.”

Sadly, that last example is true. Blasphemy, right? How you can make the Dirty Dancing Official Dance Workout and not include that song, I DO NOT KNOW. Lionsgate, you dropped the ball there. Thankfully, you make up for it a little bit with “Yes” (by Merry Clayton) and “Do You Love Me?” (by The Contours), but, still. You cut me—deep.

With that being said, this DVD isn’t terrible by any means. In fact, as far as dance DVDs go, this one was pretty darn good (and much better than this one). The DVD is divided up into six sections: an 11-minute syllabus that teaches you all of the moves, four 12-14 minute DD songs that you shake your groove thing to while being instructed, and lastly an 11-minute Saturday Night Dance Challenge that puts everything together into one big dance par-tay. While the music in the syllabus and individual songs are muted (could be sooo much more fun if it wasn’t!), in the Challenge, the tunes are pumping and all of the dancers are in costume and way into it.

All four of the routines are fairly fun and challenging dance-wise without being overly complicated. The steps are fun, and if you like dancing, you’ll probably really enjoy it. The workouts are lead by Tracey Mallett and John Byrne. John is pretty easy on the eyes and Tracey is upbeat but not annoying. Additionally, Tracey is English, complete with accent, and therefore impossible for me to hate. Do be warned though that in the song routines, you will most likely be distracted by one dancer who just seems really uncomfortable. I think this is because nature granted her with more than enough on top and she doesn’t want to draw attention to them, but that’s just my theory. Let me know if you have others.

The DVD’s set is more “Dirty Dancing on Broadway” than Dirty Dancing the movie, but the dancers are clad in fun outfits and surrounded mostly by watermelons and stage lights on a worn wood floor. Everyone is also very theatrical, especially the male dancers in back who do jazz hands now and again. In fact, I’m pretty sure this workout was made to help promote the musical. Sneaky marketing for sure.

As far as a workout goes, the dances will burn a few cals, get your heart pumping and channel your inner Baby, but it won’t be the time of your life. Probably more like a decent time in your life. In the long-term, this is not a DVD that I can see myself popping in time and time again, especially since once you’ve gotten the moves down, the workout really only lasts 11 minutes. I’m all for getting a workout in quickly, but I’d definitely want to pair this with a power walk or some weights. Or heck, maybe put the real DD movie on and watch it while I bike at home.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★
Meets Expectations: ★
Overall: ★★★

Fit Bottom line: Although it’s not nearly as fabulous as the movie, if you like to dance, consider trying this one on Netflix or buying it on Amazon and splitting the cost with a friend. Don’t expect it to get Baby out of the corner though. —Jenn

Do you live in the U.S. and want to review this one yourself? Win a free Dirty Dancing Official Dance Workout DVD by telling us your favorite scene from the movie Dirty Dancing below or e-mailing us at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com!

Want to read more reviews of dance-based workouts? Check out my review of Zumba and Erin’s take on The Bollywood Dance Workout.