SYTYCD Get Fit Review and Huge Giveaway!
August 20, 2009 by Jenn
I love the show So You Think You Can Dance. Sure, the title is a tad cheesy, but the dancing and choreography is good enough for even my husband to stop, watch and say “wow” without a hint of sarcasm. (I also have delusions of grandeur about going on the show and wowing producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe with my sweet Paula Abdul-esque moves.)
When I heard that SYTYCD was coming out with a workout DVD series, I was skeptically psyched. See, I’d been excited by other dance-based DVDs (Dirty Dancing and Dancing with the Stars) and been burned. Badly. However, I was pleasantly surprised from the get-go with the SYTYCD Get Fit series. Okay, pleasantly surprised doesn’t express it. I was FREAKING OUT it was so good! Yes, I had low expectations, but it didn’t matter. Someone finally made a dance DVD that’s easy to follow, fun, funky and with enough variations and options to keep you totally engaged. Somehow—and I know it’s not easy—these DVDs perfectly walk the fine line of making the moves totally do-able even for beginners while still being actual “dancing” (read: not aerobics) and fun. Lots of funny fun fun.
And get this, the dance routines are actually a good cardio workout, and for not being fitness professionals, the dancers are excellent instructors—encouraging, but not annoying. They’re vibrant, break down the moves in an easy to understand way and then speed it up multiple times and at multiple speeds so that you can really get it. In the final segments of each dance routine, you get to bust it down with just the music for a full-out SYTYCD performance experience (minus Nigel).
All of the dance routines are excellent, although I really, really liked Lauren’s Hip Hop routine, Travis’ Contemporary moves and Twitch’s Hip Hop session (I do kinda have a thing for Twitch though, so I can’t be totally trusted on this). There wasn’t a single one though that I didn’t like—not even Courtney’s Disco (I thought both disco and Courtney would annoy me, but I was so very wrong), Katee’s Jazz or Dmitry’s Cha Cha. Each and every routine had me sweating and thinking that I sooo could dance.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★★
Music: ★★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★!
Fit Bottom line: If you thought this would be another lame dance workout, think again. Both SYTYCD Get Fit DVDs are fun, funky and fresh, and provide a good cardio workout. They’ll make you think that, yes, you can dance! —Jenn
So you think you can win? Comment below or email us at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com by next Thursday with why you want one of these DVDs. We’ll pick EIGHT lucky readers to win! U.S. residents only, pretty please! Good luck!
I haven't missed an episode of SYTYCD, so I was really psyched to see these! I got them from Netflix and only tried a few before I sent them back (I'm weird: I can't keep a Netflix movie for more than 4 days or else I get antsy….). But the parts that I completed were absolutely fun and the time went by so quickly (always a good thing for me when working out). I would love to have these at my disposal all the time! *wink*wink*
Thanks and love your blog!
Um, I so love SYTCD and I might have to break my anti-home workout rule and buy these as I am also the one girl who actually bought Darrin's Dance Grooves.
I love workout DVDs as an alternative to the gym. They also sound like a lot of fun
I would LOVE to try these! I've always wanted to try a dance class and have never had the nerve (or a willing dance partner!). These sound like they would be perfect, plus I can dance my heart out, imperfections and all, in the privacy of my own home! What's better than that?
I'd love to try this with the kids! Looks like a fun way to stay fit together.
I'm so glad you could try this out for us and be honest about your ratings! Your comments make me want to have a copy to spice up my workouts!~~jo
Fun, fun, fun! I'm pretty excited about your review of the hip hop routine. I'm always drawn to those DVDs, since they have great explosive moves that work the whole body, but too often I'm frustrated by how outrageous the moves are!
I love to dance but, I have no rhythm so my dance moves are usually reserved for my living room lol. I'm wondering if the dance moves shown in the video ones that you would actually do out in public?
Oooh! I would like a video please!!
I used to dance in a troupe in college, but since then I haven't had the chance to continue. I'd love a video so I could dance in my living room. Plus, I love the show!!
Everytime I watch this show I get up and tell my husband that I should be a dancer. Maybe these DVDs would help me be a dancer.
I've kept my love for disco quiet until now, but I would love the Cardio Funk DVD. I still have my Bee Gees music and dance to that! The show's choreography is amazing and it would be fun to learn a few moves so I don't look so goofy! Thanks, and Woo Hoo!
This will be good. I'm sure it'll kick me in the rear. Let's do this. I'm stoked.
I'd totally love to give this a shot. I love the show (Snow is still my fav, I yell her name whenever I see her in the transition shots), and every time I watch the show, I'm inspired to dance (too bad I can't make it to the classes in my area =( ). It's nice to see that the same people we love are the ones teaching. They're still early enough to be able to teach, but pro enough to know what they're talking about. I've never done the dance for fitness stuff (step classes for me, typically), but I'd love to give it a shot, this looks like it will be fun.
I love love love SYTYCD, and the video sounds great! Perfect workout combo in my book, and I'd love to give it a try!
I keep meaning to buy a dance workout video, but I haven't taken the plunge yet. These look great!
I've been getting frustrated and bored with running – would love to get some DVDs that actually motivate me to exercise!
I absolutely love the show, so this is wonderful to have a review of the DVDs. I have to admit, the cover art made me a little skeptical (there I go, "judging a book by its cover") — combined with the fact that I am not a fan of "jazzy" aerobics videos, I thought for sure these were a no-go. But now I'm psyched to try them out. Thanks for reviewing (and for offering the giveaway)!!
How fun! My daughter would love to try these as well. What a cool way to work out!
I usually stink at dance videos, but FBGS enthusiasum has peaked my interest!
i used to have an aerobics instructor a loooong time ago who taught us actual dance moves – in a way that even us rhythm challenged can understand… haven't found a good one since. this sounds like a great video, i'd love the chance to try it out!
I would like to try these dance video because I really enjoyed watching them on the show.
I really enjoy dance videos, they break up boring routines.
lyn113003(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ok I have danced since I was an 11 and Now that I have two kids and a full time job I don't have time to dance nor do I have time to go to the gym! This would be a great way for me to work out at home.
I found the DVDs for sale on ExerciseTV's website.
http://store.exercisetv.tv/p-2385-so-you-think-you-can-dance-get-fit-cardio-funk.aspx
I love doing these dance workouts in the morning. I feel great afterward and throughout the day. I bought the DVDs at ExerciseTV!
http://store.exercisetv.tv/p-2384-so-you-think-you-can-dance-get-fit-tone-and-groove.aspx
I love to dance and I love this show – hope I win! If not, I may have to pick them up anyway
I would love to win a dance video! This is something that I have never tried and I am sure it would be a blast!
If I were to win I promise to do it, review it and shake me boottay! Pssst…and make Angie too!
Oh i would just love to win this. I am a workout DVD junkie ("Biggest Loser" being my biggest and newest favorite so far!)
I have some "hip hop" and Carmen Electra stuff that has never satisfied the need to dance and get a good workout. Crossing my fingers for a win
I wanna dance myself fit.
Pick me! Pick me!
I love to dance and have been searching forever for a good dance workout video, maybe this will be the One!
I don't have a dancing bone in my body… and it drives me nuts! I don't have the money for lessons (though that would be a blast), and I'd love to – try to – learn at home. These videos actually sound like they might be worth a shot. Thanks for the real review.
I'd love to try it, if my comment isn't too late
I'd love to win this dvd! I love dance aerobics, Zumba is my favorite this looks like alot of fun!!!
I think it would be interesting because I have ZERO dance skills. My husband and I took dance lessons for our wedding and after we stumbled through our dance my cousin asked why we never took lessons. What?!
would love to see how my two left feet will get through this!
I am the most rhythmless person ever, I would love to try this in the privacy of my basement. My dark, solitary, windowless basement.