Billy Blanks Jr. Fills Big Shoes in His Own Way (Plus Giveaway!)
December 21, 2010 by Jenn
Confession: When I got this one in the mail, I was kind of in a bad mood. And the first thing I groaned about was another dance DVD—there are so many lately! The second? Another Blanks on the cover—I mean, really, can the world handle that? Well, bad mood or no bad mood, apparently they can. ‘Cause this DVD grooves, burns and rocks my fit-bottomed world, even if the cover looks totally cheesy.
That’s right, Billy Blanks Jr: Dance With Me Groove & Burn totally made an arse of me. And I’m so glad it did. Taught by Billy Blanks’ son, Billy Blanks Jr. (clever name!) with some help from Jr.’s wife Sharon (who is quite delightful and has some Whitney Houston type-isms, including hair flipping, happy outbursts and calling Africa the “motherland”), the music is fun and so are the high-impact moves. Junior gives you a solid warm-up, three 15-minute each dance segments (disco, African and Latin) and a cool down.
The dance moves in all of the sections are like a mix of Zumba and Jazzercise in that they’re more aerobics than real dance, but really get your heart rate up. And appeal more to someone like me who struggles with more “real” dance-type workout DVDs. The dance sections are broken into basic steps that build together, and he even throws in some little “burns” where he focuses on a certain move like pliés. He also plays what I call “Billy Says,” which is like Simon Says but with dance moves. It’s fun, believe me. Overall, Billy does a great job of breaking the moves down and being encouraging yet not annoying.
There are only two down sides to this workout DVD. First, there are no real modifications shown, so if you aren’t a high-impact fan, then this isn’t your DVD. Second, it’s really hard to hear the instructions in the cool down. Unlike the rest of the video which has fun background music, the cool down features a song with lyrics—loud ones—and it overshadows Billy. Now, this is just a hunch, but I’m pretty sure the woman singing in the cool down is Sharon. Again, supporting the Whitney comparisons…
Overall though, we love Billy No. 2!
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★1/2
Fit Bottom line: Billy Jr., we like how you groove! This is the perfect DVD for those looking for a fun, approachable, high-impact dance workout.
Want to try this workout DVD or Billy Blanks Jr.’s other title Dance with Me Cardio Fit? Leave a comment telling us why, and we’ll select one lucky random U.S. reader to win in about a week via email. G’luck, happy feet! —Jenn
OH I would LOVE to try this…I first found Jr. with cardioke…LOVE that workout if this is anything like that i KNOW it would be FUN!
It’s been a long time since I bought his TaeBo set which is now practically obsolete for me on VHS. Anything dance inspired would be fun. Thanks!
i used to have the taebo set i would like to try this one
I need a new routine as I’ve hit a plateau with the one I’ve been using.
This looks like a fun challenge!
Became disenchanted with Billy Sr as I tried other workouts.
Like you, would love to see if Jr could redeem the Blanks name….at least for me!
Ready to get my groove on!
Would love to ramp up my workout for the new year!
I really need something new, I would really like this.
I’m always looking for new dance cardio. One to learn some new moves and two my kids love doing them with me. Which gives us time together and still get our workout in all at the same time.
I am needing a fun workout right now!
I am a TOTAL video workout whore – especially dance ones! I’m an awful dancer, yet love to dance – so workout dvds allow me to indulge myself without making a fool of myself
I need something new to get me out of the current funk that I’m in. This looks really fun.
How funny–I just recently revived my old tae bo DVDs because I needed something different! Didn’t know Billy Jr was in the fitness industry, but would love to try him out!
I would love to try this dvd. I love his Dad’s dvds and I workout at soley at home. I need to updated my exercise dvd collection
I would love to try these DVDs so I could bust some sweet moves in the privacy of my living room (and not 50+ people at the gym studio). I’m always looking for fun new ways to burn calories!
Wow. I would love to try this. I STILL use a Billy Blanks “Master Blaster” video every once in awhile for my arms
I love workout DVDs! lol…I get to make a rear of myself in the privacy of my own home. Hooray! I’ll have to add this to my “wish list” on amazon!
Workout DVDs are my main source of my workouts. I first discovered BB Jr on ExerciseTV with Cardioke. Love it! Music and dancing go hand and hand for great workouts. I would love to get my cardio dancing with BB Jr and add this DVD to my library.
I’m ready to groove with Billy!
Sounds fun, i need some new at home workouts. Would love to try it..
I would LOVE to win this DVD. As soon as you said a mix of Zumba and Jazzercise—that just says to me:”Hollie, buy me!” I love both Zumba and Jazzercise so this DVD would be perfect:)
I would LOVE to try. I get bored with my workouts easily and am not a great dancer, so this would challenge me!
Would love to try something new!!
I’m a complete workout dvd junkie, and have been itching to try this and his other dvd, but funds have been limited lately, so it would be awesome if i won this! =)
I would love to give this a try…I have been wanting to add a dance workout into my collection for a fun workout but have been burned in the past by purchasing DVDs that are less than ‘moving.’ This one sounds like one I could shake my fit bottom at and break a sweat!
Anything with disco has to be good! Love Latin dance and have not tried African, so count me in! Merry Christmas!
When I was much younger I used to do the Tae Bo workouts. This would be fun.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I’d love to try this video so I can embarrass the kids with my cool moves!
I’d love to inspire my mom.
I’d love to inspire my mom.
I would love to try it. I love to try any workout and for me dancing is so much fun ans long as it is not slow and my heart rte get soaring.
I would love to try your workout. I am a 62 year old lady. I work out consistently and am told I look much younger. I am always looking for new things to tone my body. This one sounds like it would do a great job of that!
I didnt’ know there was a billy Jr. I knew he had a daughter. How cool that he is putting his take on the workout.
I would love to try this one out. I am always looking for a good work out.
I’m always looking for new workout videos that are fun!
I love to dance and it’s really the only workout I really enjoy.
Sounds like a great way to mix things up. Gym equipment is good, but this is a fun alternative.
I would like to try Billy Blank Jr.’s workout DVD because it looks like soo much fun!!!!!
I just got Zunba Fitness for Christmas and it wasn’t at ALL what I was expecting. I need some Billy Blanks to get me in shape!! My kids said they would do it with me, that alone is worth getting the DVD.
Would love to have this and it looks awesome!
Dancing is a great distraction from the whole working out thing. I would love to try this DVD!
Would love to win to help me lose the baby lbs!
I still have baby/hysterectomy weight and my “baby” is 4.