Tracey Mallett's FuseDance Cardio Melt DVD: A Review

photo from TraceyMallett.com

From the DVD:

FuseDance Cardio Melt is an exhilarating high energy low impact workout, incorporating a fluid fusion of dance styles from salsa, jazz, funk and ballet mixed with athletic fitness moves that are easy to master and gentle on the joints.

Your heart will pump, your body will pulse, your energy will soar, but most importantly, you'll forget you're actually burning mega calories because you're having so much fun!

My Overall Rating of this workout: B+

Production Quality: 5/5
Fun Factor:              3/5
"Burn" Factor         2/5
Instructor:                5/5
Value:                       5/5

Workout Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Workout Length: 30 Minutes (2 Workouts)
Equipment Required: 3 and/or 5 lb weights

This DVD is broken down into 2 workouts, each 30 minutes long. I own many of Tracey Mallett's DVD's (primarily the Booty Barre collection), and find her workouts fun, energetic and inspiring.

PROS:

• Instructor is upbeat, inspiring and fun
• Dance moves integrated to make the workouts pass quickly, but steps are simple enough for those with little to no dance background

CONS:

• Routines are fairly easy, "sweat factor" lower than many of Tracey Mallett's other DVD's (primarily her Booty Barre collection)
• Even though this is touted as "low impact", I would describe it rather as "medium impact." One must be careful during many of the moves. I have prior knee surgery, and found myself at times exercising with caution due to impact to my knees and wrists.

Workout 1: Interval Fat Burn

This is the Dance Cardio workout. There are elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance in this workout, but the moves are quite easy, and will be appropriate for anyone with no dance background. She does use technical terms, however it's easy to follow her moves for those unfamiliar with the terms.

This workout is fun and fairly easy, but gets the heart rate going. I enjoyed it, but prefer more high-intensity dance cardio (such as Zumba.) This is a good workout for beginners or for those days when an easier workout is desired. These workouts can also be performed together for an all over work out with light cardio.

This workout transitions into the "Total Toned Body" segment, so be sure to incorporate your own cool-down if this is the only workout you will be doing.


Workout 2: Total Toned Body

This segment is less dance oriented, with athletic/strength moves integrated in between cardio intervals. I would describe this workout as an "intermediate" workout, with modifications available for those that prefer to go the beginner's route.

 I used 5 pound weights, and felt my arms tingling by the end of the workout. This is primarily an upper body workout, with some core work and light leg work.

Overall:

 The choreography is clean, simple, and easy to follow. Tracey Mallett's cuing is excellent, and all women in the video have great chemistry. Tracey has an immaculate body (perfect six-pack!) which is quite inspiring, but she adds 2 "non-dancers" to the mix, which gives a very natural and approachable feel to the routines.

I'm glad I added this DVD to my collection, but I feel that I will be incorporating the Total Toned Body workout much more frequently than the Interval Fat Burn. It's great that there are 2 options on this DVD, so I will still be able to put it to good use.

Many of Tracey Mallett's other workouts are staples in my weekly routine, including Functional Intensity Training and Booty Barre Total New Body. I will be including reviews of those shortly.

For more in-depth reviews or to purchase this DVD, click on the image below.