Cheer Your Buns Off with Cheerobics and Have Fun Doing It!

My daughter was captain of her high school cheerleading squad and has been dancing since she was three. I have no idea from where she gets these abilities. They certainly don’t come from me. In my more creative imaginings I can move my hips like Shakira but in real life? Not so much. So I was really excited when I received an offer to review a new exercise technique called Cheerobics® Home Experience, an exercise routine that has become quite popular in the UK and Europe and was recently launched in the US by the Cheerleading Company. I’m all about changing up my exercise routine to keep from being bored and to stay motivated. Besides, our muscles become complacent and we have to challenge them in new ways, so changing up your exercise routine makes great sense. I was sent a free set of DVDs and, happy day, my very own set of pompoms. (Am I a cheerleader wannabe? Perhaps!)

The Cheerobics workout is divided into four sections – Warmup, Cardio, Floor Exercises and Stretching. There is also a Learn the Moves section that teaches you how to do the moves so that you can keep up with the cardio section.  I watched and learned and then, pompoms in hand, proceeded to the workout.

OMG, it was so much fun! The first time I did the cardio portion of the workout, I lagged behind a bit, jumped around a bit and walked in place while I happily shook my pompons. Not being able to keep up didn’t deter me in the least. I know that there’s a learning curve when it comes to new cardio routines and, after a couple of times, I was joyfully bouncing around my family room floor while working up a sweat.

Cheerobics is presented and produced by its founder, Jessica Rossi. Rossi is the founder and head coach of Zoo Fever Cheerleaders and is a qualified cheerleading coach and exercise instructor. She is also adorable and has the most charming accent. She is supported by a group of young women who are equally motivating. Rossi talks you through the moves, reminds you to breathe and her enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment of movement motivates you through every step of the program.

After the cardio portion of Cheerobics, Rossi quickly moves to the Floor Exercises portion of the DVD. (I mention this only because I cannot stand a break in the action. Once I start to work out, I want to continue until I am finished. No breaks. No timeouts for  lengthy explanations of the moves. Just play the music. Keep it going and I’ll follow along as best as I can. (So, I will say that, while I recommend watching and doing the Learn the Moves section, it only confused me – but that’s me. I am much more adept at following along when the music is pumping full speed. I cannot explain why that is but, if you’re like me, don’t be deterred if you can’t do the moves properly during the tutorial. It’s a whole different ballgame – or cheerleading routine – when you’re doing the moves to tempo. And the music, by the way, is phenomenal and will surely get you moving.)

Kudos to Rossi for following up the cardio portion of Cheerobics with a full body Floor Exercise routine. And she even incorporates the pompoms while doing it! Rossi covers every body part and, trust me, your arms get a great workout. They are constantly in motion or held at your sides, or above your head. The pompoms made me forget that I was working my arms because I had so much fun holding them and shaking them.

The Cheerobics routine finishes with a stretching program and, again, Rossi pays attention to the entire body. Good for her  – and for you!

Cheerobics is a fun, full body routine that will get your exercise program out of the doldrums. Believe me, I have no illusions as to my cheerleading ability – but if you know where I can get a cheerleader’s uniform, let me know!

The Cheerobics® Home Experience DVD is available for $34.99 + p&p and includes: Cheerobics® Workout DVD (with ‘how to’ tutorials), Extra Features DVD,   and two professional pompoms. For more information or to purchase the DVD: http://www.cheerobics.net/dvd.htm