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DVD: Dancing with the Stars Cardio Dance

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Now that Dancing with the Stars is back in full effect, I have taken notice to how toned everyone seems to be as the show evolves.

Of course, dancing is known for burning major calories but it's not something we can just teach ourselves. The Dancing with the Stars Cardio Dance DVD ($11.89) features three of the show's pro-dancers Ashly, Kym and Maksim. You'll learn four choreographed dance routines (Cha-Cha, Samba, Paso Doble, and Jive) featuring some of the moves we've seen Stacey Keibler and Mario Lopez perform. Don't have a partner willing to do it with you? No worries as the dances are meant to be done without a partner. There is a bonus freestyle routine at the end that will test your new dance skills. You'll be sure to have fun while burning calories -- What's better than that?

You can do it in the comfort of your own home so that even if you don't dance like a star behind closed doors, you can look like one once the doors open. Buy it from Amazon.com.

Miss last week's episode of Dancing with the Stars? Check out Buzz's Buzz Reel.

Buzz Gift Guide: Mommy Dearest

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:44 -0800

What to get the woman who raised you? She may not be as hard to shop for as grandma or dad, but I still have a few ideas. Mine is a Dancing With the Stars fanatic, so I'm snatching up their new workout DVD. Also on the list: Valerie Bertinelli's memoir and a cute Liz Lemon tote to take to the grocery store. I'm considering a TiVo, too - that way, she doesn't have to decide between The Amazing Race and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday nights anymore. (Really, it's like Sophie's Choice.)

But if my suggestions don't strike your fancy, check out all of the gift guides across the Sugar network. You're sure to find something!

Pop a DVD In: Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour

PopSugarUK — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

If you can't get enough Strictly Come Dancing in your life then have I got some great news for you: the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour DVD is available to buy from today!

Eight celebrities from the first five series took to the road at the beginning of the year, and performed 40 live shows in front of thousands of adoring fans. I was lucky enough to catch one of their London dates and boy was it a fun show! This DVD brings the glitz and the glamour of the ballroom straight to your living room.

A pregnant Kate Thornton does a pretty good job taking over hosting duties from Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, and while just three judges made it on tour, Len is on top form and more than makes up for Bruno's absence.

To find out what celebs and extras appear on the DVD, just read more.

The standard of dancing is very high, so those of you who love to watch the hopeless contestants will have to make do with Series One runner up Chris Parker and his hugely entertaining Paso Doble. Fellow Eastenders alumni Letitia Dean, Matt Di Angelo and Louisa Lytton also toured, and were joined by Zoe Ball, James Martin, Denise Lewis and Series Three winner Darren Gough.

Together with their professional dance partners, the gang bring all the fun of the TV series to the arena, from the gorgeous costumes to the judges' comments and scores. You won't be able to vote on this one, but a champion is crowned, after the arena's audience votes are tallied with the judges' leader board.

The couples all perform a Latin and a ballroom routine, and there are group dances to savour too. Len Goodman, Arlene Philips and Craig Revel Horwood are as funny as ever with their spats and comments, and the pace is even faster than the TV show. This might not be the kind of DVD you'll watch again and again, but it's a great addition to any Strictly fan's collection.

Bonus features include a "Behind the Scenes" documentary, which is pretty revealing about just how competitive, and nervous, the stars on tour are.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour is released by 2 Entertain on Mon. 10 Nov.

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Pop A DVD In: Mamma Mia!

PopSugarUK — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0800

It's starting to get really cold now, so thank goodness for the DVD release of Mamma Mia! this week. One of the massive box office hits of the summer, the film based on the stage musical will bring some welcome sunshine and laughter into your living room.

Meryl Streep is on wonderful all-singing all-dancing form as Donna, a single mum with a run-down hotel on an idyllic Greek island. Amanda Seyfried shows off her awesome singing voice as Donna's daughter, Sophie, who wants her father to be at her wedding to Sky (played by a gorgeous, and topless, Dominic Cooper). The hitch is Sophie doesn't know who her dad is, so she invites all three (Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgård).

Throw in lots of ABBA songs and you've got yourself a fun, silly, charming film. The all-star cast are one of the biggest draws (alongside the gorgeous Sporades setting), with Julie Walters and Christine Baranski on brilliant form as Donna's best friends. The film pretty much manages to pull off a bizarre blend of knowing irony and heartfelt sincerity, but it is a strange mix that won't appeal to everyone.

I got to meet the male and female stars of the film, and it was clear how much they enjoyed making the movie when they told me all about the singing and dancing. Check out my review of the cinema release to find out more and see movie stills.

To read more about the film's record breaking, and watch a deleted scene plus a behind the scenes featurette, just read more.

Mamma Mia! is breaking records left, right and centre: having become the biggest grossing British film of all time at the UK box office, it has now become the UK's fastest-selling DVD, with 1.669 million copies sold on the first day of sale on Monday. I'd recommend you join the millions of viewers who've already enjoyed the ride, and grab a slice of summery silliness to brighten up these cold winter days.

DVD extras are ample (bumping up my original star rating!) and include: director's commentary, Making Of, outtakes, sing-a-long option, behind-the-scenes features, music video and deleted scenes. See below for a couple of goodies.

A Look Inside

DVD Extra Deleted Musical Scene

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PopUK Gift Guide: Girls' Night In

PopSugarUK — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Across the Sugar network this week we're bringing you gift guide ideas for the wonderful women in your life, and today I've got a selection of goodies for a girls' night in.

To get the party started, you'll need to buy your pal some awesome music. Britney Spears and Take That are both releasing their Circus albums in time for the festive season, and Girls Aloud have got a two disc version of their latest, Out of Control, coming out in December.

If you've got a friend who loves creating her own music, pick up a karaoke game like SingStar for the Playstation 2, and a theme like "Summer Party" will help banish those winter blues.

You could treat your hostess-with-the-mostess pal to a popcorn maker or book of cocktail recipes, which will make her party the place to be! Now you've got your Cosmos in hand, you'll be ready to watch the big release of this summer; the Sex and the City Movie. You can also bolster you best mate's DVD collection with the Dirty Dancing: Ultimate Girls' Night In Collector's Edition, released in time for Christmas. If your friend loves a weepie, go for P.S. I Love You starring gorgeous Gerard Butler.

Finally, I've got a selection of fitness DVDS, for the gal who loves to keep fit with her pals. Treat your workout Wonder Woman to the Davina Super Body Workout, or grab a dance DVD for a fun-filled evening: there's Bellydance for Weight Loss or Strictly Come Dancing The Workout with Kelly Brook and Flavia Cacace.

Remind yourself of my gift ideas for those pals who love celebrity autobiographies and nineties nostalgia, and then visit HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage.

Goal of Dancing is Not Fame, It's Fitness

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

If you've been following Dancing with the Stars this season then you've seen Laila Ali strut her stuff across the stage...

Being the daughter of boxer Muhammad Ali certainly helps, but that girl is fit (and she can move too). Ali has announced that Dancing with the Stars is just the beginning of her upcoming fitness ventures including a boxing oriented fitness DVD series with Sugar Ray Leonard and a book. The DVD set includes Lightweight Beginner's Workout ($10.91), which is a series of warm-up exercises and stretches. The cardio-boxing routine has easy to follow combinations of punches as well as defensive moves. This DVD can help you get fit all while seeing the other, non dancing, side of Laila. It's refreshing to me that she is not looking to be club hopping with Paris and Nicole but rather, she’d like to set an example for young women and others about the importance of living a healthy life. Fame or not, with an outlook like that, she's got a fan in me.

Not a boxer but still want a hot Dancing with the Stars bod like Stacey Keibler or Cheryl Burke? You can get it at home with the Dancing with the Stars Cardio Dance DVD.

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DVD Review: Beautiful Belly With Hemalayaa

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Remember Hemalayaa, the woman who did The Dance of the Kama Sutra DVD and Bollywood Burn? Well she's back with this Beautiful Belly ($15) workout. She begins with a 6-minute cardio warm-up that's refreshingly quick-paced to raise your heart rate up immediately. Then Hemalayaa moves on to three 12-minute dance workouts you can do all at once, or choose one if you're pressed for time. Since most ab work tends to involve staying in one place, I was pleasantly surprised that this video involved so much action, and I really felt it in my core.

What I loved most about this video is that it didn't feel like exercise, but that I was on stage as the star of a dance musical. She encourages you to smile, laugh, enjoy life, and be proud of your body. While Hemalayaa is slightly corny, her sweet and encouraging personality is so endearing that you can't help but dance with her. Don't worry about being bored since the movements are so swift and sexy; you're too busy kicking, bouncing, shimmying, and stretching to lose interest. Plus all this moving around also ends up working your thighs, booty, hamstrings, shoulders, and back, not just your belly.

To see a clip of The Ellen DeGeneres Show with Hemalayaa as a guest this past Monday read more.

And here's a clip of the DVD:

Dancing With the Gym: Group Dance Classes

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Dancing has really made its footprint in mainstream media. From Dancing With the Stars to J'Lo's Dancelife, we can't get enough of watching people dance on TV.

Gyms around the country are catching on to this theory and are offering dancing group classes to cater to our love of dancing.

Crunch alone has 40 or more dance related classes. Including Ballroom Blitz. Sashay the floor like Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey in this heart-pumping, cardio class that combines classic ballroom formulas like swing, mergengue and foxtrot. No worries if you can't get a hot c-lister to be your partner, partners are not required.
Equinox is no stranger to dance classes either. They have classes like Rap-A-Tap, where you'll tap dance to Pop and Hip-Hop music. It's easy to follow, which means everyone can do it. Tap shoes (and top hat) optional. Or you can go more mainstream with Video Dance Jam, a class where you'll learn dance routines to the latest music videos.
For all you traditionalists out there Bally's Total Fitness offers Balletone/Ballet Sculpt, which is conditioning that incorporates exercises from traditional ballet choreography.
The Sports Club LA has a World Dance class that should awaken the mover, shaker or dancer within you. Soul dancing combines movement and music of varying cultures designed to blast away calories and you may even walk away feeling a little more cultured.

Not a member of any of the above clubs? See what classes are offered at your gym as I am positive they have some sort of dancing class too. Or you can check out the Dancing With the Stars Cardio Dance DVD at home.

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DWTS Helped Jennie Garth Lose a Few

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:45:00 -0800

Dancing is a great and fun way to work out. Dancing With the Stars alums and contestants alike all praise the weight loss and health benefits they found in dancing. ~~Kelly Taylor~~ Jennie Garth is the latest of the DWTS' contestants to speak out on the fabulous benefits of dancing. Here's more:

The 35-year-old mom of three (Luca, 10, Lola, 4, and Fiona, 1) has found the alternative to dieting: “Rehearsing for six hours.”

Garth tells Us, "When I decided to do [Dancing with the Stars], I did Pilates three days a week and cardio twice. I hated it, but it helped. Once I started dancing, things changed faster than when I was just working out."

Garth says she's dropped 10 pounds since starting on the show, "but it's more about the inches and toning. My jeans were a 29 when I started, and I'm wearing a 27 now," she explains. "It's great to be able to go to the back of my closet and get the clothes I wore [pre-baby]."

Interested in getting your workout in by dancing? Check out the Dancing With the Stars DVD to do at home.

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Arctics Win Big At NME Awards

PopSugarUK — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Musos and their followers were out in force for the NME Awards at the IndigO2 this evening. Arctic Monkeys won three awards (Best Band, Best Track and Best Video) out of the seven they were nominated for, making it three years in a row that they've won three awards! NME's Hero Of The Year award went to Pete Doherty (why?) and Brit winner Kate Nash won Best Solo Act. The Killers won Best International Act and sent a video message bizarrely featuring Mike Tyson, and the brilliant Mighty Boosh won Best TV Show.

A slimmer than ever Kelly Osbourne showed up looking cute, and Skins stars Larissa Wilson and Nicholas Hoult came along for a piece of the rock'n'roll action! I find it funny though that a TV star (Noel Fielding) ended up looking more like a rock star than most of the attendees! Guess that's why he won Best Dressed and Sexiest Male at the awards show too? Vote on all the red carpet action here!

For a regularly updated list of winners and many more photos read more

The Winners!

Godlike Genius Award - Manic Street Preachers

Best British Band - Arctic Monkeys

Best International Band - The Killers

Best New Band - The Enemy

Best Live Band - Muse

Best Solo Artist - Kate Nash

Best Album - Myths Of The Near Future - Klaxons

Best Track - "Fluorescent Adolescent" – Arctic Monkeys

Best Video - "Teddy Picker" – Arctic Monkeys

Best Dancefloor Filler - "Let's Dance To Joy Division" - The Wombats

Best Music DVD - Nirvana Unplugged In New York

Best Live Event - Reading and Leeds Festivals

Hero Of The Year - Pete Doherty

Villain Of The Year - George W Bush

Best Dressed - Noel Fielding

Worst Dressed - Amy Winehouse

Best Album Artwork - "The Good The Bad And The Queen" – The Good, The Bad And The Queen

Best Radio Show - Zane Lowe (Radio 1)

Worst Album - Blackout - Britney Spears

Worst Band - The Hoosiers

Best TV Show - The Mighty Boosh

Best Film - Control

Sexiest Man - Noel Fielding

Sexiest Woman - Kylie Minogue

Best Venue - Wembley Stadium

Best Website - Facebook

Best Band Blog - Radiohead

Best Music Blog - The Modern Age

View 67 Photos ›

Images include Nicholas Hoult, Kate Nash, Arctic Monkeys, Kelly Osbourne, Kimberly Stewart, Agyness Deyn, Lightspeed Champion aka Devonte Hines, Cerys Matthews, The Enemy, Klaxons, We Are Scientists, Danny Dyer, Lethal Bizzle, Noel Fielding, Hard Fi, Jon McClure of Reverend And The Makers, Mick Jones of The Clash, The Horrors, Joe Cazalghe, Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand, Mathew Horne, James Corden, Dizzee Rascal, Kaiser Chiefs Julian Barratt, Carl Barat, Zane Lowe.

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