Kinda Crazy Cardioke

Today's workout: Cardioke by Billy Blanks Jr.
Difficulty: beginner/intermediate
Length: 59 mins
Concept: Singing and dancing at the same time requires more exertion -- so your lungs are getting a twofer! 

Is Billy Blanks Jr. the most amazing man on the planet? He sings, he dances, he's gorgeous, and he's created one of the zaniest ideas to hit workout videos since Patricia Moreno's IntenSati (where you shout positive affirmations as you move). Also starring his beautiful wife, Blanks' Cardioke has you singing pop hits like "Let's Get It Started" and "Doncha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me" while you box step and shimmy.

I admit I tried the workout just for the novelty of it. The idea is that if you're singing and moving, you're also expanding your cardio abilities. Even as an intermediate exerciser, I was huffing and puffing. And admittedly, I was a little embarrassed to be overheard, but I got over that because singing and dancing is fun if you like that sort of thing, which I do.

Exertion-wise, I did sweat and I was breathless a few times, but overall the pace of the video is uneven. The warm-up seemed exceedingly long and overly focused on breathing exercises (in through the nose, out through the mouth -- OK, we get it). And some of the segments were just weird -- like the free-form "dance party" that had no instruction, and the final cool-down song sung by Blanks' wife that was intended to be inspirational but was kind of a downer. But throughout, the dance-party vibe was authentic, easy to follow (despite a few poor camera angles), and the karaoke is a clever concept that actually seems to work.

Pros: Really fun, but you have to be into it -- best for former (or current) musical theater geeks or people who hate exercise but like to sing (and enjoy the beautiful specimen of a human being that is Billy Blanks Jr.).
Cons: Blanks' cueing is uneven; there are a few misfires -- like the "dance party" when Blanks shows off some hip-hop dance moves and you're standing there step-touching and wondering if your cardio is dropping too low.