Shazzy Fitness: In the Beginning

Marketed towards “today's Christian,” this dance fitness title featuring Christian dance music exhorts viewers to “shape what the Father gave ya.” Taking its name from what the producers believe the biblical Daniel's (Belteshazzar in Hebrew) hip-hop name would be, Shazzy Fitness: In the Beginning includes two 10-minute workouts with instructors Vera, Leslie, and Apollo, accompanied by a half-dozen background participants. The “Genesis” and “Victory” workouts include three chapters each, the first two with different high-energy songs and verbal cues for the moves, and the last one offering repetition with just the music. Thank goodness for the “Favorite Moves” tutorial, which provides step-by-step demos for the row, stomp, “Around the Clock,” “Rainbow Slide,” and “Church,” among others, because—at least initially—Vera's commands (i.e., “kick it out!”—which segues into complicated arm and footwork) are not exactly intuitive. Also including a cool-down, behind-the-scenes segments on “Team Shazzy,” and outtakes, this Christian-themed workout is a strong optional purchase. [Note: also newly available at the same price is Shazzy Fitness: A Time to Dance]. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)