The instruction is informative and makes sense in theory, but the actual application using your own clumsy body can be challenging if you've never danced before. In short, the moves in this video are too basic to actually cause you to break a sweat and transform your body but are also just difficult enough that you'll look silly trying. If you're willing to fumble your way through the three 15-minute sections plus a 5-minute cool down you'll get a mild cardio workout equivalent to a brisk uphill walk at best and sneering judgmental stares from your gawking neighbors at worst.

Equipment Needed
No equipment needed, not even a dance partner. Although you might consider some cocktails beforehand... [Is it necessary to say I'm kidding? You know to never drink before working out, right? OK.] Be sure to allow yourself plenty of space to move--think fully extended leg kicks.

Effectiveness
Much of the tabloid hype surrounding Dancing with the Stars--other than who is dating their instructor--usually has to do with how much weight the stars have lost over the course of the season. It's true that dancing is a fantastic cardio activity and will likely lead to weight loss, but it's also true that the stars on the show are often rehearsing far more challenging routines than this video offers for upwards of 8 hours a day. So unless you want this humble 50-minute workout DVD of yours on repeat for the better part of your day, don't expect an amazing tabloid-worthy transformation.

Safety
As with any exercise program, you are instructed to consult with a physician before using this video. I recommend wearing comfortable non-slip shoes and avoiding slick surfaces. You'll be doing a good bit of spinning and kicking and probably don't want to end up on the floor.

Cast/Instructor
Each dance style is taught by a different DWTS instructor--Kym Johnson teaches Latin, Dmitry Chaplin teaches Tango and Lacey Schwimmer (America's sweetheart from So You Think You Can Dance Season 3) teaches freestyle. Each instructor is supported by background dancers demonstrating the moves as they are taught.

Lacey is the most fun to "work" with as she's the most enthusiastic and is the girl-like-me-who-made-it-big-with-reality-TV that we all love to support. Kym's instruction was thorough and straightforward but a little boring. Dmitry stumbled through counting the cues a few times and occasionally taught too quickly, but the speed may have had something to do with the fact that I have never done the Tango and have at least minimal experience with Latin and freestyle dancing.

Music
Don't expect any renditions of your favorite top forty pop songs on this DVD. Though the actual Dancing with the Stars show makes a big deal out of live performances of popular music, the DVD probably didn't have the budget for the music rights and instead relies on nondescript but dance-style appropriate tunes.

Set
Though they didn't recreate the music heard on the show for this DVD, they did go all out and build a mock DWTS stage. And by "all out" I mean it looks like a cheap fitness DVD set reproduction of a big budget television show set--if that makes any sense.

Video
Dancing with the Stars Dance Body Tone is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and looks fine.

Negatives
I think the most negative thing about this DVD will be the assumptions people have that it will make them lose weight as quickly as the stars on the show do. Unfortunately, a mere 50 minutes of mild cardio activity will not have the same end result as the intense day-long rehearsals the stars participate in throughout the season. If you keep your expectations in check (read: low) then this can be an entertaining get-up-and-shake-your-butt break from your television watching.

Conclusion
Though this DVD may be fun for fans of Dancing with the Stars or anyone hoping to learn some dance basics, it is hardly an effective workout video. This is not to say that dancing isn't an effective workout; it's simply a matter of how you dance and for how long. And unfortunately, Dancing with the Stars Dance Body Tone is too basic and too short to give you results.

Katie