Ministry Of Sound: Pump It Up - The Ultimate Beach Body Workout [DVD]

The workout has a similar structure to the first DVD but all the dancers are new (one of them being ex-Spice Girl Mel B's sister!) with an equally sexy new instructor Fiona Fagan. I would say that Deanne Berry’s instruction was clearer and slightly easier to follow on the first DVD as you occasionally have to use your initiative with Fiona, but if you're okay with your co-ordination you should pick it up pretty quickly anyway. She irritated me the first time I put the DVD on but for some reason every time after that I've loved her!

There are four main sections in this DVD, all set to a typically Ministry Of Sound style commerical dance music soundtrack: SUNRISE (7 minute warm Up Section), Hi Energy Dance Section (30 minutes), GET BUFF (15 minute extended Bums, Tums and Thighs Section) and SUNSET (5 minute Cool Down Section). The extended bums, tums and thighs section has everything you'd expect - sit ups and press ups amongst other lunges, stretches and leg raises whilst lying on your side. The sit ups last for the duration of one whole song - however, the whole experience is made a little more interesting by Fiona varying both the type of sit up and the pace. For example, sometimes you're doing normal sit ups, sometimes you're twisting as you come up, and sometimes you're doing different things with your legs.

It's quite good that it's 15 minutes long because it means that you can alternate toning and cardiovascualar workout on different days. The extras are of the same level as the first DVD - a little behind the scenes look at the dancers preparing, a few music videos and the option to listen to soundtrack only, or commentary off. The only possible criticism I could make is that I found this DVD a lot less challenging than the first as I can only just (panting and sweating) complete the 20 minute Hi Energy Dance Section on that yet I can complete 30 minutes on this with a lot less discomfort. It would be great if sold in a double pack with the first DVD because that really would be a complete body workout.

I think this DVD would be perfect for anyone who liked the first DVD as I feel it’s more of an addition than a stand alone product. If you stick at it it will tone your body but I would perhaps suggest buying another cardiovascular workout DVD which pushes you but doesn’t focus on toning specific parts because if you use the Hi Energy Dance Section on this too many times you'll get bored. It’s definitely important that you like the music because otherwise it could really put you off doing the workout.

If you are making a comparison between this DVD and the original Pump It Up in order to only buy one then I’d recommend the first one over this because there is more content to maintain your interest in the long term, but this still gets a full 5 stars from me because it's head and shoulders above most other exercise DVDs!