Latino Aerobics Lite Free (Full version is US$5.99) Rating 7/10
They say that young people are slim because of a high metabolism that just burns away the calories they consume in crisps, chocolate bars and doughnuts. I believe it's down to the many hours spent on the dance floor. With this in mind, and because it is the festive season, I thought to kill three birds with one stone: keep fit, have fun and learn a few Latino dance moves - by reviewing a dance fitness app.
Unfortunately, the free 'lite' version of the app and I immediately started off on the wrong foot. In her brief presentation, the firm-bodied Latina instructor told me that the 45-minute course comprised an aerobic workout using steps from salsa, merengue and cha-cha, but they then wanted to charge US$5.99 to show more than a cursory glimpse of the video.
I was not happy, but then I realised that it still cost less than a bowl of salad around town, so I stumped up the cash. Then, I was off, tapping my left heel, then the right - that's a paso step - and on to a rhumba. I was enjoying myself; the music is good, and because I was doing it in private, I didn't mind if I missed a step or two.
After the warm-up, the instructor introduces new steps such as the mambo, cha-cha, and a side-kicking 'suzuki' - a little-known Latin dance step.
You don't get much step-by-step guidance, but the repetitive nature of the dance means that you do pick it up. Just as I remembered, I can dance for a lot longer than I can run.