Paula Abdul: Cardio Dance.

• Author: ROTHENBERG, ROBERT S.
• Position: Review

Paula Abdul: Cardio Dance Anchor Bay Entertainment / 45 minutes / $14.98

The trouble with most exercise videos is that the instructors invariably are

in such good shape that they are able to barrel through the workouts without breaking a sweat. Those viewers who have bought the video with the aim of reaching a similar state of near-perfection soon may despair when they realize how taxing such exercises can be for mere mortals.

Paula Abdul, a former Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader, now a recording artist and choreographer, at least shows some pity for her prospective audience. The workout, designed to boost cardiac fitness, is conducted dance style, but the choreography is taught a segment at a time to allow viewers to absorb it, then put together into a single routine at the end. Abdul also runs through the steps with her back to...