The health benefits of belly dancing have been well known for centuries in certain quarters of the world. Belly dancing can be an excellent cardiovascular workout as well as a means of increasing flexibility. It can also tone the hips, thighs, and abdominal muscles.

In the late 1990's, this form of dance was incorporated into workout routines at many well known gyms in the United States. Today, many prefer this form of workout over some of the more traditional aerobic exercises.

The Fit TV television network's show Shimmy tries to capitalize on this nascent fitness trend. Shimmy uses belly dance movements and choreographed routines -- created by well known instructor Kim Pechet -- to achieve an excellent toning, low-impact aerobic workout. Each episode is broken up into three segments. The first segment serves as a warm-up to prepare the viewer for what will follow. The next segment uses step by step instructions to show the viewer how to perform each move properly. The final segment puts together everything learned during the second segment, which provides an aerobic workout without the high-impact moves typically executed during many conventional workouts.

The belly dance moves are performed by well trained dancers of varying shapes and sizes. Often times, these dancers are in groups of three. With the more challenging dance moves, at times, a single dancer is focused on. Each featured dancer has received some level of formal training. The names of the dancers, in no particular order, are Adalat Omar, Karen Valair, Simone Leblanc, Manon Martin, Dominique Rosenblum, Gilian Cofsky, and Shivaun Corry -- who is also associate producer. At the end of each episode of Shimmy, these ladies perform improvisational dance routines based on the moves demonstrated earlier during the instructional segment.

Even though Shimmy is innovative and well produced it is not without its drawbacks. Those new to belly dancing may have difficulty following the moves during the instructional segment of the show. The speed at which the moves are performed may make it difficult for the inexperienced to follow along. Also, at times, the camera angles hinder learning the more complicated dance movements. In spite of these shortcomings, once the basics are learned, Shimmy can be a fun and effective low-impact aerobic workout.

Shimmy can be seen on Fit Tv weekdays at 1:00 pm EST, 8:00 pm EST, 8:30 pm EST, 11:00pm EST and once again at 11:30 pm EST. This schedule may vary from one cable provider to another, so be sure to check your local listings.

Shimmy Video Clips

(Updated: February 23, 2010)

Shimmy video clips from the belly dance workout program.

Shimmy Photos