Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please visit Ubi.com to learn more about Ubisoft.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

As I am sure you’ve figured out by now, I am always on the lookout for new ways to help me stay in shape.  I like variety and my body responds best when I keep active and regularly switch up the muscle groups I’m using…I’m also far more likely to continue working out if I’m trying something new pretty often.  When Jon recommended that we purchase the XBOX 360 for our business (I regularly review video games and our old XBOX had just broken down), I insisted that we purchase the Kinect with it.  The Kinect has really opened up a new world of physical activity for our family and has allowed me the opportunity to try some new and physically challenging games, like Ubisoft’s The Hip Hop Dance Experience (affiliate link).

Now, let me just say, first, that I am not a rhythmically blessed gal…in fact, some would venture (not in my presence, of course) to say that I’m a bit of a klutz.  Yes, it’s true…but one of my goals for the coming year is to work on my balance and grace, as well as my overall fitness.  Since I regularly listen to hip hop for motivation when I run (yeah, I like to be a bad chick), I was super excited to get and try out the latest dance game from Ubisoft.   (Note: Rated T for Teen, I would not play this game when the children were awake since we try to keep the kind of language and ulterior meanings that are prevalent in the songs included on this game).

Sweat Rating

Can I just tell you that I love to sweat?  TMI?  Sorry.  I can’t help it though, I do.  I know that if I’m sweating, I’m working and I’m changing.  Well, this game certainly gets me moving, sweating and changing!  After I played The Hip Hop Dance Experience for the first time, I knew I was going to feel it the next day and boy, did I ever?!  I had body parts I had long forgotten all about aching and screaming the next morning, but I like that too.  What can I say? I like the proof that my body is changing.  I can feel that proof every time I play that game.

Game Play

While I looked like an absolute fool playing/dancing along, the game play is fairly straightforward and pretty darn similar to every other dance game I’ve played, only without the controllers to hinder your smoothness (ie: no excuses for me, except lack of rhythm.) The Hip Hop Dance Experience features 40 hip hop and R & B hits, featuring hip-hop’s biggest and brightest starts from the past and present, including Rihanna, Flo.Rida, Nikki Minaj, Nelly and Snoop Dogg.  The game was fast paced which kept me moving while the music videos and live performance footage kept me interested and engaged with the game(the back up dancers were actually less creepy than in some of the dance game I’ve played).

The Verdict

This is a game that will stay on my workout rotation and away from my children (9&5) for a long time to come.  The Hip Hop Dance Experience tested my endurance and stretched my body’s fitness limits in a way I was unprepared for and I’m thrilled.  I plan to continue playing this game, in regular rotation with my other workout regimens, in the future and you never know, I might see some balance and rhythm advancement.  Games like this latest dance offering from Ubisoft keep me interested, keep me working out, and keep me fit!

What XBOX 360 and Wii games do you love to play to stay fit and healthy while having fun?

The Hip Hop Dance Experience Full Playlist on XBOX 360 with Kinect

• Amerie – “1 Thing”
• B.o.B – “So Good”
• B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore – “Airplanes”
• Cassie – “Me & U”
• Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana – “Run It!”
• Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look At Me Now”
• Ciara – “One, Two Step (featuring Missy Elliott)”
• Da Brat – “Funkdafied”
• Drake – “Over”
• Flo Rida featuring Sia – “Wild Ones”
• Iyaz – “Replay”
• Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne – “Down”
• J-Kwon – “Tipsy”
• Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Night”
• Lil Wayne featuring Static Major – “Lollipop”
• LMFAO – “Sexy And I Know It”
• M.I.A. – “Bad Girls”
• Mark Morrison – “Return of the Mack”
• Mystikal featuring Nivea – “Danger (Been So Long)”
• N.E.R.D. – “She Wants to Move”
• Naughty by Nature – “Hip Hop Hooray”
• Nelly – “Hot In Herre”
• New Boyz – “You’re A Jerk”
• New Edition – “If It Isn’t Love”
• Nicki Minaj featuring Drake – “Moment 4 Life”
• Ol’ Dirty Bastard featuring Kelis – “Got Your Money”
• Outkast – “B.O.B.”
• Pitbull featuring Chris Brown – “International Love”
• Q-Tip – “Vivrant Thing”
• R. Kelly – “Ignition (Remix)”
• Rihanna featuring Jeezy – “Hard”
• Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – “It Takes Two”
• Run-DMC – “It’s Tricky”
• Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams – “Drop It Like It’s Hot”
• Terror Squad featuring Fat Joe, Remy – “Lean Back”
• The Sugarhill Gang – “Rapper’s Delight”
• TLC – “Creep”
• Too $hort – “Blow the Whistle”
• Trey Songz featuring Fabolous – “Say Aah”
• Wiz Khalifa – “Work Hard, Play Hard”