Belly Dancing Fitness Videos for Flat Abs

Belly dancing can be part of a weight-loss and ab-toning program. While this form of exercise won't single-handedly shed pounds or inches, it can help you earn a flat stomach through proper diet and regular exercise. Belly dancing can burn up to 300 calories an hour through cardio-based programs whose movements also tone abdominal muscles. Various dance instructors have created DVD, online courses and mobile videos to help you flatten your abs at home or with friends.

  1. DVDs for Beginners

    • Not everyone can jump in and perform all of the hip-shaking and isolation moves in belly dancing. If you’re just starting out, consider a beginner’s program on DVD. “The Bellydance Shimmy Workout with Sarah Skinner” offers tutorials, short shimmy sessions and stretching to ease you into belly dancing. The Bellytwins, Neena and Veena, offer among their fitness video collection, the “Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down” for a fat-burning cardio workout and “Fitness for Beginners: Arms, Abs, Hips, Buns and Thighs” to sculpt muscles.

    The Next Level

    • When you can do the basics and are ready to step up your workouts, other DVDs are higher impact. The fitness video publisher World Dance New York sells several belly dance DVDs, including “Cardio Bellydance with Melissa” to keep you burning calories and “Bellydance for Core Fitness with Ayshe” to continue sculpting your ab muscles. “SharQui -- The Bellydance Workout” claims to burn up to 350 calories per hour in a fast-paced aerobic routine that tones your entire body. If you’re looking for a comprehensive program, the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance sells an eight-video package. Mariella Monroe’s belly dancing course also starts simple and works up to advanced belly dance techniques, either using DVDs or downloadable video.

    Mobile Programs

    • If you need to exercise on the go, look no further than your mobile device. Android users have many options, including the “Belly Dancing for Abs,” “Belly Dance Workout” and “Belly Dancing for Beginners” apps that feature video lessons. Tutorials teach you the basics and choreographed workouts help you burn calories. Apple iOS users: look for the “Bellydance Fitness with Rania” and “You Can Bellydance” apps.

    Online Videos

    • Those who aren’t interested in bulky DVDs or downloading apps or videos can take advantage of online belly dance fitness videos. Melissa, a belly dance instructor who mixed in hip-hop moves to this Middle Eastern dance form, offers free online videos. You can also check Free Belly Dance Classes Online with Tiazza Rose for tutorials and full workouts. This free instruction blog offers a number of resources to help flatten your abs through cardio-based belly dancing. RaqsTV is an online video rental service that allows you to purchase instant streaming access to DVD-length belly dancing videos that cover beginner to advanced techniques.