It is often said that the health benefits of exercise are so numerous and substantial, it should be considered "The Number 1" prescription for preventing any number of serious medical conditions. In other words, people living sedentary lives need to get moving.

Hip Hop Abs (created by choreographer, Shaun T.) is marketed, as its name implies, as a dance-based fitness program aimed at building "rock-hard" abs. If your aim isn't particularly to build six-pack abs, and you just want to get moving, don't necessarily let the name dissuade you from considering this fun program. Hip Hop Abs gets you moving and is actually quite easy on the back and knees. In other words, two of the most common reasons people avoid working out are eliminated.

I don't come from the "Hip Hop Generation". My "generation" is more along the lines of "somewhere between Herman's Hermits and Sly and the Family Stone". (I always like to point out that I was not born among the first crop of Baby Boomers, because as they reach retirement age I like to remind myself that I'm not quite there yet.) Still, I'm not 20 years old; and like so many other people today, I spend a good part of my day in front of a computer screen. After years of lots of walking, I haven't had the time more recently. As a result, I'd begun to fear the inactivity. Not being particularly fond of Hip Hop music, I surprised myself when I heard about Hip Hop Abs and was struck by how much fun it seemed to be. Although I don't need fitness DVD's featuring Herman's Hermits in order to like them, I was a little worried that the "atmosphere" of the program would seem "too foreign" or "too young" for me. It just looked like so much fun, though (don't they all?), I decided to give the program a try.

Fortunately, I've been so far blessed not to have any particular joint problems. I'd like to do what I can to keep it that way. For decades, however, I've had to kind of watch how I move one knee because it was fractured a couple of times year ago. Also years ago (as so many people do), I seriously "pulled out" my lower back and have occasionally learned since then that I should stay away from sit-ups and be a little cautious about how I lift things. With the exception of a minor "funny thing" I do with my knee when I'm going downstairs, neither of these problems shows up in, or affects, my day-to-day movement. Both may show up (at least to some extent), however, if I select the wrong fitness program. It isn't likely either will develop into a serious problem, but if/when either the knee or the back start to act up that's reason enough to throw off my plans to follow any program faithfully. To have escaped arthritis with a twice-fractured knee, and to be able to move as if I've never experienced a back problem in my life, are too important to me to risk.

All reputable fitness programs come with the warning that people should consult their physicians before beginning any program. They all warn, too, of signs that should result in discontinuing the activity. Most offer modified moves for those with reason to modify the program. Obviously, someone in the throws of severe knee or back pain is not a candidate for most ordinary workouts (including those based in dance). Having said all that, for the person who, like I do, has a sensitive knee or lower back; and only has to watch out for fitness programs that put particular strain on either of those; Hip Hop Abs may put less strain on either back or knees than many other programs available. Based on my own comparison between Hip Hop Abs and other popular (as well as lesser known) programs; I would have to say that neither my knee nor lower back "notice" when I've followed the Hip Hop Abs program.

Keep in mind, too, that if you're not aiming to get those six-pack abs and are only, instead, aiming to get moving, the basic workout DVD or any that include a cardio workout can meet your "get-moving" needs.

So, whether you're of The Hip Hop Generation or "The Herman's Hermits Generation" or somewhere in-between (I was under 25 and under 110 lbs. when I first injured the knee and the back, so it happens to people of all ages and weights), if you have a knee or lower back that requires a little more caution Hip Hop Abs may be a good choice. The program is just fun, and it gets you moving (whether or not you care about six-pack abs, and even if - at your age - you prefer to do your "Hip-Hopping" when nobody else is home and with your window blinds closed).

Just a note: Although the company that markets Hip Hop Abs (Beachbody) offers a 30-day money-back policy, trying Hip Hop Abs doesn't have to include ordering the whole program at once. Individual DVD's are available (new and used) at Amazon, and samplings of the workouts can be found on YouTube (by searching, Hip Hop Abs", of course).