Rating: 
Summary: Can't stand her!!
Review: This may be a good exercise tape - but I will never know because I can't get through it. Denise Austin is so annoying in her extreme peppiness that I had to turn it off after 10 minutes. Now I remember why I never liked her (I once rented one of her Pilates DVDs, and I ended up stopping it in the middle too). I know this is a particular style of exercise instruction where you try to motivate but I really don't understand the appeal when it gets so obvious and fake. Constant cheering doesn't really motivate me - I think it actually distracts me. Instead of giving useful tips about how to do a certain move or cueing for the next step, Denise Austin prefers giving this non-stop "feel good" talk. It feels like she considers keeping quiet for a few moments as "weakness", so she tries to chatter throughout the exercise. She has a husky voice, it is as if she has been yelling all day and about to lose her voice. I know she is trying to motivate, but it ends up getting on my nerves. At one point on this DVD, she is showing you the classic kickboxing stance where you hold both your fists in front of your face, and she keeps calling out "protect that beautiful face!" - so pretentious and annoying. She is trying to make you feel better, I guess, but I end up feeling like she is trying to suck up to me. It is extremely irritating. Currently, I am really digging the "Kickboxing Workout" by Kathy Smith - which is a lot less annoying (only a few of those fake cheers) and really kicks you(...) since it is less distracting. I also love Tamilee Webb's "Abs of Steel" and "I want that body" tapes - she is very much down to earth and doesn't blabber. I am looking for other exercise tapes along those lines - something with good music, good instructions, and less "ooh"s and "yeah"s. Recommendations welcome.
Rating: 
Summary: High-Impact Circuit Training with Light Weights
Review: This new workout from Denise Austin (2001) features circuit training, mixed with light weights. To do this workout, you need a step and dumbbells (3 pound weight are recommended on the DVD). This DVD uses seven 3.5 minute intervals of cardio vascular exercise mixed with 1.5 minute weight segments. The workout runs for a total of 45 minutes. The cardio segments are broken down into three "levels": Level One is a light, low-impact move, Level Two includes upper body motion, Level Three is a high-impact cardio intensifier. For example, the first circuit is boxing. For Level One, you are punching. For Level Two, you are doing light jacks between punches, for Level Three, you are doing full jumping jacks between punches on alternating sides. If you have knee problems, you may lose some of the benefits of this workout because you will be limited to Level One or Level Two low-impact exercises. The weight segments of this workout are very light, and suitable for beginners. Weight exercises include tricep kickbacks, bicep curls, and military presses overhead. The cooldown has some very light stretching and features predominately Yoga moves. If you have done Yoga before, you will recognize the Exaulted Warrior, Downward Facing Dog, and Brave Warrior postures. This is a great workout for beginners, but may not be beneficial for intermediate or advanced levels.
Rating: 
Summary: denise austin ultimate bummer
Review: This workout tape will definately get your heart pumping. However, after 13 years of working out this type of impact on my knees doesn't make a good experience. The long term damage from the jumping lunges and ski moves makes this one tape to skip. The tape also seemed like she was trying to be all things to all people. For example, kick boxing moves, some yoga streches and quick weight segments.
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