Customer Reviews

Denise Austin - Blast Away 10 Lbs [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have several of Denise's tapes, but this one is the best. There are two 20 minute workouts on this tape, but I prefer the second workout which is interval training with weights and kickbox aerobic routines. It's challenging, but a lot of fun and you're finished before you know it. The first workout is kickboxing drills and definitely a challenge. I had a hard time keeping up with it and I've yet to complete the workout without stumbling all over my living room, but it's not impossible. If you're just getting into kickboxing, like I am, it is difficult and you might want to start with the second workout. At the beginning of the tape, Denise demonstrates the moves for kickboxing so you're not just doing the tape without any instruction. The cool downs on both workouts are really good - Denise combines the cool downs with yoga and tai chi and definitely worth it. As in all of Denise's tapes, she is encouraging and motivating and gives you the confidence that you can master the workouts. This tape is definitely worth owning.

If you are kind of new to kickboxing you will love the first 20 minute kickboxing workout - it is FUN, contains basic moves, and does not go too fast. The second 20 minute workout is interval training with a little bit of aerobics, a little bit of weights, and a little bit of kickboxing all mixed together. (If you've ever lifted weights - you probably won't feel much in your arms.) I felt it all in my thighs and buttocks - I run a lot and this tape made my thighs burn!! The second workout is where the FUNNY comes in. Denise has this guy standing behind her and she starts doing some crazy moves like chassé, mambo, and scooping - these are moves that most guys would not even think about doing!! Then she starts talking about "no more bra overhang" - that poor guy! When I first watched it - I said there is no way I'm doing this video - but then I tried it and I loved it. I did the whole tape and then did it again the next day (even though my thighs were hurting). It is definitely ADDICTING, and it will make you sweat....

I love this video. I did one of the 20 minute workouts 3-4 times a week for 6 weeks, and watched what I ate. I lost 13 pounds! I fit into my skinny jeans again, and can no longer where my fat jeans. I've moved on to Shrink you female fat zones, and her workouts on Lifetime TV.

Denise says throughout both segments of this video, "It works, I promise you!" and she is right! I am NOT an exerciser by any means! Over the Christmas holiday I picked up this tape and told myself I was going to do it at least three times a week to help tone up. This was my first exposure to Denise Austin, and I really like her style. As a working mother of two, I needed a work out that would fit well into my schedule, and this one does. Both work outs are twenty minutes and both work outs truly work! She doesn't count each and every rep you do, so it seems like the time flies by much more quickly as a result. The problem with this is that you don't know when she is going to change moves, but after viewing the tape a few times this is easy to overcome. Also, she explains why you are doing the exercise and what muscles the exercise will benefit. I started noticing results--without changing diet habits--in just three weeks. Now, three months after I started, I have gone down two sizes (without drastically changing eating habits) and I am still enjoying the video and the workouts. If you are in poor shape I suggest starting with the second workout as the kickboxing workout seems to be higher intensity. If you are looking to tone and to lose weight, this tape will have you shaped up in no time!

I will admit to being a Denise Austin fan. She's one of the few workout gurus who seems to get that not everyone has 2 hours a day to devote to a gym, and she often incorporates small moves to integrate into your daily routine to build muscle, etc. I appreciates that she realizes normal people live typical lives that sometimes don't allow for a daily trip to the gym. Plus, being in her early/mid 40s, I find her very motivating as I approach middle age.

That being said, I'm used to Denise Austin and her bad cuing, which this tape is typical miscue-Denise. The workouts are great, they definitely get your heart pumping and you feel like you've gotten a workout. But you need to work out to the tape a few times so you can get the movements down. If you have to have cues, this tape can be unreliable. Some are late, some are apparently missed...but it's typical Denise Austin. You have to be familliar with her style or it will turn you away.

So, I would recommend this tape highly on the basis of a vigorous, time-sensitive workout and that it has a 'warm-up/beginner' level, and a secondary level that you can do for a more intense workout or as you are increasing your activity. But you will have to watch it a few times before you get the feel of it, because if you have to rely solely on cues, you will get frustrated with this tape, initially.

I give this video one thumb up and one thumb down. Pros: It will really get your heart rate up. Most 20-min workouts are wimpy, but this one (part 1 especially) will get you to work up a good sweat. THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER VIDEO. It is short, but intense. Cons: Denise's cueing SUCKED and she has NO rhythm. She would change moves after 5 reps, do things on the off-beat and almost never gave you advance warning of an upcoming change. Even her class got screwed up, with half of them changing at "the right time" and the other half doing their best to follow her. However, after a couple times doing the tape you learn her screw-ups well enough that it isn't a problem. Also, I would recommend doing some other kickboxing tapes before trying this. Denise goes very quickly over some safety tips at the beginning, but doesn't cover all the punches and kicks. Tae bo instructional video or Kathy Smith's Kickboxing video are good if you really want to learn the moves properly. Segment 2 is pretty worthless for strength training. Insufficient reps to do much good, even with a heavy weight. Overall though, I do like the video (part 1, really) and I usually throw it in afer doing a sculpting tape for a good 20 min of cardio

I have to say I hate Denise Austin's style. Her cueing is the WORST I have ever seen. Throughout the tape she is constantly getting off of the beat, doing fewer reps of a particular move than she originally said to do, and so on. It is so bad that even the cast in this workout gets confused several times, and does the wrong move at the wrong time. However, like I said it does make you sweat and it does have some 'fun factor' with the kicks and punches. Also it is great if you are in a time crunch or if you want to add a 20 minutes extra minutes of cardio, in addition to your regular workout. This workout is not for the novice though, it gets the heart rate up pretty high, and requires good ab and back strength. I would say it was fine for intermediate exercisers, and beginners could do this too, with modifications.

I recommend this video highly to anyone. I gained over 50lbs when I had my first baby and never thought I would loose the weight (175 lbs.) I bought this and did this workout about 3-4x a week. After a couple of months I was back down to 125 and so happy. I recently had my 2nd baby and now about to start again. Im started again, my weight now is 164 and I Know I'll loose it with this workout

I originally purchased this video for the fact that my husband and I could trim back the cost of fees to a fitness club since one of us is unemployed or you just can't find the time to go to the club. Since we both have been conditioned to getting a good workout we had to find a good alternative of doing something at home that was not to costly and did not have to purchase any exercise equipment. We both of us are seeing more inches coming off than if we would have continued to workout on treadmills and Nautilis or Cymbex weight machines. Denise Austin has a nice variety in 2-20 minute workouts on this video which can be rotated each day or you can choose to do the full 40 minutes. I do agree with the other reviews that the video can be difficult at first for a beginner that has never done any aroebics or kick boxing moves which she does not explain through the video only at the very beginning. As well the first routine can be very hard for a beginner to get through the whole workout without being winded and not be able to finish the workout with all the lunges,jumping jacks moves in the routine. You do eventually catch on after a few times doing the video. If you are a person that has lower back problems I would not recommend this routine with all the kick boxing kicks. My husband and I have strong backs and even both us felt the back muscles stiffen up a little for a few days until our bodies were used to the moves. My husband has shaped up much more doing this than going to the gym using the expensive workout machines. You have to keep with it every day to see results and it is well worth it! This video as well makes a very good alternative for a good Cardiovascular workout at home at a very low cost or do not have the time for a full 60 minute workout. If you do not have any free weights on hand you can use soup can, bottle water to give you some resistance until you are able to afford some free weights by purchasing them used or new. The first routine has much harder moves and you do sweat a lot more than the second routine. My husband and I do like the free weights added to a cardiovascular routine. We both have lost several inches in just 6 weeks alternating the routines every other day during the week and doing the 6o minute Sizzler workout video on the weekends. The only thing I can criticize about this video is that I wish she would have added some ab work in the second routine with the free weights for toning, which most of us have those problem areas to slim down. This is definitely worth having the video just for the convienance of the two short workouts when you are limited on time which is better than not working out at all. In order to keep things interesting in your workout program is to add some more Denise Austins videos to your collection which we both are now using her new ultimate fat burning video which is a good combo on days you can fit in a 45 minute workout. If you are a beginner and want to purchase this video is to take your time with the routines and try to do as much of the routine as you can even if you have to stop and walk in place until you catch your breath to continue. As well be patient with your self and you will get the hang of the kick boxing moves as well as her dance steps if you are not a dancer.

When I tried this the first few times, I wasn't that impressed. I was sweating and my heart rate got up, but I didn't feel that it was how I wanted to be spending my 20 minute aerobic session. I left it alone for a month, then tried it again out of boredom (and because it seemed silly to buy something else when I had this right in front of me). Absence must have made the heart grow fonder- I really enjoyed it this time. The next day I worked out to the Tae Bo Live Basic for a full 13 minutes longer and I was shocked to find that Billy didn't give me nearly as thorough a workout as Denise. I've been doing this tape consistently once or twice a week, and I can definitely feel my aerobic capacity and general stamina improving.

As with all tapes, watch this at least once before you do it. She doesn't cue very well in some places, and it can be a little frustrating. However, I think I'd rather have her keep me on my toes the first few times than get frustrated one month into it with over-cuing.

I prefer the first workout to the second because I like to do different exercises for my strength training. I did do the interval workout once and found it adequate.