Product Details

• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Live / Artisan
• VHS Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0784017808
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,994 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1997 beginning-level, interval-training workout alternates intervals of 3-1/2 minutes of aerobic exercise with 1-1/2 minutes of strength training, so your heart rate stays elevated for a total of 31 minutes. The aerobic segments are simple steps, repeated frequently. Some are high-impact (jumping and jogging), and although Austin has two assistants, neither demonstrates low-impact alternatives, which would have given beginning and overweight exercisers more options. The strength segments also could have been designed better. The first strength interval works the shoulder muscles, which are small (especially in women) and fatigue easily, so they are therefore usually worked later in a workout. Another exercise that Austin says targets the chest really doesn't, because it's done standing where gravity puts more of the load on the shoulders again. The shoulders get their third interval later on, so your shoulders are likely to be tired, while the larger muscles of your chest and back get minimal work. After the interval workout, Austin does eight minutes of standing leg exercises and abs, and finally a stretch. --Joan Price

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Information on Hit The Spot: Sizzler, April 26, 2003

By 

"vitality05" (North Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denise Austin - Hit the Spot:Sizzler [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Two years ago I purchased this video in a set of three Denise Austin tapes. It was my first time trying an exercise program and I was a definite beginner! From the beginner's view point, the tape is a challenge. After using it for a while, I improved my cardiovascular fitness a great deal, and moved on to other workouts. I used this tape today, after not using it for a couple months, and I still enjoy it! Denise Austin is one of my favorite fitness instructors, and, unlike many other reviewers, I really don't mind her chattering. The Hit The Spot: Sizzler workout, in my opinion, is a very good workout because of what I viewed today. I am at an intermediate to advanced level of fitness, versus my beginning level two years ago, and working out with this tape today was still a challenge, while showing me I had accomplished a lot. The workout is about 48 minutes long. It includes a five minute warm-up, twenty-five minutes of aerobic/toning circuit training, followed by less than five minutes of leg and upper back toning, ten minutes of Sizzler: Abs (A great burn, by the way!), and about a five minute stretch/cool down.
Whenever I finish this video, I get a great feeling like I've energized and cleansed my body. It is such a great fitness mix with aerobics and toning. You need dumbbells, FYI. Also, though this is an older video, the setting is at the beach and the general picture isn't outdated. After doing the workout a few times, it is perfectly workable to turn down the volume and add your own music for extra motivation (I've done it a few times).
All in all, this is a great workout which is motivational, fun during, and revitalizing after. Highly recommended!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for those just starting out!, August 9, 2002

By 

Kristin A. Choate "kristinannie" (WV, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Denise Austin - Hit the Spot:Sizzler [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am usually not a fan of Denise Austin. Her cueing leaves a lot to be desired and she makes a lot of mistakes in her routines.

BUT, with all that said, I do think that this is a solid workout. Beginners can make all of the moves low impact while more advanced exercisers can make the moves more difficult. The routine is easy to learn and there is not any confusing choreography. It may take a couple of times to get everything down though since she does not tell you what you are going to do in advance very often (or sometimes she tells you the wrong thing).

The best part of this video has to be the upper body toning segments. You need to purchase weights before using this video to get the full impact (start with 3 pounds and move up to 5). Even though I don't do this video regularly anymore, I still do the arm exercises every day right before I do the cool-down of whichever tape I am doing that day.

If you are a Denise Austin fan, you should buy this video. It is definitely one of her best. Even if you aren't a Denise Austion fan, I would recommend this tape for all beginners. Even though she can annoy you, she does keep you positive and makes you want to exercise more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Quick Shape Trimmer!, March 9, 2002

By 

Carey Robards (Ft. Worth, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denise Austin - Hit the Spot:Sizzler [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought this tape (figuring I would end up adding it to the extremely large dusty collection of workout videos that I have totally wasted my money on) in search of finding one that TRULY PRODUCED QUICK RESULTS! I had tried every diet pill, workout, starvation diets, etc. it seems known to man to get off the last twenty lbs. after having a baby. I lost about 10 lbs. on most, but it WAS ONLY TEMPORARY! This truly is a fun (gotta love the music too) and body sculpting workout! With eating sensible but not totally denying myself cheats here and there it was so easy! You don't have to be a dancer to keep up, almost everyone can do this one no problem. I not only got down to the size I was in high school, I was as toned (I am 30 years old)as I was in high school! The only reason this one doesn't get a 5 star rating from me is that I would like to see more lower abs on this one, but that is probably why she added her additional Hit the spot abs! I just had another baby and bought a copy today on amazon dying to get started on the ENCOURAGING journey again. Gotta get it! She usually gets on my nerves with her "Bubbly" personality, but I have found a new appreciation for the woman. It gave me back my freedom to wear what I wanted and everyone around me was so astonished at the transformation with the muscle tone everywhere!