Customer Reviews

Denise Austin - Hit the Spot:Sizzler [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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 Also, though this is an older video, the setting is at the beach and the general picture isn't outdated.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!

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.

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!

This is an excellent workout if you're just starting out and want something that combines cardio and strength training. With that said I had to give the video 4 stars because I don't feel that the cardio segmeents were intense enough. The moves are very similar to Denise Austin's Fat Burning Blast but there is no jumping or really high impact moves. This however would be okay if you are just getting back into an exercise routine or have bad knees. I would definitely recommend this video.

She says results in three weeks and she is not kidding, three times a week and wow!! This video is so much fun and such a challange!! The interval training is great fun and the ab segment at the end is wonderful but tuff. This is a perfect video if you need to fit a complete workout in to minimum time and she is so motivating. A definate thumbs up for Sizzler!!

The only reason I'm giving this three stars is that this video is not for those who might have trouble with their joints. I have knee problems and found this workout really aggravated my knees and my back. I didn't feel really good as I usually do after a workout. I will say that the Ab portion of the video is excellent and that the entire video would be good for someone who does not have a problem jumping around. I don't find Denise Austin annoying - she looks wonderful and I'm sure she's doing her best to be encouraging. I purchased this video, Hit the Spot Abs, and Hit the Spot Thighs as a package deal and I must say the Hit the Spot Abs is also very good. I haven't tried the Hit the Spot Thighs yet.

I must admit, I bought this tape in 1998, previewed it, then didn't use it until 3 months later. Then 2 months later, I got sick of it and didn't use it again until the summer of 2001 when I decided to incorporate exercise as a new habit. I was out of shape and was unable to keep up with Denise. However, I was persistent about it and soon I managed to complete the workout. 8 weeks later, I noticed that I had shapely biceps for the first time in my life! It worked! If you can get past Denise's happy personality and the miscalculations, this video is a great start to a new you. I now use other videos; walk/jog 3 miles twice a week; eat healthier foods; and have lost a substantial amount of weight. This is the reason why I respect Denise! She inspired me to get up and move!

I'm middle aged, overweight, asthmatic, etc., and I can do this video. It is a great workout; helps build endurance and strength. You can make it as easy or hard as you want by how hard you exert yourself. I've already worn out one copy of this tape.

I purchased this vhs a few years ago, while trying to bounce back into my old jeans after a pregnancy. This is not the only workout program I own - I also bought Callanetics(toning) and the Jane Fonda series (Original Workout and The Challenge), Tae-bo and so on..... I own three Denise Austin programs (Hit the Spot, Blast away 10 pounds- which, by the way I do not recommend them for the intermediate level, they're just not challenging enough).... but for some reason I keep going back to this one - The Sizzler...... first of all it makes me sweat. I mean dripping sweat . Second, I can feel the difference in my thighs , shoulders, arms and chest. I stopped using it and started using the <Challenge > workout by Jane Fonda which by the way makes you awfully sore the next two days but boy does this work !!! Well, I have become kinda lazy in a while and I got back to The Sizzler who has become in the meantime not challenging enough , so I am adding 1 pound ankle weights and I must admit I am very pleased with it. It makes me feel energized the next day instead of sick / sore -when I use Jane Fondq <the challenge > , and I definitely feel toned. My problem area is the legs and it shed inches off my thighs since I have been using the ankle weights. I would definitely recommend it since it has 4 or 5 cardio sessions and 5 weight training/toning sessions. It keeps your heart rate up and makes you sweat like no other video. This workout is perfect for bodies that need some slimming at the lower level and some toning or muscle building at the upper level.

This tape is wonderful! It gets you moving, motivated, and ready to finally get the body you have always wanted. I have tried many workout tapes and find this one really enjoyable. I own another of Denise's interval training tapes called the "Ultimate Fat Burner", which I found very difficult to keep up with. I was skeptical when I purchased this one, but was happy to see that it is much easier to follow than the Fat Burner tape. I recommend this tape to anyone that is ready to get the body they have always wanted.