Customer Reviews

Denise Austin - Power Zone - Mind, Body, Soul [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

i've exercised with denise austin's TV show for a long time, but i wanted something that focused solely on pilates. unfortunately, i bought the stott pilates advanced matwork tape and i ended up hurting my neck and back.

then denise came out with this new dvd and i wanted to give it a try. after doing this program, i realize i never should have veered away from denise. her exercises are always completely safe but extremely effective (you'll feel it and see it!), she has an interesting background, fantastic music, and she looks stunning as always.

when you start this workout your mind will be preoccupied, but after a few minutes you are completely engrossed in following the routine. denise takes you through exhilarating, lengthening stretches (mind); standing pilates that work your arms, chest, butt and legs without hurting your neck and back (body); and invigorating, refreshing flowing motions (soul). incredibly, she kept my abs engaged throughout, which is exactly what i wanted in a workout routine. the best part is that the 40 minutes fly by and then i can't wait till the next time.

i recommend this dvd for any level of fitness: the more advanced you are, the more you'll be able to engage your different muscles while doing the exercises. working out with denise is the fastest and most enjoyable way to a good body.

Denise Austin's Mind Body Soul is a 40-minute workout which nicely blends different exercise styles. It is filmed on an outdoors-y looking set, and Denise works out with two background exercisers. The first section, Mind, begins with a 5-minute warm-up which concentrates on breathing and spine stretches and then moves into an additional 5-minutes of standing yoga postures. The poses (warrior II, side angle, triangle) flow nicely and include some more challenging balances such as warrior III and dancer. Denise gives good reminders to focus on your breathing, although she overuses trite phrases such as "your spine is your life line."

The middle segment, Body, consists of Pilates movements performed mostly in a standing position. In the first 10 minutes, you will replicate Pilates matwork moves such as single leg stretch, criss-cross, double leg stretch, spine stretch, and saw, all while standing erect. However, you will also perform some challenging plank work from a push-up position on the floor. The following 10 minutes require the assistance of a wall. Initially, the wall is used for support during 1-legged moves such as leg kicks, leg circles, rear kicks, and heel beats. Next, the wall is used for some strength moves, including a wall squat, a triceps isometric exercise, and wall push-ups. Throughout this section, Denise repeatedly reminds you to "zip up" your abdominal area so that you really feel the work in your midsection.

The final section of this video, Soul, was a 10-minute dance-type stretch. The exercises performed included mambos, lunges, and additional warrior poses, but the moves seemed to serve as more of a cool-down function rather than cardio or toning. This was my least favorite section of the video; it may have worked better if the Mind and Soul segments had been reversed. Overall, however, I found this to be an enjoyable workout for light toning and general stretching. Denise's personality is a bit more subdued than usual here, and because the workout moves slowly, I found her much easier to follow than in her aerobic workouts.

I have been working out to Denise for over two years and I love what she offers in her videos. Currently, I do her "Fit & Lite" and "Daily Workout" shows on Lifetime daily, as well as own her "Mat Workout Based on J.H. Pilates", "Power Zone: The Ultimate Metabolism Boosting Workout", and her Abs workout videos. I am pretty satisfied with those, but Denise's 2003 release of "Power Zone: Mind, Body, Soul" video is probably one of my favorites.

The first workout, "Mind", is a warm-up that is absolutely great to do in the morning - "Mind" is filled with concentrated breathing, slow stretches, and focus on pulling in the abdominals.

The second workout, "Body", is a Standing Pilates segment. If you own a video or have ever used the Pilates workouts, these moves should be familiar - the difference is you're standing up while doing it. Sounds strange, but you sure feel the burn more than you would if you were doing them on the floor. This one's terrifc for the abs.

The third workout, "Soul", is a salsa-inspired segment - I wouldn't really call it cardio, but it sure gets your heart pumping. It's pretty fun. You really feel this in your torso.

The last workout, "Spirit", is a sort of a cool-down; great for doing right before bed. It's a real soother.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this video to someone who just wants ONE fitness video - this video is awesome, but I suggest you get another video to go along with it to get in your essential cardio in.

Power Zone by Denise Austin is a very original workout. Denise combines yoga postures, pilates, and a cardio aerobic workout to give you a full body workout that connects the mind, body and soul. At a total of 40 minutes I have found this to be a perfect evening workout video.

Mind-here Denise focuses a lot of breathing and a variety of yoga postures. This is to relax you and get you prepared for a more dynamic workout to come. It's a great opener to the DVD!

Body-This is Denise's standing pilates workout. Standing pilates, your probably wondering what that is. Denise has modified some of J. H. Pilates workouts so that you can do them from a standing position. Some of these can be tough but they all work your core just like standard pilates. This is a great core workout.

Soul-Denise finishes her program with a little salsa dancing routine that will pickup your heart rate but not stress you out. This section might be a little difficult to follow at first but stick with it. It's worth it and is really fun but most importantly completes the full body workout.

I highly recommend this DVD from Denise. It's one of my favorite programs now and one I like to do 2-3 times a week. It truly is a great for in the morning to help wake you up or in my case in the evening to unwind you from a stressful day. 5 Stars!

This has got to be one of my favorite workout videos ever. I look forward to doing these exercises everyday. It makes waking up extra early easy.
My waist is not big but it could use some shrinking and this is what this tape does- every single minute of it, you can feel your waist and stomach muscles being used in ways that you have never used them. I would say that to loose weight some cardio and weights need to be done in addition to this tape- but this tape is just as necesary, because cardio and weights do not workout the waist area as effectively as this. Plus, this workout lenghthens you out like no other. You will find yourself standing tall all day.

The first segment is some wonderful yoga moves, and they are all very relaxing. The second segment is 'standing pilates' and it's so nice not to have to lay down on the floor to do them! The last segment is some flowing dance moves and some yoga. I am not crazy about dance moves in videos,but I loved these! because
they are easy to do and because the ones she does in this tape, again, focus on shrinking the waist and elongating the body. This tape feels like a full body massage, exept you feel invigorated at the end, and ready to face your day.

Denise Austin has motivated me to make exercising a habit, although I expected a bit more of a workout from this DVD.

Nonetheless, I have wimped out of a few other workouts when I just haven't felt up to a strenuous aerobic session or don't have the energy for an intense, lengthy yoga or pilates session.

MIND: This 10 minute section should really be renamed 'spine'. It places less emphasis on connecting your mind with your body and more emphasis on stretching your spine. It uses some Yoga poses; if you practice yoga you should recognise poses such as Warrior 2, Triangle, Balancing Stick and Pose of the Dancer.

BODY - 1: This is the first of two 10 minutes segments of 'Standing Pilates'. This is what it sounds like, taking classical Pilates matwork and transposing them to be executed while standing. Most of the exercises are straightforward, although there are some challenging exercises in plank towards the end of the 10 minute segment.

BODY - 2: The second 10 minute Standing Pilates segment involves the assistance of a wall that you use for balance. Firstly you use the wall for balance while you do one legged exercises like leg circles, leg kicks and leg beats. Then, you use the wall for strength exercises such as wall squats and wall pushups.

SOUL: This 10 minute segment is a salsa-inspired dance segment, that was less effective as cardio but more effective as a cool down. I certainly didn't appreciate the cameraman's obsession with Denise Austin's stomach during the hula segment, talk about rubbing it in, argh!

Denise is her enthusiastic self, although I am not a huge fan of the carribbean/very fake leafy palm tree set, and one thing that I noticed was that the music played in the background was recycled from Denise Austin's other DVD, 'Fat Blasting Yoga'. Jeez, was it really that difficult to find a new music track to play in the background?

All in all, I am glad that I purchased this DVD, although it is not something that I could use regularly since it does not provide enough of a challenge or room for development. It is something that I'll use when I'm a bit down in the dumps or had a rough day. I would not recommend it for people who are looking for one all-purpose workout, but I would recommend it for people who want to do something different some days of the week.

As much as I like Denise Austin's workouts, I have come to believe that she is too hyperactive for yoga. I am returning her MIND, BODY, SOUL DVD, and here is why: I wanted a slow paced, meditative session of yoga, with rhythmical breathing and sustained stretches. This is aerobics and gesticulation. The theatrics of the cavernous decor did not deceive me. Autin addresses the mind with quick stretches and the soul with disco dancing antics. I can do as much addressing the mind without Austin's help. And if getting loose is her version of exploring the soul, there are some clubs I can go to, or salsa music I can play at home. What Austin handles like no one is the body, so I'll keep the other videos I have of her. She is tough, she is fun, she is entertaining. But she is no yoga instructor. So I would like to say to her: Denise, either you take some valerian before you do a yoga program, or you leave the yoga to someone who will not mind stretching and stay silent for more than two seconds. And no more deceptive titles, please.

I first heard of Denise Austin's Power Zone workout from my January 2004 Fitness Magazine. In this issue there was an article listing the best workout videos according to the areas it focuses on . Power Zone was listed best for abs....an area I could definitely use. I researched further reading the reviews on Amazon's site and decided to give it a try. Both didn't steer me wrong. I LOVE IT!!!! This is my first Denise Austin workout video. At first I didn't know if I could handle her voice, but got use to it quickly. In fact I found her very motivating and like the way she cues you throughout the workout. Her best reminder..."zip up those abs" was very helpful for me. I enjoyed it so much I'm getting her book "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones" and checking in to some of her other DVDs.
Power Zone has three sections to focus on the mind, body, and soul.
First comes the mind in the form of Yoga. I have done some yoga and found the moves are fairly easy. It uses some basic moves and involves lots of stretching. The only thing there is no other person showing an alternate way to do the moves. I think though that if you found a move difficult you could conquer it rather quickly with some practice.
Next comes body. This section uses Pilates which I love. I have a few pilates mat DVDs. This one is standing pilates. It incorporates many of your mat moves only standing. Its a great addition because doing the same moves standing works the area in a slightly different way. Also during this time you do moves using the wall and chair or something to hold on to.
Last is soul. This is covered through a light aerobic salsa dancing routine.
Overall this DVD is a great find. I'm so glad I took the chance and tried it. I wish I could say that on all my workout video purchases. I really enjoy working out with this DVD and actually look forward to it. If your looking for a great yoga/pilates workout look no more and purchase Denise Austin's Power Zone.

I love Denise Austin. She is very motivating and I enjoy her talk thoughout the video. She does get cheesy at times, but for some reason I am not put off by it.
That being said, this workout won't really get you sweating, but it does tone and make you feel better after you do it.

This video features a lot of relaxing stretching, some floor pilates, a lot of standing pilates, some ballet work with a chair and a wall and some dancy cardio at the end. It is approx 40 minutes long. It is not a terribly hard workout but a relaxing workout that will help you tone.

I have quite a collection of Denise Austin videos. She is my favorite and with such a variety of workouts I never get bored. The Power Zone workout is one of my absolute favorites!! I saw it at our local store and grabbed it. Its wonderful! You get a great workout and you feel so relaxed afterwards. I cannot say enough about it. I've let all my friends borrow this DVD trying to get them to buy it because it really does make a difference. I do this workout in conjunction with her Blast Away 10lbs and her Power Kickboxing. I have noticed a difference and my flexibility is amazing. This is so worth the money!