Customer Reviews

Denise Austin - Hit the Spot:Totally Firm [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been using this tape faithfully for 3 months and have really seen results! This tape is great for beginners-intermediate who would like an all-over body workout. It is a medium paced workout w/weights. Denise Austin is very motivational and keeps you going. It is set at the beach and about 45 min long. I also like this tape because you do one super set instead of 3-4 sets which get boring. I recommend this to anyone who wants to get tone.

By using this video, you will enjoy a good toning workout which can be easily increased in intensity by using heavier weights. Beware, though, of two things: 1) it is just over 45-minutes, and you MUST do the entire video (including warm-up and cool-down) or you will feel the pain! 2) there is one excercise in it that really requires a bench. I don't have one, but I substitute for it by doing another excerise. For all else, all you need are hand weights and a chair. Very fun!

I have been using this tape twice a week since January and think it's pretty good overall. Denise seems to cover every part of the body. She does talk incessantly, but she really motivates me to keep trying when I feel like resting. It is a little boring, but oh, well. I think it's worth it. Here's why. . .

Before using this tape, I just walked (speed walking) regularly 5-6 times a week. When I've had fat analyses done in the past five years, I never did that well even though my body weight has been in an excellent range. Without changing anything else and keeping a stable weight, I had another fat analysis last month after 6 months of using the tape. My fat analysis was in the good range this time because I have more muscle now. So that was enough to encourage me to keep using the tape!

My doctor said that weight training is really excellent for keeping bone mass as we grow older (I'm 41 now.), and that's why I ordered this tape. I think the price is excellent for what you get.

Great overall toning - the more weights you use, the better your shape. She's diverse in her routines as you admire the beach in the background. Denise Austin uses many routines including a bench (I use a table) and explains how your muscles react by certain exercises and their benfits. The video take a full 45 minutes from warm up to cool down but you'll notice better body tone in just the first few times you work out (even if you dont' make it all the way through). I definitely recommend.

I was pleasantly surprised by this video, I happened to rent Denise's Sizzler workout from the library which contained snippets of Totally Firm, based on that I decided to order it. I am glad that I did. I haven't seen much of Denise's videos as I use mainly the Firm and others but was impressed by this one. It is a solid 45 minute weight training routine, Denise hits all the muscle groups at least once and even includes calf and rotator cuff work. You work your legs with squats, static lunges and plie squats, plus calf lifts and leg lifts while sitting on the bench. For arms you will see bicep curls, overhead presses for shoulders, triceps kickbacks and tricep dips using a bench, front and side shoulder raises, bench press, pec flies and pushups for chest and some ab work. Denise uses a 2-2 count for all the exercises, she uses 5lb weights. I used anywhere from 5-12lb weights, the controlled pace of the reps allows for you to lift heavy if you choose to. The only negative is the counts are uneven for the exercises, some exercises there are 12-13 reps, others are 16-18 reps. It would have been nice if they were all 12 reps or 16 reps. But that was a minor irritation in an otherwise good workout. This is a workout that you can grow with too, which is a plus.

Denise has 2 people exercising with her, Jeff and Kelly who is a personal trainer with great form. The setting is on a beach in Mexico overlooking the ocean, very pretty. You can also hear the ocean waves crashing which I thought was neat, the music is nothing spectacular but not bad either. I felt that it suited the workout well. Denise offers a lot of good pointers in this workout, and she looks great as well. She is still her perky self with her funny comments, but not over the top at all. I thought she did a great job.

If you are looking to add one Denise video to your collection, this is it. A lot of reviews I have read state this is the best one she has come out with, I would agree with that 100%.

I just bought this as my very first workout video and I absolutely love it ! I do it early in the morning when it's still cool and the beach background makes me feel as if I'm there and not in my living room! I'm a runner and I feel this is good cross training to help make me stronger. This video is deceiveing because I started out with 3lb wts. thinking I wouldn't feel a thing yet I definitely do feel the burn in my muscles throughout the day. For those of you who may be runners also or really into cardio - this video is a great warmup. It's a good morning or mid afternoon energizer to do before you do your cardio workouts. This video is a good supplement to a regular exercise program - but I don't feel like it's a cure for all. Definitely do some other cardio on your own if you want major results quicker. Despite all the good things this has to offer my only major drawback is that you don't get a good sweat although you know you're workin' it ! !

My all time favourite toning video (and I have tried heaps)! I have had this for tape for about 5 years, and while MANY other tapes have come and gone from my routine, I keep coming back to this one. It works. I even have a back-up copy ready for when I eventually wear out my original copy! I haven't found the problems other people have mentioned on here, all I can say is that it's worth every cent.

The good
1. Grows with you (eg. at first I couldn't do all the pushups even on my knees, but not I am doing the first five as regular pushups and the rest on my knees).
2. Denise doesn't have breast implants (Hooray for Denise!!)
3. I always get sucked in by infomercials, and in this video Denise sells exercise. I love drowning my brain with her constant positive talk about the benefits of exercise, it really motivates me.
4. I have beautiful muscle tone now, particularly my arms
5. I get bored of the same exercise easily, yet I do this tape once- twice a week and look forward to it.
6. The beautiful beach scenes.
7. The proper warm up and and cool down prevent muscle pain.
8. Denise gives though instruction
9. You don't need a bench, just a chair and some weights
10. It's simple
11. It isn't so hard that I never use it, but it is challenging
12. I feel awesome once I have done it, and excited about the results.
13. You don't waste time standing around while the instructor yaps, you are moving the whole time.
14. She alternates the body parts she works on so that you get a rest.
15. The time goes quite quickly

The bad
1. I can't just pay Denise to exercise for me

I used this workout after my second child. The first few weeks I was so sore but I stuck with it and saw real change in 4-6 weeks. After 8 weeks I went on vacation to the beach and for the first time didn't cringe at the vacation video!

A group of coworkers have been getting together to exercise during lunch in one of the office conference rooms. With several videos to choose from, we invariably keeping coming back to this because it provides a great NO SWEAT workout (we have no showers and must get back to work right away). That's not to say it isn't challenging. It is, but you can work out at your own pace and gain maximum benefit for your fitness level. Plus Denise is so durn perky! She seems like a really nice-- albeit very toned-- good friend who has your best interests at heart. We love her, and we particularly love this tape.

I have owned this tape since it came out in 1997. I used it religiously when I wasn't wise enough to rotate beyond two tapes. Eventually, it wore out and I apparently got rid of it a few years ago. I just ordered another new copy today. I own some of the best DVDs - Janis Saffell, Ellen Barrett, Minna Lessig, but this is a great video to return to, I feel Denise Austin's best ever. I'm not overweight or out of shape, but when I did this video 4x/week for two months getting ready for a vacation some years ago, I dropped several inches, which results I have not seen since. Denise is not overly annoying in this video and can keep count (which I find a problem with the Personal Trainer DVD). I would highly recommend this be added to your rotation, you will not regret it!