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
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0784017964
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,805 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1997 body-shaping workout is aimed at "beginners of all ages," especially those who are reluctant to lift weights. The scene is a beach, where perky Denise Austin takes you through a light, easy, safe, strengthening workout. She starts with standing leg lifts (holding onto a chair for balance) for the outer and inner thighs and hamstrings (the back of the thighs), including plenty of explanation along the way to help you know what muscles you're using and how to work them correctly. You'll need dumbbells for the upper-body workout, and although Austin says you can use "soup cans" if you don't own weights, you won't gain much strength that way. Even though the whole workout lasts only 30 minutes, Austin hits all the major muscle groups, including abdominal.

The program design here is much better than in her older Hit the Spot series. The moves are done more slowly, with more attention to technique, and she teaches the chest exercises correctly (lying down). Austin does more teaching and less chattering in this video, which is an intelligent and motivating workout. --Joan Price

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Beginning Toning Video, August 16, 2000

By 

Tania L. Hughes (Plymouth, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denise Austin - Xtralite:Beginner's Tone Up [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I began this video about four weeks ago and have already noticed a significant difference. When I decided I needed to get back in shape, it was a challenge to find a medium that would be fun, provide a decent workout and yet not be too difficult or time consuming. I started with the companion in this series, Xtralite Beginner's Aerobics, and then added this video for target toning and muscle definition. One of the really great things about Denise is that she very briefly explains the correct way to do each move and which muscle each movement is working without explaining it to death. Also, she doesn't count out each repetition so the workout seems to just fly by and she creates an atmosphere that makes you feel like she is your personal trainer. I have noticed in other videos that "toning" tends to mean "abs workout", in this video Denise works both the upper and lower body for great shoulders, arms, back, legs and abs. You can personalize the workout by adding more weight or stoping the video and adding more reps. Both of the Xttralite videos are filmed on a beautiful beach and the sound of the waves helps to drown out the music, which isn't all that great. Other than that, this is a fabulous beginning tone up that can easily be done everyday and only requires a small area, a chair, and hand weights.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners or the time crunched., May 9, 2002

By 

Claire "mscnach2" (los angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denise Austin - Xtralite:Beginner's Tone Up [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In just a half an hour, denise austin goes through a variety of moves to tone your whole body. The moves are basic, but it's good for the time crunched, fitting everything into a half hour with light stretch to follow. It's not the most challenging but when you need the assistance of a tape to get you disciplined and moving, it helps.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars worthwhile for any level of fitness, January 16, 2002

By 

lashel "churchl23" (selah, wa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denise Austin - Xtralite:Beginner's Tone Up [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have been a fan of Denise Austin for years. I ordered the xtra lite tone up, because I havent done any formal exercise in about 12 yrs. So I was out of shape. It was almost TOO lite. But still a very worthwhile video for your library. It is perfect for those days that you are sore from overdoing the previous day. Or on days that you maybe have a cold and dont feel that well, but dont want to miss your workout. It is strictly toning, so you arent going to get fit owning only this one tape. You can increase the intensity of the workout by using heavier weights, or adding ankle weights. I enjoyed it, I used 3 lb weights which was perfect for me. I would like to add some ankle weights, because the lower body workout was too easy. Just had a baby? Havent worked out in a long time? Need a lite backup for days you cant work out as heavily as usual? This is the tape for you. Concentrates on posture, and how to exercise correctly. Good instruction from Ms Austin as well.