Customer Reviews

Denise Austin - Xtralite:Beginner's Tone Up [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Very nice tape for the true beginner! It's a light, easy way to tone and firm your muscles, but at the same time you DO feel the exercises, so you know it's working. I've been using this tape for about 2 weeks now and I have already noticed some changes in my arms, legs, and back. The tape offers basic moves that anybody can do, which is great for me! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the warm-up and cool-down/stretch is a little too short. I also use Denise Austin's video "stretch & Flex" after this video to add in an extra cool-down. I do recommend you try this video!

This is truly a lite tone-up, but not so lite that it feels useless. It was very good for me being about 100lbs. overweight when I started using it. Denise uses a chair and light weights to work the arms, shoulders, legs and abs and then ends with stretching for a total 30min workout. After about 4 weeks of use, I have noticed a decided increase in my upper body strength, more defined arms and my thighs are a bit slimmer. The music sucks, but you can turn down the sound of the tape and play your own music once you know the routine. Denise does give good advice about form and exactly what the purpose of each excercise is. She's also very encouraging.

If you look at my other reviews, you can see I am a Denise Austin fan, and this video did not disappoint.

You get a great toning workout in a short period of time (I like pairing this with one of her aerobic videos). Denise is always very bubbly and explains things quite well, in my opinion. She also reminds you of little things so you don't hurt yourself or pass out (like keep your head over your heart-- no head rushes!).

The only thing that kept me from giving this video 5 stars was that I found it to be a little too easy for me. If you have very little muscle tone, this video would be perfect for you. I am not Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I am able to lift heavy things quite well and to put up a decent fight in an arm-wrestling match with an average guy. Thus I found that after the tape was over, I had to keep doing the exercises I learned in the video to feel like my muscles were working. So this video was good to teach me the exercises and to motivate me to do them, but it didn't totally satisfy me.

So, to sum up, Five Star video if you're low-muscle, to put it nicely, and Four Star if you're average, like me. Definitely not for the already-toned or very muscular.

Very well presented video of exercises for the ultimate beginner. Ms. Austin gives you motivation, and praise as she demonstrates each excercise. A good way to start the day.

This video is about 30 minutes long. Like the title it is xtralite and a beginner's video. So all you advance stop here and go on to something more intense. To me, the video had a little bit of everything: a mild cardio warm up, weight lifting and a stretching cool down. For this video you will need a couple of items: a chair, hand weights, and maybe head and wrist bands. I would recommend this video to anyone who is just starting out.

I got this tape when it first came out many yrs ago. The tape finally wore out and I had to track down a new one. It is a tape that isn't difficult but does the trick for me! I actually do it on a regular basis. I never do that with any other tapes. Good esp. for older women who want to build up muscle and get toned in a comfortable way. Took a long time to receive it due to the sender's policy of using the cheapest USPO rates.

This video is great for anyone who wants to begin an exercise regimen. It provides results while not over doing the muscles for aches and pains like some workout videos. I would highly recommend this tape.