Customer Reviews

Reach for Fitness - A Special Video of Exercises for the Physically Challenged [VHS]

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I am a paraplegic from a birth defect, paralyzed the knees down. Richard Simmons is a major motivator in keeping fit and healthy and he makes the exercises easy to do, fun and really a good workout on the whole body whether you can move your whole body or not. The video really gets me pumping! Go get it!

this tape has a serious flaw in my opinion. i was very excited to get it after reading all the reviews here. no one mentioned that a large majority of the exercises are done out of the wheelchair lying on the floor. well, in my particular case, i cannot get out of the wheelchair down to the floor at all so this tape was a total waste of money for me. i am able to do about 5 minutes of exercises which are actually warm ups for the floor work and even they are all arm and neck work, very little leg work. it was a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT to me.

Someone should make a special award for Richard Simmons. What a sweetheart! Richard Simmons is able to bring fitness to all levels of abilities. This video has a great workout for those of us who aren't very ambulatory. It uses real people with real disabilities to show how each exercise is done. It's easier to follow than any other video I've tried. It's very upbeat and encouraging for those who have more than just weight to contend with.
The only jarring part is the rather inane popup screens of perfectly healthy HollyWood stars chanting "You can do it!" in a rather patronizing manner. Richard really doesn't need this fluff for his video, so you can simply avoid these plastic people by staying in the middle of the tape where all the good stuff is. I wish everyone in a wheelchair or in braces or who just can't walk without pain could have this video.

This review refers to "Richard Simmons; Reach For Fitness Prgram Fitness - A Complete Fitness Program For the Physically Challenged" - VHS

You Can Do It!..is the theme of this workout. Richard Simmons is as always a great instructor and highly motivating. It's not just a work out, it is a health and nutrition class as well. It is all about fitness. The class is made up of real people with varying levels of disablilites,many in wheel chairs, each working at their own level. Richard's famous enthusiasm encouraging them every step of the way.

The tape runs about 35 minutes. I would say about 20 minutes is physical.This was split into two sections. After a short intro letting you know how important it is to take care of yourself, and some encouraging words by favorite TV personalities of the era(think mid-80's), Richard gives a class in good health and nutrition. The basics still apply today. He goes through the meals, showing proper portions, and reminds us what's healthy and what's not, giving some good ideas for healthier eating. No excuses!

Next on to the first part of the class. All members are either in a wheelchair or sitting down. He warms you up, gets you breathing and your heart rate up. Hitting every part of the upper body, you'll stretch and use your own resistance to tone up all muscles. The exercises are gentle but effective.Lots of reaching and stretching. You can modify these movements in any way necessary depending on your own physical limitations. I would say, if you are strong enough, you can even eventually add light weight like soup cans or water bottles to add resistance. After an upper body workout, Richard moves on to the legs. Once again, this will depend on you own limitations. Some of the members of the class, used their hands to lift their legs, some could lift them just a little, some more. But the idea is to get the blood flowing, and to feel good. This session was probably around 10 minutes or so.

Part 2 was floor exercises on mats, also around 10 minutes. This class was young kids, doing what they could. One had braces on her legs. But these were good exercises for anyone and would probably strengthen lower back and buttocks. The only thing here was that Richard says, if you can't get out of your chair, to keep going and do them in your chair. I think it would have been most helpful if he would have had one or two people in wheelchairs to demonstrate how to do this.

Then more encouraging words, from Richard and the stars(who were not in the workout portion at all). It's always hard to get started. I myself, use tapes and DVDs because I need someone guiding me,encouraging me and getting me motivated. So I think this tape will do all of those things. Of course, you should check with your Doctor before using, and remember it's okay to stay within your limitations. You will see that in the class not everyone can do the same thing. You also may want to view the tape once through, just to see what's coming up, and of course you can always pause it for a rest. Oh yeah.. try to ignore those 80's outfits..YIKES!

So Challenge Yourself and...
Remember to Breathe..Eat Healthy..and..Enjoy! Thanks Richard....Laurie