Customer Reviews

Richard Simmons: Latin Blast-Off [VHS]

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

 

 

I love Richard Simmons and Latin music, so this video had a headstart with me. The production looks terrific--excellent camera work here, which is unusual for exercise videos. Yet is this really an exercise video? Sort of. Richard himself sticks to the usual low-impact aerobic moves, which is helpful if you're not a dancer.

The rest of the cast, though, goes for sexy, wiggly variations and look like they're on the dance floor, not in the gym. Fun? Yeah--dance along with them. But if you're looking for a good instructional video, this isn't it.

Also, the toning portion requires wrist weights, which isn't mentioned at all in the tape or on the box. How heavy should they be? Who knows. I wish Richard would talk to the viewer in the video about using such weights or substituting others. Most of the toning exercises (top half only) don't seem suitable for weights, and Richard gives no instruction on form--no info about bending your knees, posture, etc. This surprises me, since his "Sweatin' to the Oldies 2" is quite good on this score, and far more comprehensive. In "Latin Blast," Richard ends by saying, "Now you're toned." Um, no, not from this tape!

I recommend and use this tape only occasionally. It's good for when I'm bored with the gym-style tapes and feel like jiggling to jazzy music with a strong beat.

I've been doing workout videos for years, so its not like I haven't had experience with these things. But this video is ridiculous. The eclectic and dizzying mix of moves from the first 10 minutes was enough for me to throw my hands up and laugh. I don't think they repeat a single move more than twice in this entire video.

They spent way too much time designing fancy Latin backdrops, strobe lights & black&white disco cinematography. Not to mention the laughable scantily-clad Latin chicks that sit along the sidelines and whistle at those sweating and rump-shaking in the video. A little more time needed to be spent designing a routine that was actually feasible to accomplish. If you're looking for a GOOD Richard Simmons tape, I'd recommend the Mega-Mix Blastoff. It's a lot easier to follow and a LOT less cornball. But if you're looking for a good laugh, pick this up today!

I have just finished my first attempt with this routine. Sure, the dance steps were a bit hard to get down, so I just did my best to mimic the first time, but what fun. There are real dancers in Latin costume, and because the men were in pants and the women in dresses, I could see their legs well enough to see the dances. It was easier to learn than when I first tried the Richard Simmons Dance Your Pants Off. I had so much fun, that I didn't realize I was sweating until the cool down. The routine went fast too, because of the fun. Don't let the dance steps discourage you, just do your best and you'll be dancing away in no time. These dancing excercise tapes have been better than just a way to excercise. I have become better coordinated, more graceful, and learned dance steps, too.

As a Hispanic, I thought the music could have been better but the video is still worth it. My mom has been a fan of Richard Simmons for yrs (and even met him!). I've been lacking on cardio and the gym at the University here is always packed from noon 'til midnight. I didn't know Richard Simmons had other tapes besides Sweatin' to the Oldies (still great!) and was thrilled to find this! The moves r hard to follow until u get the hang of it but I worked up a real sweat trying. The background dancers r great and they make Richard look like the odd white guy in a Latin club knowing the moves but without the natural Latin flair (which I suppose he is). I think I burned calories just laughing. It's definitely worth the buy!

I loved the music in this video, but just could not get the moves down. I am familiar with Richard Simmons workouts and know that he does not cue very often, but these moves were more advanced then what he usually does. I'm sure that after a few times I'll get the moves down, but it was just frustrating to try to keep up when you had no idea what was coming next.
The toning section is a joke, he goes too fast and makes the moves two big, so you risk getting injured. I only got through a few minutes of the toning before turning it off and the next day my upper back was killing me from doing large arm circles with weights (which shouldn't be done!).
I wouldn't recommend this tape for anyone who feels uncoordinated, I'm a dancer and I still couldn't figure out the moves the first time!

I own several Richard Simmons tapes, and this is definitely my LEAST favorite. In some other reviews, people mentioned that the camera work was great. I strongly disagree with this. For some other type of video, it would be, but this is an EXERCISE video. You need to be able to see the people's feet/full body when they introduce a new step. However, the editor of this video often cuts to shots of people's muscles, faces, etc. at this critical time. I am usually very good at picking up aerobics moves, but I have trouble with this video because of the showy but poorly thought-out editing. Unlike others, I like the toning section (get Simmons cool weights!) but I agree that it is not enormously effective/strenuous. However, I think it helps to get your muscles ready for more effective toning later down the line. This section and the music are the main things I like about the video. However, if you are looking for an easier and more fun tape, get Disco Blast-Off, which I highly recommend.

I love this video! Maybe it isn't the best workout in the world (we're not talking about the Navy Seal Workout here!), but it's fun, fun, fun! The music is great, the video is colorful, Richard is hilarious. Jane Fonda may give you abs and buns of steel, but do you really want to do her militaristic style workout every single day? Latin Blast-Off is a great tape for rotation-- maybe do strength training, pilates or more intense cardio during the week, then kick off your heels and do this one on Fridays after work.

Tape itself is fun, but it doesn't teach you step-by-step how to dance slowly, so you'll have to learn the steps yourself. The steps itself isn't hard, but it really doesn't flow very well. Over all it isn't bad tape if you are just starting out, but not recommended to people who are looking for advance work out.

I have tried this video two times now, and frankly it just makes me angry. The professional dancers that stock this video are nauseating, ... The routines do not give a balanced workout as they stand--I can just dance around in my living room and get the same result. It would have been nice if the exercises were *adapted* from dance moves and targeted all body parts, instead of just being taken as is complete ... . The warm up at the beginning is almost a joke, the toning portion was weak, and there is no abs workout at the end. Richard seems to have tried to appeal to a different audience with this one, but I was just sorry I had wasted my money on it.

Of the Blast Off tapes I have, this one is my favorite. The steps are more challenging, the production values are higher and the eye candy is sweeter! Basically it's 30 minutes of aerobics with 10 minutes of toning at the end. I ususally skip the toning and do something else for that, but overall, it;s a nice way to start your day.