Customer Reviews

Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies [VHS]

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I began with slow walks around the block everyday. At first only 10 minutes, but working up to 30-60 minute walks. Then one day I put in an Oldies tape and started dancing.

These tapes appeal to me since I always have enjoyed dancing and wished I was better at it. Well, when I dance alone I can PRETEND I'm the best dancer eve. ;) Good music and cheerful banter helped motivate me. As I lost weight and need to kick up the routine I added weights, speeded it up, picked up videos to alternate with......It's been 2 years now and I still enjoy a week or two of Richard's videos when teh weather is rainy or when I just feel like giving my mood a push up.

I really enjoy seeing real live people working out in these videos. Female, male......Obese to average, muscular to flabby......It makes me feel good to be working out with other normal appearing persons.

This was the first Richard Simmons tape I ever used. I agree with others who note his instruction is not always clear and specific; the first time I used the tape that was a bit disconcerting. Then I realized that one of my exercise goals was to relieve stress and this was not something to stress about. Richard and the people who join him are clearly having so much fun -- it's contagious. The great thing is you get to do this workout in the privacy of your home and it doesn't matter if you master every move.

I like that the participants who join Richard in this, and all of his videos, really represent humanity. They are different sizes, shapes, and ethnic backgrounds. Some are clearly more coordinated than others BUT all are enjoying themselves. I particularly find the closing of each tape motivational, when participants come forward doing their own steps and their names and the # of pounds they have lost is displayed.

This is the easiest of Richard's tapes and a good place to begin if you haven't previously done much exercise.

I love this tape! having gained 40 (okay, maybe closer to 50) pounds while pregnant, I really needed to drop some weight after my baby came. this is a fun workout. I get a huge kick out of the people in the video - I would not feel at all intimidated joining this aerobics class in real life. all shapes and sizes are represented (not just buff models like in other tapes), and I love the fact that even the 2 or 3 very good-looking women in the video are wearing hilarious cindy lauper fashions (the video was filmed in the late 80s, after all), so even they don't make you feel too bad about your big old self! the first few times I did this tape, I had to stop and rest between songs, but now I can do the whole thing with no problems, other than working up a good sweat - and I've already lost 30 pounds of my baby weight - only 10 (okay, 20) more to go! also, richard is surprisingly low-key in the video - unlike his talk-show persona, he only really starts to yammer in the last few songs. but what the heck - by that time, he's already started to grow on you.

This might not be for very fit persons, but for me, as I am out of shape, and want to lose ten pounds, it is GREAT. The music is fantastic if you love the oldies, Richards enthusiasm is great, the steps easy and fun to follow. I actually enjoy my workout every day. I strongly recommend it!

You definitely SWEAT ... good condition ... quick ship. Go for it!!

I am amazed that some reviews and some of my friends complain, whine, they can't follow, boo hoo. I go one way he goes another. After playing the tapes a few times you pick it up. Just go with the flow. Have fun! I lost 30 lbs already. Am 70 yrs old and was able to get off my high blood pressure pills. People crack me up. You don't have to do every step. Laugh, have fun. I am indebted to Richard Simmons. I always hated to exercise and I get up 6:00 every morning and play at least 2 tapes! Thank you Richard. Kathryn Sommers-Meek, San Diego

Actually folks, I WON this video from Richard himself for talking to him on the phone LIVE on a radio show! It was when Sweatin To The Oldies first came out. I have been using this video for years and have had to replace it once. I use this tape on the days that I don't do a 30 minute walk ( I do exercise EVERY day)...it has helped me control my diabetes (type 1) and very very slowly drop some weight...and my quality of life has improved immensely!(Oh yes, and it's helping me get my eating disorder under control too!) Thank you Richard for helping me get my life and mobility and diabetes control back! Love, Amy

Richard's tapes are a lot of fun to do once you learn them, and this is no exception. However, I prefer a longer routine. (This is only 21 or so minutes aerobic.) And Richard doesn't do mirror cueing on this tape. But it's a good place to start for Beginners. Beginners be aware that there are a lot of knee lifts that will wear you out the first few times you do this routine. The up side to this is that you will build strength and stamina quickly and be able to move on to his other aerobic tapes that are longer and just as much fun (if not moreso). I'd say this tape would be too easy for Intermediate or higher exercisers.

Humans were meant to be active and enjoy life. A 30 minute workout in a gym with corny music, a dressed-up bleached blond instructor screaming " Two more...and one more" , while I try to follow very exact fussy structured aerobic moves is not my idea of being naturally active and/or having fun. If that works for some people, fine. I think though that most of us want to feel strong, fit and enjoy getting there. "Dancing" in my own livingroom to some great old music with some very down to earth people with imperfect unpainted bodies smiling back at me on my T.V. screen is much more my idea of getting naturally stronger and more fit. I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you've got 200+ lbs you want to burn up or just 20, this video is fun and motivational.

Over the last two years I had gained 60 lbs. from being on Prednisone for Crohn's Disease. There was NOTHING that helped to melt the fat away...until I bought Richard Simmon's "Sweatin to the Oldies". After one week of this workout..doing it everyday...I had lost 6 pounds. That was amazing! And it was motivational..as if Richard isn't motivational enough in his own right. I have, over the course of 3 months and daily workouts with this tape, lost all of the weight...and to me and other folks who have had to be on this horrid drug....it is a miracle. I highly recommend this tape.