I bought Denise Austin's Blast Away 10 Lbs. Video because I like her upbeat tone and personality. I have mixed reviews about this video however. The video consists of 2-20 minute workouts. I ONLY buy workouts that are 20 minutes long because this way I can do them in the morning before work and still have time to eat breakfast and relax for a bit. (I also walk 5 miles each night after work.)

The box specifically reads "In the first, Denise guides you through martial arts-inspired exercizes designed to shed pounds, and firm your legs, arms and bottom...." I would agree that the first workout does this. It is fun, invigorating, and I SWEAT, which is what I feel I need to do in order to get any benefit. It was fun, challenging, and to-the-point, plus it included a nice warm-up and cool-down. The box also reads "In the second, Denise combines cardio-kickboxing movements and simple weight-lifting to sculpt your muscles......" I do not care for this workout. It is too dancey, which does not make me feel like I even exercised at all! It states it is a cardio-kickboxing workout, but there are only two short segments of kicking. There are a lot of jumping jacks and "jump rope" actions. I feel kind of jipped that I paid money for these elementary moves. I feel that I can do those kinds of moves on my own if I want to, but I buy a video to show me NEW moves that keep me motivated. This second workout was just too "saggy".

There are a few instances of less-than-perfect coreography but I can live with that, and contrary to others' comments her voice does not bother me. The background is colorful (kind of 80'ish) but it's fun and bright and that's what exercize is supposed to be, right? She does fabulous abdominal workouts that have made my abs rather chiseled and her ab workouts are the BEST. I just do not care for the dancy "Cha-Chas", jumping jacks and simulated jumping rope in the second workout of this "kickboxing" video.

Sara G.