This was my first Denise Austin video. I bought it at the same time I bought her XTRA Lite Aerobics. I was initially intimidated by doing any kind of "toning" with weights. I bought one pound hand weights for $1.00 each at Target. Denise says you can also use soup cans. I soon bought a "tree" with other weights (2, 3, 5 and 8 pounds--hey there's a man in the house!) and started using the 2 or 3 pounders on most of the exercises.

I like the video a lot. It has much variety, not too many reps that you can't keep up and do them all, and it's easy to modify it or increase the intensity with using heavier weights.

Denise handles the weights in a non-swingy manner, and points out that going down is as much of a workout as going up. I actually learned (for the first time) to really create my own resistance on the way down.

This tape is great for beginners, but you won't outgrow it too fast--since you can always add more weight. When I am in perfect shape, I could always add more weight and use it for a "light" workout.

It's not all weight training--there are some toning exercises that donm't use the weights--nice variety as I said before. I give it an A-. The sound quality could be better. It's filmed on a pretty beach and Denise looks great (as usual.)

Instructor Comments:
I find Denise to be a great motivator! I will just be ready to give up and she'll call out, "It's worth it! You can do it!" and it makes me laugh but gives me the "strength" to keep going.

Michele