Simmons is one of the funniest people I can think of. I mean that generally, not just in exercise video land. Did any one else see him on David Letterman tossing hams into the audience?! He's a scream. And he's great at what he does, getting people off their butts. Sometimes, actually, he's too great. Simmons goes over the top at times. Its fine if you need or want the extra encouragement he gives, but some times it seems his mouth is flappin' more than his legs. Up until his fourth video, now called Sweat and Shout, he provided heart rate checks without explaining why, how to and what the goal was. In four, he drops the check altogether and uses a perceived exertion rating, which is not as accurate but much easier for the novice to do and use. The videos are absolute parties, from the band to the sets and lighting the large casts, and the fun music that definitely does not come out of an elevator. These tapes are great for beginners. They are easy, encouraging and fun. My only questions is from volume 2: what is up with the bottles? Why not just give the exercisers light hand weights and do real strength moves throughout instead of this weird little hand jivey type move? I did this tape with 5 lb. weights and found no value in this move except that it was cutesy. I don't do these tapes much anymore, I've moved on to tougher tapes. Occasionally, I will put a Sweatin' tape in and use it as an extended warm up for serious weight work. I have not found other beginner level tapes with this much fun, good music and encouragement.

linda