Denise Austin: Body Makeover Mix

I am not usually one to leave reviews, but after using this dvd for 2 years, I can’t help myself from singing its praises! I’ve been an exercise girl since age 7 (yes, I had a little step aerobics setup in my room lol) and have bought roughly 1 million dvds over the years. Well, close to it it seems. I’ve tried everything from Billy Blanks to the expensive BeachBody infomercial ones. There are some that I have come to memorize & love, & this is one. I’m 5’3, and 10 lbs can be added on quickly but also look like a lot more on my frame. This is one of those workouts where doing it 3 times a week +, walking 12 miles a week (another Denise tip) & intermittent fasting (18:6) can get me back where I want to be within a few weeks. I can imagine if I did this everyday, the results would be even more amazing. Another thing, I really only do the arms & lower body workouts. They each are less than 15 minutes each and both really demand a lot from your core so your abs get a great workout by default. I realize that some people may not like Denise’s voice, but the great option with her dvds is that you can not only customize your workout, you also have the option to mute her instruction. I personally like her motivating voice, as she reminds me to focus on “tucking up & in the gut” which immediately fixes my posture. I love it!!!

I think my favorite thing about this workout is that you can choose to do just one of the workouts or choose which ones will play so you don't have to go back to the main menu for each workout. The arms and legs sections are well done, you can see what is happening at all times, the stage is well lit, and Denise and her workout buddies are dressed so that you can see everyone easily. I like the upper body portion as you can make the exercises easier or harder by changing the amount of weight you use - although she does not give you much time to change if you want to use a different weight for different exercises so you have to plan ahead a bit. I found the lower body section to be somewhat challenging, but I can't say I ever really broke a sweat doing it. Both sections used exercises I haven't seen before, and some that are not used very often in other videos which is great!The abs portion I'm not so thrilled with. There are exercises in it that the beginner cannot, and should not do, and she does not offer modifications for most of them. This portion almost begs the beginner to quit from low back injury or sheer frustration. It kind of surprised me that Denise doesn't have this section fleshed out a bit better since this is in no way an advanced workout, one would expect that beginners would pick it up. I would have given this dvd 5 stars had it not been for this section.I have only owned a few of Denise's videos over the years, but she seems a bit subdued in this one. Her voice is calm and mellow, and she almost reminds me of a yoga instructor in this one. I found her very pleasant in this workout. Whether or not someone else would like it would depend on what they like in an instructor. If you like super perky instructors or ones who are barking out orders (I gotta admit, depending on my mood sometimes I want someone who is more extreme than she is here), then you're not going to be happy with this one.

I felt the need to revise my review since I've been working out with this DVD for a few months now and started doing the lower body workout as well. Let me say that I have always loved working out with Denise Austin since the early 90's. She is happy and encouraging. I'll take that over some of these fitness gurus that talk too much and are obviously full of themselves.Now that I'm in my 60's I was concerned about losing body tone. The Body Makeover mix is a combination of three 15 minute workouts: Upper-body Sculpt, , Lower Body Sculpt, plus Ab and Core Conditioning. The cover doesn't mention it, but they suggest light weights in the video. I started out with the Upper Body and Abs/Core using 3 lb. weights and progressed to 5 lb. I recently started doing Lower Body Sculpt which is actually a delightful workout using Ballet moves with the back of a chair as a ballet bar to a sort-of-Cha Cha music.I now have to adjust my bras to the tighter hook, so something is getting leaner! I don't cringe when I look at my abdominal area anymore. Last but not least, I'm proud of the way my arms are starting to get that sculptured look. As expected, I got result with Denise Austin once again. Always did.

I have worked out to Denise Austin in the past and had amazing results. I am in my 40's and have gained the typical weight due to no exercise. I decided I want to get back in shape and I remembered using Denise Austin DVDs (long ago) to get in shape. It is only 45 minutes long for all three toning work outs, or split into (3) 15 minute workouts if you just want to focus on one area. You will get results. It will work if you work at it.

I've been working out with Denise Austin since I was about 4yrs old, I would do the videos with my mom weekday mornings. I bought this because I wanted medium impact strength training that would give me results but not be such a sweaty, time-consuming workout. There are some fantastic moves that are new to me, that work muscles I didn't know I have. And they don't strain my neck.

I really like how they put this DVD together. You can do one full workout (upper body, legs, and abs) or you can split up each section and focus on the areas you want. Each individual workout is about 15 minutes and she does several moves in each segment. Before I purchased this, I looked on youtube to see if I would like it. The only reason I am not giving this 5 starts is because when I select all the workouts at one time (so one will pop up right after the other), the DVD stops and I have to start over. I am not sure why this happens. It does not happen when I a select each section individually. I think this is a good DVD for any physical level.

I was looking for an Upper, Lower and Core workout where I could do different segments on different days and this one fits the bill. Not only does it require very little equipment, but you can still get a good work-out not wearing shoes. Plus there is not a lot of bouncing, so gentle on the knees for us seasoned people. This has become my favorite workout video!

I've never bought a DVD by Denise Austin before and I won't be again. I found her voice SO annoying, kind of like Catherine O'Hara on SCTV years ago when she played Lola Hetherington. Kind of ditzy and not pleasant to listen to. I also wasn't impressed with the actual routines.This is heading back for a refund.😕

It is a pretty easy workout, I haven't been sore at all from any days that I have done this. I guess it's ok if you're just beginning to work out. I hadn't worked out for a while but was looking for something a little more than this.

I was not a fan of her as an instructor or of her style of workout. Decent for beginners maybe if you can stand her overly perking delivery.

Couldn't use this at all in my dvd. Player. Not compatible! The first dvd have ever ordered from Amazon. And can't use.

First of all I must begin by saying that I have only recently discovered Denise Austin by mistake on youtube...I was just browsing thru the site to see what was out there in terms of home aerobic workouts. . This was the very first DVD of Denise's that I saw a preview of, and the upper body clip was my first preview that I have had. Everything else as they say, was history after that... I just went nuts so to speak, and started browsing more and more of Denise's dvd's!!!I have been looking for some type of exercise PERSONAL TRAINING my entire life without having to pay $80 to $100 an hour to a personal trainer, so this was just perfect for me. In this dvd, Denise, not only workout the entire body, but takes her time, and explains every move/exercise and really educate you on what you are doing and which muscles are being worked. Thats what I love, love, love, most about Denise's workouts, she educates you every step of the way. Denise Austin is the only instructor that I have come across in this business that takes the time to work WITH you and not just go through the motions like other instructors do, esp. the ones that makes you feel like you are a working DONKEY on the lands!!! She makes you feel like the workout is for you, she makes you feel like she is part of the audience and not stand out as THE instructor. She makes you feel so comfortable that you want to workout. Denise is like the OPRAH in this business... down to earth, honest, and with you all the way and people just love her positiveness/high energy/motivation and very peppy demeanor!etc.So again, after viewing, this first DVD of Denise's I felt very comfortable to order several more of her dvd's, which I am still trying to get around to...some of them I am still working on viewing etc...All in all, love this DVD!!!