Richard Simmons is the king of motivational exercise, especially if you're a beginner. This video workout is a dance party simulating a class reunion, with an energizing live band playing lively hits from the '50s and '60s, such as "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To," "Great Balls of Fire," and "Dancing in the Streets." The singers and musicians sometimes come offstage and dance with the exercisers, adding to the energy and festivity. The choreography is very simple, low impact, light intensity, and appropriate for beginners and overweight exercisers. (You may not get your heart rate up if you're very fit, although you'll enjoy the music.) Richard doesn't do much in the way of cueing--he assumes you'll just follow along. His onscreen class has women and men of all body shapes and sizes, and everyone is having a blast. You will, too. At the end, the exercisers dance down the floor and the screen flashes how many pounds they've lost--several have lost more than 100 pounds. (22 minutes of aerobics, total 43 minutes with warm-up, cool down, and stretch.) --Joan Price

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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.

42 of 42 found the following review helpful:

Fun for beginnersSep 18, 2000
By Pam Leitterman
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.

43 of 44 found the following review helpful:

great for new moms!Nov 16, 2000

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.

26 of 26 found the following review helpful:

Excellent VideoJun 18, 2000

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!

25 of 25 found the following review helpful:

Sweatin' to the OldiesApr 10, 2007
By Blue Horse
You definitely SWEAT ... good condition ... quick ship. Go for it!!

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