3/5 for begninners
  by Lyre (Penns Woods USA)
I bought this workout because i was getting bored with my current fitness DVDs and thought maybe Richard Simmons would be entertaining and that fat burning coupled with laughing might be good exercise. His words are more inspirational than amusing. I sent this DVD to my friend who needs to start getting in shape and who finds the starting part to be quite daunting. The DVD is much too easy for someone who has been exercising for many years; yet, absolutely perfect for someone who needs the motivation to start and continue.

5/5 Richard Simmons Tons & Blast
  by Bionicmom (USA)
This is an excellent workout. It's shorter than my others and I felt a better workout with it. I highly reccommend it.

5/5 Highly recommend
  by C. A. Johnson (Broomfield, CO United States)
I really like this workout. I recommend that you have some 3# and 5# weights to begin, then get heavier ones as you progress. For a beginner in strength training (as a result of some heart issues), I found this to be a great start coupled with some other sort of aerobic type exercise every other day to get your heart rate going. This workout includes some ab work toward the end, which I also like. When I master this one, I'll move on to one that is more difficult

5/5 exercise beginner
  by 317537 (Georgia)
I bought this tape after reading the book "Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy--Until You're 80 and Beyond". The authors of the book insist that everyone needs to add weights to their workout routine. This is the perfect routine for beginners. Richard does a great job of showing you what to do and giving enough time for you to get set before he begins. The first part of the tape is stretching, then you move to the light weights where you need from 1 to 5 pounds weights, then it moves to the heavy weights which are from 3 to 8 pounds, then you end with a floor mat activity. The entire routine only lasts 30 min which is great when you don't have a lot of time. I usually do another workout tape after completing this one, my favorite is sweating to the oldies 2 but I vary it with any of the sweating to the oldies. I like 2 the best because it has one song with weights and a floor routine at the end. When I purchased the blast and tone, I didn't know that I needed two types of weights and a yoga mat but as soon as I had completed one viewing, I was back on Amazon to order them. I started with 2 and 3 pounds and after a couple of weeks have moved to 3 and 5 pounds weights. I use the 2 pound weights with sweating 2 now so they don't go to waste ( which is probably why I like the sweating 2 tape the best of the series). I decided to start exercising when I turned 45 and though I have only lost a couple of pounds ( because I am not on a diet), I do feel so much better. I would recommend this tape to anyone who is just getting started or who is bored with other tapes. I find myself watching Janet Preston as much as Richard ( she is the older woman to his left on the tape who looks like she is having so much fun-----at the end of the tape you find that she lost 145 pounds-------wow)


4/5 Fast Fun Workout
  by Katherine A. East (Alaska)
Great video - gives you a work out without leaving you too sore to move the next day. I like the music and the upbeat, positive attitude. It makes the time fly by!