[.ca] Denise Austin's Personal Training System

From Amazon.com:
Veteran fitness expert Denise Austin's Personal Training System is one of several exercise programs designed to take advantage of a valuable feature of the DVD format: namely, the ability for viewers to customize their own workouts by picking and choosing from various elements presented in Austin's prescribed routines. These include sections devoted to cardio (available at low and high intensity levels, both about 20 minutes long), upper and lower body exercises (offered at low, medium, and high intensity, each about ten minutes long), and abdominal and stretching segments (the same for all levels, these also last about ten minutes). Meanwhile, the "custom workout" option enables users to combine any or all of these elements according to taste and fitness level. There's nothing especially innovative here--indeed, the cardio sections are pretty much old school, Jane Fonda Workout-style aerobics, while the upper and lower body sections include light weights, bends, lunges, push-ups and other tried-and-true elements--but those looking for a thorough, sweat-inducing regimen will certainly find it here. Austin's relentlessly effervescent style will no doubt prove inspiring to some and cloying to others. On the other hand, the entire program can be done without her audio instructions, and those who simply don't want to work out at all can occupy themselves with an accompanying booklet filled with diet pointers and recipes. --Sam Graham

Great workout with flexibility:
I am a fit person who has been running and doing yoga for a few years but wanted to mix things up by trying aerobics for the first time. I really enjoy this dvd because it gives you several options (2 cardio workouts, 3 upper body, 3 lower body, abs, & stretch). You can choose a pre-programmed workout or customize one yourself. This was important to me because as a runner I have very strong legs so I immediately jumped to the high intensity lower body. However, my upper body is not developed so I started out on the low intensity and have now worked my way up to the moderate intensity version. The cardio/aerobic routines are fun - she has a positive and enthusiastic attitude which keeps you going. She mixes up different styles (traditional sport, yoga, pilates, etc) to keep it interesting. I prefer the low intensity cardio, just because I think it's more fun. One of the most important factors for getting into shape is variety & surprise: you have to keep your muscles guessing in order to make them work, and you have to vary intensity to burn fat most efficiently. This dvd gives you the chance to do these things. I would highly recommend this dvd for people of all fitness levels.

Good choice:
Denise offers various modification for intensity, and she keeps it fun and simple! I like the programming options, which allow you to select and program combinations of aerobic, strength, and stretch depending on your workout day. Also, I was glad to see warm-ups and cool-downs incorporated into each section. Good choice for all fitness levels!!

Denise's Personal Training System:
I have been using this DVD now for about 9 months now and have lost about 30lbs so far and am in far better shape now than I was last year. I owe it all to Denise and her video. I love the custom workout part. You can mix it up very easily and make it as hard as you want or make it as easy as you want. I highly recommend this video.