Xtralite Beginner's Tone Up with Denise Austin

Aimed at beginners of all ages, this program from Denise Austin is a light, easy, safe, strengthening workout. The moves focus on upper and lower body with clear instruction and slow pace.

This 1997 body-shaping workout is aimed at "beginners of all ages," especially those who are reluctant to lift weights. The scene is a beach, where perky Denise Austin takes you through a light, easy, safe, strengthening workout. She starts with standing leg lifts (holding onto a chair for balance) for the outer and inner thighs and hamstrings (the back of the thighs), including plenty of explanation along the way to help you know what muscles you're using and how to work them correctly. You'll need dumbbells for the upper-body workout, and although Austin says you can use "soup cans" if you don't own weights, you won't gain much strength that way. Even though the whole workout lasts only 30 minutes, Austin hits all the major muscle groups, including abdominal.

The program design here is much better than in her older Hit the Spot series. The moves are done more slowly, with more attention to technique, and she teaches the chest exercises correctly (lying down). Austin does more teaching and less chattering in this video, which is an intelligent and motivating workout. --Joan Price