Denise Austin: Power Zone--The Ultimate Metabolism Boosting Workout

Has anybody else noticed that Denise Austin is looking a little Norma Desmond-ish lately? Around the eyes? She's starting to creep me out with her eerie eye contact. Offering lots of encouragement to viewers (“Yes, yes! Give it all you've got! You are worth it!”), Austin starts with 25 minutes worth of fat-burning aerobics, followed by a pair of 10-minute segments for both the upper and lower body (using a bright red stretchy fitness band for resistance training--included with the DVD; accessory alert for libraries), plus 10 minutes of tummy-screaming floor exercises intended to strengthen those abs, in a relentless workout that will tone and condition even the most hopeless sedentary viewer. While the combination of the awful, canned high-octane music (who listens to this stuff?) and Austin's unrelenting patter (as she motivates viewers ad nauseam) may put some folks off their low-carb diet, the bottom line is whether or not one's metabolism is boosted…well, let's just say that chips are back on the menu! Austin has the Midas exercise touch, and--results-wise--this is another solid gold addition. Recommended. Aud: P. (N. Plympton)