This is a really fun video, with crazy fun music and songs, but does it deliver a good workout? I grew up with Richard Simmmons, I also loved watching him on my favorite soap, General Hospital, where he taught aerobics, so I am familiar with him. This video will definitely get you moving, but I find it's more of a music video at times than an instructional fitness video. He does try to engage all the people and talk to the viewers, but he really does not teach you the moves, you just sorta follow and try to figure out what he is doing. There are times in the video where I just stood and lifted my legs to the music. This would be a great video for senior citizens to follow along. Obviously they would know the music more then the current generation, and the pace is just slower for the older set. This is fun and Richard is a hoot to listen to, but for today's active youth there are more revved up videos that deliver a more intense workout. Long live Richard Simmons!

LeenaBeena1

USA

I bought this DVD because I had heard it was a fun way to lose weight. The first time through it I did fairly well though I have since stopped using it. Richard Simmons is hilarious which makes it more pleasurable to exercise. I made it through the DVD a few times but I had to take several breaks. Do not let the crazy antics of Richard Simmons fool you, this really is a huge workout. I was gasping for air and I cannot help but wonder why there is not a beginners couch potato level. Although it is funny I kept getting discouraged because I was gasping for air and it made me really feel out of shape and inadequate. As a result I did not find it very helpful in losing weight. Sweating is no fun even if you are sweating to the oldies. I do have to say I watched this and tried it more often then I have other exercise videos but it just did not hold my attention long enough for me to see a significant change in my weight.

caelan20

Undisclosed

This was one of the very first exercise videos I ever worked out to. My mom had the VHS tape and we danced along with Richard and Sweated to the Oldies! The songs are fun, and the energy Richard creates is infectious. He has such a positive, inspiring nature that you can't help but smile as you dance along and sweat. I love that he uses people of all shapes and sizes in his videos. And that he uses men and women in his videos. Many cardio videos are strictly women and it's nice that this is for everyone. While this is dated and incredibly cheesy (it was cheesy when it came out) I still have fond memories of working out with Richard alongside my mom. This is not for hardcore exercisers who have been on a program for years. This is for everyone who wants to get some exercise in, whether they are starting a new program or exploring different options. You really cannot go wrong with Richard and I highly recommend this!

capers01

Vernon Rockville, CT

Richard Simmons is one of the best known exercise personalities out there. He has a way of making his exercise videos really entertaining. As a 20 something, I actually did the Sweatin' to the Oldies workout when I was youn (maybe in elementary school), and I really loved it. It's a great way to exercise without even really realizing that you are exercising because it's so much fun. Richard Simmons has so much energy and he makes the workout fly by. This exercise program can be purchased relatively cheaply on the Internet, and it can really help people who aren't interested in going to the gym or leaving their home to exercise. I typically do workout vides like Instanity and T25, but it's nice to be able to break this workout out when I'm looking for a change of pace. It still helps get your heart rate up, and you do feel like you are sweating by the time the workout is over.

lam001

Undisclosed

I love all of Richard Simmons' videos! They're fun, the music is great, and Richard's enthusiasm is contagious. While I agree with other posters who say that once you've done his videos for a while it's time to move onward, they've always been a great way for me to re-start working out after a hiatus (ahem). Richard loves everyone and proves that no matter your size or fitness level, anyone can workout!

tootie3042

Franklin, KY

Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies is tons of fun. I hate to exercise because I get bored quickly. This video keeps me moving, laughing at myself, and has helped me to shed more than 15 pounds over the last 8 weeks (along with eating a healthy diet). I don't have to worry about gym membership payments or traveling to a gym to work out. I do this right in my living room 4 or 5 times a week. The great thing about doing this video at home is that I don't have to worry about the weather outside keeping me from exercising. I actually got this video at a garage sale and am glad I did. You can gear the workouts to your own level of fitness or need. I vary the routine a little due to arthitis and it still works for me. This workout video is for everyone, old or young, fit or out of shape, coordinated or not. I would recommend it to everyone. 

sybrenia

Fort Wayne, IN

***Quick View: ***This is the one that started it all. The first "Sweatin" video by Richard Simmons. I still have every one of his videos and still enjoy them! He's goofy but so am I. Just not QUITE as goofy as Richard. Ha.***About Richard Simmons - Sweatin' to the Oldies*** This is the first in a long series of Sweatin' to the, well, everything (Oldies, Disco, 80's, Classics, you name it!). It's dated but I still enjoy it although exercise has come a long way since this was released. It has been released on DVD but the DVD is different and not as fun. The video is dirt cheap on eBay. It's worth a couple of bucks to get up and get moving, don't ya think? This workout is 43 minutes long with a fairly long warm up and cool down as well as a stretching segment. Actual cardio is around 22 minutes which is a bit short but, for beginners, is plenty to get things started. Richard likes to party so he has a bunch of people of all ages and sizes with him who are having WAY too much fun and a band that comes around now and then to hang out on stage. The whole video feels like a party and the exercisers sure do get into it. This is set to songs of the 50's and 60's as are all of Richard's Sweatin' to the Oldies workouts. A few songs are *Dancing in the Streets, It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To and Great Balls of Fire.* These songs are all sung "live" by singers on the stage. Now and then, a singer or band member will come down and do a few dance steps while singing or playing an instrument. Cute. Everybody wants camera time. Ha! The dancing really is just moving around and doing things that correlate to the songs. Richard doesn't tell you what is coming so you just have to follow along but you know, who needs to know the steps when the idea is to get moving and get your heart rate up? A lot of people were ticked when this first came out that Richard didn't cue them and tell them exactly what to do. Why? This isn't a dance lesson. Just move to the music! After a few times watching, you'll know what to do. This is low impact exercise and specifically for overweight and beginning exercisers but it's not a walk in the park either. You do have to work. I think my favorite part is when the workout is over (Well, that's my favorite part of all workouts...). The exercisers form a line and dance down to the camera. We see who they are and how much weight they have lost. One or two people lost more than 100 pounds! Amazing! If that doesn't motivate you, nothing will! This is a fun, light workout that will get you up and moving. It isn't the best exercise video ever but it works to get people's heart rates up and help them begin to burn fat. It helped me! I wasn't overweight but I had no cardio ability. I built up my heart and lung capacity by doing this and other "silly" Richard Simmons workouts. ***My Viewpoint*** This workout is a blast from the past fun one that feels like a party. Don't worry about getting the steps right. Just dance and move. That's all you have to do to start burning fat and building heart and lung strength. I don't think this video is sold in stores anymore but it is on auction sites and Half.com. It's worth picking up if you are a beginner or just can't seem to get into the groove. ***4 stars.***

PattyTherre

The heart of , NY

Sweatin to the Oldies - Richard Simmons The moment anyone mentions the word exercise most people cower.  This is a great way to exercise and have FUN.  Sweatin to the oldies by Richard Simmons is unlike any exercis video you have ever seen.  Unlike those videos that sport women with well toned bodies in leotards doing exercise by following the lead persons movements. Richard Simmons uses real life people men, women, young, old and the middle aged.  These people are obese and some are thinner and wear comfortable clothing e.g. shorts and/or sweats.  Richard himself wears his shinny tee-shirts and track shorts.  The exercises that he has you do concentrate on various muscle groups within the body and the tunes that these moves are done to get your heart pumping.  In no time you are in your living room with the television on and feel like a part of Richard's party dancing the time away. The moves are easy and if there are any moves that you are unable to do you can just skip over them or improvise with the prior movement that was comfortable to do.  He gets you excited to join in and soon you realize that you have finished your exercise for the day and you never had to leave the privacy of your home to do so.  The tunes that Richard Simmons uses are tunes that would be familiar to the "Baby Boomers" and include such tunes as "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to" and "Big girls don't cry" My purchasing the Sweatin to the Oldies was a great investment, so much that I not only purchased Sweatin to the Oldies, I also got Sweating to the Oldies II.  I gave this item a five star rating as it protrays real people and does not have slim sexy women in leotards exercising as to me that is unrealistic as I know I will never sport a body like any of the women in those other videos.  I recommend to anyone who wants to tone their bodies work off extra calories and have some good old down to earth FUN to purchase these exercise videos.

merob

Wallington, NJ

***Sweating to the oldies "Richard Simmon's"  is a fun way to melt those pounds away.  I'm not a big Simmon's fan but his dvds obviously work.   Just check out how high they cost if you buy individually.  I love Music and I really don't mind exercise but because of a back condition, there are many things I can no longer do.  These dvds are safe for anyone.  If you feel tired or stressed just do a little each day.  I love the songs which include the 60's, 70's and 80's.  I am 54 years young and this is the best way for me to exercise when I am stuck indoors in the wintertime.  In my younger years, I was a fanatic about working out with weights and daily using my stationary bike.  Although my choices are few, I like dancing.  It's fun, It get's your heart rate up and it does burn calories.  I also applaud Richard Simmon's for including all sizes of people in his video.  This confirms that the program works for anybody and everybody.  I love getting a bunch of my girlfriends over and dancing to the oldies with them.  Don't dread losing weight...make it fun!***

dmdifalco

Fort Gratiot, MI

  I purchased this DVD set because I have used one other of the Richard Simmons exercise videos. I really like this exercise video because the moves are really easy to follow. I have tried many other dance-type videos that were just too hard to keep up with even in the beginner DVDs. Here you have classic oldie songs that everyone loves and you get to dance to them and you're actually exercising as you do it. It's a fun way to shed some pounds. In this set there are 5 DVDs. They each have different songs on them and they are awesome. My favorite is the one that has Peggy Sue included! If you don't like the oldie music then this might not be the right set for you. Unless you are looking for an easy exercise routine that is fun to do! Then this is for you. If you like old music and want to bring make memories of the past then i would defiantly give this a try if i were you. The price is very manageable and it is worth it. I would recommend this to anyone! I just love it.

Carrie23423

Westover, PA