Stretchin' To The Classics

I received this video in a trade and I looked forward to seeing it after reading about it. I was more curious about it than expecting a great stretch and my expectations were met. The main reason I was curious about it was I wanted to SEE a video in which Richard Simmons doesn't talk. I didn't think it was possible! (But, it is.)

Richard is by himself in this video on a stage in front of a nice backdrop. He does a variety of stretches set to a series of classical musical pieces. Everything is demonstrated and he emphasizes things through motions. He does not speak through the entire workout. There are a number of computer-generated, especially at the beginning and end. Throughout the workout there are some as well. For example, when he needs a chair, it "magically" appears. The pace of the workout is nice. It isn't rushed.

Many of the stretches felt pretty good. A couple of times, I wondered what body part he intended the stretch to be as I couldn't quite tell what he was doing. I recognized many of the stretches because I've done other workouts and am familiar with the basics. For someone who is not, this would not be a good workout to start with.

I did this workout once and put it on my trade pile. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't fill the need I have for short, good stretches with clear explanations. It is short. It's okay. It was clear at times and other times I was left guessing. I was glad to see it, but I don't have the desire to do it again.

This is a very short stretch video, featuring famous classical pieces. It is meant as a relaxation tape, but i find it really hard to follow. It doesn't even really feel like a stretch video, but almost more like a ballet video because Richard lets his personality do the talking and his arms will fly into place like a ballerina's would.

I tend to use this one as a wind-down video for my day, rather than as a stretch video. It is comical to watch some of Richard's expressions and it is comforting to know that he is truly himself, no matter what the medium.

In this stretching video, Richard says nothing. That is right, not one word. Since the music is all classical, it is perfect that he doesn't say anything in it. I like Richard, but I wondered how his personality would fit in a classical music stretch video before I got it. This is a good tape to do if you ever feel stiff and need to move around. It isn't a good athletic stretch type of a tape. He has you moving and stretching to the beats of the music, rather than holding a stretch for a length of time. It reminds me more of Denise Austin's Total Energy, than a stretching video. In some parts he has you hold some, but he does flow with the classical music. It is very choreographed, and since he says nothing, you have to watch him closely. The background is really nice to look at. It has beautiful computer images of the outdoors. For an artifical outdoor setting, it was very pleasant to look at. I really liked this video, but wish the stretches were held longer. I would rate this a B- for stretching, but an A for overall.