Richard Simmons: ’80s Blast Off

The DVD begins with a bang, literally. The DVD announcer starts the VHS turned DVD with a countdown from 10, and then BANG, there is Richard in his red spandex glittered glory. Sparkles! Although Netflix says the DVD is 60 minutes long, it’s only 30. And although I kinda loved it, 30 minutes was probably enough.

There’s no DVD menu or extras to choose from, you just hit play and go. And oh, do you go.The ‘80s music is blaring from the start and RS is there with his workout buddies, all of whom are decked out in neon colors from the times. Totally tubular, dude. The workout consists of a warm-up, three aerobics routines set to ’80s tunes and a cool down.

At first I thought this might be lame, but I have a confession: I had a really good time. It spoke loudly to my floor-aerobics soul, and a few times I even giggled in delight. Yes, I did. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’m just cheese ball enough to really enjoy clapping my hands, snapping my fingers, and pretending to drive a car and even imitate honking a horn, along with actually saying, “honk, honk” to the tune “Freeway of Love.” During the song “Maniac,” you do the Flashdance run-in-place complete with locomotion hands. Oh, I channeled my inner Jennifer Beals there.

As much as I loved the moves paired with music, some of them were hard to follow, and Richard sometimes spent too much time telling me to “sparkle” for him instead of just cuing the moves. (He also said priceless things such as “Get snappy!” and “I’m your best friend. Did you know that? I am.”) From time to time, there are some blurry camera angles that I think are trying to spice things up, but it just makes you feel like you’re drunk. However, I do believe that with a few viewings, you could easily memorize the moves and rock them out ’80s style.

This wasn’t the best workout I’ve ever had from an exercise DVD—and there was only cardio—but it was fun, and the Fit Bottomed Girls like fun. And, although Richard doesn’t tell you, you can easily adjust the workout to your fitness level. If you’re really in shape and feeling great, make those grapevines and ball changes extra sassy. If you’re a beginner or feeling tired, take it down a notch. After all, as Mr. Simmons says, you are number one.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★

Fit Bottom line: If you like to dance, loved the ’80s and don’t mind being told to “sparkle” by an overly enthusiastic spandex-clad man, go buy this DVD—like now. —Jenn

Want more reviews? Read the Fit Bottomed Girls’ new release reviews and retro reviews. For more on how our ratings are determined (it’s not a science, but we do have some method to our madness), read our review criteria.

Photo grabbed from http://www.photobucket.com.