Austin’s fat attack

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Updated: April 27, 2012 2:43PM

Fine-tuning your New Year’s resolutions list? Is exercise on your list?

If you’re not a gym rat, workout DVDs and downloads are a good way to go, but with so many it’s hard to know which one is right for you.

If you’re new to doing any kind of exercise, or even basic strength exercises like pushups and squats, a new DVD “Denise Austin: Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates” ($11.99, amazon.com) might be an option for you.

Structured for the attention-challenged, Austin provides three 15-minute workouts you can do separately or together. Zone One is an abs/core workout that incorporates moves you’d find in Pilates mat classes. Your abs will burn pretty good if you don’t normally work out that area. Zone Two is upper body work with light weights (a minimum of three pounds is suggested) and Zone Three focuses on your tush and thighs, with squats, lunges, etc.

Austin, in her perky and breathy manner, acts as the flab police, constantly reminding you how you are working to get fat off your thighs, waist and upper arms.

There were a lot of things I didn’t like about this DVD, however. For starters, I failed to break a sweat — the reps are only a few at a time, and other than the ab work, there wasn’t much challenge for someone who does some strength-training regularly.

Austin’s appeal is that her exercises are simple to follow, again, good for newbies, but if you work out with any regularity you’ll likely be bored by this, not to mention be annoyed by her incessant talking.

She’d probably make a great first grade teacher based on how slowly and repetitively she speaks to her DVD audiences. I’ve tried many workout DVDs over the years, and I figure if I’m going to spend precious free time working out, I want my butt kicked and results, you know?

If you’re at all like me, I’d recommend a more challenging workout (I personally love Jillian Michaels’ “Shred,” Jackie Warner’s “Xtreme Timesaver Training” and Physique 57’s workout DVD series).

Or, of course, if you have the time and the money, there’s nothing like taking Pilates classes from certified instructors at your local spa or gym.