To middle-aged guys, she's the queen of vicarious exercise

By Cameron Bloch
Associated Press

Denise Austin’s eclectic workout, along with her cheery smile, airs on TV early in the morning. Associated Press

"Hi. I'm Denise Austin," says the fitness guru. Austin struts her stuff at various locations, including resorts and spas in California, Hawai'i, Florida, Utah and sometimes on a cruise ship.

Wearing a flamingo-pink leotard this day, she starts stretching her athletic body in the middle of the spa's green lawn.

My wife appears in an outfit similar to Austin's, and invites me to join the early morning jump-about even before my first cup of coffee.

Walking the 10 blocks to our neighborhood health club seems unappealing. So I join in despite the early hour.

Austin's "Fit and Light" airs on the Lifetime network at 5 a.m. in Hawai'i, followed by a second half-hour of more vigorous exercise, her "Daily Workout," at 5:30 a.m.

Although I've missed most of the stretch, I brace myself for the aerobics part of the show she calls "fat burners."

"We're going to burn some butter," she declares, en route to cardiovascular fitness, appropriate for a woman — or man — in middle age.

The energetic music that accompanies Austin contrasts mightily with my awkward movements as she slides from side to side, swinging into the grapevine, a foot-tangling movement that will surely bring phone calls from my neighbor in the apartment below.

"Smile. You're going to feel so good when we're done," our cheerleader assures.

Austin's banter distracts from the pain in my basketball knees while she offers tips on healthful diets and light exercises that you can do during the working day.

Targeting her exercise, she warns that "we don't want any jiggling in those inner-thigh areas." We certainly don't.

Former gymnast Austin, 44, is no newcomer to the exercise business. She has been on Lifetime for five years. Before that, she developed corporate exercise programs and, in 1984, became a fitness expert on NBC's "Today" show. She also writes a column for the Washington Post.

Now a franchise not unlike Jane Fonda, Austin has made some 35 exercise videos and published five fitness books that include recipes and healthful advice. Her husband (Jeff Austin, brother of tennis star Tracy Austin) and two young daughters make cameo appearances on her show.

After leg lifts that focus on the lower body comes Austin's cool-down, called "energizing yoga."

Austin's eclectic workout often includes weights, kick-boxing and step aerobics for more advanced participants. The session runs about 20 minutes without the commercial breaks, some of which promote Austin's tapes and books. Then the audience gets "Denise's Daily Wisdom," more tips about diet, menus, blender recipes and how to lead the healthful lifestyle that she embodies.

Austin hasn't cornered the TV exercise market.

Serious bodybuilders explain how to use a variety of equipment and weights on ESPN's "Body Shaping."

The Health network offers "Aerobic Conditioning," a high-energy oceanside workout featuring women in bikinis, followed by "Bodies in Motion," with a muscular guy named Gilad who directs his team of super-fit men and women through a conventional routine of aerobic exercises on a Hawaiian beach.

On the Oxygen channel, Steve Ross leads an early morning, hourlong yoga class called "Inhale."

With all those choices, even a confirmed coach potato might find inspiration.