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Summary: Men Actually Do Pilates & Do It Well
Review: I bought this DVD because it has a man on the cover. It's great that a Pilates DVD finally has a man demonstrating how to do the method. After all, Joseph Pilates was a man. So, why do 99.9% of all current Pilates videos feature women demonstrating the workouts? And why are women always on the cover designs of these Pilates videos? How did women get to dominate the Pilates profession when a tough dude started it in the first place? Sure, the Pilates method must be great for women, but I've read that Joseph Pilates was a boxer, and an athlete who was as strong as a bull. So, why aren't more men practicing Pilates just like lifting weights, playing football, golfing, runnning, swimming, or any other sport? Do men look at Pilates and assume it is only for women? When men see the Pilates method, do they think it's too easy? Well, this Classical Pilates DVD is totally the opposite, and the workouts are a VERY serious challenge that require strength and intelligence, just like any sport. Over time I have no doubt that more men will understand the value of Joseph Piilates' contribution to physcial fitness and body conditioning.
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Summary: Do The Right Thing
Review: Pilates hype is exploding everywhere and I'm glad a group of people finally made a video that Joseph Pilates would like! I have studied Pilates for many years with many different instructors. It is clear to me that Classical Pilates has high integrity as they preserve Joseph Pilates' method. Do the right thing, and get with Classical Pilates. It doesn't take a genius to realize that mutations of Joseph Pilates technique are increasing by the day. Honestly, I think the 'inventors' of new watered-down Pilates-based techniques should give their new methods a totally different name. For example, "The Smith Method" or "The Jones Method." This would be the ethical choice and it would create much less confusion and disappointment by customers who expect the real McCoy. It is sad to say, however, that market economics are often not governed by ethics. So, everybody and their dog will advertise something with the word "Pilates" to make a buck. Classical Pilates' productions are based upon strong technique, yet the performers are remarkably beautiful and graceful. What more could you want except a series of great workouts? And that's exactly Classical Pilates delivers: fabulous classic workouts in spades!
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Summary: Thought it was something better.
Review: I bought this DVD on the reviews written in hopes that it was like the reviews had said. I didn't like the way the DVD was set up for a workout and didn't like the instructions that were given.
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Summary: Real Pilates Is Not For Everyone
Review: I've read the reviews of this Pilates video, and decided to buy it. Most people totally raved about how great this Classical Pilates DVD is, yet a few people thought it was too fast. This contrast fueled my interest. After seeing this wonderful DVD which, yes, does demonstrate the Pilates method with energy and vitality, I can only conclude that REAL PILATES IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. This DVD shows each workout in what the producer calls "real time," which means the model does not stop or slow down during exercise routine. This is great! Why would I want to watch an exercise video if I can't get a workout? And why would I want a video that shows just one level of workout for the same price? Classical Pilates provides all levels. I love that! The exercise portion of the video is about 60 minutes and is an exemplary demonstration of REAL PILATES. Then, at the end, there is an informative discussion about the Pilates method. This video is comprised of several levels: Modified Basic, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, with several super advanced exercises. The intermediate workout is about 15 minutes, and the advanced workout is about 20 minutes in duration. Although this DVD is very challenging, and something you can certainly make progress with, it also includes pre-basic exercises for those who are beginning the method. For the people who want REAL PILATES where you can get a REAL WORKOUT, I recommend this DVD wholeheartedly. For the people who don't want these things, what can I say? You are missing something really, really important, and you should take a Pilates lesson to help you gain more understanding of the method.
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Summary: Here's The Situation
Review: Here's the situation: I bought a few Pilates videos before I found Classical Pilates. Each video before Classical Pilates was disappointing because I did NOT get a good workout. The other instructional videos were so SLOW and the people TALKED TOO MUCH. I became frustrated because I love movement and enjoy a time-efficient intelligent exercise program. At the end of my workouts with Classical Pilates I had fantastic energy! It seems there are so many watered-down and knock-off versions of the Pilates method, that as a consumer, it's hard to know how to find the real thing. Well, Classical Pilates is true north far as I'm concerned, and now I am happy. In a way I don't like to think like this, but maybe Pilates practitioners should be regulated by state governments (just like any other profession) to protect the public interest. Because now, who knows what you're getting when you buy an instructional video or go take a lesson with someone who has limited training. That's the situation.
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Summary: Not what I expected...disappointed
Review: I ordered this DVD because I read the reviews and I thought it would give me a nice step by step guide to pilates and it would allow me to advance to the intermediate/advanced levels (without having to buy another DVD). Well I played this thing once and I was very disappointed. It's more like a documentary into pilates. The moves were done to fast and I definitely do not recommend this DVD to beginner or anyone interested in doing pilates. The DVD is also 75mins long which made me suspicious because how can a DVD with 4 levels be only 75mins long. Each segment is about 10mins long...nothing challenging and to use this everyday would be to repeat the same boring moves for 5-10mins daily.
Waste of time and money...get another DVD.
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Summary: The Winner!
Review: I bought this, yet another, Pilates tape, looking for more, what, inspiration and motivation... What I found is a treasure buried in the thick of so many Pilates offerings. The dynamic demonstrations, the descriptive and challenging instruction, the flow and energy of the movement... I have become more focused, I am working better, with more precision and clarity. Of all the workouts I have tried, this one is the winner. Three distinct levels, with modifications and super-advanced variations, it is a technique you can grow with all in one tape.
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Summary: Best in Class
Review: As an apprentice teacher of Pilates, I have recommended this series to my colleagues and clients as both a reference and a workout tape. In contrast to a previous review, I believe this series provides excellent instruction from Mr. Liekens for all levels, beginner to advanced. My clients who consistently workout with this series in between our sessions, especially the beginners, improve more rapidly than others. I particularly appreciate the pace and flowing movement of the workouts that are so well articulated by the performers. The choreography of the exercises and transitions is an important aspect of Pilates, and this Classical Pilates production really does the method justice in that regard. I also recommend their Reformer series and look forward to future productions.
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Summary: The True Path of Pilates
Review: The truest essence of the Pilates method is Classical Pilates. Because the Pilates method changed my life and helped heal my broken body after a serious car accident, I became devoted fan of the method. Fortunately I was able to train with some Pilates instructors who had studied in New York City. Because Pilates has helped me improve so many things, for example, my posture, mental alertness, reflexes, body image, and overall self-esteem, I became a history buff of Joseph Pilates and some of the people to carried on his wonderful tradition. When seeking ANY professional service, it's best to get a referral from someone you trust. Well, I just lucked out by starting with instructors who were certified thorough a training program with many serious examinations and a very demanding curriculum. As my Pilates training continued, I definitely wanted to workout more on my own and develop self-sufficiency because I travel frequently. Also, that's the way Joseph Pilates wanted it: to practice his method almost every day as a basis for healthy living. At that time, during the 1990s, when I asked about Pilates training videos, my teachers said there were no Pilates videos that accurately demonstrated Joseph Pilates' original method (as they were trained in New York City). Last year, through the grapevine, and out of nowhere, came Classical Pilates. As it turns out, the people who created these videos are the best in the business! But I had never heard of them before, except Bob Liekens. I would hear that Bob was a brilliant instructor who never wavered from the true path. Although this exemplary group of people does not have national celebrity status (like many fitness gurus who decide to market a video about the newest exercise trend) Classical Pilates preserves the amazing benefits of Joseph Pilates true brilliance. It's clear that Classical Pilates does NOT have a public relations machine (or even a PR reprentative) or their high quality work would be famous. Sometimes I hear comments like "every form of Pilates instruction is valid." In my experience, this is simply false, because when I travel, I have taken lessons from Pilates instructors who were not trained by people from the The New York School, so to speak. There is no comparison. Classical Pilates is the true path of Pilates, and their videos have helped me continue to learn more about the method every day.
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Summary: If you THINK you know what Pilates is...
Review: I read the rave reviews for this Classical Pilates DVD, and I have to say that it wasn't EXACTLY what I was expecting. After doing a few of The Method programs (kind of a fusion of yoga and Pilates), I thought I was pretty ready to face the music and try the pure form of Joseph Pilates' technique. But, whoa....this DVD is pretty intense! The program is broken up into 5 sections, ranging from modified basic to super advanced. I began with the basic workout, and unlike Method tapes, the pace is VERY fast. Each workout lists the number of reps you will be doing of each exercise in the top corner of the screen, as you follow the model performing them in real time. The reps are done before you know it, and you're on to the next exercise. For those time-conscious exercisers who are familiar with the traditional Pilates exercises, this will probably work for you. The entire basic workout felt like it took all of 15 minutes. However, if you want more explanation of things and smoother transitions between exercises, try Method programs like Pilates: Beginning Mat Workout or Pilates for Dummies. Skimming to the Super Advanced just to see what I could potentially be in for, I watched some pretty intense moves. The DVD recommends these exercises as supplements if you want to increase the intensity of your Pilates workout, but these are not for the faint of heart! Just TRY lying on your back, throwing your legs over your head, and somehow end up standing up perfectly balanced on one leg. Definitely something not presented in intro Pilates programs! All in all, this DVD is true to form: the classical Pilates program is presented by professionals who know are very experienced in the traditional technique. Exercises are explained pretty well (although a bit on the fast side), and it's still a good workout for your "powerhouse" (a.k.a., your core muscles: abdominal and back). Added features: There is also an introduction by the makers of the DVD explaining why they felt it necessary to make a pure form Pilates video program, as well as a semi-circle discussion about Joseph Pilates exercises and the merits of the program.
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