Rating: 
Summary: Not for beginners
Review: This dvd moves too fast and does not provide enough instruction to beginners. The narrator does not explain how to do the moves properly and does not speak to the user so that you know when all the transitions are occurring. I find myself having to watch the TV while I am doing the exercises which is not good! I would not recommend this DVD. The guy's voice is really annoying too.
Rating: 
Summary: Men Are Represented
Review: It's finally good to see a Pilates video that has a strong and flexible man demonstrating exercises. Equal opportunity is a good thing. As 34 year old male, I appreciate seeing another guy show the Pilates method. When I first heard about Pilates, I thought it was only for women because I didn't see any men on any of the video covers. The only instructors I heard about were women too. My vote goes to Classical Pilates because this is a no nonsense video with great instruction. This DVD shows that men actually do Pilates, and do it well.
Rating: 
Summary: This not good for beginners
Review: I am new to Pilates, and having taken a basic course I thought this would help me to develop the classical Pilates method at home. I was wrong. I bought this DVD in the belief that the modified basic and basic exercises would produce a refresher of how to breathe with the excercises and how to maintain the powerhouse correctly and then develop the technique further. After all, correct breathing and maintaining the powerhouse is supposed to be the basis of good Pilates. But there is no instruction or mention of these including how to count the reps. So anyone who is completely new to Pilates and wants to learn the basics will not be aware of these crucial aspects of Pilates, in turn developing a bad technique and not benefiting from the workout. I would strongly recommend to anyone thinking of buying this DVD that they go to an introduction course first to learn the basics under full instruction.
Rating:
Summary: Do Not Be Misled!
Review: I made a terrible mistake by purchasing other DVDs before this one, and I hope you do not do the same. I thought it would be too academic. But this is the most thorough Pilates DVD I have seen, with workouts from very basic to advanced, each of the levels building on the previous. I take lessons regularly with an instructor, and this DVD most closely resembles the instruction I get from him. Do not be misled! Try Classical Pilates instead!
Rating:
Summary: Certified Instruction
Review: A friend recommended Pilates to ease the stiffness in my lower back. I travel too much to commit to a regular class, so I opted for video instruction. I was disappointed by the first one I bought by Ana Caban; the zooming cameras made it difficult to follow the exercises. I read the reviews and profile of Classical Pilates on Amazon and purchased the Mat video because so many certified instructors were involved in the production. Even the director is an instructor! What a difference! I found it much easier to learn the exercises porperly due to the steady camera work and vivid instruction. I continue to work with this video every week and have thrown Ana out!
Rating:
Summary: Authentic Pilates Pure & Strong
Review: I have been studying Pilates for 15 years, and was certified as an instructor about 8 years ago. The Pilates method has grown so quickly and has become so popular that many people are not aware of the original method, and how Joseph Pilates actually taught his students. Many fitness instructors, for example, who learn Pilates after achieving a great deal of education and work experience, are often not aware of Joseph Pilates classical tradition.From what we have seen in the archival film footage of Joseph Pilates, he did not always count exercise repitions for clients when teaching. He expected his clients to learn the exercise orders and number of repitions, which led toward greater self-sufficiency and increased mental focus. For instructional purposes, this Classical Pilates DVD has the name of every exercise typed on screen, as well as the number of repitions. Therefore, Bob Liekens, the master instructor on the DVD, does not have to spoon feed the listener by stating the number of repitions or name of each exercises. Bob Liekens teaches in a way that feels like you have your own private coach. His descriptions of how to initiate movement, how to feel the movement, and how to articulate the movement are of the highest caliber. Bob is one of the great current thinkers and practitioners of the Pilates method, and to hear him convey this deep mind-body knowledge is priceless. My suggestion for people who are trained in general fitness and sports backgrounds is to try to understand the deep knowledge that Bob Liekens conveys on this Classical Pilates DVD. There are so many Pilates DVDs on the market now, many people don't know who to trust when learning the method. Believe me, this is the DVD to trust. The country's foremost Pilates professionals created this DVD and it is for everyone. This DVD is NOT made by non-professionals. This DVD is necessarily different; it may be faster, and it does not spoon feed the viewer, but then again Joseph Pilates was 50 years ahead of his time. Many years ago, too, people didn't fully realize the wonderful and amazing benefits of his method. And there may still be some people today who prefer altered versions of Joseph Pilates great creation.
Rating:
Summary: Listen to why people give it One Star
Review: I bought this DVD, like many other people, because of the high rating, but was sorely disappointed. I've done Body Sculpting and this DVD was like a walk (or maybe a stroll) in the park. I didn't break a sweat. Plus, there was very little Classic Pilates instruction. No counting, no breathing, no explanation of reps. or sets. I wish I could send it back and buy another.
Rating:
Summary: What a great workout!
Review: I am 4'10", 232 pounds, and HATE exercise. I'm in really bad shape though, and I'd heard a lot of good things about Pilates. I ordered Pilates for Dummies on DVD and this DVD as well. The Pilates for Dummies taught me the exercises pretty well, and now I'm working on the Basic Workout on the Classical Pilates DVD, but I do some of the modifications. For example, my arms are short, so I put my hands under my knees for Rolling Like a Ball and stuff like that, but I do my best. I couldn't believe what I felt in my abs after ONE session! I also have muscle tension and stress in my back and neck from anxiety disorder and stress. This workout stretches out my neck and back so well! They feel so loose and relaxed now. Wow. I definitely recommend this DVD and Pilates for Dummies if you're never done Pilates before. Use Pilates for Dummies to learn the exercises, then move to the Classical Pilates DVD. I haven't lost any weight yet and I'm considering doing walking three times a week to add to it, but I love it. I can't believe what this has done for how my body feels.
Rating:
Summary: ABS...AT LAST
Review: I don't want to sound too much like an infomercial, but after working out for the last 10 years at the gym (I am 32), I NEVER saw the results I have seen after just a year of doing these routines. I am up to the advanced level (still cant do the starfish correctly...I'm getting there), and I have cut abs for the first time in my life. The Pilates routines on this DVD totally reshaped my body. It's incredibly challenging, no frills, very professional, and the last fitness dvd you will ever buy. I see people struggling doing hundreds of crunches and sit ups at the gym and I just want to say "OK, my friend...time to graduate to Pilates."
Rating:
Summary: Familiar and Excellent
Review: I am familiar with professionals who made this DVD. The producer and participants have top-notch reputations in the Pilates world, and in my estimation, have done justice to the meaningful tradition of Joseph Pilates' original method. This DVD is a refreshing alternative from the blitz of cable TV ads for Pilates styles that seem to feature the work of marketing executives more than the substance of Pilates professionals. I have personally taken lessons with master instructor Bob Liekens. He may indeed be the best Pilates instructor in the country. I have to say it: it is good to have a strong male presence, who is phenomenally brilliant at communicating the Pilates method clearly and comprehensively, among this mostly female-dominated profession. In addition, this DVD has Alycea Ungaro. Her books are simply the best on the market. And she runs the best Pilates studio in NYC. I frequently have new Pilates clients who have purchased other DVDs, then they come to me for lessons in order to learn more. If these clients did not study classical Pilates, they are at a disadvantage. These clients miss the point of continuous flowing movement with strength and control. These qualities are hallmarks of Joseph Pilates' method, and allow you to achieve the best physical and mental benefits. Needless to say, I only recommend Classical Pilates DVDs because of their dedication to Joseph Pilates original teachings. If you are sincere about improving your health through the Pilates method, then you will appreciate Classical Pilates' work the most.
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