Rating: Summary: Very Good Workout Review: I ordered this item expecting a good ballet workout, and that's what I got. This workout focuses mostly on strength, balance, control, and flexibility, but there is also a segment at the end that contains a more aerobic workout. If you have ever taken a ballet class, and you enjoyed it, then this would be good for you. However, I'm not sure I would recommend it for people who have never taken a ballet class. Without prior training, it might be more difficult to catch on, but after a few times I'm sure that a beginner would catch on. Some of the ballet terms used are not fully explained during the workout, but there is a video glossary that should explain the terms if you are unfamiliar. This DVD might also not be appropriate if your goal is to lose weight. It's not designed for quick fat-burning. One good and rather unique feature of this DVD is the ability to design your own program. You can choose and arrange the different elements of the workout in any order that you want, making it however long you want it to be, and focusing on whichever areas of the body you want. It's really cool.
Rating: Summary: Very Good Workout Review: I ordered this item expecting a good ballet workout, and that's what I got. This workout focuses mostly on strength, balance, control, and flexibility, but there is also a segment at the end that contains a more aerobic workout. If you have ever taken a ballet class, and you enjoyed it, then this would be good for you. However, I'm not sure I would recommend it for people who have never taken a ballet class. Without prior training, it might be more difficult to catch on, but after a few times I'm sure that a beginner would catch on. Some of the ballet terms used are not fully explained during the workout, but there is a video glossary that should explain the terms if you are unfamiliar. This DVD might also not be appropriate if your goal is to lose weight. It's not designed for quick fat-burning. One good and rather unique feature of this DVD is the ability to design your own program. You can choose and arrange the different elements of the workout in any order that you want, making it however long you want it to be, and focusing on whichever areas of the body you want. It's really cool.
Rating: Summary: A must for the NYCB workout fan Review: I purchased the first volume of this series almost 3 years ago and became so utterly consumed by it I signed up for adult ballet classes and still take them! I recommend this video for anyone toying with the idea of getting in shape using ballet and think this one is probably more ideally suited to a true beginner than its predecessor (due to glossary & more instruction). However if you already own and love the first volume, then by all means buy this! It is very similar, and I think I may enjoy the floor & barre work more on the first one, but the dance sequence from Tarantella is so much fun to learn & will make you feel like a true ballerina!
Rating: Summary: there are two volumes to this series YOU ONLY NEED ONE Review: I recently bought both DVDs for this series however they are both exactly the same, but with different dancers. you only need One of this series. I will however say that these videos have the best stretching excerises that I have ever done. and this dvd offers you the option of choosing how you want your work out to progress.
Rating: Summary: there are two volumes to this series YOU ONLY NEED ONE Review: I recently bought both DVDs for this series however they are both exactly the same, but with different dancers. you only need One of this series. I will however say that these videos have the best stretching excerises that I have ever done. and this dvd offers you the option of choosing how you want your work out to progress.
Rating: Summary: Not fun, but challanging Review: I started exercising daily 8 weeks ago and have been buying different workout routines to try and vary my program. I only workout at home. I like my exercise programs to be challanging and *fun*. This is semi challanging (I never broke a sweat). This is *not* fun. Now, I will preface this by saying I am the type who enjoyed Denise Austins "Pilates for Every Body". I thought that because I liked the standing ballet work that Denise did that I would love this one- more ballet, right! I also enjoy motivational vocal cueing. Even Veena and Neenas "Bellydance" voice over instruction is more enthusiastic than this. Here in NYC Ballet 2, the dancers are expressionless, and the entire instruction is done by a voice over from someone who remains completely monotone the entire video. They are beautiful. You may feel challanged (If you do pilates you won't feel challanged- though the exercises on the abs were unique, they work the same sort of core groups as pilates does). Its dull if you like fun workouts. Its way too long to have such a monotone speaker. If I want to be serious, challanged and do mattwork- I will do a pilates routine. If I want to relax, I do yoga. I don't have a place to fit this NYC ballet program in. If you are someone who wants ballet style toning, ***serious*** and focused on the exercises, you will enjoy this. If you want to have fun while learning ballet moves and enjoy vocal cueing and enthusiasm, you will like Jody Hoegstedt's "Balletone" better- which incorperates ballet style toning with enthusiasm. But as I said, I am a person who likes motivational, fun cueing. If that doesn't matter to you, and you want to ballet tone with professional dancers you will like this.
Rating: Summary: Not what I expected Review: I thought that this would give me a ballet class at home, instead of at the studio, but it was more a aerobic workout than a ballet instructional video. They did a lot of ab crunches and leg lifts with a ballet twist. I was hoping for tondus, plies, grade ba maas, etc. Also the dancers in the video were beautiful, and muscular. Probably due to many, many years of dancing.
Rating: Summary: Not What I thought! Review: If you like ballet, and enjoy working out at a very "relaxed" level, this DVD is for you. If you like to "feel the burn" and enjoy motivation from your instructor, you will hate this DVD! The voice of the narrator could put me to sleep. I am so relaxed duriung this workout, that I forget what I am doing. On a more positive note, it is a complete ballet workout, and is easy to learn.(I have 10 years dance experience)I do, however, find it a bit too long. Don't bother with reviewing chapters on this one. The menu has sub-menus, and it's very easy to get lost in there. My suggestion: just push play and go with it! Good luck, and drink plenty of caffine before you enjoy this DVD!!!
Rating: Summary: More fun than the first video Review: This dvd does much of the same exercises from the first New York City ballet workouk, but the combinations are different and somewhat more difficult, and there is also a final allegro. You are also taught a couple of different steps such as fondu, and there is a glossary to explain the steps for those new to ballet. The final combination is something new to vol 2. It is fun, but fast, and it was my favorite part of the tape. I did not think it was hard to pick up, but I have been dancing ballet for some years. For a begining student it might be somewhat complicated, but the video does brake down every step into sections so that you get extra practice before being expected to do the entire combination. As for the music you are offered two choices. The contempery music is not rock or techno, but more like new age, and I much prefer the classical selections. You may also turn off any vocal instructions if you wish. Also you may create a personal exercise program by selecting or repeating the exercises you liked the most. I am giving it only four stars because I wish that it taught you more steps and more moving combinations.
Rating: Summary: Great program! Review: This is DVD is great. I also enjoyed Ballet Workout 1 but this one is even better. They do not have a lot of repetitions but this DVD allows you to make your own personal exercise program which plays selected exercises as a loop.
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