Rating: 
Summary: Wow! What an unexpected surprise!
Review: I saw this video at a local discount store and picked it up on a whim. I didn't expect much, but it was cheap, so I grabbed it.What a pleasant surprise! I use this video regularly and definitely feel and see the results. Michelle Dozios clearly explains and demonstrates every move but is never condescending, irritating or intrusive. She also shows modifications for beginners and advanced exercisers, plus demonstrations of what NOT to do. I'm not a Pilates expert, but I've seen some of these positions before on other Pilates videos, so I'm guessing they're pretty standard. You'll really feel it in your abs. (I think that overall, Pilates is much more effective -- and interesting -- than crunches for toning abs. I know I see a big difference when I do this video regularly.) This is purely Pilates. There's no cardio, no weights. I like to alternate this video with cardio and weight work; additionally, you can skip the ab section on your other videos and use this instead. This is a great intro to Pilates, and you sure can't beat the price. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Strictly an introduction, but a great one
Review: Yes, this workout is thorough, repetitive in its instruction, and exhaustively detailed about what to do and what not to do. No, that doesn't make it a bad workout. It really is for "dummies" and it assumes nothing, starting right from scratch to teach the basic principles of Pilates. Once you're familiar with the tape and able to do the whole thing easily (not too hard as you never do more than 10 repetitions), you will want to move on to a workout that flows more quickly, with less instruction. Despite the garish Dummies colour scheme on the cover, the video is nicely shot in a classic wood-floored exercise room. Michelle Dozois is kind and gentle and nice: don't knock that. And the workout will wake up muscles you tried to forget you had. My advice: Follow this tape faithfully for a few weeks, move on to Jillian Hessel's or another beginner's workout, and return to Pilates for Dummies every few months so you don't get sloppy. Hey, it's Pilates. It will work.
Rating:
Summary: Pilates for Dummies: Great Workout Video
Review: I bought this video a long time ago from amazon.com but did not have a chance to use it until recently. Although I had some basic knowledge of Pilates from the workout video of Denise Austin, "Pilates for Dummies" gave me more instructions and helped me correct some mistakes I had made. Michelle Dorios is an excellent Pilates instructor. Unlike other videos which show the moves the same time as you exercise, this video shows each move BEFORE so that you have an idea what you are going to do. Moreover, unlike other pilates videos, during the workout time, this video shows some modifications of the moves (how to make it harder for advanced exercisers or how to make it easier for beginners) and some common errors. One of my errors is not keeping the abdominal area still when exercising because I did not notice that. After using "Pilates for Dummies", I realized that mistake because during the workout time, Michelle repeatedly reminded me to keep the abdominal area still.
I love "Pilates for Dummies" so much and now it is my "it" Pilates workout video because the instructions are easy, the instructor is nice and the moves are simple and easy to follow.
Rating:
Summary: the reviews are right!!
Review: i bought this baed on the positive reviews, and let me tell ya, those people werent lying. this is a great dvd for people beginning with pilates. she breaks everything down, and she has alternate ways of doing the exercises depending on your level. the cool thing is that u get a great deal because when u are ready for more advanced workout shes got another section that is without all the pop-ups and goes a bit faster. therefore u dont have to buy another advanced dvd (but if u do, i like ana caban. nice rich color). the dvd quality is really good, and the pop-ups dont really bother me like they did other reviewers. also the problem some people had where they said that she doesnt give the alternate until u are halfway thru the exercise, wrent a problem for me after the 2nd or 3rd time i watched it. but u should watch ur dvd before u do it anyway. at least that's what i do. these exercises look really easy, but the next day my abs were feeling it. so dont sleep on this. who needs winsor pilates? the movements are basically the same in all pilates dvd's ive found. there might be a little more instruction in one, or the scenery might be a little better, but for the most part they pi;ates moves are the same. another good one is pilates conditioning for weight loss with suzanne deason. peaces
:-)
Rating: 
Summary: A video that actually instructs rather than demeans
Review: Finally! A work out DVD that contains a leader who actually guides you through the work out without making you feel like (a) a clutz (b) the need to become anorexic (c) like you wasted your money on watching a moron on tv. It's a great work out without having to leave your room! It's no cardio workout, that's for sure. I've known some friends who were disappointed by that. It's strength and toning. A perfect adjunct to someone who has only been doing cardio. They provide many different ways of doing each of the moves as well. More complex ways, simpler ways. They have both an advanced and basic workout, as well as information on the basics of pilates too. Don't be fooled by the yellow Dummies box, this is actually a very good DVD and if you're just getting started in Pilates, I'd highly reccomend it. (The four star rating is only because like the other reviewers say, it'd be nice if you could have an option to leave out the instructions each time, but they're not really that bothersome and I just get to work doing the move while she's still explaining it.)
Rating:
Summary: Strictly an introduction, but a great one
Review: Yes, this workout is thorough, repetitive in its instruction, and exhaustively detailed about what to do and what not to do. No, that doesn't make it a bad workout. It really is for "dummies" and it assumes nothing, starting right from scratch to teach the basic principles of Pilates. Once you're familiar with the tape and able to do the whole thing easily (not too hard as you never do more than 10 repetitions), you will want to move on to a workout that flows more quickly, with less instruction. Despite the garish Dummies colour scheme on the cover, the video is nicely shot in a classic wood-floored exercise room. Michelle Dozois is kind and gentle and nice: don't knock that. And the workout will wake up muscles you tried to forget you had. My advice: Follow this tape faithfully for a few weeks, move on to Jillian Hessel's or another beginner's workout, and return to Pilates for Dummies every few months so you don't get sloppy. Hey, it's Pilates. It will work.
Rating:
Summary: easy to follow, pleasant--hmm. this is a workout?
Review: There are multiple reasons why I dig this dvd.
1. it's easy to follow. her instructions are clear, the camera angles change so one can get a fair idea of how the move is done. 2. it really does work your muscles. I've found several of the exersizes were too challenging when I started. after a few times, I'm almost able to do all of them. 3. you can grow and progress with it. this isn't one you'll master the first time (unless, maybe you have prior experience with ballet, yoga, or pilates, perhaps?). the first few times, I was simply worried about getting the basic movement down. with every time after this, I focus more on how I am holding myself and what my muscles are doing. the Intermediate workout does nicely at skipping past the gradual instruction--it's more efficient in its use of the time. 4. you can turn off the music and still hear the instruction--although, the music is very subdued. but it will be cool to play my own stuff. 5. it's short. I don't know about you. I don't care to spend two hours working out. the first one, is about 25 minutes, if you skip the preliminary intros. the second one is about 27 minutes. the "dummies" helpers can be annoying and distracting, but these are only on the beginners video. I haven't noticed instantaneous success with this video, but then, I've only done it every other day, almost, for a couple of weeks. I've also not altered my diet. however, I have noticed increased capabilities to do the workouts and it does produce a pleasant fatigue. I also feel very pleased to be able to push my body beyond what I figured it was capable of. --good luck!
Rating:
Summary: i love this dvd!!
Review: pilates for dummies is an easy to follow,un-intimadating, and effective work out. i was feeling the burn the day after i used it and i havnt stopped since. i have been doing it every day for the past three months (also on a low calorie diet) and went from a size 12 to a size seven!!! ive even had a few lazy days when i havnt done it. i love this video and i plan to keep using it unless i find something better. :)
Rating:
Summary: I'm so glad I bought this!!
Review: I purchased a different Pilates DVD about a year ago and just finally tried it for the first time two weeks ago. I was not real happy with it so I read many of the reviews for Pilates for Dummies and decided to purchase it. It is AWESOME! There are two parts to the DVD: beginning and intermediate. The work out for beginners is only about 30 minutes total, and I'm sure the intermediate one is as well. So it's perfet for a quick and effective workout. The workout for beginners explains the important points to know before you practice Pilates. It's great because you can just skip by the introduction after you've seen it once or twice and understand it and get straight to the workout. The instructor is very clear and concise about each exercise and shows you not only the correct way to do each exercise but also what is not correct. That is very helpful knowing what NOT to do while working out. The exercises go very quickly and are very effective. I can't wait to work my way up to the intermediate level! I highly recommend this video to someone who has never done Pilates or someone who is looking for a great Pilates DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: New to pilates
Review: I am new to pilates and this video thoroughly explains the different exercises. It was very easy to understand. However I am very out of shape and found some of the moves hard to do.
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