Rating: Summary: learn a little ballet and get a great workout Review: This workout requires extra focus and concentration simply to stay balanced while doing some of the exercises. I have arthritis and I found it helpful in working out some of the stiffness I experience in the morning. It is somewhat aerobically challenging, but this video really does work on strengthening muscles all over the body. I find it challenging to hold my arms up the whole time in the ballet positions for some of the exercises. It is definitely challenging for me, who has never taken ballet, to do repetitive tendus and degages. I noticed my posture feels better all day after I do this tape. Doing the ballet exercises also makes me feel more graceful as well. The workout can be done barefoot or with dancer aerobic shoes. The dancers are shown with and without shoes. I enjoyed learning the ballet terms and the classical music is a refreshing change from the usual exercise video soundtracks. Peter Martins instructs the class in a easy to follow, soothing voiceover. This is a good tape to buy if you have always wanted to take a ballet class but never did. The tape features short bios on each dancer, (four of them,) after the workout. It is interesting to watch at least once.
Rating: Summary: great DVD, relaxing, challenging, and fun Review: I am 16 and a former dancer, i danced for 12 years. I loved this DVD, it was a challenging workout. I picked up the movements very easily, but for non-dancers it may be difficult. I would recommend this DVD for anyone who wants that lean dancer look, this will definately do it for you. It is so relaxing also, the setting is simple so there are no distractions. It's great!!
Rating: Summary: NOT a workout. Review: This workout may help with your flexibility, but you will NOT gain strength or cardio-respiratory endurance, or lose weight. It all depends on what you are looking for in a workout. If you are looking to sweat and burn calories, get a cardio video or go for a hard run. If you are looking to increase your flexibility and balance, this tape may help a little. Overall I did not like this tape, mostly bacause of the lack of instruction. They do very difficult moves and do not tell you how to do it. Personally I would recommend that you didn't waste your money on this, but, hey, it's cheaper than a ballet class.
Rating: Summary: Needs More Instruction Review: I wish I had come to Amazon.com to read a review before I bought this in a bookstore. This video is very well done from an artisitic standpoint, but for someone who knows NOTHING about ballet this is NOT the video for you. I agree with another reviewer in that there are almost no verbal cues whatsoever. There are almost no mentions of how to breath, how to do most of the poses and how to avoid doing them incorrectly, which is half the battle with these sorts of exercise programs. I have never taken ballet before and I found myself quite lost and frustrated watching this DVD. I do think that if you have taken ballet before this would be a good purchase though. Definitely not for a beginner.
Rating: Summary: FLEXIBILITY! Review: This is the first review I have taken the time to write. Which says alot! I am over 40 and have found an exercise routine that doesn't pop my hips from kick boxing. With a few ballet classes in college many years ago, I was able to adapt to this tape very easily. My goal was flexibility and the tape delivers this in stars. Within two weeks my body had a very different look to it from the stretching and toning that this program imbues. My flexibility, poise, posture all changed with these exercises. Being consistent with an exercise program is not one of my strengths. BUT even after I had gotten off track with doing this tape; I always found my way back to it because of the quick results I got, the minimal time commitment (1/2 hr.per/day, doing warm ups and floor ex. only) and the way these exercises made me feel after doing them. This tape is a winner for me!
Rating: Summary: Great video! Review: I loved this video! I used to dance when I was in high school and missed my ballet work outs! It was like going back to my dancing class. It's a fun video and a good work out to stay in shape. I think some ballet knowledge is necessary to follow this video. I could do every excercise without any problems but I must admit that people who never did this before could get confused with some exercises and with the terminology used in the video. It's a hard work out and you'll be exhausted when you are done but you'll see improvements soon!
Rating: Summary: Hate it, Hate it, Hate it, Hate it. Review: As an athlete that many acquaintences consider "hardcore," I deeply hated this tape. Unless you have been a professional ballet dancer your entire life, there is no way you would know how to do any of these moves. There is no instruction anywhere on the tape. If you want to watch 75-pound adults sway their arms for half an hour, this is for you. If you want a workout, stay as far away from this tape as you possibly can. This is the biggest waste of money I have ever seen in my life.
Rating: Summary: Book yes, Video NO Review: Having used the book for about a year, I was really excited when I heard the video was coming out. Sadly, I was bored. Worse, if you arent a dancer you wont be able to follow properly. 'Course, if the only encouragement you need to get fit is a bunch of beautiful bodies or are curious about the life of a ballet dancer (theres one little vignette about one of the prima ballerinas) - check it out
Rating: Summary: A Great Workout for a Ballet lover Review: This was a great workout for me. I love ballet and have had 6 lessons but live in a small rural town and can no longer attend lessons. This allows me to practise my ballet and tone up at the same time. I have been using this workout for two and a half weeks now and have lost 3 kgs and 1 inch off my bust, waist, tummy and hips. From a dancer's perspective, I have also increased my flexibility and turnout. I really enjoy doing this low impact workout so much that there's no problems doing it every day (or second day)
Rating: Summary: fun, challenging toning.... Review: i really enjoy this video. this video has made my inner thighs lose inches and they are very scuplted right now. i had a very small dance background when i first picked this video up, and i learned all the moves fairly quickly. however, i will say that people who are not into dance whatsoever probably will not enjoy this dvd because it will be hard for them to pick up the exercises. the floor barre exercise for your inner and outer thighs is gruelling!
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