Rating: Summary: My abs hurt, but in a good way Review: GREAT WORKOUT!! My only complaint is that my neck got really sore....not in the my muscles burn way. In the PAIN way, ouch!
Rating: Summary: For a Beginner Review: I recently started a new "lifestyle change" (aka diet) but I knew that I needed to work out too to get the full benefit. I've never had any luck being able to stick to going to a gym, so I bought the Pick Your Spot Pilates DVD to do at home. I watched it all the way through first, to get a glimpse of what was in store for me. I love this workout! For a beginner it is very easy to follow and you can make it less challenging by doing the modifications, but you still get a workout. My abs (especially my obliques) were pretty sore two days later and I was thrilled. I've always been a sissy when it comes to sit ups and crunches, but the ab exercises on this DVD were fun! I've been doing the routine for a week now and I can feel my tummy getting flatter and I can see my waistline getting trimmer. Seeing results so quickly is incredibly motivating. Pick Your Spot Pilates is definitely the DVD for a beginner, but I have no doubt that as I get more experience, I will be able to get through all 4 10-minute sessions without having to do the modifications.
Rating: Summary: awesome for starters like me Review: This video was my first pilates video. With a child and being a stay at home mom, I needed something that was fun, challenging,and didn't take a lot of my time. They went over everything throughly and had someone on the side for people who wanted to take it a little easier. The pace was at a comfortable speed, and I don't get bored with it like I do a lot of other exercise videos.
Rating: Summary: Excellent for those short on time! Review: I started with Pilates for Dummies (which I loved for learning pilates) but wanted something a little more challenging. I have three small children at home, so have to grab exercise "on the run". I love this DVD. The instructor explains things well, the exercises are very challenging, and there is a good variety of exercises. I especially like being able to do 10 minutes here and there, as it is more realistic with my schedule. Also, I love having different areas specifically targeted.
Rating: Summary: good for beginners Review: This pilates tape is very effective. I was new to pilates when I bought the video and found it challenging but not to hard. I love how you can break the tape up into 3 sections so even I can find time to work out! After I did the tape for the first time my inner thighs and abs were very sore. I could definetly tell the exercises were working. I've now been doing the tape for about two months and can really see a big difference in my body, especially my abs. I would recommend this video to any one interested in pilates.
Rating: Summary: My Favorite Review: I work out to a workout dvd everyday, since I live very far from any gym. This one, Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates, is truly my favorite. The routine is very clear and the transitions are smooth. I like the breakdown of 10-10-10-10...it's spot toning. You work your abs for ten minutes, then your butt and thighs, THEN the total body challenge is the "sprint" to the finish. I've bought the dvd for my sister and she loves it too. The instructor is motivating and sincere. If you liked the Windsor pilates videos, you're going to LOVE this one.
Rating: Summary: PRETTY GOOD 4 PILATES NEWCOMERS Review: 1. (Pro) Shortness of the exercise sets is nice for the lazy & on-the-go people out there. (Con) Would not recommend to those seeking a super challenging workout, you barely break a sweat. 2. (Pro) The instructor is easy to understand & does a good job of explaining how to do the exercises. 3. (Con) The girl who is doing the modified versions of the exercises ("Betsy") cannot always be seen on the screen. (Or maybe I need a bigger television!!) 4. (Con) I felt like I was challenged but not killing myself,(as I do in Thighs of Steele). The exercises have a good balance of working & resting. 5. (Con) Do these workouts 2-3 times a week & you WILL feel tighter.
Rating: Summary: NOT REAL PILATES Review: If you're serious about pilates, don't go for this one. Most of the excercises are hybrids of the real pilates method, or not pilates at all. Also, only good for 1st timers, as the exercises are not challenging enough. I can't imagine this workout (if you can call it a workout at all) to get me into any kind of shape. Also, the instructor does not inspire me; her body is on the thicker, soft side, not the lean, muscular "dancer's" body you would expect from an insructor. Instead, I highly recommend Classical Pilates Technique-The Complete Mat Workout Series....now THAT'S serious pilates. Skip this one - it's been a waste of my money, and could be for you too.
Rating: Summary: My 1st-time doing Pilates Review: I bought this DVD b/c of the reviews I read on amazon.com. I am a mother of a 2yr old and a 4mo old baby and I wanted to add some new videos to my exercise collection. I've been reading a lot about Pilates b/c it has been so popular and I figured I would try this one out. And let me say...I LOVE THIS DVD! I am overweight to begin with b/c of the fact that I had 2 children in 20 months so I am dealing with the wt loss from both pregnancies. I have yet to see the scale number go down, but my pants and shorts sure do fit now! I also *LOVE* the 10min sessions. It is hard for me physically to do more than 1 session a day, just b/c it is quite difficult, but being a mom, I need the quick sessions like this and I love it! As someone else said, it is all mat work so it makes working out a lot easier! I highly recommend this DVD to anyone interested in starting Pilates!
Rating: Summary: Schlocky Pilates Review: I bought this DVD and an Ana Caban DVD (Beginning Mat Workout) at the same time. Ironically, it was all the five star reviews on Amazon that swayed me. While I appreciate the 10 minute targeted segments of the Crunch DVD, I feel that the explanation of form and cues are totally inadequate to get the real benefit from the Pilates-inspired exercises. I found these routines moderately helpful only after I learned better form from the Caban DVD. Also, this is definitely not for purists--some of the exercises are not even in the classic Pilates sequence. The whole thing reminds me of a health-club workout class loosely based on inferior Pilates rather than true (and therefore more effective) Pilates taught the right way. Bottom line: I use it occasionally, but feel like I wasted my money.
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