Rating: 
Summary: What a great Pilates program
Review: I love this DVD! What a great concept to have all the detailed instruction of how to do the exercises in the "Introduction" at the beginning of each level. The workouts don't waste any time with setting up the moves or demo as you go through it. The first 2 levels were too easy for me so I went right to Intermediate after I went through the Beginner & Intermediate Intro sections to learn the basics. I'm doing the longer Intermediate routines and learning the Intro/Advanced and Challenging exercises. I like how the instructor breaks up some of the harder poses into the upper body movement then lower body before putting it together. Others have mentioned lots of black screen, but on my machine there's barely any break between exercises. Certainly no cooling down between moves. I thought some routines even moved a bit fast for me. I also wonder how you could do these exercises without the count. There's no way I can focus on proper position and breathing if I've got to constantly crank my neck to look at the screen. I would recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to learn authentic Pilates from a certified teacher but can't find the time to go to a class. (I also got their Yoga for Athletes and it's really helped my running.)
Rating:
Summary: A great program of authentic Pilates instruction!
Review: If you want to learn authentic Pilates from a certified instructor but can't find or afford the classes, this DVD will be a great starting point. Don't let the model fool you, this is not effortless and easy. She's got over 20 years of Pilates teaching experience. I've been doing Pilates (inconsistently) for a few years and a 25 min Intermediate workout from this program has me feeling my muscles and breaking a sweat. There's lots of variety here too, even for a the non-beginner. You can choose a lower level if you don't feel as energetic, or a higher one if you want a challenge. Just like a mat class, each "workout" begins with the warm-up of the "One Hundred" and "Roll ups" etc., but after the first few moves (which all Pilates classes at all levels start with) the routines are different. Some are completely different moves, others have only one or two different moves or modifications, but all are different. (I actually watched the whole DVD because at first I thought a few were the same). If you want to learn authentic Pilates or supplement your Pilates classes at home, this is a great program and a good value. It really uses the capabilities of DVD by providing numerous workouts at different levels of ability. It's not just a workout video reformatted. Don't be fooled into thinking that the latest "Pilates based" video from the fitness diva's is what Pilate's is all about. Find a certified Pilates instructor (not the aerobics teacher at the gym) and take a class. You'll see and feel the difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Bored out of my Mind!
Review: When I got this video I was ready to start toning up with pilates. When I watched how boring and bland the instruction was I had second thoughts. I want to get a good Pilates workout but without the yawning and sleepiness. The next Pilates video I get will have more pep in it's step than this one.
Rating:
Summary: Good Instruction & Usability
Review: I've been collecting workout videos for years and they all fall short in the same place - once you learn the routine you waste time with the instructor teaching and demonstrating each move as she leads you through the routine. This program is different. You learn all the moves in the "learning" sections at the beginning of each level. I started just doing the intermediate routines, but have gone back to learn the moves. I love that I get to do a routine all the way through without having to fast forward between each move while it's explained and demonstrated! The workouts move a good pace for if you're new to Pilates.
Rating:
Summary: Great Detail, Many Workouts (At Least 30 I Can See)
Review: This DVD is alot more detailed than others I have watched. I started at the beginner level right off, but in my rush I skipped the introduction and still had fun. Of course then I bounced around the DVD to look at levels and I thought they were the same or similar, until a friend explained a little bit of what to look for. She mentioned that at the different levels there are changes to the various poses that make them more difficult as you learn and progress and showed me a book on Pilates (from a real Pilates instructor, in fact Karen, the instructor on this DVD, is mentioned in this book as a "real" Pilates instructor). No matter what level, there are certain things that are used in many routines, but they are changed and modified throughout the DVD, and the longer routines have more exercises. The basic and beginner levels have about 10 routines that run 5-15 minutes and consist of around 4-6 exercises. The Intermediate, Intermediate/Advance & Challenging Levels have around 25 routines, that run 5-30 minutes and consist of around 10-20 exercises. (Do not let the shorter times fool you, if you do the exercises properly you can feel their effects. The shorter routines are also good for when you are short on time or not feeling "up" for longer routines.) The biggest thing to be careful of is watching and learning. There is a principal and caution description on the main screen, and an Introduction at each level as well. If you do watch these, it will make the great instruction and workouts even better for you and you will fall in love with this like I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Good instructional information
Review: If you watch Garcia's introductions to the exercises, you gain a lot more than if you dive right in to doing them. She goes through the actual exercises fairly rapidly and without any instruction or tips. There are a large variety of workouts to pick from both in fitness levels (3) and multipe time lengths. If I have 25 minutes, I can do the long one; when I'm pressed for time I do the 8 minute one. My only reason for not rating this a 5 is that she is totally without emotion or enthusiasm for Pilates. You have to be intrigued by Pilates before you do this workout or you might get dismayed by her lack of energy! Jennifer Kries (The Method) has combined her workouts with yoga, which changes the flavor of Pilates, but she has a smiling, happy approach, which I enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: The best program for learning Pilates properly
Review: I bought this DVD after I read about it in Yoga Journal. I have 2 other Pilates tapes but this one is so much better since it helped me learn Pilates properly and add it into my workouts. The first time I used it I just selected a workout, but when there was no instruction on how to do everything, I went back and watched the intro stuff. Don't bypass the section on how to use the DVD. I went back and did the principles at the Beginner and Intermediate levels a couple times and decided to start with the Intermediate workouts. The first dozen times or so I had to pause the DVD a few times to get into the next position, but once I learned more, I can now do the routines through and the pace is good. It really moves but not too fast to keep up with.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing change in Pilates home-programs
Review: As a massage and body therapist at a sports injury center, I see many patients at all levels of fitness who've done serious damage to themselves using home video programs because they didn't want to or couldn't afford to go to a proper class and learn from a professional. I've been incorporating Pilates into my patients programs for many years. I've searched high and low for a tape that I could confidently have then use (when they are ready) at home, unsupervised since I feel strongly about the benefits that Pilates has for everyone at any fitness or age level. This is the DVD I'm suggesting. In their final sessions with me, I review the tape, how to properly use it, and we go through a routine. I feel completely confident that anyone who uses this program properly will be very pleased with the benefits that Pilates offers. A strong core will support your body better in your everyday activity, and enhance the benefits you get from other workouts you also do.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing/Diiiiiiiiissssssssssaaaapooooiiinnnntiiiiinnng
Review: I was impressed that this had a combination of different levels and times. That is great for anyone who wants to do Pilates and may have different needs due to time or fitness level. I have another work out cd that is in 1,2, 3, 4 miles and it is great you can do whichever one you are needing at the time. Granted I only watched the intro and did the basic and beginning segments, maybe it is different in the other sections, but I could not stand the segments I did do. So much so I plan on exchanging it for something else. First, the person doing the exercises is not giving the instruction. You hear this ANNOYING nasal drawn out [inhale EXhALE]. I may seem like I am being dramatic but unfortunately I am not. I DO want someone to instruct me when to breathe that is VERY important. However, this was just horrendous to listen to. Also, it was hardly beneficial when the breathing instruction began after the exercise was half way through. Instruction needs to begin with the first movement it is needed on not half way through the exercise. This annoyance was also in the counting and again started half way through the movement....one [TWO THREE FOUR FIVE]. Another complaint is that they did not show alternate moves. Yes, I grant them they did show that you can lay your head down on the mat instead of "holding the golf ball", but no other modifications were mentioned in the routine. For instance, if you cant stretch your legs out all they way what is the proper way to modify? This is the only DVD I think I have ever exchanged. Anyway, I am planning on buying Pilates Beginning Mat DVD and seeing if that is any better.
Rating:
Summary: Like A Class, Only Better
Review: I took a few Pilates classes, but due to time and other constraints I searched for a video that would help me. After seeing this as a featured item in Fitness Magazine, I picked it up and am glad I did. The routines are excellant and Karen is a great instructor, her years of instruction shine through. In many ways it is like being at a class in terms of the workouts and flow, but it is also better due to her knowledge and skill compared to the teachers I had taken classes with. All in all a great choice.
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