Rating: Summary: IT WORKS!!! Review: I put the Pilates promise to the test (new body in 30 days). I've just completed my 30th workout. I've been doing this program 4-5 times a week for the last 6-7 weeks, and the results are amazing. My stomach has definitely gotten flatter. I've been dieting and doing other exercises as well, but those don't flatten your stomach. In the past, I've done crunches, situps, etc., but the results I've gotten from those workouts don't even compare to Pilates. It takes some practice to do the moves, but after 10 workouts you should be pretty proficient. I highly recommend this tape--after all, it works!!
Rating: Summary: WOW Review: My girlfriend told me about this program and of course I said "yeah, yeah, yeah". The surprise for me was when I saw her 8 months later and she looked incredible. She told me it was Pilates! I went home and ordered it immediately. It is simple to do, yet with each day you notice or hear an instruction that you seemed to have missed before, making the workout more challenging. Ana's encouragement to move forward to the next level is "after you have mastered the begining workout" Well, I haven't mastered it yet, but I am close. And even doing the begining program I have noticed changes in my body. My posture has improved, my tummy is becoming firmer, and I am begining to see a waist. My only complaint is the pause between movements. Yet, in the begining I needed them! (Guess I am almost ready for the itermediate level) You will not be disappointed! Look for my response on the intermediate level in a few months - I just ordered it.
Rating: Summary: Confused!?! Review: I'm not sure who this tape is for-- it's not for beginners because it doesn't go into much detail at all on form and the proper way to practice The Pilates Method for true results. And, its definitely not for people who already workout regularly because it isn't challenging and the actual workout itself is too short! I'm confused and baffled by all the reviewers who think this is a good video. It's not focused. A few final notes on the video-- the quality is horrific and I am embarassed for Living Arts. The instructor is ridiculous-- "perky buns"? "clap like a seal"? Let's get real-- this is suppose to be a workout, not sesame street!
Rating: Summary: Buyer BEWARE! Review: If you have never had any pilates instruction this is not the tape for you. The instructor does not spend sufficient time providing instruction on the proper form to be used for obtaining results and safeguarding your body. The workout is short and doesn't go into any detail on the importance of form. I own several videos from Living Arts (yoga series) and therefore went with this video without doing my research and am disapointed because of it. I would recommend Kathy Smith or Jennifer Kreis for pilates.
Rating: Summary: Perky buns like hers! Review: This tape was my first introduction to Pilates technique. Unlike other reviewers, I did not find the instructor terribly annoying, although MTV-like video cuts seemed inappropriate for the type of exercise that requires concentration. The first time I went through the tape, I was left wanting more. Now that I've gone through it five times, and have improved my form, breathing and overall awareness of the routine, I found it more challenging. As Ana says, "if it is easy, you are doing it wrong". I was not sore after the exercises, but I do feel the "stretch" at the back of my legs and my buttocks. I am also noticing/correcting my posture increasingly more throughout the day. In addition, the lack of endless exercise repetition is very refreshing. Some reviewers disliked the brevity of the routine. This tape is meant to be a tape for beginners; a long routine may actually prove discouraging. I am looking forward to "graduating" to an intermediate tape in thirty days.
Rating: Summary: amateurish Pilates Review: This video looks like it was done by a beginner. The pictures are jumpy, and it switches from one cameraman to another; one uses color film, but the other uses black and white. It's very low quality - too bad, because the workout itself is good.
Rating: Summary: great starting place Review: THis is a great starting place for pilates. Ana cobin is easy to follow and gives just enough instruction. I had never done pilates but was in decent shape and in a few weeks I have notice a difference. My lower back used to hurt after wearing heels all day and now it doesn't, my backside is tighter and I really believe my posture has gotten better. I am now going to move on to the intermediate but will still use this tape after a cardio workout.
Rating: Summary: An excellent introduction Review: I've had some experience with yoga, but Pilates was new to me when I received this video as a gift. What a great workout! It's challenging without being daunting, it's effective and the style of instruction is easy to follow & easy to understand. If you've been thinking about getting started with Pilates, this is a great first investment.
Rating: Summary: A True Beginners Tape Review: I am not in very good shape, but I made it through the whole tape on only my second try. You have to want to do this. It is not easy, but Ana say this in the beginning of the tape. I feel so much better today. If you like Yoga you will love this. I plan to continue to beginners tape until I have mastered it and move on to the next tape.
Rating: Summary: BE WARNED! Don't be mislead and disappointed Review: I bought this video based on the reviews and was very disappointed. The instruction does not cover all the important elements of The Pilates Method and leaves you wanting. In addition the workout itself is very short and for me, did not give me the satisfaction I look for at the end of a workout. I was so baffled by the positive reviews that I went back through them to see what people were writing-- I found that there are several reviewers that echo my disappointment, but they are buried and definitely the minority. My advice is not to follow the crowd and if you really want a Pilates video stick with a video by an instructor that's been in circulation for a while-- Jennifer Kreis, for example-- that shows that the quality has passed the test of time. This one is definitely a passing fad.
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