Rating: Summary: Pilates Review: For once in my life I'm not annoyed with the instructor on the video. Ana Caban is able to clearly state how to do the various pilates exercises, especially if you are a beginner like myself. Also I found out the more you focus on her visualizations on how to do the exercise the more effectiveness you are able to get from them.
Rating: Summary: Fair to Middling Review: It gets old fast. I'm not in outstanding shape, but it wasn't a challenge for long. I think if you're interested it might be better to get a used copy and save a few bucks.
Rating: Summary: Great Pilates home workout Review: Highly recommended. Great morning workout, not too much to start with first thing in the am. The instruction is great, but I aslo recommend the "pilates for dummies viedeo" to get the basics down.
Rating: Summary: got this couch potatoe to the mat Review: I have never liked to workout in any way shape or form, but knew I needed to start. After I had my first baby, I REALLY needed to start, and was lucky enough to stumble on to this tape. They say you "feel better" in 10 sessions, (which are only 25 minutes by the way), I felt better in 3! I was able to progress to more advanced moves by 10 and this is from a person who has never been able to sit "indian style" since preschool! Even if you hate a certain move, you can [...] it up because you only have to do 5 reps of that move. Most of the positions are really fun...no-one I know ever thought they'd hear that out of this couch potato! Well worth the money, especially for a beginner!
Rating: Summary: Skip Beginners, Buy the Intermediate Review: The Beginners workout is very short, and at the end, the instructor tells you to "buy the intermediate tape." Many of the basic exercises are omitted. Anyone who has taken Pilates class and has even basic familiarity should skip the Beginner tape and buy the Intermediate. Even if it is a little harder, you can grow into it. Only a true beginner should go with the Beginner tape.
Rating: Summary: Killer Workout! Review: I absolutely LOVE this dvd. I look forward to doing this 3-4 times per week because it is by far one of the greatest abs and buttocks workout ever created. Ana Caban knows her stuff and from the moment the dvd goes in until the moment it's over, I know I'm going to be challenged. I combine this workout with "taebo live" and strength training for the ultimate workout. I can't recommend this highly enough. If you're going to do pilates, why let anyone else but Ana teach you? Join the converted and feel the burn!
Rating: Summary: Can you keep up? Review: Nice teacher but tape is too ambitious for a beginner. She moves too fast between exercises. The editing is just terrible-choppy, constantly changing angles, color fades in and out. Like a home movie. Go for the Pilates for Dummies if you don't want to be frustrated.
Rating: Summary: good beginner tape Review: This is a good Pilate's tape for beginners. The exercises are challenging, but not impossible. There are two instructors one who does a 'modified' or easier version and one that does the tougher move. The tape gives lots of instruction and direction for breathing and proper form. I also really liked Ana, she is perky but not over the top. I do this in the mornings and it is a good way to wake up. :)
Rating: Summary: Breathing is OFF Review: This instructor is the only one I know who cues you inhale as you exert. I have taken Pilates at the gym and using other instructors and you are not getting the full value of the workout this way. I would venture to guess that it is somewhat harmful because breathing is such an integral aspect of Pilates. Other factors about this video and the instructor that take away from the workout are the production quality and the instructor's need to pose for the camera. Stick with a fitness expert like Michele Dozois, Kathy Smith, Karen Voight, or the new Cruch video.
Rating: Summary: Simple, Thorough and Fun! Review: Ana Coban has a wonderful on-screen personality. She is intelligent, yet fun. She makes the workout simple enough for the beginner and explains things well, without getting boring - like some exercise tapes can get after so many repititions. The actual Pilates workout is an excellent beginning workout - the standard in Pilates techniques. Although I am not exhausted after the workout, I do feel like I have done something and my "powerhouse" is sore the next day, but not so sore that I cannot do the workout again. I do this everyday. I look forward to advancing with Ana as I get more lean, fit and strong.
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