Hilary Burnett's PILATES INTERMEDIATE

Rating:
Summary: Ideal Pilates video
Review: I second the comments made by the other reviewer, "Melanie". This is a perfect Pilates video in every way: flow, instruction, setting, lighting and music. It couldn't be better!

Rating:
Summary: It Works!
Review: I started doing this routine a couple times a week after I had my baby. It has made a huge difference and really helped me with getting my figure back. What I like about this video in particular is that the instructions are very clear and the routine is fast paced and challenging enough that I don't get bored. The video really focuses on strengthening your core, which I have found to be helpful in keeping my back healthy when lifting my 15 lb. baby several times a day. Every time I do it I see improvement and progress. I can complete the routine in about 20 minutes and feel like I've had a really good workout when I'm finished. All in all, this is a fantastic pilates video and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Pilates V Works for Me! Love that Hilary!
Review: If there is one thing that I have learned from Hilary Burnett's pilates videos, it is that pilates is a holistic, mindful and connective practice teaching us to understand and appreciate our bodies. Burnett stresses incorporating pilates into our daily routines in order to achieve balance and heathful living ... doing what millions of Americans neglect to do -- make our health and practice a priority.
As a former ballet student, I feel a strong connection with Burnett's instruction and my background in dance training. I find her teaching style informative, lively, and entertaing. In short, pilates jumpstarted my rear into gear and since using Burnett's videos, I have lost 20lbs, become a vegetarian, and am training for my first half-marathon. All because I am now a firm believer that if you make your health a priority you will succeed.
Burnett goes above and beyond most instructors in that she incorporates mindfulness into her video -- thus creating lifelong students to the beneficial practice of pilates. Her passion for pilates is clearly evident in her vivacious attitude and careful attention to detail.
TRUE pilates students who are committed to healthy, mindful living will immensely enjoy and appreciate the benefits of this video, and Burnetts stellar teaching technique. To everyone else (aka Pilatesfan) stick with your trendy Kathy Smith.

Rating:
Summary: Where's the pilates workout???
Review: There's a meditative quality to this whole production (and the Advanced one too) that just isn't my idea of a workout. The pilates positions are way too slow in both execution and transition. You might enjoy this type of routine if you're accustomed to yoga, but for the average person who wants a good exercise/stretching routine, the Jennifer Kries and Kathy Smith Pilates DVDs are both far superior in instructional content, pilates routine, and overall production quality.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This is a great 30 minute advanced beginner/intermediate pilates workout that uses many different exercises to tone your abdominals, back, hips and thighs, and to strengthen your core. I have tried a few other pilates videos (The Method and Stott Intermediate), but I found them dry, and just could not get into them. This has been the first pilates video that I really enjoy. I have a short attention span when it comes to slower paced exercises like pilates, but this video never gave me a chance to get bored. Hilary does a lot of different exercises, and quickly switches from one to the other. The time seems to fly by. The setting (lots of pillows and candles) and the instrumental music is very relaxing. Hilary gives great instruction and form pointers for pilates beginners. She is also very encouraging and shows some modifications for beginners. Hilary starts the workout by explaining how you should breathe and contract your abdominals during the workout. Then she shows you the "Pilates V" position that you will use in the workout. The workout begins with abdominal exercises like the abdominal curl, the hundred, the rollup, leg cirles, double leg stretch, scissors, twists. It also contains some great stretches like the spine stretch, the saw, and the swan. This workout also contains exercises like leg kicks, side kicks, and swimming to help tone and strengthen your thighs, hips and back. It also has some more advanced exercises like teasers, the jackknife, and the leg lower lift. This video could have easily been made into an advanced workout if each of the exercises were done for a longer period of time. Instead, I felt that it was exactly what it was meant to be, an intermediate (or even advanced beginner) workout. I don't think this workout was meant to concentrate on one area (abs, hips, thighs), instead, I think that it is meant to help build core strength, and to tone the abdominals, hips, thighs, back, and I feel that it did accomplish that goal. As a bonus, it also leaves me feeling relaxed and stretched out when I am finished.

Rating:
Summary: The first Pilates video I have ever liked !
Review: This is a great 30 minute advanced beginner/intermediate pilates workout that uses many different exercises to tone your abdominals, back, hips and thighs, and to strengthen your core. I have tried a few other pilates videos (The Method and Stott Intermediate), but I found them dry, and just could not get into them. This has been the first pilates video that I really enjoy. I have a short attention span when it comes to slower paced exercises like pilates, but this video never gave me a chance to get bored. Hilary does a lot of different exercises, and quickly switches from one to the other. The time seems to fly by. The setting (lots of pillows and candles) and the instrumental music is very relaxing. Hilary gives great instruction and form pointers for pilates beginners. She is also very encouraging and shows some modifications for beginners. Hilary starts the workout by explaining how you should breathe and contract your abdominals during the workout. Then she shows you the "Pilates V" position that you will use in the workout. The workout begins with abdominal exercises like the abdominal curl, the hundred, the rollup, leg cirles, double leg stretch, scissors, twists. It also contains some great stretches like the spine stretch, the saw, and the swan. This workout also contains exercises like leg kicks, side kicks, and swimming to help tone and strengthen your thighs, hips and back. It also has some more advanced exercises like teasers, the jackknife, and the leg lower lift. This video could have easily been made into an advanced workout if each of the exercises were done for a longer period of time. Instead, I felt that it was exactly what it was meant to be, an intermediate (or even advanced beginner) workout. I don't think this workout was meant to concentrate on one area (abs, hips, thighs), instead, I think that it is meant to help build core strength, and to tone the abdominals, hips, thighs, back, and I feel that it did accomplish that goal. As a bonus, it also leaves me feeling relaxed and stretched out when I am finished.

Rating:
Summary: Great DVD...really worth your money.
Review: This is by far my favorite fitness video that I have in my collection. As I continue to build my strength and learn to do the exercises with correct form, the DVD becomes more challenging. How wonderful! I really feel the workout the day after, and I am seeing results. I am quite pleased.

Rating:
Summary: Great DVD...really worth your money.
Review: This is by far my favorite fitness video that I have in my collection. As I continue to build my strength and learn to do the exercises with correct form, the DVD becomes more challenging. How wonderful! I really feel the workout the day after, and I am seeing results. I am quite pleased.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have For Pilates Fans
Review: This is far and away the most enjoyable Pilates tape I have ever experienced. Hilary's instruction with regards to technique is absoutely impeccable and the beautiful, soothing ambiance just cannot be beat. The really nice part about this tape, though, is it delivers a complete workout in only 30 minutes. Not only do I feel it in my stomach, but also in my chest, arms, derriere and thighs! (The last two are my particular "problem zones.") I'd recommend starting with the Basic tape, however, especially if you are new to Pilates or haven't had the benefit of formal training. I purchased the whole series and, so far, I have had NO regrets.

Rating:
Summary: I'm Hooked!
Review: This was my first Pilated video. I loved it! I'm a beginner, but I feel like I can use this video to work up to the intermediate level. She moves through the exercises quickly. . . I never get bored. This is a miracle! I can already feel the improvements in my body. I would definately recommend this video.