Pilates On The Go

Rating:
Summary: Nice Pilates routine for advanced beginners/intermediates
Review: I've been practicing Pilates for several years and am currently at an intermediate level. I always like to try new routines, so I checked out Maria Leone's "On the Go" video. At the start of the workout, Maria spends about five minutes giving instruction on the fundamental tenets of Pilates, including lengthening the spine, pulling in your navel, and breathing during the exercises. This is a nice overview of basic Pilates principles, but those already familiar with Pilates can skip this part.

The main part of this video is classic Pilates matwork, and Maria begins with a few minutes of stretches to warm up the body. During both the warmup and some of the mat exercises, Maria uses a stretchy band to assist with the moves. Unfortunately, use of the band was not mentioned anywhere on the video's box, but I was able to substitute a regular strap without too much difficulty. Maria then moves on to the matwork sequence, beginning with The Hundred. Before performing the full exercise, however, Maria starts with a "Hundred Prep"; she does this for several of the exercises throughout the matwork routine. Most of the exercises are recognizable from the classic matwork sequence, although Maria modifies many of the more challenging moves (eg, performing The Teaser one leg at a time) as well as adds her own twists to others. The Side Kick Series work is particularly strenuous; I really felt these moves in my hips and thighs. The matwork section concludes with three sets of pushups and some brief stretches for a total of 40 minutes.

Following the matwork, Maria performs 5 minutes of upper body exercises using rubber tubing. Again, the need for this equipment was not noted on the video's box, and since I didn't have tubing, I skipped this section. The workout ends with a few minutes of additional stretching moves, making the entire routine approximately 48 minutes in length.

Maria was a good instructor who cued well, offering tips on form and noting when upcoming moves would be particularly challenging. She was very easygoing, and so was the setting: a simple brick patio with soft, non-distracting music in the background. Furthermore, the moves form a nice, steady flow, but given that Maria did not spend any time explaining each individual exercise, this video would not be appropriate for those brand-new to Pilates. However, those with some prior familiarity with Pilates who are looking to further their practice would enjoy this video, as it is ideal for advanced beginner as well as early intermediate Pilates practitioners.

Rating:
Summary: Nice Pilates routine for advanced beginners/intermediates
Review: I've been practicing Pilates for several years and am currently at an intermediate level. I always like to try new routines, so I checked out Maria Leone's "On the Go" video. At the start of the workout, Maria spends about five minutes giving instruction on the fundamental tenets of Pilates, including lengthening the spine, pulling in your navel, and breathing during the exercises. This is a nice overview of basic Pilates principles, but those already familiar with Pilates can skip this part.

The main part of this video is classic Pilates matwork, and Maria begins with a few minutes of stretches to warm up the body. During both the warmup and some of the mat exercises, Maria uses a stretchy band to assist with the moves. Unfortunately, use of the band was not mentioned anywhere on the video's box, but I was able to substitute a regular strap without too much difficulty. Maria then moves on to the matwork sequence, beginning with The Hundred. Before performing the full exercise, however, Maria starts with a "Hundred Prep"; she does this for several of the exercises throughout the matwork routine. Most of the exercises are recognizable from the classic matwork sequence, although Maria modifies many of the more challenging moves (eg, performing The Teaser one leg at a time) as well as adds her own twists to others. The Side Kick Series work is particularly strenuous; I really felt these moves in my hips and thighs. The matwork section concludes with three sets of pushups and some brief stretches for a total of 40 minutes.

Following the matwork, Maria performs 5 minutes of upper body exercises using rubber tubing. Again, the need for this equipment was not noted on the video's box, and since I didn't have tubing, I skipped this section. The workout ends with a few minutes of additional stretching moves, making the entire routine approximately 48 minutes in length.

Maria was a good instructor who cued well, offering tips on form and noting when upcoming moves would be particularly challenging. She was very easygoing, and so was the setting: a simple brick patio with soft, non-distracting music in the background. Furthermore, the moves form a nice, steady flow, but given that Maria did not spend any time explaining each individual exercise, this video would not be appropriate for those brand-new to Pilates. However, those with some prior familiarity with Pilates who are looking to further their practice would enjoy this video, as it is ideal for advanced beginner as well as early intermediate Pilates practitioners.

Rating:
Summary: Not Challenging
Review: I've tried quite a few Pilates videos and this is one I would not recommend. When I started the video, I was really disappointed to see that a pilates band was required for the exercises. But nowhere on the box did it mention that. There were a few movements such as leg circles, rolling and the mermaid that are done without a band but most of the workout requires it. Thankfully I rented this and didn't spend money on it.

Rating:
Summary: Not Challenging
Review: I've tried quite a few Pilates videos and this is one I would not recommend. When I started the video, I was really disappointed to see that a pilates band was required for the exercises. But nowhere on the box did it mention that. There were a few movements such as leg circles, rolling and the mermaid that are done without a band but most of the workout requires it. Thankfully I rented this and didn't spend money on it.

Rating:
Summary: You mean I've had "abs" under there all along???
Review: If you've never "experienced" Pilates (pronounced 'pi-la-tays'; don't make the embarassing mistake I did by saying "pilots"), get ready to have your butt whooped. Joseph Pilates and his wife, a registered nurse, developed this routine under the realization that the abdomnial area is the "core" of wellness- it supports your upper body, back, posture, etc. In the past few years, Pilates has really come into the mainstream, and there are many classes and videos to choose from. I happen to like "Pilates On the Go", because it is mellow, very gentle and yet VERY effective. The DVD comes with an exercise band that will help you with some of the more difficult postions (such as the classic "roll-up", where you literally come of off the floor one vertabrae at a time from a lying down postion)and also helps you with stretching. After my first session, which I must confess did not last the duration of the DVD, my abs were sore for DAYS- that's how powerful this routine is (not just my abs, come to think of it- my legs, sides, back and butt were all "work-out sore). If you remember not to get too frustrated, work at YOUR OWN PACE, don't expect miracles from yourself right away, and keep at it diligently, you'll surprise yourself at how strong you will become in a matter of weeks. A great investment for your overall well-being.

Rating:
Summary: You mean I've had "abs" under there all along???
Review: If you've never "experienced" Pilates (pronounced 'pi-la-tays'; don't make the embarassing mistake I did by saying "pilots"), get ready to have your butt whooped. Joseph Pilates and his wife, a registered nurse, developed this routine under the realization that the abdomnial area is the "core" of wellness- it supports your upper body, back, posture, etc. In the past few years, Pilates has really come into the mainstream, and there are many classes and videos to choose from. I happen to like "Pilates On the Go", because it is mellow, very gentle and yet VERY effective. The DVD comes with an exercise band that will help you with some of the more difficult postions (such as the classic "roll-up", where you literally come of off the floor one vertabrae at a time from a lying down postion)and also helps you with stretching. After my first session, which I must confess did not last the duration of the DVD, my abs were sore for DAYS- that's how powerful this routine is (not just my abs, come to think of it- my legs, sides, back and butt were all "work-out sore). If you remember not to get too frustrated, work at YOUR OWN PACE, don't expect miracles from yourself right away, and keep at it diligently, you'll surprise yourself at how strong you will become in a matter of weeks. A great investment for your overall well-being.

Rating:
Summary: Quite Impressed
Review: This workout is a full-body workout with an emphasis on posture and core strength. You will be rolling up and down and learning to breathe deeply. No shoes needed and you can do this routine almost anywhere.

"Pilates On the Go" offers a full-body workout and includes every imaginable Pilates exercise. There were many new moves I had not seen in other videos, including the "swan dive" which was quite amusing. Imagine yourself as the base of a rocking horse. Yes.

IDEA master trainer Maria Leone has been teaching Pilates since 1989 and first encountered the exercises while studying dance at New York University. She has been certified to teach "The Method" and owns Bodyline Fitness Studio in Beverly Hills.

I love the way Maria Leone teaches because she is not interested in a fancy routine, just the basics. Her pleasant voice is calming and she places an emphasis on stretching and uses pace effectively to warm the body.

She also has the exercises set up in a logical and effective progression. You never feel uncomfortable moving from one exercise to the next. It is a slow floor dance to fitness. You are mostly on your back, side or stomach. There are a few exercises done while standing.

The Exercises Include: A warm-up, Pilates Hundred, Roll-Up, Roll-Up with Band, Rowing, Bow and Arrow, Rollover, Leg Circles, Rolling, Single Leg Stretch, Modified Double Leg Stretch, Scissors, Criss-Cross, Spine Stretch, Open Leg Rocker, Modified Corkscrew, Saw with Band, Saw, Basic Swan, Leg Lifts, Intermediate Swan, Swan Dive, Modified Double Leg Stretch, Double Leg Kick, Spine Twist, Side Kick Series, Teaser, Preparations, Swimming, Plank, Leg Pull Front, Reverse Plank, Leg Pull Back, Side Lift, Seal, Push-Ups and Upper Body exercises with resistance tubing (or you can use weights and a resistance band).

What I really appreciated was the "modified" exercises. When an exercise is new to you, you won't want to dive into the exercise immediately and Maria shows you the modified exercise and then asks you to repeat it if you are new to the exercise or continues with the regular exercise. There is no time lapse. You do the modified version and the regular version if you are doing this routine on a regular basis. So, no waiting. The modified version becomes a warm-up for the next exercise. If you are new to the exercise, you just do it twice while she continues with the advanced exercise.

The Benefits of Pilates are very encouraging:

Improves your Posture
Strengthens your Back
Strengthens your Stomach
Increases your Flexibility
Tones your Entire Body
Sharpens Your Mind
Gives you Confidence - the exercises are not too difficult to master and "no fancy footwork."
Encourages a healing of the mind, body, spirit
Improves your Life because it calms the mind

This exercise routine is normally purchased in a set and as far as I can tell from the site I went to, they do not sell the resistance tubing or Dyna-Band separately. The entire set is around fifty-five dollars. So, if you can improvise with items you already have, that seems to be a frugal way to go.

Items you will need to have if you only buy the DVD or Video:

A mat or you can just use a towel on a carpet
Resistance Tubing or you can use a Dyna-Band/Resistance Band effectively in places and alternate with a set of three-pound weights.
A Dyna-Band or you can use any "Resistance Bands."

If you have tried just about every other way to lose weight, give Pilates a try. I have been quite impressed with the results from these exercises. I started doing Pilates in college and in a summer I remember changing my body. Unfortunately life got in the way of exercise and I have recently gone back to these exercises because I remembered how fast they worked.

Honestly, I have tried everything from diet to walking to yoga and nothing works as well as Pilates. The bonus of this workout is the almost immediate results you start to see. That keeps you highly motivated. You can literally sculpt your body. While I'm still far from perfect, Pilates is working and I finally feel I will one day reach my goals.

If you are discouraged with other workouts and want to see fast results, try this routine. You may also love the Winsor Pilates workouts or anything by Karen Voight or The Method videos. What is nice about workout videos/DVDs is that once you have some of the fitness equipment, you can use it with many other workouts. So, buying the equipment is really an investment and when one instructor starts a trend, the rest seem
to follow.

What you will notice with Maria Leone is her leadership qualities. Her exercises have unique twists that are indications of originality. Originality prevents boredom. These are simple exercises, but never boring. I look forward to more workouts by this talented instructor.

How about "Stretching On the Go?"