Cardio Pilates

Rating:
Summary: Cardio pilates?
Review: How can there be cardio pilates? You are on your back!

Rating:
Summary: modify and you'll be fine
Review: i am new to the whole workout video thing, and i know that ana caban is a good pilates instructor, so i gave this one a shot. the warm up is your typical pilates.... the 100, leg circles, criss-cross, etc, and not very many reps. it just gets you warmed up for about 15-20 minutes. then the cardio segment is low-impact, low-intensity, and VERY repetitive. that segment is 20 minutes. i mean seriously, it's four basic low-impact moves, with two short bursts of high impact. unless you're sleeping, you'll get bored.

so i thought i had wasted a whole 17 bucks on this one, but i'm finding that i end up using it more than my others. i modify the cardio with weights, repeat segments to make it longer, and listen to my own music instead of the ridiculous soundtrack they have in the video. i modify the warm up by doing more stretches. so each time i do it it's a little different, according to what i need on a particular day. who can just follow along with a video all the time, anyway?

i have serious back issues, and this one i feel is a good choice because it's anatomically sound and won't injure you. you just have to kick it up a little when you are feeling up to it, and do the workout as is when you are not. if you're ok with taking that initiative, you will like this video. if you want to just put it in the player and follow along to the end, you may want to pick something else.

Rating:
Summary: Scenery a plus, good for beginners, but not my favorite
Review: I had previously bought Ana Caban's pilates beginning mat workout so I thought that this DVD would have the same style movements, just with a more cardio-intensive focus. What I got was not what I expected, though. The DVD is about 45 minutes altogether and it's divided into two main sections: The first section is ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE PILATES BEGINNING MAT WORKOUT. Therefore, anyone out there who already owns the beginning mat workout (like me) would do better to try a different DVD, because you're really only getting 20 minutes of unique material (the second section). If you don't already own the beginning mat workout, let me briefly describe it: it's basic pilates mat movements that focus on the core muscles, or "powerhouse" and incorporate flexibility and balance. The second section is where the "cardio" kicks in. These exercises are performed standing up and do increase your heart rate, but there's literally only a handful of different movements. I find these exercises to be rather boring--not just because they're repeated over and over, but also because they're more like basic aerobics exercises than like pilates-inspired moves. For example, the first movement involves bringing both arms from a 90-degree angle in front of you to your sides while transferring weight to one leg slightly and bending the knee of the unweighted leg to a 90-degree angle behind you, then repeating by alternating bent legs. Which pilates movement this was based on, I have no idea. All in all, it's not a bad video though--Ana is a decent instructor, making fewer goofy comments than she did in the beginning mat workout-for example, in this DVD she omitted the "arf-arf" seal noise that she made while introducing The Seal in the beginning mat workout. The scenery is also a plus for those exercisers who care about ambience - the workout is performed in a pavilion with a lot of foliage in the background - and the music is up-beat but not overpowering. Each exercise is its own chapter in the DVD, so you can skip or go back to exercises easily. I just wasn't impressed overall because the "cardio" part turned out to be only 20 minutes worth of the same 4-5 movements that were painfully repetitive and lacking pilates influence. If you like pilates and are looking for an effective pilates-inspired workout with variety, I highly recommend Liz Gillies' Progressive Pilates series- I own and love the 4 10-minute target-tone workouts DVD, and the For Weight Loss DVD, although I haven't tried it yet, looks equally good.

Rating:
Summary: Great Pilates workout with a twist
Review: I love doing pilates at home and this new DVD is a great addition to my DVD collection. You do a traditional 40 minute pilates workout with great instruction and reminders on how/when to breathe. After the pilates Ana leads you through a walking sequence that really ups your heart rate (the cardio portion of the workout). It lasts 15 minutes and she leads you through different movements, lunges, etc. I really enjoy this workout and appreciate a little cardio after doing my pilates. I also have the "Bands" Gaiam Pilates video and the Mari Windsor Pilates DVDs.

Rating:
Summary: Great Pilates workout with a twist
Review: I love doing pilates at home and this new DVD is a great addition to my DVD collection. You do a traditional 40 minute pilates workout with great instruction and reminders on how/when to breathe. After the pilates Ana leads you through a walking sequence that really ups your heart rate (the cardio portion of the workout). It lasts 15 minutes and she leads you through different movements, lunges, etc. I really enjoy this workout and appreciate a little cardio after doing my pilates. I also have the "Bands" Gaiam Pilates video and the Mari Windsor Pilates DVDs.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Great Overall
Review: I really enjoy the mat segment of this video. It is moderately difficult. The atmospheric setting adds to the relaxation I get from the movements. What makes this a cardio workout as well is the segment performed off the mat in traditional aerobic style, with constant reminders to "use your powerhouse". This segment gets rather repetative and is not nearly as challenging as the mat workout. But it adds a nice balance to the pilates workout and gets you up and moving, even if your heart rate may not elevate that much. A good buy!


Rating:
Summary: could use a bit more cardio
Review: Overall, I'm very happy with this DVD.
The pilates workout is great for both beginners and regular pilates enthusiasts. Advanced users may find it too easy.. I don't know.
Regardless, this gives you a great workout and DOES get your heart rate up(keeps it up, too).
The cardio does leave a little to be desired, though.
The moves are WAY easy/standard. These are things you already know how to do. The plus side is you won't really need the instruction for this portion of the program.
However, if all you're looking for is a long, great(but fairly easy) pilates home workout with a short, standard, easy to do cardio ending; you've found your ideal DVD.
The instructor is very clear with instructions and great with reminders to breathe, keeping your stomach "scooped", etc.

Again, this would make an EXCELLENT beginner's pilates/cardio DVD,and an average(to above average) workout for anyone above that level.
Advanced users may want to pass on this one.
Also.. if you want a LOT of cardio, pass. There is only about 15 minutes worth on this 42 minute DVD. What's there IS effective, however.

Rating:
Summary: Great for Pilates Collection
Review: This DVD offers an inviting backdrop, excellent timing and transitions between exercises. It gives a great 40-minute Pilates routine that differs slightly from others that I have used, with many of the traditional exercises and some less common ones that adds a little variety. The title says Cardio Pilates, but I feel that is dependant upon your over-all fitness level and experience with Pilates. I jog regularly and perform Pilates frequently and didn't find my heart elevated for some of the DVD, but still feel like I got a great workout. If you're looking for a feel good work out and some Pilates variety, I strongly suggest giving this one a go!