Breakthru Core-Conditioning Pilates

Rating:
Summary: Also Known as Breakthru Hard-Core Conditioning
Review: Workout Description: about 30 minutes of Pilates (focusing primarily on abs with minimal upper and lower body work) with 10 minute cool-down stretch for a total of about 40 minutes
Workout Level: intermediate
Instructors: Michelle Dozois (Certified instructor; former National and World Aerobic Champion; co-owner of Breaththru Fitness, a personal training and Pilates studio) & Tracy York (Certified instructor and star of over 20 exercise videos). Michelle and Tracy obviously have a good rapport and are serious about Pilates. They alternate leading segments, and, since only one has the mike at a time, there is no side chatter. Michelle is particularly good at imagery, and Tracy is particularly good at describing form in non-imagery terms. Michelle is more graceful while Tracy is more athletic. Both sides of the body are worked evenly, and the two instructors intend for you to mirror their movements.
Class: Michelle and Tracy only
Music / Set: The instrumental music, which alternates between jazzy and choral, is barely audible, as is the microphone when Michelle or Tracy move their head away from it to complete a move or are on their stomach. The interior set has a blue screen on one side, a painted wall on the other with windowboxes, and gray carpets.
Equipment Needed: mat, towel (or yoga strap or something of that sort). Workout is done barefoot
Caveats: Familiarity with Pilates basics is a necessity. This should not be your introduction to Pilates, as Michelle and Tracy do not offer enough tips on form and technique to make this a good instructional video; instead, it's a great complement to a class or personal instruction.
Additional Comments: You do not need much space for this workout. You should be able to lie down with your arms and legs extended, and you should have enough space to either side to move your legs freely.
Although this features Pilates exercises, it is not in the traditional Pilates order and does not include all of the Pilates "classics" (like the hundred). This workout is good for intermediate-level Pilates students who want something a little different. Michelle and Tracy go through two or even three modifications for many of the moves, some increasing the difficulty and some decreasing it.
Of the three Breakthru Pilates programs, this is the most focused on Pilates and is probably the least exciting in terms of the program and production. However, all three are in my rotation and are used almost equally. (I like to throw a "Breakthru Pilates Week" in among the cardio and weight lifting.)
Besides difficulty hearing portions of the instruction, some people may find the slow pace of this program annoying. Michelle and Tracy don't rush through explaining technique or stretching out to get to the next exercise. That means this is a good workout for days when you want to take it easy and challenge yourself with smaller movements and fewer repetitions. The length makes it difficult to use as an add-on unless you have more than an hour for working out.
The DVD lets you choose chapters; I use this to skip the introduction now that I know the routine. There are no extras.