Rating: 
Summary: If you think ballet is beautiful DON'T buy this
Review: This dvd's only plus is the biographies of the dancers in the end. I think ballet is beautiful, but this is NOT ballet. This workout is supposedly what they do to get in shape, and it is absolutely BORING. The narrorator's voice is too slow and announces what the dancers are doing, which is the opposite of what you should be doing. It's confusing. And, each section of workout is in a blank room that is visually uninspiring as is the music (classical). I did not listen to the critics of this dvd and I got it anyway. Bad idea. I am just glad that there were some glitches in my disc so that I could return it.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful but full of gaps
Review: This DVD stars four dancers from the New York City Ballet and they really are gorgeous. In fact that seems to be the main point of this product - showing off how gorgeous the dancers are. I think presenting an exercise programme was really a secondary consideration. The exercises are fine, they will do a good job of toning, stretching and relaxing you, and if (as many reviewers seem to be) you are used to hype-y aerobic videos, this will be a refreshing change.However I do have a few complaints.
- Not much safe dance practise at all!!! None in the narrative and almost none in the notes. The demonstration, camera work and instruction both verbal and written assumes a lot of background knowledge about dance. For a person who did not know their body very well, this video could actually be dangerous (despite the repeated warnings in the notes that you, not they, are responsible for your own body).
- Peter Martins' narration is nice, his accent and voice are pleasant but to me, his arrogance (and body obsession) came over in his interview, and during the workout, his use of ballet terms and lack of instruction. He says to watch the form of the dancers, however the lighting is often not good enough to show all the correct form.
- The camera work is too artistic ' it is undoubtedly beautiful, however this is essentially an exercise video, and the glorification of the bodies of the dancers occurs at the cost of clarity for the viewer/exerciser. Sometimes you just can't see clearly what the crucial leg (or other limb) should be doing.
- The focus on long lean bodies made me want to vomit. The product gives the impression (which I suppose they do in order to boost sales) that by doing this video you can end up looking like the dancers on the video. This is a fallacy, as these dancers are not only *born* with coltish (and, it could be claimed, unnatural) figures, but also they have trained heavily from a very, very young age, which (especially for the girls) holds back the development of a more womanly shape.
- The menu selections were not very clear ' you can't see a list of all exercises and what they are, and this isn't in the notes either.
- There is no 'play all' option for the features. Also it's not clear what some of the features are.
- The shooting is very gorgeous, that is a big plus, and just as well!
Rating: 
Summary: Technical hitches cause major distraction
Review: I was so excited when I found this ballet workout on DVD because I love having the flexibility to quickly skip over stuff if I'm pressed for time or if I only want to work a certain area that day. Unfortunately, with this DVD either you have to watch the whole thing from the beginning (including Sarah Jessica Parker's intro... EVERYTIME)without even being able to fast forward like you can with video, or you can watch chapter by chapter but then the DVD returns you to the menu at the end of EVERY segment (there are 17 of them)and you have to get the remote and scroll around for the next section. At first I thought the reason I couldn't just easily skip from chapter to chapter using the "skip" button may just be my DVD player (it's old) but then I tried it on a friend's brand new one and it had the same problem. I sincerely hope they remedied this situation on the NY City Ballet Workout 2 that is coming out May 2003. Other than this technical glitch, it's a great workout; very fun to watch and do. But now I only do it if I can clear a big block of time. If I knew the DVD format had this problem, I would have purchased the video.
Rating: 
Summary: I love this video
Review: I used to take dance lessons for years, but it's been almost two years since I stopped. This seemed like the perfect video to help me get back in shape. It's wonderful! It goes at a slow pace which makes it both relaxing and more difficult at the same time. It tends to focus more on the lower body, but I've found that by the end my arms are killing me from holding them in position. The dancers are, of course, in perfect shape, which can be a little intimidating (nothing like seeing a ballerina twisted like a pretzel while I can barely do the move!), but with the classical music and quiet tone, it's very relaxing and refreshing. If you're not familiar with ballet terms it will probably take a few times to get the hang of it, but it goes at a slow enough pace that it won't confuse you too much.I'm definitely going to recommend this to my friends back at the dance studio!
Rating:
Summary: Read this before you buy ...
Review: I debated for the longest time about whether or not I should buy this. I eventually did and lets just say, I should have waited longer still because it's not enthralling at all. And I don't recall reading anywhere that the whole tape is set to classical boring and unmotivational music. I like to exercise to music that makes me want to jump up and sweat. This just makes me want to jump up and leave the room. I also don't think it challenges your muscles enough to be totally toning. Maybe you should pass on this too.
Rating:
Summary: Good Ballet
Review: After taking a 10 year break from dancing, this was the perfect thing to get me back into shape. It is just the right amount of workout. Lots of moves that work on strength, control and balance. I wouldn't recommend it to those who have not had any ballet training, because you might miss a lot of the workout by not knowing the proper techniques, they don't teach you anything, they just give you examples to follow. I would highly reccomend it to anyone who has taken ballet before, it's very useful. It's also relaxing, probably due to the classical music. If you can imagine relaxing while at the same time raising you heartbeat, it's a nice effect!
Rating:
Summary: If you're a ballet dancer ... you'll love this!
Review: I bought this DVD to get toned and as a refresher course in anticipation of returning to dancing. This DVD is just that. If you are have had at least a beginner ballet class, you will not only find this a great workout that works on every aspect of your body in various organized exercised, but it's also a lot of fun to do. The DVD is organized so that you can go to specific exercies, i.e. warm-ups or floor work or barre style exercises or you can go through the entire workout all in one fell swoop. But if one day you only want to work on abs and calves, you can do that! You might want to have a chair or something handy because there is a lot of work that requires balance but there's no one saying that you can't hold on if you have to. I find that you really have to focus sometimes and it's an overall movement with arms and feet moving at once but that's realy something that makes this workout complete and thorough. That all comes with time and practice, like everything else. If you haven't had ballet training or any ballet classes, you might have a difficult time with this DVD at first. The moves are called, many times without showing you exactly what is being done, but once you do it a few times and watch very closely, you should be able to master it. It will be a slower progression but if you love ballet, this DVD is something that you will learn to love. From tendus to plies, this DVD is the ultimate toning tool with exercises for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: worth your time
Review: i am a dancer. and i know how these excercises affect my body if done right because i have been doing ones similar if not identical to them for the past 14 years. dance is a passion and great for your body. when i became more busy with school and work i wasnt able to take as many classes as i would have liked or was used to. my body changed as i became less active and running was a great excercise for me but still something was missing...conditioning. so i got the New York City Ballet Workout tape and i loved it. I also think it is practical for people who dont dance to even enjoy. It has improved my tecnique immensly and i would reccomend it to any one out there who is looking to improve their body image.
Rating: 
Summary: So far, so good
Review: I am a 41 year old mother of 2 toddlers, looking to get back into shape. I never took a ballet class in my life (although I always wanted to). I have however, read a few follow-along books that teach the 5 positions and a few other basic steps, so that has helped me in following this workout. I can see where someone who doesn't know any terminology would be really frustrated doing this. Like some of the other reviewers, I feel sooooo good when I'm done with this workout. I'm becoming so much more flexible, and my posture seems to be improving. It is pretty difficult to follow at first, but I'm learning quickly. Besides, if it was too easy, I'd be bored very quickly. I think this is a workout I can grow with, and I'm looking forward to my middle-aged version of a dancer's body emerging. I can't wait to order the workout 2 coming out this spring.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Presentation! Support Might Be Required
Review: I thought I had ordered the book, but I mistakenly ordered the DVD...one of the best mistakes I ever made. I have been doing ballet off and on thru the years, and about a year ago, I returned to a daily regimen. Being I am opening a ballet studio this year, and being I wanted a supplement for my own off practice days, this DVD will be a requirement for the students and fills in the gap for me. The presentation itself of the dancers and the classical music is beautiful and can be very motivating. Before actively taking part in the exercises myself, I studied the entire DVD, and the next day, I was able to keep up with the exercises okay. If you are a first time exerciser, or a ballet beginner or returning to ballet, I do recommend the use of a barre or the kitchen counter for support. During the exercising, sometimes I wobbled and lost my balance...sometimes I did not. The next time I use this DVD, I will use my portable barre until I have built up my balancing, and I do suppose the more the exercises are done, the better the balancing will be. The exercises themselves are wonderful...especially the sets for the abdominals. Although there are no arm exercises, you will feel the tension and the stress build up in your upper arms because of keeping the arms extended out to your sides during many of the exercises. Another thing...I just ordered the book today. I think the book will be a nice supplement to the DVD to where the exerciser can make up their own sequence if they choose by studying the book. Each of the four dancers are interviewed and they explain why they chose ballet as a career and the negative and positive aspects of choosing such a career. A great DVD for yourself and/or for your students!
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