The Ballet Workout

Rating:
Summary: Worth my time and money
Review: I started dance classes three years ago at the age of 38, and bought The Ballet Workout to help develop more muscle control in my hips and legs. I've done yoga, Pilates, belly dance, aerobic dance, but really, nothing compares to ballet for gaining the strength and muscle control I'm looking for.
Melissa Lowe is a good teacher. Her voice is pleasant, and her descriptions of movements were very precise, complete, and not at all redundant. As a beginner-level adult, I needed that level of explanation so I could execute movements correctly without injury.
Some things, like Ms. Lowe's stage makeup and poker face may seem jarring to the 21st century viewer, but keep in mind that this tape was produced in 1983, one of the very first dance instruction videos, before teachers had much collective experience before a video camera.
For me, the moves are difficult to execute, even at the tape's "beginner level", perhaps because of my age and inherent lack of flexibility. I would have appreciated being able to see what the exercises look like when executed correctly, although the dancer cannot yet achieve complete turnout or raise the leg fully. Melissa Lowe's verbal description was a great help for me to be able to make a good guess, but a demo would have worked even better.
I look forward to seeing more of Melissa Lowe's video instruction, as in these last twenty years, she will have become a prodigious teacher.

Rating:
Summary: Very happy with this video!
Review: I took ballet for several years growing up and even got on toe. I stopped and came back to ballet when I was in my 20's. I have loved this video b/c it feels like my old ballet classes, is the right length of time, leaves me feeling like I worked out (and have improved my posture), and is a literal "class." I was looking so forward to receiving the New York City Ballet DVD and was sorely disappointed with the lack of "class" feel (even though it is very well shot) b/c I love barre work. (Also, if you want to look at a bunch of naked bodies . . . well, I prefer the "good, old fashioned" tights and leotard in Miss Lowe's workout way better -- way better)!

The only drawback I see (and I agree with other reviewers) is that I wish she had explained more of the moves as you do them. She never really explains them and then expects you to figure them out as you dance (while your eyes are down at the floor or following your hand)?!! You have to watch and memorize the tape before you can do the moves, frankly -- which if you have prior ballet experience is somewhat easy to pick up on, but frustrating, none the less, at least at first! I love the music she chooses, but the exercises are a bit short. I wish she had done them twice on each leg or made them a bit longer like many of the classes that I have taken. Still, I am happy and look forward to my "class" every day I do them. I recommend the second workout in her series for a more advanced dancer. Personally, I am still working on the first (even though I have enough "knowledge" to keep up with the second) simply b/c I need to get back in shape again. Enjoy your workout!

Oh, and Miss Lowe is a typical "dancer," so I didn't expect to be "entertained" during her explanations. Her dancing makes up plenty for others' comments about her "dryness" of personality in reaching out to the video audience. I thought she was splendid, and is a beautiful dancer and example to follow! My understanding of dancing, and what I need to do to be a good dancer, is enhanced and strengthened by simply watching her . . .

Rating:
Summary: Very happy with this video!
Review: I took ballet for several years growing up and even got on toe. I stopped and came back to ballet when I was in my 20's. I have loved this video b/c it feels like my old ballet classes, is the right length of time, leaves me feeling like I worked out (and have improved my posture), and is a literal "class." I was looking so forward to receiving the New York City Ballet DVD and was sorely disappointed with the lack of "class" feel (even though it is very well shot) b/c I love barre work. (Also, if you want to look at a bunch of naked bodies . . . well, I prefer the "good, old fashioned" tights and leotard in Miss Lowe's workout way better -- way better)!

The only drawback I see (and I agree with other reviewers) is that I wish she had explained more of the moves as you do them. She never really explains them and then expects you to figure them out as you dance (while your eyes are down at the floor or following your hand)?!! You have to watch and memorize the tape before you can do the moves, frankly -- which if you have prior ballet experience is somewhat easy to pick up on, but frustrating, none the less, at least at first! I love the music she chooses, but the exercises are a bit short. I wish she had done them twice on each leg or made them a bit longer like many of the classes that I have taken. Still, I am happy and look forward to my "class" every day I do them. I recommend the second workout in her series for a more advanced dancer. Personally, I am still working on the first (even though I have enough "knowledge" to keep up with the second) simply b/c I need to get back in shape again. Enjoy your workout!

Oh, and Miss Lowe is a typical "dancer," so I didn't expect to be "entertained" during her explanations. Her dancing makes up plenty for others' comments about her "dryness" of personality in reaching out to the video audience. I thought she was splendid, and is a beautiful dancer and example to follow! My understanding of dancing, and what I need to do to be a good dancer, is enhanced and strengthened by simply watching her . . .

Rating:
Summary: can't say
Review: I tried this video several times and couldn't do much of it. I had a few years of ballet in college and a few years of ballet workout class. My teachers then were entertaining and encouraging and broke a sweat, unlike Melissa Lowe, who is like the girl you hated in high school only with less personality. I suppose I could put up with her and try to learn all the moves on the video without her explaining them, but it's easier to just do aerobics.

Rating:
Summary: Learning Ballet?
Review: It's been years since I actually took a ballet class so while I had some idea what Melissa Lowe was talking about I think someone who is new to ballet would be lost. This tape is really great for toning. The exercises are first done on one side then repeated on the other. I got a great stretch and would recommend this tape as a change from the ordinary.
My only beef with the tape is the fact that at times the other dancers seemed to be doing their own thing. It is a little distracting to see arms and legs flying all over the place. Otherwise great workout.

Rating:
Summary: Simple and a little too easy
Review: Ms. Lowe has made an excellent tape for true beginners. I danced ballet several years ago, and given it up. Recently I've been doing Pilates and yoga which led me back to my old love. When I came back to dancing I thought I was in terrible shape, but not this bad, I guess! It's a good tape, the quality's not the best, but for a real workout, try a class or the NYCB's tape, which is much better.
Note: The second workout is slightly more challenging.

Rating:
Summary: For FORMER classical ballet dancers - Excellent Workout
Review: The Ballet Workout, Level I, is approx. a 40 minute workout which includes the floor warmup, barre work and some center work. There is also a Level II on the tape that is also approx. 40 minutes and the ballet steps are a little more advanced. For me, the 40 minute workout is a perfect length of time since I, as we all do, have a full schedule. The most exciting thing about the tape for me is that I am basically taking a ballet class again, but in the privacy of my own home. I studied classical ballet for 15 years, but it has been 20 years since then. The instructor executes her movements perfectly. The 4 other women students are intermediate level, which doesn't intimidate me. Since I am familiar with the terminology & timing of steps, it is easy to follow. I also like that the tape doesn't waste too much time with explanations or corrections, so I wouldn't recommend it to someone who has had little to no ballet training. There is always a chance of injury if someone is not correcting body positioning.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Ballet Practice Video
Review: This tape isn't just "ballet insprired," it's the real thing! Ms. Lowe leads you through all the classic barre exercises while accompanied by a live pianist. And the fact that she does it from a rehearsal studio (rather than a set or a gym) enhances the feeling of being in class. Although both workouts are well under 45 minutes, the lower body gets some INTENSE conditioning. (The first time I did the beginner's section I could barely walk up the stairs the next day!) Yes, some of the warmup stretches are a bit advanced, but you can easily adjust them to your own level. Still, I would recommend taking at least a few live classes before attempting this video. Getting feedback from a trained professional is essential to avoiding injury.