Ballet Workout II

Rating:
Summary: I loved 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: A good follow-up to the first Ballet Workout
Review: If you don't have any ballet training, this video probably isn't for you. If you do, though, it's a good follow-up to the first Ballet Workout. The exercises are a little more elaborate and faster-paced -- also more engaging -- than in the Workout I. There is more emphasis on balance, and a greater variety of steps. M. Lowe does not explain or demonstrate the exercises in advance, which is what would make this tape frustrating for a beginner. (But it would get pretty boring listening to her explain them every single time you ran through the tape, which is why I think she leaves out the explanations. The first few times through, I just watched each exercise and then rewound.) The pink and blue leotards are indeed headache-inducing, as someone else commented. Overall, though, it's a good ballet class for intermediate or advanced dancers, with a good model to follow.

Rating:
Summary: Get your pink tutu on
Review: Oh my goodness Melissa Lowe is goofy... the leotards, the explanations, the pudgy assistants, the dancers' blank expressions.... That said, I think this is a pretty good *ballet class* rather than a workout, so you really need to have had some prior dance experience. Since I've got over 10 years of ballet experience, I thought it was easy to follow and fairly challenging to keep up with (she moves pretty fast--either you know it or you don't), but without experience I would have been totally lost, as the moves and steps are pretty complicated. While I broke a sweat and my legs ached, it was kind of a drag to keep one eye on the screen the whole time, because Lowe's cuing is bad, and I was always a beat behind the dancers. Furthermore, Lowe never really explains what you should be looking for regarding form or how it should feel and where, so the potential for injury is high (especially during the jumps!). Watch out ankles! The workouts are short, which is also kind of a drag. I really wanted to keep dancing a bit longer!

Apart from the goofy look and feel, my main criticism is that while this workout would be great to do in a real ballet studio, it's hard to do in your living room; the floor work requires a lot of space, and you really need a barre for the barre work. For a better workout I'd probably turn to the NY City Ballet Workout. Not only is is more attractive (the music and staging is better and the dancers are completely gorgeous), but it's a lot easier to follow. Also, it's more ideally suited to the home video format than Lowe's bizarro home ballet class.

And no fuschia leotards!