Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous! These Feel Great !
Review: I purchased the complete set at the beginning of August. I was looking for something to strengthen my back and get into shape after my second child. I was having some back problems and gained quite a bit of weight with my pregnancy. The movements are challenging and carefully explained by the instructors. It took me a while to get the set up and posture correct. The result are worth it! I feel that I am constantly challenged and much stronger. I have not have my back go out since I started doing the video's. I love them and hope they will make more soon! They are not hard to follow and feel great. I highly recommend these if you are looking to tone and shape up!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent addition to an exercise routine
Review: I purchased this boxed set based on reviews of other customers. After using it once I loved it. As it has been stated in other reviews, you don't feel like you're doing much at first, but you will be feeling it the next few days. I work out at the gym three days a week doing cardio and weight training and use these videos on the days I am unable to go to the gym. I have read a few of the reviews that say the workout is too easy, so I would like to mention that there is a bonus workout of higher intensity under the "special features" section of the menu. I have shared these videos with several of my friends and after doing just one workout they have bought the set themselves. Lotte Burke works; the workouts are simple and you can feel the results immediatly. These videos have been the first ones that I actually look forward to using and that I have continued to use again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Great set for any level
Review: I recently got this set of DVDs. I have been doing workouts on video like the Firm, Cathe, Pilates and Yoga for some time and I was looking for something different. These workouts are along the same lines as yoga or pilates in that they are lower impact and rely on the weight of the body for muscle shaping. Stretching is also an important factor in all of the workouts. Some of the workouts use weights to enhance the results and they all use a bar but the bar is not necessary and can be replaced by a piece of furniture or even a body shaping stick or other weighted balancing bar. The DVDs include a special Blast section which is actually a separate workout (not just a compilation) and it is a higher intensity short piece that is great to use to compliment your workouts or to do on their own. These workouts are great to do on their own or do combine with other activities that you may already be doing. They will enhance almost any exercise routine by adding some variety and extra challenges for the muscles.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but ultimately only beneficial for beginners
Review: I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed doing all of these DVDs and looking forward to them kept me motivated to workout everyday. However, after two months the results have been minimal. I'm already in pretty good shape, not looking to lose weight, and I was hoping these exercises would help to tone some of my trouble spots, but I haven't really seen much of a difference. I'm especially skeptical about the abs sections on some of these videos, particularly the video devoted to abs work. They don't seem intense enough to actually effect any sort of change and I never, ever felt sore afterwards. I will admit that I have some trouble holding the necessary pelvic tilt during abs work but I have become very skilled at holding it during standing exercises so I don't think my "form" is the reason I haven't seen any results. That being said, I have noticed that I am finally able to really hold in my abs and/or tuck under during other types of workouts and I attribute that new ability to these videos.
My biggest overall concern, however, is that there are no advanced videos available. These videos all have 10 minute advanced workouts that tease that there is much more to this method than they can reasonably include on these "beginner" level videos. I find this pretty frustrating since there seem to be no advanced workouts in the making and, not living in Connecticut or New York, I have no access to any Lotte Berk Method studios. The bottom line is this: I think it is entirely probable that the Lotte Berk (and the similar Bar Method) classes taught in studios are extremely beneficial for building and sculpting muscle, but the workouts on these videos are simply too basic to achieve real results. If you haven't exercised in a while or are new to exercise entirely, these workouts are likely to be both enjoyable and beneficial. However, if you are in reasonably good shape and, like me, have trouble fitting exercise into a busy schedule, they are impractical for more than once or twice a week usage as they provide no real cardio effect and only minimal strengthening.
Rating:
Summary: These workouts will kick your butt
Review: The first time I did the Basic Essentials DVD I was sore for 3 days afterward, especially in the legs! The ab DVD is the hardest exercises I've ever done for abs. If these workouts don't get my butt in shape I don't know what will.
Rating:
Summary: small movements, big results
Review: The instructors don't just do the exercises, they show exactly how to get into the correct posture, and are good about reminding you to maintain it throughout the movement. The movements may be small, but by working the deeper muscles, you get results fast. Each DVD includes chapter selections, which is lacking in most other exercise videos, allowing the viewer to skp right to the desired section.
Rating:
Summary: Not like anything you've done before!
Review: This is a really great set, and you should give it a try! Lotte Berk Method is mainly isometric exercises mixed with orthopedic back exercises, all followed by stretch. It's not too hard. I have a funny knee and my sister in law has scoliosis, but we both have had no trouble doing it. She actually says it makes her back feel better. If you are not flexible or experienced in exercise, that's OK, because the person on the right will show modifications to make it easier. What's also cool is the person on the right will show you ways to make it harder. So if you need an extra challenge, that's great!All 4 DVD's are 30 minutes, and have lots of bonus features, including trailers for the other Lotte Berk DVD's, and even a special short bonus workout. The quality of the picture and sound is excellent, and the workouts are chaptered so you can go where you want. They all start out the same way, with about 7 minutes of the same warmup. It consists of vigorous knee lifts, pushups (the kind you do on your knees), and backwards pushups for the triceps. Then, there is the workout. The Basic Essentials goes to the barre at this point. You can use a chair or table, and they even have one person demonstrating how to do it on the wall. There are some ballet type workouts with deep plies and other standing leg work. It works your buns and thighs. This goes on for 15 minutes or so, and then there is the Shape by Stretch, which is sort of like yoga stretches. They explain that it will make the muscles you just toned look more lean. I really like this workout. It was a good introduction to the series, and it works total body (abs, arms, butt, and thighs). They teach you about the Lotte Berk tuck really well in this one, which is a way to protect your back and firm your abdomen. Muscle Eats Fat starts with the same warm-up as the others, then uses light hand weights. It's nothing too difficult, but you can feel it working. It then goes to Knee Dancing, a sort of toning thing where you are kneeling but you are not all the way up or down and you can really feel it in your thighs. Then Shape By Stretch. Hip Hugger Abs starts with the warm-up, then a little barre work, then mat work. It is mostly isometric work, not repetitions. But do you ever feel it! The main exercise is sitting up with your knees into your chest, and then leaning back and holding yourself halfway. You'll do different modifications of that. Then some sit-up type things, but they are very different and they feel more effective without really wearing out your back and neck. Then some side work for your obliques. Then, Shape By Stretch. I didn't get to do all of High Round Assets. It starts the same way as the others and then goes to the barre, where you sort of kick behind you with your knee straight. What I did felt really effective. Bottom line - this works! I have really seen results in by body after three weeks of doing these DVD's. My legs are slimmer and I have built strength in my arms from all those pushups! They're pretty pricey, but if you've got some money to burn, give these a try. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome set of DVDs
Review: This is one of my favorite sets of DVDs. It is very ballet oriented it seems with a big emphasis on strength and stretching during the workout. This might be hard on you if you have problems with your knees because there are lots of plie like movements. It relaxes me as well as helps with the flexibility and lengthens the muscles.
Rating: 
Summary: Seeking something new? This is the workout for you
Review: This workout is a 4-disc set. I've tried them all and especially loved the butt/abs workout. The exercises are about 25 minutes long including stretching & warmup. An advanced option is available on each disc if you're done with the workout & still want to challenge yourself in addition to a preview for the other workouts. 1st time users will feel a burn for a few days, yet, the more its practiced, the more monotonous it will become. I would recommend this workout once weekly in addition to strength + cardio training.
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