Rating: 
Summary: Great for beginners
Review: As the title points out, this is a BEGINNER'S workout for people who are just starting with pilates. It's astounding that some reviewers feel the need to complain about a basic & introductory pilates workout for being a)slow b)basic c)too much explanations d)all of the above. I've been doing pilates for years now and sure, this workout is basic, it moves slow in some parts, there's a lot of explanation, as it should! I would've been shocked if this workout covered the entire range of pilates moves, with no explanation. Most, if not all beginners need the extra guidance and explanation. Plus they need to go at a slower rate so they can work to perfect each move. Form is everything. If you can't hold a position properly or control your powerhouse...what's the point?If you really don't have the patience for it-- as an advanced Pilates guru-- then by all means, stick to your advanced tapes and workouts. This is a workout that caters to those who are just starting out and maybe even folks who have never worked out a day in their life. This is a great workout, the instructor is very pleasant, the moves are explained thoroughly and yes, it does moves at a steady pace. If you're a beginner, please ignore the negative reviews from some of the advanced folks who feel the need to pick on a basic introductory workout for being just that.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy the DVD edition instead
Review: I watched my sister's DVD edition and loved it. However, the VHS edition is missing the intermediate workout, so I found the tape way too easy. It does give excellent instruction for beginners, but you'll quickly outgrow it.
Rating: 
Summary: I LOVE this easy to follow, doable, but challenging workout
Review: I've never been an active person. Never did sports, or went to the gym, nothing. I decided it was time to start taking care of myself, and after reading all the reviews about this dvd, i ordered one. That was a year ago and I'm still doing it several times a week. Considering my previous (lack of) track record, this is a big deal.
The DVD has none of the annoying things about regular videos, like hard to follow steps, or an impossibly pretty, young, big boobed, unfailingly perky- if not hyper- lead girl in a skimpy outfit who says things like 'you can do it!!! rock on!!' and is annoying after five minutes.
Michelle is great; she's in shape but not absurdly so, and very calm and assuring as she gives instructions, even telling me when to breathe. There's only 10 reps, or less, for each exercise so by the time an exercise has become too much and I feel like quitting, it's over and there's a new one. I like spending time with her, and after a few weeks, I began to have much better posture thanks to newly acquired abs. I am now begining to foray into the 'more challenging' modes, which are very much so.
*Love* this DVD. Be sure to get a mat 1/2" thick, you'll need it.
Rating:
Summary: Love, love, love this DVD
Review: This is so fantastic! I started out taking Pilates classes, but the cost became prohibitive. So, I came across this DVD. I've always enjoyed the Dummies books, so I figured this was worth a shot.
It's a KEEPER! I started out just renting it from Netflix in case I didn't care for it, but quickly bought it. It's very simple, very straightforward, and very easy to understand. I wanted to do this for expercise and relaxation -- not some "spiritual journey binding your feet to the grass of the earth" (I seriously heard that in another one) or something, and this is great for that. I HIGHLY recommend this!
Rating:
Summary: Great beginning
Review: This video is a great beginning for anyone interested in trying pilates. The instruction is clear and basic, no fancy camera angles to confuse you. The video covers form and breathing in detail. Not to say it isn't without flaws, the most notable as another reviewer stated many of the pop-ups come halfway through the set so the reminder is a little late. Also, this is not a long term use video. After two months I had progressed beyond the level the video offers with no additional knowledge of how to increase my work out. I have since moved onto a new video, but I still recommend Pilates for Dummies for anyone just starting.
Rating:
Summary: Peaked interest
Review: This video will let you know whether or not you will love practicing Pilates w/o paying to take a class. Nice slow pace for an absolute beginner. I found out I love Pilates! I have noticably increased my strength and I feel great.
Rating:
Summary: not a good way to introduce yourself to pilates
Review: First off, let me say I give this two points for Michelle Dozois's body, and one because the exercises are demonstrated with great form.
Now to the negative stuff:
*annoying popups that you will have to endure EVERY time you watch. All the Dummies videos suffer from this, it's absolutely stupid, and completely ruins the experience.
*Michelle actually kind of zooms through things, and the alternate version of exercises is only given about halfway through the set.
Rating:
Summary: Great Workout!!
Review: I enjoy using this video. The first few times, I wasn't able to complete the whole tape, but after a few tries, I am usually able to complete it. My only complaint, really, is that the "to make this easier" tips come after about 8 reps of any particular exercise. I know them all now, but when I was starting out, I would have liked to know a little sooner that I could make it easier on myself.
Rating:
Summary: Great for First-Timers
Review: I highly recommend this DVD if you have never done Pilates. Winsor Pilates Basics really isn't a workout, just a step by step instruction on how to do the exercises. This DVD is an actual workout.
Another thing I like about this DVD is the instructor, Michelle Dozois. She is very easy to understand & she has a fantastic body. She's not "Hollywood" skinny. She looks like a real person & that motivates me.
Rating:
Summary: Great for beginning
Review: I had heard lots of great things about pilates and didn't know where to begin to try a video at home. This video struck me because of it's title and I decided to give it a try.
As mentioned in another review there is no warm-up. However, I always stretch before any kind of work out so this was not an issue to me. I thought this was a great introduction to get you hooked on Pilates and want to pursue it further. I used this video to help get back into shape after having a baby, and after doing Pilates 3 X a week for two months I had DRAMATIC, size dropping results. Pilates is a great way to tone your body.
For the price you certainly get more than your money's worth. I highly recommend this one if you don't know where to begin!
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