Rating: 
Summary: Good workout, BUT.......
Review: I purchased the VHS version of Pilates for Dummies and I found it helpful, BUT a bit irritating--Michelle Dozois is great at explaining the DO'S and DON'TS of the Pilates moves, However she doesn't help you count the movements--I believe she does 10 of each type--18 routines. I also feel she left a few important explanations out--How to breathe--from the chest, not the abdomen, because you 'hold' the abdominal muscles tightly in (navel to spine) while concentrating on the correct form of the excersize; the Pilates stance, a VERY important part of all the different excersizes....Also, the hints and wrong ways to do the movements pop up while you are trying to concentrate on the excersize--very distracting as most of Pilates relys on breath, concentration, and quality of movement. Other than that, this video was very informative--moving from one excersize to the next with ease. Keeping up was my main challenge :)
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the money!
Review: If you are looking for an intoduction into Pilates, this is the only tape you need. Now if you can run 26 miles, do 100 situps or are so flexible that you can put both of your ankles behind your neck, then this tape isn't for you. But if you're like me and hate to exercise, Pilates for Dummies is all you need.The only caveat here is that if you have back problems, you want to ease into some of these exercises. The truth be told, I was hurting the first couple of times that I tried this but I am getting a little stronger all the time.
Get the DVD, if you can because there is an additional intermediate workout on that one. Again, this is worth the price of a pizza.
Rating:
Summary: Great Starter Video
Review: ...Its an excellent introduction to Pilates. Although I only used it for 2 weeks, it was really necessary before buying several other tapes by Michelle and Tracy York (see their Breakthru series). She's an excellent, unintimidating instructor. I've bought 3 other tapes by her and her partner already.
Rating: 
Summary: i'm not a pretzel, my body can't handle this, yuck
Review: my body was not designed to spiral out into say contorted moves. I think I was DUMMY to buy this and think I could do. I do 30 minutes of jobbing and do a tai chi class once a week, but I will never be able to do this kind of workout. It was not a good video and I think the style it shows was poorly done.
Rating:
Summary: "Pilates for Dummies" is a great place to start...
Review: Like several other reviewers, I am an ex-dancer. Recently, I have been looking into ways to regain some of my flexibility and muscle tone and I decided to give Pilates a try. Despite the fact that I have a dance background, I had lost much of my flexibility and I didn't want something that would be too difficult. A friend of mine recommended "Pilates for Dummies". I was a little skeptical, but after reading the reviews here and seeing that this, like many other Pilates DVDs, wasn't overpriced, I decided to give it a try and I am glad I did. The workout begins with a brief history of Pilates and explains some terms that are used throughout the DVD. Next, the workout begins. I cannot say enough good things about Michelle Dozois as the instructor. She explains things very simply and outlines some common mistakes. Breathing is an important part of Pilates and you are told when to inhale and exhale throughout all the different exercises. My personal favorite feature is that it gives you modifications on almost all the exercises, either to make them more difficult for the accomplished people or easier for those of us who need a slower start. Plus, there is an intermediate workout as well. I haven't tried this yet, but I have watched it through and it has the same merits as the beginner's workout. With "Pilates for Dummies" I can feel my muscle tone and flexibility coming back, plus I have lost a few pounds, an added plus to my goals. If you are interested in trying out Pilates, this is, in my opinion, whatever your background, the best way to start.
Rating:
Summary: For the life of me I can't bend like that!!
Review: Okay so this is Pilates for Dummies - maybe for me they should write Pilates for Fools! I've watched these moves and tried them but to no avail - I got confused with the breathing when to's and not to's and the rolling! My Lord! This tape is not for beginners which I am - it goes on the belief that the watcher knows what the heck they're doing! It also is not for people who are any bigger than the instructor! Sheesh! Not worth the money - very disappointed in this.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to follow
Review: Pilates is a workout I can do. It is slow paced with a lot of intensity. It really works my abs, and I have noticed some changes around the abdomen/waist. This is an excellent program for beginners. Pilates Workout for Dummies has 2 segments: Beginner and Intermediate. The beginner section offers a slow pace with explicit instructions. The intermediate gives some instruction, but not as detailed, being that it is assumed that you are familiar with Pilates. As with any exercise video (dvd in this case), it is wise to view it first then practice. Unlike any exercise video (dvd), you can choose to omit the music in the background, which I think every exercise video should have this option.
Rating:
Summary: Feeling the burn and enjoying it!
Review: I hate to exercise, and believe me, it shows. That said, I have long known that I *need* to exercise, and since I'm closing in on 34, now is the time! Pilates has intrigued me for awhile; I have one DVD but just never got around to doing it after the first time for one reason or another. I bought this earlier in February 2003, and have been doing it this week. I like it! Some of the moves are kind of difficult at this time, but I fully expect my abilities to improve as I slim down and become more toned. As others have said, this doesn't have a lot of glitz or music, and the instructor is the only one you see (though I haven't watched the more advanced sections yet, so this may be different in them). That's okay! The instructor seems very personable, and I don't "feel bad" because I can't do everything she's doing; she encourages you many times to do just what you can, and to take it easy if you find the moves a bit tough at first. Soothing voice, an unassuming manner, and very good at explaining things. It dawned on me the other night that she resembles Courtney Thorne-Smith! I definitely recommend this DVD to anyone, whether you're interested in Pilates or not. I'm sure that I will be seeing results soon; I sure feel like these workouts are doing something!
Rating:
Summary: inhale for 5!!
Review: I am very happy and pleased with Pilates for Dummies. The video starts with an explaination of the video icons followed by a brief history of Pilates. Each exercise is demonstrated first then you talked through each movment.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, effective, not too preachy
Review: I ordered this DVD based on others' reviews. I wanted to try Pilates but hate the annoying cheerleader antics of some popular fitness gurus. This instructor is laid back, but still gives you a good workout showing you the absolute basics of Pilates and how even a 30-minute workout that is made for beginners can still show results. After years of not working out I made it through at least half of the beginners section, now I can do it all and I never felt pushed or bad that I had to take it slow at first. I noticed results in my mid-section almost immediately without really losing any weight! I find Pilates is even gentle on my back if I take precautions and do the exercises correctly. Occasionally I had to skip one exercise, but most were fine on my aching back. I like the whole 'dummies' idea when it comes to a new exercise type because I am a dummy in Pilates; and this workout was challenging enough without being too easy. Soon I'll be ready for the 'intermediate' section which is also included. The DVD is helpful because you can pick and choose sections and concentrate on your favorite exercises by the click of a button on the main menu. SImple, no loud music, no bouncing beautiful girls. Perfect.
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