Rating: 
Summary: Finally - an exercise routine that works!!!
Review: This DVD has been an answer to my prayers...I have tried aerobics, regular speed walking, some yoga, etc., and this is the first time I have found an exercise medium and DVD that 1) keeps me interested 2) has slimmed my butt and hips! It seemed when I exercised regularly or dieted, I would lose more in my upper body. Now, I feel my lower body toning, and I've lost a dress size and inches off my hips. I got the DVD in November of 2001 as a gift, after mentioning I wanted to try Pilates. While yoga improved my flexibility and was very centering, It didn't shape my body like this video. Now that I've used it for about 3 months, I have the routine memorized. So instead of playing the video everytime (and listening to instructions over and over), I just look at the table of contents on the inside cover, remember the exercises, and perform them while I'm watching something else on TV. I noticed a change in my body (very positive!) without transforming my diet. And I've lost 10 pounds! A+++ I recommend it for anyone, especially once frustrated exercisers like myself! I've finally found something that makes me feel good after I exercise, doesn't bore me, and shows amazing results that other people have noticed as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Beginner Pilates DVD
Review: I ordered this DVD because I wanted to try Pilates. I had read the reviews and they all seemed positive. I have to admit that the other reviews were pretty on target. I enjoy this DVD because it is very EASY to follow! I am not completely out of shape, but I am not in shape either and this DVD was totally do-able. For anyone who purchases this watch the DVD *first* before attempting the exercises. Depending on your level of health you may want to only start off with the first 5-6 moves, master them, then slowly add more moves. The instructor is very good and explains everything very clearly. The reason why I give this DVD 4 stars instead of 5 is because of two reasons: 1) The tips for beginners are shown half way through the move. I believe someone else mentioned this in their review. 2) After you begin to master some of the easier moves you have to sit through her explaination, but that isn't too much of a big deal. One thing I really do like is that the DVD offers an intermediate workout as well. This is great because you don't automatically have to buy a new DVD after you mastered the beginners section. Another nice thing about this DVD is that it is well organized. It is set the way I think a workout DVD should be. The acutal beginner's workout is about 30 minutes. I have noticed improvements in my muscle tone and I have only been using it 3-4 times a week for the last 3 weeks.
Rating:
Summary: great exercise video!
Review: ... I decided to get this DVD, and was very satisfied with the exercises and instructor.
All the moves are explained clearly before she actually performs them, they show you easy ways and challenging ways for each position. This is a good video for someone new to Pilates like me.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for Dummies
Review: This dvd was perfect for me. I never tried any type of pilates or yoga. After the first time I was hooked. Very easy to understand, if you watch the video through once you will not have any problems. The instructor is very good, and not annoying at all. I highly recommend for begginers. I would defiantly buy another video from this instructor.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Place to Learn Pilates!
Review: I just viewed this video for the first time and I love it! Michelle is very likable and not intimidating. She introduces the name of the move, demonstrates it, then tells the viewer how many reps they will perform. The "Dummies" icons will come up while reps are being performed that caution the excerciser, give a tip, and a small corner box (tv within tv concept) will show the viewer either a basic modification or a challenge modification. Michelle will also inform the excerciser of what area the move is helping to strengthen. Everything is performed on a mat on the floor. No music used. Michelle explains at the beginning of the video about the "core" and the torso and the importance of stability. I really enjoyed this video and look forward to doing the workout again! The 40 minutes flies!!!
Rating:
Summary: a great introduction to Pilates
Review: With 30 lb to lose after the birth of my third child, you'd think I'd be looking for a serious fat blasting aerobic videotape. But the posture one adopts when pregnant caused me to have tightness and pain in my lower back, and I was looking for a workout that would strengthen and stretch it. Pilates seemed like the perfect option, and this video presented it beautifully. I have never done Pilates before, but this workout was very "do-able" for me. The first time I tried it, I watched the first segment that explains Pilates, and teaches you how to maintain form to get the best benefit of the exercises. It also introduces you to some of the jargon. The workout itself is wonderful. The music is very subtle, and the instructor explains things clearly. She's not intimidating, she tells you to go easy if you need to. The exercises are varied- some are more difficult than others, but they get easier the more you do them. Pilates also doesn't require a million reps of each move, it's more focused. The mini stretches she shows in between moves are a gem. The instructor has extremely muscular legs- I wonder if she got them from Pilates alone. The only thing I didn't like about her is that her feet are dirty. The results? My abs are tightening, and my back feels much better
Rating:
Summary: excellent job
Review: well done video, with all the key points covered. please note that the last two exercises on the beginners workout are really advanced exercises. the pace is workable, background music unobtrusive, and the instructor has no annoying qualities. enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: straight forward pilates
Review: If what you want is a straighforward pilates mat workout, youcouldn't ask for anything better. There is no yoga or dance or made-up moves thrown in. Just good old pilates. I am not sure how easy to use this DVD will be if you've never done Pilates before, but the instuction for each excercise is very clear and concise. If you've done pilates a few times, this will provide and excellent workout and motivation and will refres your memory on the proper way to do the exercises
Rating:
Summary: A very good introduction!
Review: It starts off slow with a lot of introduction, but eventually covers 18 Pilates moves at a good pace. Probably the only real gripe I have - and it's a big one - is that modifications to make the moves easier or more challenging are shown AFTER you've started the exercise - sometimes even halfway through.
Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to Pilates
Review: This DVD has none of the lush production of other Pilates DVDs or tapes that I have seen. The music accompanies rather than inspires or encourages. The studio is Spartan. What this DVD is is a solid introduction to the beginning and intermediate levels of Pilates. There is an introduction about 10 minutes long that explains the significance of and the proper position for the powerhouse and spinal alignment. The instructor, Michelle, takes the time to teach the proper method of breathing during the exercises. After the introduction, there are two groups of exercises at the beginning and intermediate levels. The beginning group of exercises has 18 basic Pilates exercises. It looks like the intermediate group has about the same number. The strength of this DVD is that each exercise is demonstrated in a detailed fashion along with easier and more challenging variations. You should have little ambiguity performing the exercise correctly after listening to the explanation and seeing the exercise performed. In addition, common problems encountered performing each exercise are shown in an exaggerated fashion, so you clearly understand what not to do. I had read two highly recommended books on Pilates, but seeing the DVD really put it all together for me. After using the DVD 3 times this week, I am feeling muscles I haven't felt in years and have developed a sense of when I am not standing properly or slumped over at the desk. I did have a low grade lower backache for a couple of days (which is somewhat normal according to the books) but that has passed. I recently also joined a health club where they offer free Pilates Mat workouts. After watching one session and working out one session at the health club, it clear how much better the instructor on the DVD is. Finally, for me, this workout would not work on VHS format. I really enjoy the ability to step through the exercises rather than FFW or REV.
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