Pilates Workout for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: This is great for beginners
Review: I had this video for 6 months and the more I used it, the more time I spent fast forwarding through the instructions, rather than exercising. This is a great video for people who are interested in learning the pilate exercises, if you can find one used buy it, or borrow one from a friend...eventually I'm sure you too will buy a different video so you don't have to waste time fast forwarding through the instructions..

Rating:
Summary: Pilates workout for dummies
Review: Great beginer. Alot harder than it looks.

Rating:
Summary: Very Impressed!
Review: Knowing nothing about pilates I bought this video based on the excellent reviews. The video provides an wonderful starting point for anyone unfamiliar with Pilates. Michelle Dozois is extremely likable and explains each exercise completely. This video made me confident enough in the Pilates method to attend a group exercise class and not feel silly. I also think this is a great video for anyone trying to get back in shape after pregnancy!

Rating:
Summary: a good gateway
Review: I'm amazed at how rave these reviews are. The reason why I got the tape was because I saw a review in Newsweek. I tried it out and still have it. It's got simple excersizes that really add up in the end. (I always get good sleep at night when I do this workout during the day.) However, I get discouraged because I don't feel as challenged as I would like. I don't see the results that pilates promises, but that is also because I don't do this religously... I wouldn't be able to, it gets old pretty quickly. So, now I am researching for better videos that suit my taste.

Rating:
Summary: What's all the hype about?
Review: I've got a handful of other Pilates videos and DVD's and was looking for a new addition. I took classes at a Pilates studio for awhile too. Anything "For Dummies" turns me off, but based on reviews, I bought this DVD. It really should say that it's a Pilates based workout, because the instructor is doing her own version of Pilates mat routine excersices and never mentions some of the most fundamental basics - never talks about the Pilates position which is crucial to getting the full benefits, and also never talks about proper breathing in Pilates which is in and out through the nose, not the loud exhale through the mouth that she does. I'd prefer to have been able to see the instructor's positions more clearly and from different angles then have her talking through what she's doing which muffles her voice if she's on her stomach or in any tucked positions. She's pleasant and attractive, but I'd just rather have better instruction, see better form and have a count instead of having to always watch to see where we are in the workout. I personally also found the side bar stuff (icons and tips etc) on Dummies very annoying.

This is also a very limited program. You've got 2 workouts with too many interuptions to explain the next exercies. Too much wasted time and loss of flow. The 30 min workout is deceiveing because of instruction time in between actually doing the excercises. I can see that maybe in the beginner section, but the intermediate does it too. I much prefer the DVD I have that has an intro and instruction of new excersices at each level (basic through challenging) and then lets you actually do a workout without teaching breaks. If you want to learn or continue in your practice of authentic Pilates, and have a versatile DVD that will advance with you, keep looking. If you want a program you'll use for about 2-4 weeks (less if you're not an ultimate beginner), then buy Pilates For Dummies.

Rating:
Summary: Ouch! I am still sore!
Review: GREAT! This tape gives a fabulous workout with being annoying or repetitive. Great for beginners or those a little more advanced as well.

JBogue
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Specializing in paranormal romance and fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Very Thorough
Review: This is the first fitness video I have ever watched that made me want to do more of it. I am looking now into buying Michelle's other video.

Rating:
Summary: It works, but I'm not that impressed
Review: While the video was beneficial, here are some things that I felt could be changed about the video. Since this was my first pilates experience, I was interested in the modifications that were hyped on the back cover. It wasn't until I was halfway through the move, huffing and puffing and wondering how I could complete the move, that the modification was even mentioned. I felt that for non-flexible users like myself, the instructor should have talked about the modifications before demonstrating the move. Also, the time for transitions between moves could have been an additional 10 seconds. Keep in mind, I was not flexible the first time I viewed this video, and my muscles were screaming in protest, and the instructor was already in position for the next move. If this is supposed to be for Dummies, the instructor should have kept this in mind before beginning filming.

Rating:
Summary: money and time are well spent
Review: Being new to Pilates I wanted to find a program that would be easy enough for me to follow and yet challenging. She shows you the exercises before she has you follow along with her. It is not a piece of cake but I am not dying the next day either. I also was looking for something that would be around for after I got the hang of Pilates and this has a separate intermediate version on it as well. My money was well spent but more importantly my time was well spent!

Rating:
Summary: too easy, should be called "intro to pilates" not a workout
Review: so easy and instructional, not a workout video to anyone who has any knowledge of fitness whatsoever