Denise Austin - Mat Workout Based on the Work of J.H. Pilates

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Summary: Pilates with Denise Austin
Review: First workout set very good. Second workout set not as well-planned. I enjoyed because I do yoga, but for people who do not, some of the positions might be difficult. Second set is definately yoga oriented.

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Summary: I love this tape
Review: I was looking for a tape on pilaties and when my favorite fitness guru put this new tape out i snached it up on the spot!! This video really works your abs out so much and it is alot more fun than crunches. Sometimes when i do it my heart rate gets up and i am sweating!! Suprising when you think that your are just lying on a mat but i swear you do sweat!!I recomend this tape to a friend and she absoulty loved it. A great tape for beginners who are new to pilaties. You dont need any special equipment that alot of pilaties moves require it is just simply a wonderful video.

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Summary: denise austins map workout
Review: The first time i tried this i found it to be really chalenging part I and partII i just had a csection 2 months ago so my abs are really out of shape so i guess if i keep doing a little each week ill see. results definaitly felt it after one workout recommend this tape to anyone

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Summary: Love this workout!
Review: I never thought I would be a person who actually used a workout tape, but I LOVE this one. I started it just about 10 weeks after having an emergency c-section - it was rough at first, but it paid off. I love it because 1.) if you do it you see results 2.) it only takes 20 minutes 3.) it is actually relaxing. My baby is now 6 months old and I am still using this tape. The DVD has the benefit of an extra hip/thigh workout. I have seen it, but not tried it.

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Summary: a case of bad Pilates
Review: The quality of the instructions as well as the demonstrations are very poor in this video. Pilates is not something one picks up in a minute. it requires extensive studying and practice. None of these qualities are visible in this video. It gives a distorted idea of what the Pilates philosophy is about.

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Summary: Denise Austin-Mat Workout Based on the Work of J.H.Pilates,
Review: I am a certified Pilates Instructor and I think that the quality of the instructions, not to mention the demonstrations are very poor. Whoever buys this video tape to learn about the Pilates method will get a very distorted picture of what this philosophy is about. The way the exercises are being performed leave a lot to be desired. The full body awarness is missing here.The question of quality control arises. If there is none, anyone can record a video tape. When people buy an exercise VHS they expect the instructions to be the highest quality they can get.They trust that the person making the video is highly qualified to do so. Recently there has been a disturbing number of "cases of bad Pilates". It is very unfortunate that this fine method of exercising that requires the instructors to go through an extensive trainng is being devaluated by people who do not care about quality.

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Summary: Kinda fast but we'll see
Review: I have only used this video a few times so perhaps my opinion will change...but I found that Denise does go a bit quickly through some of the important elements of Pilates. She's constantly instructing you to "lengthen and stretch" but doesn't quite explain how to do that. The pace of the entire workout was a bit fast and consequently, I'm not sure if I'm spending enough time on each exercise to make a difference. The other reviews seem mixed on Denise's persona, but I found her tone annoying. Her baby voice really grates on me. Howevever, I can say that after each workout, I can feel a difference in my abs. I am going to keep trying the video and perhaps I will feel differently after a while.

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Summary: Not useful if you want to practice Pilates on your own
Review: I was disappointed by this DVD. She doesn't explain well enough how to do the exercises, she does very few repetitions and there is no breaks in between. I don't like to be rushed through my program. This was not was I was looking for...

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Summary: It helps...
Review: This definately increases flexibility if you do it once to twice a week along with stretches and cardio exrcises 4 to 5 times a week. The first time I did the tape, I could not complete all the exercizes. A month later, I could complete them easily. D. Austin can be a little annoying but I got over that pretty fast. This workout will make you sweat and at the same time, it's very relaxing.

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Summary: Great !!!
Review: I had never done pilates, or yoga before, and saw this tape. I've only done the tape once so far, but I am in love now with pilates/yoga. Denise does such a great job at describing things in this workout, and is very soothing in it. I got the best ab workout from just the 1st 20 minute session, even more than doing tons of sit ups or crunches. It really targets your abs through the whole workout, and the next day, my abs were sore in places they've never been. So were my upper thighs. I also liked the 2nd 20 minute session, becuase it has more of the yoga poses and stretches. It's great for beginners to pilates/yoga type moves. I could do all of the moves in the tape, some were a little hard, but it was my very first time. And after the workout, my posture felt improved, and I felt strong , confident, and very relaxed, as well as "worked out" all at the same time. I would recommend this tape highly. I have the VHS version and would like to buy the DVD. My VCR dosn't work too well!