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The Method Pilates - Target Specifics

The Method Pilates - Target Specifics

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $17.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great for Intermediate Exercisers
Review: This DVD is comprised of four 15-minute workouts: abs, arms, hips, and thighs. Even though the workouts are only 15 minutes, they are challenging....definitely not for beginners. The only segment I can get all the way through is the arms one (she recommends 2-3 pound dumbbells.) I would highly recommend this DVD for intermediates. It would also be helpful to have some knowledge of yoga, pilates, and ballet. She moves pretty quickly and doesn't spend much time on instruction. Her cues are perfect, though, and she constantly reminds you to watch your form. She is encouraging without being annoying. Overall, very solid.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Diversified pilates/yoga/ballet mix
Review: This DVD is comprised of four parts totalling almost an hour. Although it's fun to do half of it or just one part, I like doing the whole workout because of the different exercises and variety.

The arms, abs, hips, thighs are worked. She mixes some yoga moves with pilates and ballet, for a mix of standing and mat work. I like this for ballance and core strenth and arm toning, but it is not a traditional pilates workout do to the mix. If you like variety this is good for you. You don't need a mat if you have carpet.

When I finish I feel as though I have had a good workout. If you need moderate cardio training or more, you need something else. Although you do burn a lot of calories doing the exercises, your heart needs a heavier workout a couple times a week to stay healthy.

The arm segment uses light 2 or 3 lb weights, although you could use heavier or none at all using resistance. The background music is on bongo drums like a tribal sound, so that can get a tiny bit irritating, but not too bad.

This is a good dvd to have in your collection in my opinion because it is a good workout, exercising your entire body, introduces some yoga, ballet and pilates as well as weights so a beginner can catch on easily but the intermediate person to advanced level can also have fun. I enjoy the workout, especially when I don't have enough energy for a hard core workout or if you just want to crawl out of bed and wear your pj's, as it's barefoot, low impact, and great if you have injuries or just need some variety.

I'd buy it again. I'd probably give it 4.5 stars if that was an option.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Love the results!
Review: This is a great workout for toning and slimming down. I was trying to lose weight and was walking everyday with fair results. As soon as I started incorporating one of these 15 minute workouts into my routine 3 or 4 times a week I saw great results. I quickly felt toned all over and significantly slimmed my hips, thighs, and stomach as well as toned up my arms. I would definately recommend this routine! It has a great upbeat tempo and it is quick to accomplish.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My favorite workout
Review: This is a really great workout video because it has so much material. I haven't gotten bored of it yet (2 years) and it gives me so much energy. It isn't boring because Jennifer Kries goes at a good pace. This is not for beginners though, more for people at the intermediate level. It's a combo of ballet, yoga, and pilates, which makes it so interesting. I tried taking a taste of other yoga and pilates tapes but they are SOOO boring or the instructors (ex. Denise Austin) talk too much. The music is also nice and upbeat, unlike other ones.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: this is one of the good ones
Review: This is my favorite work-out DVD. I started this when I was a beginner and now still enjoy slipping in the short work-outs or even doing the whole DVD for a long work-out. Its a great introduction to pilates, ballet fitness, training w/light weights, and some yoga. Jennifer Kries is one of the few intructors I don't think is a total cheese ball and she often reminds you of proper position, breathing, etc.

The only draw back (yet I still give it 5 stars) is that the work-outs are pretty fast paced and she doesn't have time to really go into the importance of alignment and balance - I would suggest that beginners get a book to go along with it or take a class. I took a pilates class shortly after beginning using the DVD and found that the few sessions with an instructor really enhanced the work I did at home.

All in all - a great DVD for your collection. Definitely a must for those interested in this type of exercise.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is my first pilates DVD and I found it to very stimulating. Jennifer Kries' ability to bend and shape herself is encouraging to others and her instructions are clear and precise, although she may talk too much at times. This DVD is my absolute favorite of all the exercise DVDs I have and I will definetly be staying with Jennifer Kries' Pilates.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My favorite pilates tape
Review: This is one of my favorite workouts. It's a lot faster paced than a lot of pilates videos--so, if you are familiar with the positions, you won't be spending half your time lying on your back waiting for things to be explained in detail. I usually concetrate on one thing (cardio, abs, legs, etc) everyday, but I still like to add some pilates to each day, so this tape is perfect. It's divided by 4 nice, neat little stopping places, and each section focuses on a specific part.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What an energy booster!
Review: This is the first Pilates exercise video I have tried and I can't recommend it enough! I have twin sons but I always seem to be able to squeeze in one or two of the 15 minute segments a few times a week. I love the way I feel both during and after the workout . . . great toning and stretching and I actually find myself sweating! My one and only suggestion would be to add a tutorial to the DVD for users new to The Method and also to explain the breathing techniques all at once, rather than having to view them before each segment. I have at least a dozen exercise tapes but this is definitely my favorite!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: So-So
Review: This video was definitely different for me, since this is my first pilates workout, but I was not really impressed with this tape. First, during the crucial exercises when it would be helpful to see what the instructor is doing, the camera is never panned out enough to see what she is doing. Second, although I realize this is meant to be a short workout, the instructor does not spend enough time on proper technique, and I am often unsure as to whether I am performing the exercise properly. It is also intimidating to see 15 girls stretching their legs above their heads,when I can barely lift mine off the ground, with no encouragement from the instructor.

Bottom line: this would probably be a good workout for people who are familiar with pilates, but I would not recommend it to beginners.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: I can't recommend this one
Review: Unlike many people, I'm not a big fan of Jennifer Kries. This is the second of her workouts I've bought, and I won't be buying more. I found the mixture of instruction to actual work to be frustrating -- I'd be ready to flow on to the next exercise, and she'd be standing there telling me about it. This is very useful the first few times through (proper alignment and breathing are essential, after all), but I'd like to just do the exercises straight through after I learn them.

Kries's narration is sometimes uneven, and her explanations aren't always that clear. Her attitude and that of her fellow dancers isn't terribly energizing or even interesting. I don't want peppy or cheery, but none of them look much like they're even enjoying themselves! They make Kathy Smith look absolutely hyper.

I also found the 15-minute segments too short -- I prefer 20 to 60-minute workouts that work my whole body rather than 15 minutes on just one area. That's completely a preference issue, though, and doesn't reflect on the quality of the workouts.

To make a short story long, I own upwards of 40 other aerobics/yoga/pilates/FIRM videos and DVDs, and this is the one I play the least.


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