Rating: Summary: Excellent Choice Review: I bought this tape a few weeks ago and have been using it alot. It is comprised of three segments: A Core Conditioning which is Pilates segment, A Metabolic Boost which is a dance/cardio segment, and a AM/PM Rejuvenation which is a yoga/stretch/relaxation segment. Jennifer is very clear on how to perform the moves and how they help the body. She is gentle and encouraging and the moves are challenging. When I finish, I really feel like my body has been stretched and strengthened. My posture has changed completely and I feel much more graceful. I use each segment seperately, the rejuvenation in the morning or evening if I am stiff and sore. I use this along with Denise Austin's Hit the Spot Abs/Butt pack. To round out my routine I am going to incorporate Denise's Hit the Spot Bust/Arms pack and a good cardio video. With this, I definitly don't need a gym membership.
Rating: Summary: A good Mix Review: I thought that the perfect mix was more of a good mix than a perfect mix. I love Jennifer Kries style but as for easiest for first timers, I'd recommend her Pilates Target Specifics before any other from the series.
Rating: Summary: a daily metabolic boost Review: The DVD has four segments: core-conditioning, metabolic booster, metabolic booster with music only, and am/pm rejuvenation. They're all good, but I like the metabolic booster the best--it's like dancing so it's fun and you don't even realize how hard your body is working. After 20-minutes of the various routines, I'm totally sweating! I love this DVD--it's an essential part of my daily routine. And Jennifer Kries is an excellent instructor.
Rating: Summary: pilates method perfect mix Review: I bought this tape because of the rave reviews. I wish I hadn't. The first workout was just sit-ups. I can do those without a tape. (in fact, I teach a 1/2 hour class of abs) The second workout "Metabolic Booster" was an absolute joke. Nothing cardio about it. Finally, the last workout. It was all about breathing properly. I know this is hard for some people to do, at first. This was just ridiculous. I wish I could get my money back and return it.
Rating: Summary: Amazing Results! Review: I started out with Pilates for Dummies, then moved onto this workout. The results are absolutely amazing. -- I've always been 'hippy' and fought cellulite since I was 17 years old, this routine actually hits my legs and hips where it counts and has reduced my cellulite drastically. --The abdominal series is equally effective. You'll feel the results the next day! --I love to do this workout. --- There are 3 segments, a revitalizer, a toning section, and a metabolism booster. I find the metabolism booster workout without the talking (she gives you either) is more enjoyable and for some reason makes following the repititions easier when you just watch and follow. -- The instructor is very clear and concise, pleasant to see each day, and is encouraging; no intimidating show-off stunts to make you feel inadequate, just clear and enjoyable leadership.--Definetly worth it! Buy it! You'll be glad you did!
Rating: Summary: This helped when nothing else did! Review: I have been suffering from lower back pain (Sacrum area) for 4 months. I went to a MD and he gave me pain pills and said it would go away on it's own. After 3 months I decided to go to a chiropractor. He did some adjustments and also said it should go away on it's own. So I decided to try this DVD. It worked!!! I am nearly pain free. I am not saying that this will help all back pain, but after seeing two doctors this DVD certainly helped. If you have lower back (Sacrum) pain, and have consulted a doctor, this may be another option for you. It helped me after 3 sessions.
Rating: Summary: New to Pilates and Yoga and loved it! Review: I love the mix of elements in this video, and I break a sweat and feel really good after doing it. I found all the sections challenging but doable, and I especially like that you get some cardio work too. I don't agree with some of the other reviews that say it's not a good explanation of how to do it. How much explanation do you need? I also don't agree that beginners can't do it. I'm just a mom at home who works out to videos, and I could do everything the first time through, although it is challenging and interesting enough. After using it twice a week for about a month, I can already tell the difference in my abs. Get this one!
Rating: Summary: No Audio, Bad Video Review: This is the 2nd copy of this DVD I have put in my player that has no audio at all. Yes, all my other DVDs I put in play fine, but this has no audio so I'll be returning it for good this time. Anyway, the video quality could look more crisp and it's not very visually appealling.
Rating: Summary: For intermediate to advanced exercisers NOT beginners Review: I just read thru all the reviews, and as someone who has been practising pilates for years, these are my views: 1) This is definitely NOT for beginners. I really like J Kries, have quite a few of her older videos, and her book - but she is a little too poetic and not quite detailed enough in her explanations in the videos (book is better). If you have never practised Pilates before, I recommend Moira Stott's videos - start with the Essential - never tried Ana Caban so I wouldn't know - apparently JK's The Method - Precision Toning is a good instructional - but again I wouldn't know. I started with JK's All in one Workout and strained my back myself, then fixed and repaired with Stott, got bored with her delivery and now can sail thru the all in one with ease - and love it! I also like this video, but for a lighter day. You MUST be experienced in Pilates to do the exercises at this speed, otherwise you will not be able to hold your navel to your spine and breathe properly. Stott moves up to this speed in her intermediate video, and leaves some of the modifications like the bridge with leg extensions for her advanced video!!!!!PLEASE take in the above - without the necessary experience and abdominal strength built up from prior slow work, this video and others at this level could mean you end up working the wrong muscles or worse hurting yourself - you may think you can do the aforementioned bridge, but I spent months doing it with Stott, all we do is lift the bent leg off the ground a few inches and hold a few seconds, doing our best to keep the pelvis/hips level, the navel to spine,the shoulderblades down, the breathing even.....anyone can stick their hips up and throw a leg in the air, but!!!!! 2) The cardio workout IS ok for beginners - without weights. For intermediate up, it won't get your heart rate up enough. Unless you use heavier weights - which you shouldn't! At the speed these movements are performed, using too heavy weights will mean that momentum comes in and so most of the benefits of weights are lost, plus you can easily injure yourself - believe me, I've been there! 3) The workout is in a wierd order. I believe the cardio should be first to warm you up, then the Pilates, finally the yoga. But who am I to speak..... The All in one workout is better in this respect - long dance oriented warmup - cardio intervals interspersed with extremely effective weight work, then long Pilates session. Only thing missing is a yoga stretch at the end for a committed yoga person like me, who doesn't feel great without at least a 15 min session daily! That said, I still like it and do it occasionally, but even though I enjoy Jen's videos more than Stott's for their colour and music and daniness, I still do Stott more regularly for the deep benefits. 4) Last but not least - before you buy exercise videos - I recommend going into a couple of sites like videofitness.com, or collagevideos.com (the latter also retail, but are pricier than Amazon - amazon, we love you!) - they have reviews from experienced exercisers, and Collage also rate their videos from beginners to advanced and give a time graph showing the timeframe of the workout (warmup 5 mins, lower body 10mins....) - both sites are pretty dependable! Hope this info helps out, I myself appreciate the time other people take to write reviews, and thank you all for it. I personally won't buy a video unless there are a few focused reviews - on more than one site! Good exercising!
Rating: Summary: Good Overall Workout! Review: This DVD is an excellent conditioning program. I have been using it for about 2 months and have received excellent results. I am gaining strentgh and especially muscle tone. I feel much better and more flexible. I especially like this because there is not some annoying aerobics girl trying to get you motivated. Jennefer Kries is motivating but in a calm and relaxing way. The 3 segments allow you to mix and match which ones you want to do. Try this DVD if you want great results without the high intensity aerobic workout.
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