Product Details

• Actors: Ana Caban
• Format: Color, DVD, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Gaiam
• DVD Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00029QOTU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,282 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The strong and lean Pilates body is based in the powerhouse‹the deep, woven layers of the abdominal and lower back muscles. The Pilates system of exercise empowers you to stand confidently and move gracefully through your life, by grounding your movements in the strong core of your body. Set on Maui, Hawaii, the Pilates Abs Workout helps you slim and strengthen the ab muscles at the same time. Certified Pilates instructor Ana Cabán takes you through a sequence of highly efficient and challenging exercises, focusing on form and precise movement. A modified version is also demonstrated for those with limited flexibility and strength. The regular practice of Pilates helps you strengthen your body¹s center of power and create a sleek, streamlined look you will love! The Complete 25-minute Workout Includes: € Warm-up Exercises to stimulate circulation and articulate the spine € Challenging Mat Exercises to condition the powerhouse and buttocks € Cool-down Stretches to allow muscles to rest and recover A vigorous workout for anyone wanting firmer abdominals fast! Props Recommended: Pilates Mat

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A challenging Pilates mat routine, April 11, 2005

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Abs Pilates Workout (DVD)

This video is led by Ana Caban, and it is probably her most challenging workout. In consists entirely of matwork and begins immediately with the hundred exercise. Ana then moves through a traditional matwork sequence, including moves such as the roll-up, the roll-over, rolling like a ball, the series of five, and the teaser. For many of the moves, Ana adds a more challenging twist--eg, performing several of the series of five exercises with no arms, doing the open-legged rocker with closed legs as well, etc. Because this is an abs-focused workout, the Pilates side kick series and back extension moves are not included. Ana ends the workout with a unique combination move which is a compilation of rolling like a ball, open-legged rocker, the teaser, and lowering down a rope; she then ends with a few brief stretches to bring the workout in at just under 24 minutes. Although Ana works out with an assistant, Tara, who shows modifications for some of the movements, this is an intermediate to advanced Pilates workout and should not be attempted by those new to Pilates.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Workout At Home For Those With Experience, July 21, 2005

By 

whatevery (go brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilates Abs Workout (VHS Tape)

This is the perfect home workout if you've had a significant amount of Pilates training and have good form. I was skeptical about doing mat work to a DVD- I'm used to taking one-on-one classes with an Authentic Pilates instructor who helps me adjust my form, but now that I have almost a year of Pilates under my belt I thought I might be okay to work out on my own, at home, sometimes. Having taken so many private lessons, I'd have to say that newcomers to Pilates owe it to themselves to find a good studio and take some classes before they jump in and try to learn from a DVD. But if you're at an Intermediate level, this DVD is great.

Ana Caban works at a nice pace- she's not manic but definitely not too slow. She keeps filler conversation to a minimum and her reminders to engage your ab muscles are very helpful. Her assistant, Tara, simultaneously demonstrates easier versions of the exercises. The exercises are similar to most mat classes you'll find in a studio or gym, but she adds some interesting twists toward the end. I can tell that the more I perfect my form the deeper I'll get into working my core muscles, and that's what I really want from any mat routine.

Highly recommended.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A challenging, advanced abdominal workout, January 8, 2005

By 

Brooke Lette (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abs Pilates Workout (DVD)

This workout is not for Pilates beginners! I am familiar with Ana Caban's beginning and intermediate mat workouts, yet I found about 40% of the exercises in this DVD to be too difficult on the first try. However, a second actor does an easier version of the moves, which you can follow until you are ready for the more difficult version. If you are not focused on using your abdominal muscles for all the movements, or if your abs are not very strong, you will also feel it in other muscle groups, such as the legs. That said, Pilates Abs Workout is focused and efficient.

Ana Caban is a good instructor - she reminds you to focus on your Pilates form and breathing without being annoying. The workout setting is a pleasant beach scene, and the music is a great background tune that flows well with the pace of the workout. The only reason I would not give this DVD 5 stars is that it is not for everyone. I would recommend it only to those who are already familiar with Pilates basic exercises and concepts and are looking to focus on the abs.