Product Details

• Actors: Francesca Fisher
• Directors: PE Carl Fisher
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: May 4, 2002
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00006NSXO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,502 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Client review at flexcity.com

"I like this tape. It targets my stomach and low back where I need it most."

Product Description

Back-Fit® with Pilates is a non-impact stretching and exercise video that incorporates Pilates-based matwork, physical therapy exercises, and strength training using dumbbells. Whether you are new to exercise or already in great shape, this workout can be modified to accommodate your fitness level. If you are a senior or have a very limited range of motion, superimposed graphics are included for some of the more difficult exercises so that you will be able to do a modified version while the advanced version is demonstrated.

If you have been in a car accident and currently suffering from low back pain and/or sciatica, the physical therapy portion of this workout is exactly the same movements and stretches as your physical therapist is prescribing. If you are no longer in rehab for your back condition, this video is an excellent way to keep your lower back muscles toned, strong, and conditioned for everyday stress and strain. The best part of this workout is, since it contains many strength training exercises, it will help build bone strength while prevent osteoporosis.

No combination exercises are used so that only one body part will be worked out at a time allowing you to "focus" and build strength mentally as well as physically. There are no Squats, Lunges, or aerobics in this video making it ideal for those that have bad knees. You'll also appreciate the filmed-at-one-time-setting so that when you see that we can do it, you'll know that YOU can do it. Recommended for all ages and fitness levels.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good workout for the back and torso, January 12, 2003

By 

dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Back-Fit with Pilates [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a well-instructed Pilates-based workout that, as promised, targets the muscles of the back as well as the other body parts that support the back.

For the workout you need a dyna-band or other such band and a pair of dumbbells. You could wear sneakers, but it's not necessary. The workout begins with a brief warm-up and then some stretches for the upper body and lower body. Then it alternates between Pilates movements and Physical Therapy exercises. The Pilates exercises are the Hundred, the Single Leg Pull, the Double Leg Pull, the Single Leg Stretch, the Double Leg Stretch, the Bicycle, the Rollover and Scissors (I may have left one out, but I think that's it). The other exercises are two versions of pushups (one on knees with legs crossed, the other on toes with feet wide), Cobra and Child's Pose (again, I may be leaving one out).

Once we're done with the mat, we come to the wall and begin some weight work for the shoulders. Exercises included Lateral Raises, Military Presses, Lat Rows, Front Raises and Leg Lifts to the front and back. Afterward, we go back to the floor for a stretch, which is very similar to the stretches we did for the warmup.

Some comments:

+ Gern has excellent form on all of the exercises, even if you can tell that she's not a Pilates instructor. Also, she counts clearly and at an accurate pace throughout the workout.

+ The pace of the workout is, in my opinion, what the average exerciser should follow to get the maximum benefits from the exercises (I include myself in this category).

+ Although she doesn't go into great depth about Pilates instruction per se, she does discuss imprinting and the importance keeping the spine on the mat (this is open to interpretation among Pilates professionals, and she's in good company).

+ I wasn't crazy about the set when I previewed it, but I was too busy doing the workout and paying attention to the cues to care or even notice what was going on with the set.

+ The workout itself. Her exercises were sequenced very nicely to alternate which parts of the body were worked. Although she doesn't offer a great variety of exercises, it's more than enough to target the torso (including the chest). I used very light weights and she doesn't call for a lot of repetitions, but not even one day after the workout my chest and the rest of my upper body are nicely sore.

Conclusion: This is a very good tape. If you're someone who buys "parts" tapes, you should include this in your library, and I would feel confident buying such a workout or any other release from Gern.