Customer Reviews

Back-Fit with Pilates [VHS]

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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.