Customer Reviews

Breakthru - Pilates Sculpt [VHS]

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was eagerly anticipating the release of this DVD, I already own their Pilates Plus. I was surprised by the format of the workout. The first twenty-two minutes of the workout is a combination of arms sculpting exercises and squats,reminiscent of the firm videos. The middle section of the exercise focuses on butt and leg strengthing exercises. The last section is devoted to the abs and the chest. This is a true total body workout, however I think the title is a little misleading. If you are looking for pilates floor exercises and a separate arm sculpting section then I would recommend the Jennifer Kries perfect mix and precision pilates. Jennifer Kries generally uses three-pound weights, while Tracey and Michelle use 5 pound weights throughout this workout. Having said that, I think that this is a great workout. I am an advanced exerciser, and I certainly felt this the day after!

I have not been able to find an exercise DVD that made me want to do it again, until now. I absolutely LOVE this DVD.
As a beginner, I know that I will be able to use this DVD for some time to come. The reason I know this is because the two instructors give you a modified stance and an advanced stance. I am still on the modified stance (for some, not all), which means I will advance with this DVD.
I am very pleased with the soreness I feel because I KNOW that I was working out. I would strongly recommend this DVD to ANYONE interested in Pilates.

Ever wake up the morning after a workout and you feel it all over? Not usually. I generally feel it in one place or another but not in every single muscle group in my body. Well, this DVD was an exception. I ache in places I didn't know I had muscles - and it's a GOOD ache. A feeling of accomplishment! The great thing about this program is the variety of exercises. These ladies somehow manage to give you an effective workout without making you do countless masochistic reps of the same exercise. Come on! Just 50 more! You can do it! Yeah, right... You are constantly switching positions and for almost every exercise there is a moderate version you can do that allows you to still benefit without hurting yourself or looking really silly trying to do something too advanced. This is one I will definitely stick with.

Wow, this is certainly the most challenging workout I've ever done and it's exactly what I've been looking for. This workout is a mix of cardio with weights & pilates. If you're doing the cardio section, you'll probably want 5lb weights. I tried it with 10lbs and found it to be a bit too much to start. These ladies really know what they're doing. No gimmicks whatsoever. I'd say that if you do this 3-5 times a week and eat healthy meals, you'll have an amazing body in no time. If you're looking to be challenged and get into top shape, buy this video.

I really like this workout. I really enjoy Pilates and have certainly seen the benefits of my regular Pilates workout; however, Pilates workouts do not often address the upper body so I find I have to do a separate workout for my arms. I also like to use some weights. This workout fits the bill: I get Pilates, weights and upper body work. I also like the instructors. I am pretty much instructor driven - I really have to enjoy the instructor or I cannot get through the workout nor enjoy the journey. They are friendly and helpful without being over the top. My other favorite instructors are Ellen Barrett and Katalin Rodriguez Kamiar.

Although the moves in the video are good and do result in strengthening, many of the exercises aren't repeated often enough to be very effective. Although some are (squats and inner thighs, for example), I actually started to notice how quickly some exercises were rushed through. This is ok, though - you can simply pause the video and do a few more reps before continuing on.

I had been hoping that this would be an equal mix of pilates and sculpting, but the focus was definitely on weights, with a few pilates moves, and adjustments that focus mainly on improving balance. Importantly, I was sweating like crazy and my muscles were fatigued when I was done - I looked like I'd just stepped out of the shower! Good enough to recommend and use often, but I'll be buying a simple pilates video to give me the core strength exercises I was hoping for. I'll also be keeping my remote control handy to pause and do additional repetitions.

I run, lift weights and do an hour of Bryan Kest's power yoga several times a week, but I am always on the lookout for something new to incorporate into my routine - this tape is definately it!! It does require good balance, and it moves faster than I am used to, but I like that because I am being challenged. The weights are awesome - together with the aerobic/pilates aspects of the video you are sure to get a total body workout that leaves you sore all over. I did the video yesterday morning and this morning I am sore and I feel great. I highly recommend this video. I do think that you should at least be intermediate/expirienced in either pilates, weights, yoga, etc. so that you can master quickly one aspect of the video. and then the other parts will be easier to learn. I would not recommend this to a total beginner.

I liked this video. It did tend to move rather quickly for a begginner like myself who also has no balance. The instructors were really great at motivating you, though at times I felt they moved a little to fast. The pilates moves were not easy and required a great deal of concentration and I had a hard time keeping up at some points. This video has a lot more body sculpting with free weights than it does pilates. I will be checking out a begginers pilates video next time.

I purchased this DVD at the very end of my first pregnancy longing to get back in shape after I had my baby. I found this to be an excellent workout and even though my son is over a year now I am still doing it consistently. In the past I have gotten bored with the same workout DVD but not this one. I combined this with a cardiovascular exercise and definitely noticed the results. I also feel great after I do this. I have seen many printouts of good exercises to do after you have had a baby and this DVD incorporates all of those as well as teaching balance and coordination. I feel much more balanced and in shape than I have since I got married.
The other thing I enjoy very much about this DVD is that the instructors are down to earth and do not fill time with needless chatter. I get very annoyed at flighty or silly instructors and very tired of hearing their jokes over and over but this one is not like that at all. They are both very down to earth and explain the exercises so you not only know how to do them but why you are doing them.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone but especially women who want to get their shape back after having a baby.

I am an avid at-home workout fiend. I think this video does exactly what it claims to--sculpts!!!!! Note: You will need hand weights with this DVD. Also, it is not just pilates. It starts with a lot of leg exercises(lunges) and it will really sculpt your entire body... abs, arms, shoulders, legs!!! A great purchase.