Customer Reviews

Callanetics [VHS]

5 star:		(115)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First of all, I hate exercise....can't stick to anything and be consistent! About 10 years ago, my Mom introduced me to Callanetics. I remembered getting amazing results from it, and decided to try it yet again. These exercises are quite difficult at first, but the results are incredible and the key word is FAST! You SEE the results much quicker than any exercise or weightlifting. In 5 sessions, my stomach was much flatter, thighs tighter, and I could see muscles in my upper arms that I never knew were there. My husband even commented on how great I looked, and I felt that way too! I began Callanetics to get in shape for a wedding in Las Vegas...I see the pictures of myself and can't believe it's me! My body is so much fitter and tighter than it's ever been. I no longer need the tape as I have basically memorized it, but use it now and then. I highly recommend this for smaller framed people (I'm 5 ft). It lengthens your muscles and tones without making you bulky. It also makes us appear taller and leaner. The accompanying book is a great way to review the whole program and the before and after pictures are amazing....a must-see for beginners, if those pictures don't get you motivated, nothing will! I love Callan and thank her so much for Callanetics, an exercise I can stick with for life!

Before ordering this video, I did my research to find excellent reviews and high ratings for Callanetics but I never really found before/after photos, which are usually a big inspiration for me. I wanted to know how it worked, how it felt, did you look different after one hour? So, for the sake of everyone else out there like me, I had to write regarding the questions that weighed on my mind. I found repetitive statements everywhere and I wanted to add information that I was curious about but could not find. So here goes:

THE VIDEO ITSELF
The Callanetics video itself is dated. 1986 I do believe is the original publishing date. There is no fancy stage production, no fancy clothes and extremely low key, soft, meditative music. I am not thrown off by this and as long as I enjoy something, it does not matter to me. I have always done Pilates and instead of giving me energy afterwards, I was usually so relaxed I would go straight to bed. I can tell that this video will do the same for me. I take time for myself and let myself relax... as this is also highly recommended by the instructor herself, Callan Pickney.

THE INSTRUCTOR
Callan Pickney is very patient, demonstrative and informative. She does not begin an exercise without thorough explanation and is constantly giving advice as to how to perform better or what exactly to avoid. Her voice is very soft and soothing. There are no harsh tones or words from her, only encouragement.

THE EXERCISES
The exercises are not hard, just a little time consuming. Concentration is a must as the most movement required from Callanetics is a little stretching and only an inch or less movement in every pose! Hard to believe, right? You will feel it. If you enjoy stretching and relaxing, this video is a MUST for your collection. I have done Pilates for years and the feeling I receive from Callanetics is so much more amazing. If you have had some kind of success with flexibility exercise (pilates, yoga, tai chi, etc) you will very much appreciate the flexibility you already possess!

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
Callan recommends following this video three times a week. (Day after day callenetic activity could tire your muscles..they need their rest to!) She claims you will have a tighter body at the end of ten hours of Callanetics (ten hours is following the video ten times). I did not see a difference after one hour (I have heard you will see it in two hours) but I could DEFINITELY feel it and I am anxiously awaiting the results.

MY SITUATION (if you really care)
I have never really had a weight problem, but during college I found a few extra pounds and (YIKES!) the beginning of cellulite. I can live without both--and would pay GOOD money to live without both! I watch my diet very carefully and do not exercise with heavy weights. I have always done Pilates, even before the craze hit and I had a nice little taut and toned body. Callanetics is often recommend instead of Pilates for a long and lean look.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Callanetics is for every age and every body type because when you begin you start at YOUR OWN PACE! Bend your knees if necessary, do ten if that is all you can do, stretch as far as you can without hurting yourself. Callan makes you feel really comfortable and not inadequate like other workout videos have a tendency to do. Do not push yourself and in the end you will be able to do more than you have ever expected out of yourself.

Good Luck! :)

After looking at all of the glowing reviews of the Callan Pickney products on Amazon.com (books and video), I decided that I would purchase the regular Callanetics video. I have been using it for 4 days now and while I have not noticed any inches lost, I have felt wonderful each time I do it ( People have told me that it takes 19 wokout hours to make a significant change in your figure). It gives one such a feeling of calm afterward -- much like a yoga workout.

But, I wanted to warn viewers who may think that because this tape is not aerobic in nature, that the movements are easy. Don't be deceived...you will feel sore after the workouts, esp. if you are new to this type of exercise. With that said, I recommend the tapes highly because the workout is effective and challenging. Both of these qualities will keep the viewer motivated and excited about the workout.

I have always hated any form of exercise apart from walking. I was also advised by a Chiropractor to try these exercises (albeit, 10 years ago!!). I have been doing them now for approximately 4 weeks and have already lost 4 cms on my bust (they firmed up), 4 cms on my waist, and 2 cms on my hips (they are always the last to firm up on me). I am so impressed with this programme I have recommended it to many other people. I have more energy for all sorts of things, feel happier about myself in general and have a better attitude about life. Thanks Callan for sharing your valuable skills with the World. My 4 year old son even enjoys watching and mimicing the exercises with me!!

Okay here's the numbers from January 3rd to February 3 2006.
January 3: Bust 35 Waist 28 Hips 38.5
Febraury 3: Bust 32 Waist 25.5 Hips 35
If you look that up in a clothing catalog I used Victorias secret
that means I went down from an 8/10 to a 2/4. I have actually gotten a juniors size 3 up and zipped.
I divded the workout into 2 days I did upper body and abs one day, lower body the next and continued to alternate. I walked 3 miles a day (Work and back) and watched total calories consumed.
A co-worker and I were talking the other day. We're both the same height (under 5.5) I outweigh her by a good 7 pounds (120's)
she's closer to an 8/10 and i'm not. The difference is the Callenetics. I've got a lot of videos I've tried and many have worked but as I get older, I don't want to work out with video after video. So it truly comes down to callanetics and walking. It's so simple after you learn the routine you don't even need the book or video so you can pass it on. It's no impact, designed for people with bad backs. Don't do it in front of small children though because you will cuss when your learning. On other thing try to resist the temption of jumping up and getting the tape measure because after every exercise you just know that you've lost inches. Oh If you can find a copy of the book, get it! Not only are the photographs an inspiration but also there's exercises included that are not in the video as well as a maintenance program that takes only 15 minutes a week.

I got the book and tape back in the late 1980s and for several years I used it regularly. Then, I put it aside and gave it up -- can't remember why but chalk it up to laziness. Recently I decided to get back into a fitness program and tighten up the flab. Impatient by nature and by preference, I don't like spending hours working out and sweating and having to wait months or weeks before seeing results. I decided to return to my Callanetics program -- which I know produces FAST visible results. I located my old book but not the video. I'm so glad to see Callan Pickney is still in business. Just ordered another couple of sets including Super Callanetics. Called "deep muscle" exercised, the movements are precise and difficult (kind of a combination of ballet and yoga positions with small delicate motions). They are quick to do and very quick to produce results. Highly recommended! END

Your first impression of this video will probably be that it looks out-of-date: the set, clothes, and even instructor Callan herself all scream 1980s. If you can get past that, however, you will find that this tape still offers a great workout for today's exercisers. Callan's method can be compared to traditional ballet barre work, Pilates, Lotte Berk, and even yoga, and in fact it borrows a little from each of these areas. The focus is on very small movements--often just 1-2 inches--combined with a high number of repetitions--sometimes up to 100.

Callan begins the workout with standing stretches, with the first one looking a little like yoga's sun salutations. Also included in this section area side stretches and an arm stretch that you will definitely feel in your triceps for days afterward. Next, Callan moves to the floor for several exercises for the "stomach"--what's now more commonly referred to as abs work. These exercises are very similar to Pilates, with the first and last in particular being almost exactly like "The Hundred," a traditional first Pilates exercise. Unlike in Pilates, however, Callan instructs her students NOT to pull in their stomachs, which goes against the emphasis in Pilates to keep a firm midsection. These exercises are also quite strenuous on the neck, but at the end of the tape, there is a note that the hands can be kept behind the head if needed to support the neck.

Following this, it's back to standing exercises using a ballet barre. A sturdy, high-backed chair can be substituted here (which is what I used), but Callan also shows how even a low piece of furniture would work. This series includes stretches for the legs and hips and then further standing work for the thighs and buttocks. Following this, Callan returns to the floor, and (still using the bar), does several additional moves for the hips and buttocks. The workout ends with several forward-bend type stretches as well as a few more strenuous moves for the pelvis.

Callan is a supportive teacher who is constantly instructing you to only do what you can without pushing your body too much. She gently corrects her students on the proper form while also offering motivating comments about their progress. This classic program offers a nice change from today's exercise videos; at the end of the workout, you will likely feel long, lithe, and very proud of yourself.

I'll admit that this tape has flaws, but the results from doing the exercises are so good that I'm still giving it five stars. I've been doing the workout for two months now, and I look better than I did at this weight when I was 15 years old running cross country! (I'm 33 now and have two children.) I was getting such good results after my first few workouts that I became addicted to the exercises. That had never happened to me before.

As has been mentioned already, this is not an aerobic workout. And yes, most exercises are repeated 100 times, but that's a fast 100. It's *so* worth it! Once you know the routine, the workout takes about 45 minutes if you do it without the tape.

Callan does contradict herself sometimes, but that seems to be because she was still evolving the exercises. If you have the Callanetics book, you'll notice that she modified some of the exercises for the tape. For example, on the stomach exercises the book says that when your knees are bent to hold your arms parallel to your legs. But on the tape she says to hold them parallel to the floor (the latter is more difficult). Even if you don't do everything the way she says, you'll still get great results if you do these things:

1-Relax the muscles that are not the specific ones performing an exercise (for example, don't tense your legs when you're exercising your stomach).

2-Tip your pelvis up (don't stick out your behind).

3-Make very, very small movements with each exercise.

Listen to Callan's comments on each exercise. It's hard to absorb all of them in the beginning, but don't worry about it. As you progress, you'll be able to improve the positioning of your body.

If you have a hard time the first day you do the workout, don't give up. I'd suggest committing to five workouts before dismissing the tape. After the first day I was so sore that I had to do the workout again the next day just to relieve my muscles. After the third workout I was feeling better after exercising instead of worse. Now I'm still a work in progress, but my leg and stomach muscles are becoming rock hard with absolutely no bulk. It's fantastic!

After my first year of college life, I was very distraught to find that I had gained quite a bit of weight, and I was getting very flabby. I've never been a thin person, but this really prompted me to take action. I tried numerous "fad" workouts. I borrowed books from the library and bought those expensive exercise tapes and poured over health magazines. Then a co-worker (who has lost 60+ pounds with this video) told me about Callanetics. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I bought it and began the "Callanetics experience." It was one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. Since May, I have lost 32 pounds, and went from a size 12 to 6. At 5'9" and 134 pounds, I finally have the body I always dreamed of but had previously thought was impossible to achieve. Thanks to this amazing workout, I have a new life-- more self-esteem and confidence than I've ever experienced, and a great body. I've suffered from acute back problems for a long time, too, and I feel so much more relaxed and flexible and free of tension as a result of doing this video three times a week. Obviously, this workout works unbelievably fast. The best part is, it's something that I won't get tired of and will keep me slim and feeling good for the rest of my life. Thank you Callan!!!!

I'm a 37 year old athlete and avid video fitness junkie- mother of three. After this year's long softball season ended, I looked for a video that would give my muscles a break from the weights,intervals and other conditioning routines I've used from my FIRM and Voight videos. I looked for an anaerobic workout which would allow my muscles (and aching knees!) to heal. I tried and hated Pilates. I switched from outdoor running to treadmill walking and started the Callanetics program. It's been just over 3 weeks and at 3X / week, I can't believe my body! Even though I'm at an appropriate weight, (BMI is 22.7), I always felt like when I reach my best in season condition, I have sausage-looking legs and lumpy muscles in my arms. I'm watching the change slowly happen. My bulky quad/thigh muscles are becoming smooth. My calf, hams, and glut muscles are starting to look so nice. I can't imagine that I'll ever get there, but the program promises a long, smooth dancer physique. It's looking promising! Those round muscles in my arms? They feel like they're actually stretching. These are the things I can warn you about: It's not a hard workout in that I'm not tired during or after the workout. You'll have to position yourself and repetitively move one body part isometrically (small 1/4 inch moves). You are warned not to move to the point of straining. I don't. I figure I have all winter to stretch these muscles out. HOWEVER, I feel more "all over", deep tissue sensation for DAYS after a workout. Much more that I do with many reps of light weights! It's not pain, but I feel it! Within a week, I was measurably more flexible as well. What a great feeling!
I do not hesitate to recommend this workout as part of a well rounded fitness program. It is impressive in its ability to provide safe sculpting, even for those of us in athletic rehab, so to speak. It should be alternated with a good 30 minute aerobic program.