Customer Reviews

Element: Slim & Tone Pilates

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

 

 

This is a great DVD, especially for those that don't have a lot of time to exercise or just can't make themselves do a 50 minute work out. This DVD is a total of 38 minutes, the actual workout being slightly shorter. The moves can cause injury, so beginners should be careful. Don't be discouraged if you can't at first do the moves, working towards them still helps you to get the figure you want! I used Brooke Siler's "Pilates for Weight Loss: Beginners" over the summer and lost 8 pounds in a few weeks and didn't gain any weight until Thanksgiving, even though I hadn't done pilates since July. It makes you feel revitalized and boosts morale, making you happier and feel more worthwhile. This is how I keep my morale up during the college semester!

I prefer pilates routines that work the entire body. Many pilates routines don't seem to do much for the arms (beyond the occasional pilates plank). I think this routine effectively hits all the muscles, and definately devotes more than the average amount of time to the arms. Of course, being a Pilates routine, it focuses the most exercises on the core. Some sample moves are the One Hundred, leg circles, Pilates planks, Teasers, and a six step series of flowing arm movements. It doesn't say beginner in the title for a reason - I think it is more for those familiar with pilates already. The instructor tells you the names of the moves as she does them, but doesn't say much else. I appreciate this approach, so I can focus on form and breathing. I do this aproximately 35 minute routine on a regular basis, and feel it stretches me out.

The workout sequence was challenging and enjoyable, but her instruction isn't help or clear. She doesn't help you time breath or the how many reps. Her personality is a bit intense. I wouldn't recommend this to friends.

I consider myself at a medium level of fitness and I felt like a I got the bare minimum workout with a very modest sweat factor.

The instructor is non annoying but - as others have noted - I really could have used a consistent count throughout so I didn't have to keep trying to watch the tv the whole time for an even number of repetitions on each side.

The exercises without the "reformer" - I'm not that familiar with this equipment but - were pretty useless for me. The instructor notes on some moves that they can optionally be done with light weights but unless you are at the physical therapy level (in my mind meaning you can barely lift your arms or manage the range of motion and are trying to recover from something) no amount of tightening and resistance could make the move worthwhile without weights. That said, some of the moves are at rather awkward angles for serious weights so - again as noted by the instructor - we're talking small 2 lbs or something maximum.

So for all those times I started sweating because there were some tough moves, there were too many chunks of time that I found almost useless.

All in all, not a keeper for me.

SLIM & TONE PILATES packs in Pilates workouts set in a lovely location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Standard mat exercises and apparatus mat exercises, usually done in a Pilates studio on a reformer, enhance the routine and provide a Pilates approach without expensive equipment.

I've been doing the Element Pilates for Beginners for almost 2 years and decided to move up to this more advanced workout. It's a tougher workout in a shorter time, I do it 5x's a week, and after only 3 weeks, I'm already seeing and feeling the results. This dvd is not for beginners! I would perfect the Element Beginners DVD before moving onto this one, the moves are more advanced, and so is the way the instructor gives direction. You need to know what your doing to follow along.

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Perfect for a quick workout. I felt energized and refreshed after completing. LOVED IT.

Received item very quickly. Was very happy with purchase. Would do business again.