Customer Reviews

Exhale: Core Fusion - Pilates Plus

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The creators of this DVD- and the Core Fusion program at Exhale Spa- were instructors for the Lotte Berk Method years ago. As such, there program has the same elements- ballet exercises (they demonstrate with a chair instead of a barre), yoga, Pilates and orthopedic exercises. This release emphasizes more yoga (lots of planks and stretches) and their take on Pilates principles (they fall into the "tuck" school vs. the neutral spine). Based on the clips of the companion Body Sculpt release, it looks as if that one emphasizes more of the ballet work.

Others have criticized the amount of stretches in this and other Lotte Berk Method derivatives, but I think that's one of the method's strengths (no pun intended). I like that they integrate the stretches into the sets so they are difficult to skip- people don't stretch enough, particularly through their hips- but I'd prefer that they both waited a breath or two longer before the stretches began and held them for a longer period of time.

This release contains no weights- "just" body resistance. They more than make up for that with a long plank sequence and their variant on Knee Dancing (who knew that could work your obliques so well?). The star of the release is probably going to be Pure Core segment. While they include some classics like the Roll Up and some crunch variants (my least favorite ever), it's their take on the flat back work that might leave you breathless. First they start with a rounded back in a seated position then move the legs together, bent, straight, on the ground, and lifted, with variations of all. Then they do the same against a wall. This tough, and you'll feel your abs as well as your upper body and quads.

I thought this was a challenging practice, but maybe a little too much. Although the creators take turns showing modifications- he shows the ones demanding more strength, and she shows the ones showing more flexibility- much of what they show would still be too much for a lot of people. Maybe they should have added a third modifier as the Lotte Berk releases did so everyone would feel like they could participate.

This is very challenging, and many people who already like barre workouts will enjoy the abdominal section.

I hurt my back, was unable to fold forward, or sit. When given the go ahead by my doctor to move again, I found the Core Fusion Pilates DVD, and the Core Fusion Body Sculpt DVD, to be the only workouts that I could do without increasing my injury. In fact, it helped do the exact opposite and helped HEAL my back. After 6 weeks, I went from having a severe condition to being clean and clear. I did not take any drugs. I went to the chiropractor regularly, iced my injury, and did Core Fusion, and I feel better than ever!!! Not to mention I lost inches from my waist and hips, and am the strongest, leanest, and most flexible I have ever been! This dvd is AWESOME and empowering!

Exhale: Core Fusion Pilates Plus

I absolutely love this program. I am a Pilates lover and although this is not a typical Pilates routine - the practice is based on Pilates principles - it's great to throw in, tone and sculpt, and mix things up. The instructors are easy to follow and explain each move thoroughly. It's no wonder this spa is so popular with the stars - I can feel a burn instantly. I highly recommend this program for any Pilates lover looking to mix up their practice and try something new.

I was surprised at how much I've enjoyed this video. I do 1-2 segments weekly tacked onto other exercise, so it's really easy to fit into my routine and I've found these to be quite intense bursts. I'm sure the whole video done at once would feel energizing from head to toe.

I've been doing pilates for 10 years and no longer have time to attend classes. I'm sure the Exhale classes are great in person, but I don't have much time or the $35 per class to go to them! I've done a few barre videos in my day, many are forgettable. I just can't get into Callanetics or Lotte Berk, the videos I've done for them I've dubbed "body-perfecting barre-torture DVDs" full of weird thrusting and repetition. Not so with this DVD!

The instruction is in clear voice over. The instructors, who I found out are married but the chemistry is very low-key, are attractive without being intimidating and they even keep their abs covered so I'm not sad I'll never look like that and can focus on the strengthening benefits I'm getting. Most importantly, they have very grounding voices and guidance.

The segments are divided by what part of the body is being worked. The one focused on pure core was brutal in a good way, and I found the glutes one remarkable as I felt muscles I didn't know I had working. The moves seem to have a deep impact! They balance each section with a walking-in-place warmup and a stretch, and the final stretch is very relaxing.

This is, bottom-line, user-friendly. This relaxed approach is not passive, there's intensity. Overall, it's very balanced.

This is a great workout DVD!!! I have the Body Sculpt workout, and I love, love that one! So I decided to buy this one to give myself a mix up so my body wouldn't get so use to doing the first DVD all the time. It really does target your core. The first time I did it, it was a lot more challenging than the Body Scuplt DVD. It didn't look like it was going to be when you first watch, but it is. By the next morning my abs were really sore--but that is with any new workout, but overtime it becomes easier. So far I lost an average of 3 inches off my hips & thighs, and every where else I lost an average of 1 - 2 inches. I look a lot leaner than I did 2 months ago, this workout is great! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS!!!

I ordered this DVD along with the other Exhale fitness DVD (Body Sculpt) when they were on sale, and I love them both. I'm really disappointed that there are only two so far. I have been doing Pilates for 18 months now and I thought that this one wouldn't be -too- challenging...but I worked my muscles to exhaustion. There are five or six 10-minute sets; I do the video all the way through, but I still really like that setup, because just as I hit the point where I can't work a muscle group any more, they move into exercises aimed at stretching and flexibility in that muscle group before they move on. Also, these exercises can easily be done in a relatively small space--this is a completely apartment-friendly routine.

This is a great DVD for a few reasons:
It is broken up into 10 minute segments, targeting different body parts, so you can do as much or as little as you please.
Each 10 minute segment gives a great workout for that body part.
It can be modified easily if you're just starting out. It's also great if you're sick of doing crunches and squats. The thigh exercises are lengthening and work your smallest muscles for toning and shaping.
The "pure core" section is my favorite, and I have a very weak core. I made it through feeling challenged (resting a couple times) but not overwhelmed. Also, after a few sessions, I walked around with a very different, pulled-in feeling deep in my abs and back. I see a noticeable difference when I am running too and catch my profile in reflection. It's so much flatter and pulled in, like it should be! I was impressed. I hate ab work in general but don't mind this at all!!
Also, each Core Fusion DVD comes with a pass for a free class. I got two of them, so now I can take the actual class in the studio, which is a nice little bonus.

After doing about 20 min of this workout I realized that I need to first master the Core Fusion Body Sculpt cd. This cd is for the more advanced, but Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp explain every move in great detail making it very easy to follow! There's no doubt that anyone who continue's to use this cd will see results right away.

Due to knee problems, I have not tried the thighs and glutes routine, but I have really enjoyed the routines I have used:

Upper Body Core: This is a series of plank variations (forearm, full, pushup) and tricep dips followed by stretching. About half of it is stretching, but I didn't have a problem with that.

Flat Back/Rounded Back: I had initially not used this routine, but was intrigued when I had seen comments on another site about how difficult this routine is to do correctly (e.g. feeling it more in the lower back or hip flexor instead of isolating the lower abs). So, I had to try it. I'm not sure if I would have done the routine correctly when I first started to use the DVD, but I really like this now. It is a great workout for the lower abs!! If your abs are not very strong yet, you may wish to skip the portions where your back is flat against the wall, and work into it.

Pure Core: I LOVE this segment. I was doing my own ab routines and was very bored with them. So, I've added this routine in three days a week. It is a lot more intense than basic crunches and I have noticed that my abs have tightened and become a lot stronger. I have posterior innominate rotation on my left and have found that this routine combined with other exercises I do has really helped stablize my Core. I also really like the challenge this segment provides - as you become more advanced you can rely less on keeping your hands on your thighs for support. This is my favorite segment.

Stretch Core: I also really, really like this segment. The stretch segment focuses mostly on the lower back, with some stretching of the hamstring and inner thigh. I have a combination of lower back and hip problems, and have found this stretching routine to be very helpful. This does not replace my basic lower body stretching routine that I do each day as it doesn't target everything, but if you have lower back problems I think this could be very helpful. I have been doing this stretch routine 3-4 days a week.

Update for Thighs & Glutes: I waited several weeks after getting out of PT for my knee and began to use the barre style thigh routines. They have helped my knee a lot. I was worried about them at first, but making sure I follow their instructions on form it has helped with my quadriceps and inner thighs.

I work out for an hour everyday and have done many different videos including pilates and yoga. This is the hardest one I have ever done. A lot of the moves are different from anything I have done before. Elisabeth says at one point "enjoy your new-found thigh and glute muscles." I feel like the moves really did access new muscles in my body. The sets are really long, but they are followed by long stretches. I have to take little breaks sometimes, but am trying to build up my strength and can't wait to be able to do all of the sets entirely.