Product Details

• Actors: Phil McCoy
• Format: NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: November 17, 2001
• Run Time: 32 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005S837
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,208 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best intermediate Pilates tape I've used!, August 30, 2002

By 

"lannettem" (NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hilary Burnett's PILATES INTERMEDIATE [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Hilary Burnett is the first Pilates instructor who is able to catch the essence of Pilates on video.

She does this by keeping the dance of movements going instead of stopping and starting the workout which turns the Pilates *dance* into nothing more than a series of unrelated movements.

Despite the fluidity of movement she gives excellent instruction and modifications through the use of superb imagery. The calm unobtrusive atmosphere of the set, soft background music, on target imagery and the way she delivers it along with her wonderful sense of timing all work together to help give the student a sense of the essence of Pilates. I've not seen all of those elements come together in one tape so perfectly before.

Pilates is very much a mind/body discipline rather than simply exercise as so many other recent tapes present it. Hilary captures this so well.

One additional note: I've also used her beginner, advanced and Zen Stretch videos as well and am also impressed with the way she progresses her workouts. There is a distinct increase in the the number as well as difficulty of the poses in each video and as they move up the difficulty ladder there is less and less time between poses.

Once you reach the advanced level you literally move, one position melting into the next from start to finish. With Zen stretch you raise it yet another level to combine staccato moves with postural holds and flowing movements.

I'm a clinical exercise specialist and lecture on fitness and when asked to suggest a Pilates video series these are the videos I suggest.

Another reviewer mentioned having purchased these workouts as DVDs. I wanted to note that as far as I know they are not available yet in the DVD format.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Effective and Fantastic, December 5, 2001

By 

Melanie Workhoven (Canyon Park, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hilary Burnett's PILATES INTERMEDIATE [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Hilary's style of teaching is a combination of elegant flow and detailed instruction. The intermediate workout clips along at a perfect pace enabling you to get a deep, satisfying workout in only 35 minutes. The video is beautiful to look at. Filmed at the Bastyr chapel, it has a peaceful yet empowering atmosphere. The workout is easy to follow and is both challenging and rewarding leaving you relaxed and energized. You don't burn out with these workouts. With Hilary's expressive style and perfect body cues, you learn to increase your power and ability, finding new grace and body awareness each time you do the mat work. This tape is perfect for today's time challenges. The Pilates' "less is more" exercise approach really does work and success feels fabulous.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first Pilates video I have ever liked !, September 4, 2003

By 

"lsp1va" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hilary Burnett's PILATES INTERMEDIATE [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a great 30 minute advanced beginner/intermediate pilates workout that uses many different exercises to tone your abdominals, back, hips and thighs, and to strengthen your core. I have tried a few other pilates videos (The Method and Stott Intermediate), but I found them dry, and just could not get into them. This has been the first pilates video that I really enjoy. I have a short attention span when it comes to slower paced exercises like pilates, but this video never gave me a chance to get bored. Hilary does a lot of different exercises, and quickly switches from one to the other. The time seems to fly by. The setting (lots of pillows and candles) and the instrumental music is very relaxing. Hilary gives great instruction and form pointers for pilates beginners. She is also very encouraging and shows some modifications for beginners. Hilary starts the workout by explaining how you should breathe and contract your abdominals during the workout. Then she shows you the "Pilates V" position that you will use in the workout. The workout begins with abdominal exercises like the abdominal curl, the hundred, the rollup, leg cirles, double leg stretch, scissors, twists. It also contains some great stretches like the spine stretch, the saw, and the swan. This workout also contains exercises like leg kicks, side kicks, and swimming to help tone and strengthen your thighs, hips and back. It also has some more advanced exercises like teasers, the jackknife, and the leg lower lift. This video could have easily been made into an advanced workout if each of the exercises were done for a longer period of time. Instead, I felt that it was exactly what it was meant to be, an intermediate (or even advanced beginner) workout. I don't think this workout was meant to concentrate on one area (abs, hips, thighs), instead, I think that it is meant to help build core strength, and to tone the abdominals, hips, thighs, back, and I feel that it did accomplish that goal. As a bonus, it also leaves me feeling relaxed and stretched out when I am finished.