Customer Reviews

Hilary Burnett's PILATES INTERMEDIATE [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If there is one thing that I have learned from Hilary Burnett's pilates videos, it is that pilates is a holistic, mindful and connective practice teaching us to understand and appreciate our bodies. Burnett stresses incorporating pilates into our daily routines in order to achieve balance and heathful living ... doing what millions of Americans neglect to do -- make our health and practice a priority.
As a former ballet student, I feel a strong connection with Burnett's instruction and my background in dance training. I find her teaching style informative, lively, and entertaing. In short, pilates jumpstarted my rear into gear and since using Burnett's videos, I have lost 20lbs, become a vegetarian, and am training for my first half-marathon. All because I am now a firm believer that if you make your health a priority you will succeed.
Burnett goes above and beyond most instructors in that she incorporates mindfulness into her video -- thus creating lifelong students to the beneficial practice of pilates. Her passion for pilates is clearly evident in her vivacious attitude and careful attention to detail.
TRUE pilates students who are committed to healthy, mindful living will immensely enjoy and appreciate the benefits of this video, and Burnetts stellar teaching technique. To everyone else (aka Pilatesfan) stick with your trendy Kathy Smith.

I just started doing pilates and I chose to order this video because so many people were raving about it. Well, I must say everybody who wrote reviews were very honest. This video is outstanding! I've done it twice and I'm able to notice a dramatic difference in how I carry myself (no more slouching). I feel extremely energized and charged after doing this. In comparison to other workouts... it just doesn't compare. This is a unique routine and it's a great transition from the aerobics and weights. I plan on ordering the Advanced video as soon as I master all of the Intermediate exercises.

I can add little to the warm words of the other reviewers; I just wanted to highlight that, not only is the video beautifully executed and effective, the exercises themselves are a joy to do. I actually enjoy exercising almost daily with this tape!

I am new to Pilates but Hilary does a great job of being a concise, easy to follow instructor in her video. Her instructions are short but easy to follow. This video isn't lengthy but it does a great job of working out your abs. I plan on keeping this video in my favorites pile. I look forward to doing this video because even though it is one of my shorter videos, I feel energized and refreshed afterwards.

This was my first Pilated video. I loved it! I'm a beginner, but I feel like I can use this video to work up to the intermediate level. She moves through the exercises quickly. . . I never get bored. This is a miracle! I can already feel the improvements in my body. I would definately recommend this video.

I am the owner of several Pilates videos (Jennifer Kries, Ana Caban, Moira Stott, Mari Windsor and others) and this one is by far my favorite! I love the length of the tape (just around 30 minutes) and that each movement flows into the next smoothly without a lot of 'chatter.' With that being said, it is not for a beginner because there is not a lot of instruction...just encouraging reminders. I love her imagery also ("imagine your waist as cold taffy", or "heavy in the tailbone") which helps me remember what I should be doing. The background music is soothing and not distracting at all. The set is beautiful. I will be purchasing more of her videos!

First of all, this is NOT a beginners workout unless you are a Pilates beginner with abs of steel! There are a number of moves that require waaay more ab strength than I have at this point, and I have been doing Pilates for a few months. That's good though because this is a tape that I can grow into. I do like her style and the pace is good, though I agree that it does seem a bit slow in spots. Overall though, this is a very nice workout, and I look forward to the day I can hold my legs 4" above the floor and then pull them back up to 90 degrees without a struggle!