Product Details

• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Ventura Distribution
• VHS Release Date: April 9, 2002
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005K22X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,293 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funky New Moves, April 23, 2002

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Karen Voight - Pilates - Core Essentials [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Karen really pours her creative energy into this workout. She teaches from a blue full moon type platform with a background of purple that is actually quite relaxing. In her red outfit, the scene becomes rather interesting. I also liked the camera angles in this one. There is plenty of movement and you are never bored.

While you will recognize some of her signature moves, she has also incorporated some new variation. To optimize the results, she believes variety is key. She puts new twists on classic exercises. She has refined all the exercises so you don't waste energy. She has a way of focusing on fewer reps, but you get so much out of each lunge, squat, pushup and ab crunch.

Basically, you are using your own body weight in combination with light resistance. You will also focus on the essential muscles of your arms and legs. Karen has fused the teachings of Joseph Pilates, yoga and ballet with her own body-sculpting techniques.

You will need a pair of Green Genie balls, a set of 5lb. Hand weights, a yoga mat and a towel. One great feature is you don't need a ton of room to do the moves in this video. You can't really substitute a set of 3lb. hand weights for the Genie balls, just so you know. Once you order the video, there is a pamphlet that tells you were you can order the essential tools you need for her videos.

The workout starts with some simple standing stretches and moves into a warming sequence of lunges. If some of the choreography gets a bit much, just be patient. By the third or fourth time you use this tape you will have it down. The first part is the most intense and involves lots of bending at the knee. Gets your heart rate up. Compared to most workout videos, it is really such a short segment.

The workout then moves to "Legs and Butt", focusing on a floor routine, which is quite creative and inspiring. Karen makes sure she tells you what to watch for and gives pointers throughout so you keep concentrating on each exercise.

The "Arms, Back and Torso" segment includes pushups that are combined with yoga moves and I found them quite enjoyable for a change. Then you move into the Abdominal section, which is also a floor routine.

Finally, you "Cool Down" and stretch out. This segment could have been longer. I always want more "stretching!"

40 minutes seems more like 20 for some reason. It is just plain fun and the music keeps you motivated!

~The Rebecca REview

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this video!!!, January 16, 2002

By 

N. Travers (Olmsted Falls, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Karen Voight - Pilates - Core Essentials [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have a TON of exercise videos, quite a few of Karen Voight's, and I have to tell you this one is my new favorite. I did this workout after doing 25 minutes of cardio from Karen's Strong and Smooth Moves video and it worked out wonderfully. Some of the moves (like for your butt) are pretty intense and others are a little lighter but you still feel them working. It was a wonderful mix! I felt so good when I finished this video! Karen does a standing warm-up in which she works your legs, then she proceeds to floorwork which is along the lines of Pilates. She uses the "green genie" balls (soft 3lb. weighted balls) or 5 lb. dumbbells for some exercises. (I just bought my 3lb. balls at Wal-mart--they were much cheaper there and they are great to work with instead of the dumbbells!--definitely worth the investment if you like Karen, she uses them in many of her other videos) The ab work was not overly intense but a nice change from endless crunches. If you focus, you can get an intense burn going. I definitely felt the butt and thigh work. All in all, I have to say, this is a great workout. I saw it had a bad review but I think if you are having difficulty getting some of the moves, all it would take would be watching or doing the video a few times. They are really not that complex. I absolutely recommend this video to all fitness levels!!

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible sound and moves, July 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Karen Voight - Pilates - Core Essentials [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I hated this video. First off, it sounds like she's in a warehouse doing an extremely amateur video. The sound is so muffled. Secondly, she moves and begins exercises so quickly that even when I got to know the moves I always found myself scrambling. Some of the exercises have so many moves attached it's hard to follow along as well. I am young and workout 4-5 times a week and I couldn't catch up. By the time I got into position, she was on the third or fourth rep. I didn't find the ab workout to be of any help at all. I found myself doing my own exercises while she did hers. I have alot of home workout videos, and I really found this one to be disappointing.