Customer Reviews

Kathy Smith - Pilates for the Lower Body [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've just received this video and tryed it out right away. It's a great work out for toning and strengthening the lower body! It effectively targets the inner and outer thigh area, hips and buttocks. I have other video tapes that work those areas but adding this one to the list of choices added a new dimension to my lower body workouts. These exercises work the muscles in a different way than my other programs. You feel the muscle being worked deep within as you focus on it and keeping your form. Kathy is so easy to follow that you don't spend your time trying to keep up with her so you can focus your attention on doing the exercise correctly. After the workout I felt relaxed and loosened up but I also felt some burn in the muscles during and immediately after the workout. I like to use Kathy's Pilates programs after one of her cardio workouts for a total workout. I highly recommend this one to anybody looking to tone those trouble spots!

In this video, Kathy Smith offers a very good Pilates workout which specifically targets the lower body. She begins with a 6-minute instructional section which addresses fundamentals of Pilates. In this section, Kathy provides excellent descriptions of basic Pilates concepts such as breathing techniques; the c-curve, pelvic scoop, and neutral spine alignments; engaging the hamstrings; and the Pilates powerhouse. This is a great introduction if you have never done Pilates before, but once you are familiar with Pilates principles, you can skip over this section.

The actual workout consists of 25 minutes of Pilates mat work. Kathy begins with classic Pilates exercises such as the hundred, leg circles, and shoulder bridge; her assistant, Lija, shows modifications for each exercise. After doing several moves lying on her back, Kathy flips over to lie on her stomach for some work more targeted on the hamstrings and glutes (for the exercises done while on the stomach, Kathy's instructors are dubbed in via voiceover, which is a little odd given that she uses live instruction for most of the workout). The final section of this workout is performed while lying on your side for the Pilates side kick series. Kathy leads a particularly tough sequence of moves in this series, and you will really feel the work in your outer thigh and hip areas especially. The workout ends with a seated mermaid exercise to provide a nice stretch. If you enjoy Pilates and would like to specifically focus on your legs, hips, and behind, this video would be an excellent choice.

Of course, Kathy looks amazing!!! Kathy provides an excellent breathing guidance though out the workout. Also the name of each pose is written out so you'll get familiar with common terminology. Initially, Kathy shows the beginners variations and then does the more advanced version herself. On the other hand, her assistant shows the advanced variation the entire time. This is great because the workout could be adapted for any level of flexibility.
In terms of intensity of the workout, one really feels how the leg muscles get involved. I was happy to see some new Pilates exercises that have not been provided in other Pilates workouts (I've seen Denis Austin's and Jennifer Kries'). It's about 30 min and your legs muscles would feel really stretched. One has to be aware of the core muscles as well, so one gets to work the abs at the same time.

One has to be aware of hers/his posture while doing the exercises otherwise one might not get the real benefits. Kathy says in the DVD that "if it feels easy, then you are doing something wrong". If you do them carefully, you'll feel your muscles working.

It is a great workout for lower body and I could see how it helps elongate the muscles. In the future I would probably combine it with another lower body segment and do the Pilates one at the end to stretched the muscles and relax them as well.

I really liked the workout and I am happy I got it. One definitely needs something that focuses on working, relaxing and lengthening the muscles at the same time. That will prevent you from bulking up.

You'll feel you leg muscles getting leaner and longer! Great Pilates workout! Excellent guidance by Kathy Smith!

Kathy Smith does an excellent job of instruction on this video and others I have seen. It has all the Pilates exercises I need to keep my lower body and abs firm. Kathy is easy to listen to in her friendly, outgoing way, and explains each exercise clearly. I have other lower body pilates tapes, but this is the one I keep coming back to when I want a good workout with results! Thanks to Kathy for a quality workout video!

Kathy Smith challenges you with a Pilates workout for the Lower Body. This targeted, isometric workout will build core strength and stability, while challenging you to think and breathe.

Some of the exercises are similar to the Pilates for Abs workout. For example, Kathy starts out with the Pilates Hundred and for a final stretch, she uses the mermaid. Some of the exercises are modifications from the Pilates for Abs video, for example Kathy does the shoulder bridge, but adds a kick. There are even a few exercises that I have not seen in any Pilates workout on the market today. That originality really brings something extra to this workout.

The DVD includes a 6-minute warm-up, and a 25-minute workout. This workout runs about 5 minutes longer than the Pilates for Abs workout. It is challenging, and will make substantial gains in your lower body in terms of strength and flexibility. An essential component of a well-rounded fitness regime.

This is the first pilates video I have bought and I love it. It's only 30 minutes and it's perfect if you don't have a lot of time to exercise. The instruction is great and even after a few workouts I'm already starting to notice a difference. I do think it's for beginners so I can see myself needing a more advanced workout eventually. But a great workout overall.

This is an excellent beginning Pilates video. Kathy uses common metaphors to help you relate to the various muscles and poses. She also constantly reminds you of the proper breathing cycle, which is very important in Pilates. It is easy to follow and understand, but you really feel the muscles being worked.

Of course, Kathy looks amazing!!! Kathy provides an excellent breathing guidance though out the workout. Also the name of each pose is written out so you'll get familiar with common terminology. Initially, Kathy shows the beginners variations and then does the more advanced version herself. On the other hand, her assistant shows the advanced variation the entire time. This is great because the workout could be adapted for any level of flexibility.
In terms of intensity of the workout, one really feels how the leg muscles get involved. I was happy to see some new Pilates exercises that have not been provided in other Pilates workouts (I've seen Denis Austin's and Jennifer Kries'). It's about 30 min and your legs muscles would feel really stretched. One has to be aware of the core muscles as well, so one gets to work the abs at the same time.

One has to be aware of hers/his posture while doing the exercises otherwise one might not get the real benefits. Kathy says in the DVD that "if it feels easy, then you are doing something wrong". If you do them carefully, you'll feel your muscles working.

It is a great workout for lower body and I could see how it helps elongate the muscles.

I really liked the workout and I am happy I got it. One definitely needs something that focuses on working, relaxing and lengthening the muscles at the same time. That will prevent you from bulking up.

i bought this tape the other day, and i have already done it twice.
I look forward to doing this tape because it's not too long (25mins) and it actually works on the areas where i need it.
The tape consists of 5-6 mins of Kathy explaining what the powerhouse is and how it should feel, then moves on to the work out with the "100" and some other pilates abs sets.
Then moves on the the thighs, inner first and then the outter thighs.
This tape is short but sweet, it hurts after you do it and Kathy only does 4 to 8 reps per set, which is good because they are slow and sometimes painful.
I definitely recommend this tape, it is mostly for the thighs, there are barely any butt exercises that she focuses on.
Highly enjoyable.

I've been practicing Pilates for years and I've heard about this tape. In general, I'm not a fan of Pilates "parts" workouts because I think it's antithetical to the Pilates philosophy, which is that every movement in the system should work the entire body in some way. However, I've heard many people rave about this tape, and since I hurt my ankle recently and am looking for "floorwork", I gave it a try.

Smith does a good job of breaking down a lot of the Pilates principles in the six minute introduction, including the breathing, alignment and what she calls "bikini [...]" (moving sitz bones towards each other and lifting them up). That part moves slowly, but that's appropriate for that portion. Unfortunately, the rest of the workout did not move anymore quickly. That's another pet peeve of mine- I use Pilates as my "go to" workout when I need a quick, total body toner.

I can't complain about the exercises she chose: the Hundred, The Roll Up, Single Leg Circles, Double Leg Kick, Shoulder Bridge, Knee Squeezes and many variations on the Side Series, including Front/Back, Ronde De Jambe, Leg Circles, Up/Down, Inner Thigh Lifts, Double Leg Lifts and Passe. She transitions between sides with Grasshopper/Heel Beats and then finishes off with Swimming and a Mermaid Stretch.

Although there were a number of exercises included, the slow pace left me feeling afterward like I hadn't really "worked out". Again, I think this would be a good addition for someone who wanted to start Pilates, but people beyond the high beginner level probably won't find this challenging enough.