Customer Reviews

Katrina Fitness presents Ease Into Pilates

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think this dvd delivers what it promises: easing into pilates. I'm new at this, and I've always found other pilates programs I'd watch on youtube to be difficult, confusing and I couldn't keep up with them. When I watched a scene from that one, I thought this might be exactly what I needed, so I went ahead and bought it and I wasn't disappointed at all. :)

Overall:

1. I liked her. She's very sweet, smiling all the time, with a pleasant voice.
2. The exercises are demonstrated in a clear and comprehensive manner.
3. The music is not annoying. The second time I watched it, it was quite easy for me to completely ignore it.
4. I like that it's divided in relatively brief sections. That way you can choose to skip sth, and you can break down the one major goal of completing the program to 4 minor steps/goals, otherwise it would seem more likely for me to always be putting it off.
5. It really improved my posture right from the first time.
6. It's very good exercise that can be followed on a daily basis, without it being very tiring.
7. Seems likes it features all the essential exercises you really need without loading you with the (imho) fancy, exaggerating ones. But, being a beginner, I honestly can't tell if someone more advanced would like this.
8. All you need is a floor, some space and a mat. Nothing else.

I have had chronic pain for years, am almost 50 and was very athletic in my youth. It was during a Jazzercise class years ago when I realized I couldn't do that type exercise anymore. I've tried many different things over the years to help with the pain, but that wouldn't make it worse. I found this DVD in the library and tried it. I loved it so much I bought it immediately. After I do the 1/2 hour routine I feel more relaxed, I am not in more pain, and I believe I am getting stronger, especially in my stomach which hurt very nicely after the first couple of workouts. You women know what I mean! I can do it without looking at the screen as Katrina walks you through. Her voice is very soothing, the music is perfect and she constantly reminds me to relax my shoulders and to breath. I can easily fit a 1/2 hour into my day that is just special for me. When I feel better, what I do for others is much more fun.

fantastic, been doing them on Youtube and the program is great for beginners. Highly reccomended.
Katrina introduces the program very well, in a very calming and helpful manner to an exercise that is hard.

I checked this DVD out from the library after reading the other reviews here, and now plan on buying it. The exercises are easy to do and effective. At first I was skeptical it would stregthen anything, but after doing a few of the exercise segments I was sore and found some muscles I did not know about it.

The progam has 5 segments: A general introduction, Warm up, Strengthening, ABS/Back, and Flexiblity/Cool Down. Each segment lasts about 7-9 minutes. Katrina is a low-key instructor and does a great job of presenting the exercises with 2 other women. One of the other women does the exercises modified for those just starting out or with less flexibility. Some common yoga positions (Downward Dog, Cobra, and Cat) are incorporated into the exercise routines.


The segments can be played seperately or together, which is great. If you have a 1/2 hour to spare you can do them all the way through. If you only have 10 minutes a good work out can be done with the Strengthening or ABS/Back segments. The exercises are not invigorating which makes it a pleasant way to start or end a stressful day.

Being over 50 & recovering from a serious muscle disease, I wanted something very elementary so I wouldn't hurt myself yet with room for growth. When I start to feel "bogged down" in the afternoon, these are the strengthening and stretching exercises I turn to with its very soothing, relaxing background music. If a mom stayed awake during her kids' naptime, this would be a great tape to do then! Low impact, gentle and quiet, but definitely works many muscle groups. Contrary to other vendor's tapes, Katrina talks you through the entire process--you don't have to watch to figure out what she's doing and neither do you have to remember what to do next, or what you might have forgotten--she gently reminds you. My eyes are usually closed--and I concentrate on just the muscles she tells you.Only 30+ minutes long. I feel very relaxed yet invigorated when I'm done. I've checked this DVD out of the Public Library so many times, its time to buy my own.

Ease Into Pilates is a step-by-step, 34-minute, full color, DVD introduction to a physical fitness program that emphasizes using multiple muscles simultaneously, and which was first introduced in the early 1900s by Joseph H. Pilates. Now popular for its health, flexibility, and workout benefits, Pilates is accessible to all ages and fitness levels. Katrina Fitness (aka Katrina Stachowski), AFAA certified fitness instructor of twelve years, takes the viewer on a guided tour through basic Pilates workouts and techniques, including segments devoted to warm-up, strength, abs/back, and relaxation/cool down. Each segment is approximately 10 minutes in length and can be done separately or combined all together to easily accommodate individual needs. Nothing more than a thin Pilates or Yoga mat is needed to take full advantage of Ease Into Pilates.