Customer Reviews

Leslie Sansone - You Can Do Pilates

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this 60 Minute DVD, you will find a complete workout with additional instruction. The first section can be viewed without working out or you can follow along and try out the new exercises.

I was impressed with Leslie Sansone's professional approach to Pilates. I had just finished her 3-mile walk and was thinking about finishing my workout routine with a Pilates DVD. Fortunately, Leslie spends time explaining each exercise so I had a bit of time to cool down. However, once I started the actual workout, it was definitely filled with calorie burning exercises.

While she focuses on "just the basics" you really do get a great workout. You start with "the hundred" and progress to the roll-up, leg circles and simple leg stretch. The last exercise is the "plank" which could have flowed into some push-ups, but trying to hold your body in the plank position for even 10 seconds can be a good challenge depending on your fitness level.

If you are new to Pilates, this might be one of the best ways to get started besides the Winsor Pilates workouts. If you have been doing Pilates for a few years, this might work as a quick refresher course and the swimming exercise in this DVD is pretty powerful.

I actually think Leslie should make more workouts like this one because she really excels at the professional approach. A lot of her walk videos are on the extremely joyful side and to actually watch her teaching in such a serene style made me more aware of all the beauty she has to offer the world. I've lost 11 ¾ inches since starting her Walk Workouts and I can say that I had struggled to lose inches before starting her walking program. So, I'm very pleased she is branching out to new areas and hope she continues to make highly professional workouts and I hope she does a few more walk workouts because I need MORE!

To make this workout super efficient, try one of Leslie's walking workouts and you will find that you really do need that couch after all. :) I love it when I can complete two workout videos/DVDs and I can feel that I accomplished a great deal in under two hours. Thank you LESLIE!

~The Rebecca Review

I sit at a desk all day long every day. When I'm not at the desk, I'm on the couch. I CAN'T EXERCISE! I wasn't any good at PE and I hate aerobics. But I CAN DO Pilates with this DVD and it feels GREAT!

I couldn't "Peel myself off of the floor" the first few times... (I had to cheat) but by the 5th workout I was doing it w/o a problem. I couldn't always extend my leg fully (I cheated) but by the fifth workout I was doing it!

Don't give up. With a lil tiny bit of "hey I don't care if I cheat as long as I am trying" and a whole lot of "WOW THIS ACTUALLY FEELS GOOD" you'll be amazed at the results.

I am now ANXIOUS to excerise each and every day. I actually look forward to it. It's WEIRD!

I love her calm adult voice...not that squeaky beeboppy I'm a barbie on steriods hear-me-squeal junk. Leslie is enjoyable to work with from beginning to end.

From someone who would never recommend an excercise video...I must say...this is a must have!

I have been using the "You Can Do Pilates" video for two weeks now. I have tried mat pilates before and was not strong enough to do many of the movements, so I gave up. This video is very accessible and reasonably paced, but the moves definitely build strength. Leslie filmed three workouts; the first one short and instructional, and the next two increasing in difficulty and length. You start with the instructional, and move up to the others when you are strong enough. I already feel much stronger after doing Level 2 a few times, and would recommend the video to anyone who is curious about Pilates, unless they are already extremely fit (gymnast, etc).

If you are very strong and fit, including your abdominal and lower back muscles, you may prefer a more advanced video with another teacher, but if you are discouraged by its difficulty, try Sansone's You Can Do Pilates. I hope this DVD is available for years, because it's a great workout that works.

I am a fairly active person, but when I first tried this a few weeks ago, I couldn't stay "engaged" for ANY amount of time! Thought I had wasted my money!! I have several other Leslie videos, and I decided I'd give this one more try before sending it to the eBay pile. The second time, I found I could stay engaged longer. The moves weren't as challenging (read: nearly impossible to do!), and when I was done, I actually felt pretty good. Now I'm doing it three times weekly, as she recommends. It is still challenging~but in a good way~and in just that short amount of time, I can feel the strengthening in my core, and especially in my neck. I'm also noticing more definition in my legs. Don't give up if it seems too difficult at first. Even if you have to do the exercises lying down, instead of with "powerhouse engaged", you're still getting a good workout. Eventually, you'll get there. I always feel very refreshed and relaxed after this.

If you cannot do sit ups, if you do not have a strong core, or abdomen, if you have back problems, if you have not exercised recently or if you do not exercise weekly, please do not waste your money on this dvd. I recently bought this dvd and I could not do it. It was torturous, painful, impossible. All the exercises involve your core, your abdomen. It is like doing difficult sit ups for a half hour. I think that if you are out of shape, you should try to do the You Can Do Yoga Dvd and then, after you gain flexibility and strength, you can get the pilates dvd and try again. Maybe one day I will be able to do the pilates, but for now I will stick to the yoga dvd. I hope this helps. Otherwise, Leslie Sansone is great in this dvd, like she always is and I do recommend this dvd to people who have a strong core.

I've been looking for something to help me keep in shape in the midst of my busy schedule, and I recently tried this DVD as well as Leslie Sansone's "You can do yoga." Both are wonderful. I felt like the Yoga gave me a good stretch workout while this pilates DVD gave me a little more of an aerobic and muscular workout.

The DVD has 3 sections:

1. Moves and Techniques - approx 17 min - lays out the details on how to do the moves that she'll be using in the workout. These are the most common pilates moves.

2. The Mat workout - approx 17 min - goes through the whole workout; for such a short time span, you get a lot done!

3. The Mat Challenge - I still didn't get to this section yet because you need one of those stretchy resistance bands.

I love this workout! Leslie is informative and keeps a gentle, rythmic pace. Easy to follow, very basic workouts. She give you alternate positions for beginners but does remind you to challenge yourself as you feel stronger. I am recovering from a herniated disc and I have found this workout to be just the right combo of intensity, instruction, and results. If you can do basic yoga or are looking to add to your pilates collection, this video will be a waste of your time...you have probably covered everything Leslie teaches already. If you have never attempted Pilates before, this is perfect.

i am a big fan of leslie's "walk away the pounds" series like the other reviewers. i also have the jennifer kries "method" pilates video. i think that is a good video but i haven't done it consistently because the moves are too hard. leslie's dvd is something i believe i can do often. i can't do all of the moves yet but it feels more accessible somehow. when i get stronger i'll tackle jennifer kries again. somehow leslie just makes stuff accessible.

I have used Leslie's exercise instruction for years and consistantly come back to her when I fall off the exercise wagon. She is like an old friend. This dvd is no exception. Once again, she teaches you the moves you need and puts them together to create a great workout. I was shocked that I finished the first workout. I felt relaxed and taller! I am not yet ready to tackle the challenge, but I highly recommend this for anyone who has always wanted to try pilates, but was afraid to do so.

After seeing all the Pilates infomercials on TV I thought I'd give it a try. As I searched Amazon for a place to start I came across Leslie's DVD. I have one of her Walk Away the Pounds workouts and really enjoy it so I thought I'd give this one a try too.

I am thuroughly enjoying it. Leslie takes the time to explain the basic moves and the history behind Pilates in a great intro. After working along with the intro a couple of times I moved on to the Mat Workout. I had abdominal surgery about 4 months earlier and was concerned about the strain on the muscles and "engaging my core" but found that the alternatives allowed me to work through everything with minimal discomfort. Before long I was working right along with her and even trying some of the more challenging versions. I have not yet attempted the Mat Challenge because I do not have resistance bands but plan to purchase them soon.

I would recommend this workout for anyone that is looking to start (or restarting like I was)an exercise regime.