Product Details

• Actors: n, a
• Directors: Andrea Ambandos
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Cerebellum Corporation
• DVD Release Date: May 6, 2008
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0014FAIMK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,030 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

This easy-to-follow set of exercises will introduce you to the basic movements of the Lotte Berk Method. You will enjoy warm-up exercises and stretches followed by concentrated exercises to work the thighs abdominals and seat. Step-by-step instructions for proper form and body alignment will help you get the most from the exercises. You will feel new strength increased flexibility and more graceful after your first Lotte Berk Method workout!Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS/EXERCISE UPC: 743452362127 Manufacturer No: GH3621

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basic Essentials, October 12, 2003

By 

"vitality05" (North Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lotte Berk Method For Beginners - Basic Essentials (DVD)

I gave this DVD 5 stars, because it is a great introduction to the Lotte Berk Method. It begins with the usual 9-minute warm-up...Knee-lifts, shoulder rolls with pelvic tuck, upper body strengthening, and stretching...The first part of the workout focuses on the lower body using isometric exercises at the barre (A sturdy piece of furniture works just fine.) and then on the floor. The second part of the workout focuses on the abs using focused floor work...The cool down of the workout is "Shape By Stretching" where you stretch the worked parts of your body for elongated and shapely muscles. This workout is appoximately 30 Minutes long.

I have the entire set of Lotte Berk on DVD. This is the "easiest" workout, but definitely the best introduction to Lotte Berk Method. The DVD comes with a special Blast workout...approximately 9 minutes long, and a definite intensity boost. The fact that this is a solid workout, great introduction, and has an increased intensity bonus workout makes me give this workout 5 stars. Plus the fact that this method is amazingly effective. I've seen the results! I truly hope you'll invest in this series. It shouldn't be missed!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, the instructor will make you roll your eyes but the workout is awesome!!, July 12, 2005

By 

TBM Devotee (Lovely East Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lotte Berk Method For Beginners - Basic Essentials (DVD)

First, the instructor: (insert eyerolls ad infinitum) When you read reviews of Lotte Berk Method instructors being condescending and patronzing, this is the chick they're all complaining about. I'm telling you now, you are going to want to lunge through your screen and beat her senseless.

If you buy this or the set and you already know the basics, do yourself a favor and do this workout to just the music, otherwise you will have a headache. I think she means no harm and isn't aware of her patronizing 'tude but one more mental patient tone in which she asks, "Now where are you feeling that? In your thighs? Good! That's where you should be feeling it." or "Now where are your feet positioned? Look down, check!" "Can you lift your arms?" "Can you bring your leg up?" "Can you feel that?"

(What I forgot to mention in the other reviews is another option for support is using the wall. Barbara, the most advanced person, uses the wall for support during two DVDs and the instructions for using the wall would seem obvious but aren't. Your forehead must remain against the wall and your arms pressed against the wall at the height of your head so if you're a beginner, don't use the wall, lol.)

The barre work isn't so challenging here but this is a basic DVD so those exercises aren't prolonged, just a few for a good intro. The ab work, however, is another story. A few new ab moves that are really challenging and the Knee Dancing is not as fun as the knee dancing in Muscle Eats Fat but it does work your thighs.

You also won't escape push-ups and those killer reverse push-ups, either.

This instructor was really, truly annoying and during some segments, she started snapping her fingers and ... she was so offbeat. (more eyerolling) BUT believe it or not she DOES grow on you and the music is really cool in this DVD. But for first time users, I had to give that caveat. It's only fair. LOL!

I can't give the work-out a thumbs down because once again, the instructions for the set-up are fantastic (if she'd only be quiet once the set-up was completed), the previews of the exercises before you do them are wonderful and the music (as in all of the DVDs) is relaxing and motivating at the same time. The exercises in Basic Essentials are what you already know with a trick or two thrown in for good measure.

It's an excellent intro for anyone who hasn't done TBM or the other Lotte Berk DVDs. It won't scare you off. If you start with the others in the series, you may give up so start with this one or The Bar Method.

The instructor here is good at what she does and friendly overall but her style and technique are annoying. You're really going to want to pinch her. So she gets a D. (more eyerolling)

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you should see me now!, February 22, 2005

By 

Naintcy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lotte Berk Method For Beginners - Basic Essentials (DVD)

After using the tapes only twice a week for a little over 2 months, people at work started asking me what I was doing differently to lose weight so fast. I had to tell them it was Lotte Berk's tapes. I'd only lost 6 pounds but was down a full pant size. The instructors can seem annoying, but not nearly as bad as some other exercise tapes I've tried over the years.
The tapes are about 25 minutes each. I like the fact that the instructor reminds you to maintain your form. Each muscle used is then stretched, helping almost eliminate soreness the next day. To get results, in under 1/2 hour of working out, is my idea of a wonderful workout.