Customer Reviews

MTV Pilates

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

MTV Pilates is a strenuous Pilates practice led by certified Pilates instructor Kristen McGee. It is filmed in an attractive outdoor setting, and Kristen works out with three helpers who show different levels of modification (beginning, intermediate, and advanced). Once you get past the opening instructions, the actual workout is approximately 36 minutes.

At the start of the program, Kristen provides instruction on breathing while doing simple prep work for the abs area. She then moves on to a series of classic Pilates matwork exercises, including the hundred, roll-ups, rolling like a ball, and the entire stomach series. Kristen puts a unique take on the traditional Pilates workout by inserting some additional stretches before and after most of the movements. She also includes some of the more advanced Pilates moves such as the rollover and neck pull, although she generally does less repetitions of these more difficult exercises.

Kristen completes all of the abs work (i.e., lying on your back) before moving on to the side kick series. She includes a side plank to begin and also adds a walking leg movement to the end of the series. She transitions with several more exercises specifically targeting the lower body as well as some back work performed lying on your stomach. Kristen then returns to some further abs work with a modified teaser, spine stretch forward, and the saw, and the workout ends with a few short sets of Pilates push-ups and a brief stretch.

I have been practicing Pilates for several years now; I consider myself to be at an intermediate level, and I definitely felt challenged by this workout. Although three levels of modifications are offered, the camera rarely focuses on the modifiers, and there are no alternatives shown for some of the most challenging exercises such as the rollover. For this reason, I would not recommend this workout to someone brand-new to Pilates, especially since Kristen does not provide detailed instructions on executing the movements. However, Kristen does cue very well, and so advanced beginners and others should have no problem following along. I highly recommend this workout to anyone looking for an intense Pilates practice which will particularly work their abdominal area.

this is a good introduction to pilates and about as good as you will get without going to an actual pilates studio and using their various machines. the instructor kristin mcgee is probably the best one operating on video these days. the workout is lengthy enough that not only will your abs get a workout but your whole body should derive at least some aerobic benefit.

what concerns me is that there are many forward bending-type movements that require particularly limber hamstrings and if you're not loose in the back of the leg you run the risk of hurting the lower back. there's nothing offered here that will reduce that risk like, for example, a simpler way to do the pose specifically targeted at minimizing the risk of hurting your lower back. at a minimum, it would make sense to do some warm up and stretching of the hamstrings before doing this program.

I recently bought 3 workout videos to try and this one is the easist to follow and doesn't beat your body up,but boy can you feel the results the next day. Very good for someone who hasn't worked out in awhile. I had trouble with the other videos keeping up with the workout but not this one and I wasn't TOTALLY exhausted afterwards and I can feel the effect the next day. I will recomend this to my daughter who just had a baby about 9 months ago.

This review refers to "MTV Pilates"(DVD)....

Whatever your level or knowledge of Pilates,you are sure to benefit from this excellent workout.The class set in a serene spot,with music to motivate, demonstrates three levels(Beginning, Intermed. and Advanced) of each move. Depending on your strength, flexiblity and physical capabilites in any area, you can adjust and modify as needed.

The workout is a total of 39 minutes,and at the end of that time you will feel strong and refreshed.For the most part it concentrates on slimming and strengthing the core section(abs).The are a good variety of moves in this area that will work your abs from all angles and give a good internal massage as well. Starting out slowly,warming up the muscles you will be using, and learning the proper breathing techniques,the first twenty minutes gradually intensifies as you go along. You may find yourself switiching from intermed. to beginner(or advance to intermed.) at about the halfway point.Giving the abs a little bit of a stretch and a rest, you'll then move on to an effective hips and thighs routine that you can feel working on both the inner and outer areas. Some push-ups follow(again, you can modify to your strength), a little more ab work, some deep breaths to slow your pulse back down and your done.I felt like I needed a little more of a stretch and continued through the credits for a few more minutes.

Kristin McGee is one of the best instructors I have come across. She encourangingly talks you through each move and all levels will benefit from her clear instructions and perfect cuing for each level. You will be able to follow along easily without having to strain your neck looking at the TV to see what she means.I always find it best to view any work out at least once beforehand though, as you can see what the different moves consist of and how to modify to your level.

The DVD is clear sharp picture,with good sound, and has some very nice features to go along with it. First of all there is a break down of each move. Kristen demonstrates each individually and explains the importance of the correct form to use in order get the full effects and to avoid back injuries . This will be helpful to everyone, but especially the beginner. You will also find the choices of playing the DVD with instruction and music/music only/ or instruction only.

I think you will find this to be highly beneficial to slimming and strengthing.It will improve your energy level and reduce stress as well. Practicing this one regularly, will give you the strength and flexibilty to move up a level and will help in all your other work outs as well. A fresh approach,an invigorating workout and an enjoyable class.

Remember to Breathe...Eat Healthy...and ENJOY......Laurie

also recommended for mixing up a little variety:

Start up with Jane Fonda

THE FIX -A DANCE WORKOUT

Tai Chi Innerwave

all fairly easy but efective

I think this workout is a gem...and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. It is led by Kristin McGee, she has 3 others doing the workout with her, Joy who does the beginner modifications, Jess who does intermediate and Kari, who along with Kristin does the advanced. It is filmed in a very pretty

Arizona mountain setting adorned with colorful flowers.

This routine has more emphasis on abs than anything, but it has a good variety of pilates moves. You will see all the basics, the hundred, rollup, leg circles, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, oblique criss-crosses which focus on abs, then there are some leg exercises such as frontal and side kicks, and other leg lifts. But you will also see more difficult exercises such as the teaser, rollover, neck pull, open leg rocker, side planks and traditional planks. The saw, tick tocks (knee drops), spinal twists are other exercises you will see also. There is not a lot of time between exercises, you move through the routine quickly. Kristin gives great instruction though and lets you know when to inhale and exhale, which is helpful for those fairly new to pilates like myself.

There is some background music which you can hear but it is faint. I personally liked the music and thought it fit the workout well. There is an option on the DVD to pick either just the music or the instructor if you choose. There is also a bonus section where Kristin will breakdown some of the more challenging exercises which is helpful.

Kristin McGee is an excellent instructor, she is pleasant, not overly perky but friendly and encouraging. I highly recommend this video.

What is more important than that? It is a great workout and the benefits you reap will be rewarding. This video won't make you sweat like a traditional cardio workout but it will tone your body. It is a great and an amazingly challenging workout! With this video, you will begin to build muscle and that will enable you to burn fat faster and loose weight. Plus, you will feel energized and revitalized when you to begin looking fit and toned. Like any workout you need to put in a fair amount of effort (don't be lazy - try some of the advanced moves as you become more confident) and trust me you will sweat and elevate your heart rate. I am a retired fitness instructor (of many years) and have always been fitness conscious. Now into my early 40s I began finding it harder to maintain my weight even when spending ½ hr 4-5 times a week on a Stairmaster or treadmill. Foolishly I began thinking that this would be enough to stay fit. That workout philosophy didn't really work out well. I was burning calories but not building muscle and unfortunately, the older you get the harder it becomes to maintain muscle (which is key). It was very discouraging as I put on weight and began to notice that although I was diligent about getting in a cardio workout things began to sag i.e., upper arms and my mid section grew. On a vacation run with my very fit and extremely ripped sister-in-law (same age), I discovered that she prefers Pilates over any other workout. Still an instructor herself, she now only teaches or takes Pilates. She looks unbelievable! It makes sense but I hadn't really even considered it. I was just chalking it up to she had a better metabolism. She was doing everything right and although I was doing something it I really wasn't enough.

It might be hard to give up the notion that you didn't always need a cardio workout. But consider this . . . currently I am using this Pilates video along with two other Pilates videos (and I just added a Yoga video too). I still mix it up sometimes with the Stairmaster/treadmill and bike (not often)but if I choose cardio workout over Pilates I always include the ab section of one of these videos. I try to invest 5 days a week. The results 3 months later have been very rewarding. I feel better, sleep better and I definitely look better. I have lost weight and the best part is my tummy . . . I can't pinch an inch. That is a feeling I haven't had in about 10 years. I like it!!

I hope I have inspired you. Good luck. Get the DVD and get to it.

I've tried several pilates and yoga dvds and this one stands out. I don't care about the music, but really, it's much better than the music is on the Method dvds. And I think the music as well as the scenery could stand the test of time compared to other workout tapes. There is nothing more frustrating than renting a DVD that is only one year old and having the look and feel of it outdated. I learned many new pilates moves on this dvd and while I do understand what people mean when they say this isn't for beginners - I say, who cares!? One of my biggest complaints about yoga and pilates tapes is that I am so sick of people talking down to their audience. The instructors waste minutes of my time telling me how to do a position that I already know. This dvd starts off fast and gets me excited to workout. I'd rather have a dvd with moves that are unfamiliar to me that I can watch many times and never grow tired of it; rather than a dvd or tape where I get bored because they're all the same as the rest after just one hour of working out. I highly recommend this dvd.

i was a bit skeptical about buying this dvd, but after using it a couple of times, the results were amazing! my stomach is now much flatter and my legs look a whole lot better. the only problem is that some of the leg exercises might require you to be a bit more flexible in order to do them correctly.

I consider myself at an intermediate level of fitness.

pros: Overall, I at least worked up a mild sweat. Instructor counted pretty much the whole way through which was a nice change (vs just relying on following the beat of the music.) Overall, second routine was better than the first, and bonus routine was better than either real routine with just the instructor doing (what seems to me) more traditional pilates moves.

cons: Totally frustrating camera angles were a mess and prevented you from seeing what you needed to see. At one point, they focused on people's hands(!) --- totally pointless --- or partial shots of people so you couldn't see the full pose. Instructor facing forward was just not helpful either and the multitude of people in the back were just distracting. They tell you to watch W for easy and X and Y for intermediate and Z for advanced. Totally confusing. Would have been better off color coding their outfits and putting a legend on the screen or something. The first routine felt like it was all poses facing down which made it pretty impossible to watch the screen (probably why she had to count throughout) but most of the moves were good and after doing the routine a few times it probably wouldn't matter. There were too many useless moves interspersed in the harder moves like bicep curls or moving your arms overhead or behind. For myself, unless you are in physical therapy or something, I find those totally pointless, or you would have to pick up some weights to make it worthwhile (this workout does not require any equipment.)

So glad I got this from netflix instead of buying. Not a keeper.

I took a pilates class at a local gym and then decided to by some videos so that I can do it at home. I bought three video (Crunch:Pick you spot pilates and Windsor Pilates) and I loved this one the best. It has a total of 39 minutes and it goes through all the popular moves. I would recommend this video for people who work out regularly and want to try pilates.