Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Parade Video
• VHS Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00003UC9Z
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,746 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is not your typical toning workout: Dynamic Toning--inspired by yoga, dance, and Pilates more than weight training--focuses on balance, alignment, and core conditioning as well as strength and flexibility. This 60-minute video includes three different "precision toning" workouts, done barefoot, with background rhythms from live drummers. Instructor Marion Gotto clearly explains the sometimes complicated positions and movements.

Workout 1, Total Toning (20 minutes)
The moves are slow and controlled. The choice of exercises makes it seem more like a ballet warm-up than a toning workout, however, with the exception of a Pilates abdominal series.

Workout 2, Upper Body Toning (21 minutes)
Very light weights (1 to 3 pounds) in nontraditional exercises. For example, hold your arms straight out in front and do slow biceps curls from this position, curling your wrist to touch your shoulders at the end, meanwhile lifting the heels to add the challenge of balance. Pushups finish out this segment. This isn't a well-rounded workout--your shoulders will get more work than other muscles.

Workout 3, Abdominal Toning (19 minutes)
Pilates-based, core conditioning exercises for the abs. You won't find a single traditional crunch here. Instead, you're working your deepest abdominal muscles with exercises such as roll-ups and a variety of exercises done on your back with shoulders and legs lifted. --Joan Price

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exercise and stress relief in one tape, September 18, 2000

By 

Jennifer (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Method - Pilates - Dynamic Toning [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Excellent combination of dance and pilates inspired exercises that provides not only a very effective low impact workout but requires focus and concentration that allows for mental stress relief as well. I saw results very quickly with this tape in the way of a more toned and flexible body as well as eventually being able to complete the entire tape without taking any rest stops (oh those burning abs and hamstrings). Having taken many modern dance classes as well as studying pilates, this tape seems to capture both aspects quite well in a 60 minute format (three 20 minute routines). It provides a thorough full body workout that incorporates stretching and strengthening at the same time thus eliminating the need for additional "warm up" and "cool down" sections. It is the only exercise video I have ever purchased that has actually given me a sense of accomplishment and that I look forward to using on a regular basis. I would highly recommend this tape for people who are looking for a complete, effective, yet relaxing workout without any of the bone jarring, high impact moves.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Pilates, July 18, 2001

By 

Sheridan Loudon (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Method - Pilates - Dynamic Toning [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is so far removed from anything like true Pilates that I believe it should not be listed when "Pilates" is used to search for videos. This is an American-style, Aerobic-type workout video which is fine if that's what you want. The only relationship it has to Pilates is a few of the postures you hit for about 10 seconds each, but not in any way can you say that they are done the way that a trained Pilates instructor would do them. A grave disappointment!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't feel very effective to me...., April 9, 2001

By 

Heidi E. Lee (Framingham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Method - Pilates - Dynamic Toning [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Having used 'The Firm' tapes regularly for more than a year, I decided to give Pilates a try for a change in workout. I tried this tape for the first time this morning and was for the most part, unsatisfied. The way the instructor chants with the beat of the drums in the backround is thoroughly annoying, and the workout left no part of my body feeling...well...worked. Maybe the focus on the upper body was OK, but I didn't have any trouble with the ab or total body sections. It felt like a very long stretching session which should have lead to some hard work!

Maybe that's the point? Am I missing something here? Maybe I'll try some different tapes...I just don't see what's so fantastic about Pilates!