Customer Reviews

The Method - Pilates Target Specifics: Abs, Arms, Hips, Thighs [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've always been an outdoor, run/walk/bike type exerciser. I bought this video because sometimes it's too late/dark/nasty out for this kind of workout. I LOVE this tape. In fact, I'm buying it for my best friend. So far as I know, she doesn't use exercise videos at all, but I bet this one will make her reconsider. The video uses light arm weights and no actual stomach crunches. Nonetheless, it's a great workout for the arms (especially the classical ballet standing exercises) and the abs (every part of this video includes work for the abs). The music is performed by a bunch of bongo (?) playing drummers, and the rhythm really seeps into the exercise. I always feel great doing this video, although the first time through, I had some trouble following the cue-ing. It works your muscles in a long, lean direction and encourages good posture and balance. I'm serious: I don't even like exercise videos, but I love this one and have used it at least twice a week for the last 2 months.

I use five of The Method videos, and this is probably my favorite, along with Precision Sculpting. I love the fact that it's broken into four fifteen-minute segments; it's physically and psychologically easier than a continuous fifty-minute workout. Each segment leaves me feeling toned, and I have seen the results in the shape of my legs and arms. Even on days that I don't want to exercise, I can get motivated for this one. I tell myself I only have to do one segment. However, I usually keep going the whole hour for a total body workout. If you already use The Method "Precision Series" videos, this is like Precision Toning or Sculpting "Lite," due to the short segments and variety of body parts being worked. I had already used Precision Toning, Sculpting and Yoga, and this is like a combination of some of the moves used in all three, in condensed form. While the arm segment can definitely be embraced by beginners, the other three segments may take a slightly higher degree of fitness. Also, be aware that people who like a lot of high-energy encouragement and/or music may feel cheated on this one. It's mellow and quiet. I cannot rave enough about Jennifer Kries; why can't all fitness instructors be like her? Overall, a fantastic, efficient tape for intermediate-level workout.

Like other customers who have reviewed this tape, I purchased this video after trying (and loving) Precision Toning. The workouts are quick, concise and challenging. Each workout contains methods found in classical ballet, pilates and yoga.

This video provides a complete workout, or a quick workout for specific areas. However, I do not recommend this video for those who are beginners, those who wish to try out the Pilates method, or those who haven't at least done Precision Toning (or Toning Essentials). Jennifer is a wonderful and encouraging instructor, but she struggles in this video. The background drumming threatens to drown her out, and she often shouts to be heard.

Her efforts to keep each workout short means she loses the instruction that is so important with these kinds of movements. She moves quickly through the routines and rarely stops explain a move that can be damaging if done incorrectly. Without the knowledge gained from first using the other tapes, I would have been lost with this tape.

Overall, another great tape in the Method series. I look forward to purchasing future Pilates/Method tapes.

I've been doing Yoga for a few months and thought that I could tone up a bit more by using the Pilates method. I bought an excellent book, The Pilates Body, by Brooke Siler but thought seeing the positions would help me do them accurately (it's hard to read a series of instructions and exercise at the same time). As other people here said, this is not a video for the beginner - but it was the only Pilates tape in the store. I have pretty good flexibility and balance but couldn't do the dance-based hip exercises well, and Jennifer & co. move much too quickly for me. I don't think I'm really learning much about Pilates from this particular video, but I do enjoy the instructor and even the music which I found oddly calming. I'm sure this would be a good workout for the initiated, and having the exercises broken up into different segments is great if you just want a 15 minute workout on specific areas. I will purchase another Method tape to try to get the basics down.

I have had this video for maybe one year(?) and come back to it at least a couple of times per week. Sometimes I am ambitious and do all 4 segments (Abs, Arms, Hips and Thighs) or maybe choose 2 segments.

Some of the moves are familiar, from the Precision Toning or Precision Sculpting videos, but I highly recommend buying this as it is a great way to "piece" out specific body parts.

The Hips segment is more focused on ballet moves and stretches and also some bits of yoga, while the Thighs segment is yoga dominant (sun salutations, lunges, awkward chair). Each segment moves and while you sweat, you stretch and get that Pilates/Yoga "bliss" as well.

This tape is incredible! The moves are very interesting and a little different from most of your aerobic tapes out there. Once you do this tape 3 or 4 times, you get the moves down and you start to feel the exercises really working. I've been doing the tape for two months, 4 times a week and have I seen results! Because of this tape and the Jab, Kick, and Burn video with Tracy Mallet, I am now hooked. I love the drum music and the relaxing setting.

This is the first time I've used the Pilates Method to work out. I simply adore it. I thought this was a nice, easy break from my running/stairmonster routine; when I first followed the tape (which gets easier each time), I thought, "No big deal, I won't be sore. This was an easy workout!" Then I got up the next morning and was really surprised. This was the easiest workout that I've ever done and gotten such amazing results. I felt the difference and my posture and back pain have been better as a result. I used to hunch over a computer all day, yet now I sit up straight without even thinking about it. The workout is a great way to wake up: stretching and getting the mind going. Go for it! Get taller and leaner. If you hate it, your loss--send it to a friend. She will probably love you for it!
Kudos to you for getting fit. Love yourself. You deserve it.

I enjoyed the drum beat music, reminiscent of the original Step Reebok video. For all those slightly in/out of shape people looking for a lite ballett/yoga/pilates mix this is a good tape. It is not an aerobic challenge (though the abs section starts hard) and it can be done start to finish if desired. I gave it 3 stars as I feel there are stronger offerings out there, but I will keep this one around as the drums are fun and it allows me to add some extra spot workout time to other fitness tapes in my collection.
I picked this tape out, because of Jennifer's reputation, and the overall length. The case indicated 15 minutes for each section. The actual length on my version was Abs (13min.), Arms (11min.), Hips (12min.), & Thighs (12min.). I felt good at the end of the workout but about 12 minutes shorted overall.
Actual length aside, the Abs section was a great Pilates intro. My abs felt worked but the workout was reasonable.
The arms section...I skipped, I prefer a rigorous yoga routine and some freeweights. My wife lost interest prefering to incorporate lite weights into a more cardio kickboxing/aerobics routine.
The Hips section has lots of ballett based movement. I have no classical dance background and was frequently left behind during initial viewings, there are lots of coordinated sequences and ballett verbage that are not very well explained. This is probably a good thing, keeping the pace up and letting people with two left feet like me rewind and repeat...and repeat.
The Thighs section was a lot of Yoga sun salutations, warrior poses, and downward dog. The cooldown was a repeat of ballett and floorwork from the Hips section.
Hope this is helpful.

I am a new mom and have a hard time getting off to the gym so I have invested in workout tapes. I have tried about four others and than recently I got this as a christmas gift and popped it in. I immediately liked that it moved fast. The point is, is that you don't do the same excercise 20 times and than move on - you do it a couple and than move on -BECAUSE IT WORKS SO WELL -IT WILL TONE YOU AND WORK OUT THAT AREA - instead of unneeded repetition. You get a workout everywhere. the next day I was the most sore I have ever been, and I thought the workout was easy. I have done the tape two more times - and I am excited beforehand! I DON'T HAVE TO NAG / MOTIVATE MYSELF TO DO IT. :) I highly recommend this to anyone - I have NEVER done pilates or ballet and this was a little hard, but easier each time you do it!

I love this video! I have used if for nearly a year, and I am more flexible and stronger than I ever have been. Jennifer Kries is an encouraging instructor who isn't annoying. She explains and demonstrates the movements very thoroughly, but she doesn't yell or talk to you like you're a child. And she's honest. I bought 4 more method videos with her based on this one alone. The 4 15min segments are perfect for beginners. For more advanced, you could do more than one segment at a time. The abs work truly is nothing like you've ever seen, and it will work muscles you didn't know existed. The arms and legs work is great too. A unique muscle toning tape that you will go back to over and over again. Strength training without the weights is the concept here, and it works. Joseph Pilates, thank you.