Customer Reviews

15 Minute Everyday Pilates (Book and DVD)

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Alycea Ungaro has once again set a new standard for accessible yet authentic Pilates instruction for the home exerciser. As in her last release, The Pilates Promise, she uses smaller workouts to help introduce Pilates to the new (or time-crunched) exerciser). Here, however, she extends the at-a-glance guides into what she calls a "gatefold"- two consecutive pages that open out into a four page spread with the workout. While I had no complaints about the guides she used in her previous books, this is much easier to see and use.

The workouts themselves have a slightly different twist from her previous works: definitely in the Classical Pilates tradition, but with some preparatory additions (though I can be as much of a purist snob as anyone else, I think I've even heard of Romana doing this). However, while the sequencing is traditional, it is definitely slanted toward the beginner or low intermediate exerciser- many movements, such as the Teaser, are modified down, but few are modified up.

From the more advanced exerciser's point of view, Ungaro compensates for that somewhat by including some very rarely seen exercises, either from the Mat, Standing or Reformer-on-Mat sequences. The majority of those show up in the weights series (e.g., the Lunges) or the "functional fitness" workout, (e.g., the Splits). At the very least, they're a great way to incorporate variety into your Pilates routine.

While Ungaro previously used a Magic Circle in her other books and even an optional Pilates bar, here the only pieces of equipment required are a well-cushioned mat and hand weights; in other words, even more accessible for the average home exerciser.

The workouts themselves are: Day by Day, which is a modified version of the classical syllabus most Pilates practioners are familiar with (the Hundred through the Stomach Series, plus some other classics, although, again, movements like the Hundred and the Roll Up are modified); From the Top Down, which uses handweights and has a more immediate upper body emphasis, but also works the lower body if done properly; From the Bottom Up, which includes much of the well-known Side Kicks series as well as the modified Teaser and a few weightless upperbody movements); and Up, Up and Away, the functional fitness workout which includes a differently modified Hundred, some Rowing exercises, some spinal twists, some modified Reformer movements and the rarely seen Footwork and Splits series).

Because I have been doing Pilates for years, I would probably turn to the last workout the most because of the different movements. However, Ungaro also provides sample schedules for people who would like to incorporate all of the workouts into their weeks, with different time constraints- another very useful guide.

As for the DVD, each workout takes the promised fifteen minutes, although experienced practitioners could probably perform them more quickly. Ungaro has a pleasant onscreen delivery in voice over- patient, warm, but to the chase. I think many people who want to get started with Pilates and need an AV guide would find her suitable.

This a great addition to the library of beginning and intermediate Pilates home-practitioners, but advanced students may want to look at Ungaro's older books.

I have been a big fan of Alycea Ungaro, for years I have purchased her books and the Classical Pilates DVD's that she collaborates on. This book/DVD combo is great. Thank you for finally giving us a book that can really open out and show everything step by step.

This is interactive Pilates, between the book and the DVD it is near impossible to not know your exact form and the page references are nice. Even though I have practiced Pilates for years I still found myself pausing and checking the book to make sure I knew what I was suppose to be doing. (Especially with the arm series which had many new exercises for me.)

The first workout is really a Pilates prep or reset. Where you get back to the basics and even into pre-basics.

The second workout is more about upper body w/ light weights.

The third workout focuses on the leg series and lower body.

The forth workout is more of a full body workout that is more intense than the first workout.

Since these are all 15 minute workouts, its easy to fit them into your day. I have been doing 15 mins in the morning after my cardio with a PM session to get the full 30 mins into my daily work week. Then on Saturdays I'll do 30-60 mins depending on how much time I have.

I liked this Book/DVD combo so much I have come back to purchase a copy for my mother.

I have done a lot of different styles of workouts, but not Pilates. Recently my doctor recommended I get some Pilates training and workouts, so this book does a great job of going into the details, so the CD workouts can be followed with correct posture and breathing. The 15 min workouts can be linked together to make a longer session, or taken on one at a time. Great explanations and photos to get you going.

I have always wanted to begin Pilates but i didnt know where to begin. I bought this DVD and it was just great. More than i expected.
I cannot found any Pilates classes in my little town in France, so i wanted something simple, easy but still challenging. Its just that ! You ahev the DVD plus the books. Both are helpful. AS for the DVD its great, i lovre the sound, the explanations....
Great purchase.

15 Minute Everyday Pilates is a combination book and DVD set. Both the book and the DVD offer four 15-minute Pilates routines that are taught by the author, physical therapist and Pilates instructor Alycea Ungaro. Ungaro designed the book to be very accessible to beginners, emphasizing that little is needed to start other than the desire to do so. She begins the book by reviewing the six fundamental Pilates principles as well as provides several other important tips on positioning and alignment. (A "Checklist" at the end of each chapter provides addition form reminders as well.)

Next come the routines themselves. Each routine is accompanied by simple, full-color photographs featuring either Ungaro herself or another model demonstrating the exercises. Each exercise is shown on its own page, with two photos per page. The photographs are taken directly from the routines on the DVD, and furthermore, when you use the DVD, the page numbers for each exercise appear briefly on screen to allow you to refer back to the book if needed. Finally, each routine in the book has what Ungaro calls a "gatefold," or a 2-page fold-out chart that contains an at-a-glance summary of all of the exercises included in that program.

The main menu of the DVD allows a choice of the four different practices. There are also three different audio options: "Play Full Mix," "Play Music Only," or "Play Voiceover Only." Ungaro and the model (who are in two workouts each) work out alone in a sparse, featureless studio. I have briefly broken down each of the four workouts below.

*Day by Day. This is routine that Ungaro encourarges you to learn first and to practice as often as possible. It includes many classic matwork moves such as the hundred, single leg circles, single leg stretch, and double leg stretch, but Ungaro does not always use classic sequencing, and she spends more time on preparatory moves. She ends with rolling like a ball.

*From the Top Down. This sequence incorporates many of the Pilates standing arms exercises using light hand weights. However, Ungaro encourages you to remember that every exercise in Pilates involves the entire body. The moves include front and side curls, zip ups, boxing, bug, and a breathing exercise, windmill.

*From the Bottom Up. In this routine, Ungaro incorporates the Pilates side kick series, although she also includes the teaser, and the hug (modified from Pilates equipment). I found her instruction for the Mermaid to be excellent, and she ends with another exercise modified from equipment, arm circles.

*Up, Up, and Away. Ungaro states that this last program helps to take you through moves you need for everyday life--ie, twisting, bending, leaning, and reaching. She includes a more challenging variation of the hundred, rowing exercises, classic seated matwork exercises such as the spine twist and the saw, and some additional weighted moves. Ungaro concludes this workout standing with Pilates footwork plus front/side splits.

I've been practicing Pilates for nearly 10 years, although I've sort of gotten away from in over the past year or two. The main thing I was concerned about here was that the routines would be too easy for me, but using Ungaro's tips to make them more challenging, I don't really feel that was the case. So far, I have been enjoying these practices--I especially like the 15 minute length, which always seems to go by very quickly to me. Although I do think this set is more geared towards beginners, I think this book and DVD is also likely to appeal to more intermediate Pilates practitioners like myself.

15 Minute Everyday Pilates (book with DVD) is really all a new-to-Pilates exerciser needs to get into this great form of working out. Pilates is half exercise and half exercise therapy (if done correctly), and its effects for the amount of time and effort invested are amazing. This set of four routines is versatile and effective, and includes enough different exercises to keep your muscles and body challenged, and works very well. As a longtime Pilates practitioner, I applaud this book & DVD combo, and find it perfect to practice along with other forms of exercise. HIGHLY recommended!

I looked for a basic and easy Pilates exercise system which I could do in a short amount of time and practically anywhere. This book was simple to follow and the exercises are fun. It definately fit the bill. I did not order this item for the Cd so cannot review that part of the product, but-I think the cd would just be an added bonus to the already excellent book. If you have never done pilates I am sure the Cd would be helpful to learn the moves. Great price for an excellent item.

I love so many things about this book and dvd. It is very focussed on form. I like how you can read the book and get thorough instructions. The pull out charts are fabulous for when you don't have a place to view the dvd. It is amazing how she walks your through proper form and the link to the page in the book is listed when doing an exercise so that you can look it up if you need to.
It is great that it is broken up into 15 minute segment. I usually only have time to 15 segments. I also like to be able to rotate what part of the body I am going to be working on.
You definately notice the workout the next day and you want to go back and do more.
I have enjoyed this so much taht I want to get the other books/dvd's in the series.

I have been frustrated by other Pilates DVD's previously because the pacing is either too slow or too fast. Ms. Ungaro's instructions are very clear and the pacing is just right. As someone with a vulnerable back, I feel as if this practice is safe and will not place you at risk of injury. I especially like the 15 minute hand weights routine.

Everything about this book is great. For a start, the presentation is really good - from the smooth cover to the well-designed page layouts and clear photographs demonstrating the exercises. The pages that 'fold out' to show each of the four workouts are also very helpful. Perhaps most importantly, the exercises are all explained in detail and each stage is described in a simple yet effective way. Overall, it just feels like a lot of effort went into every aspect of the book to make it user friendly.

The DVD is the perfect complement to the book. I didn't realise that you could move from one exercise to another so quickly and without the DVD I would have been going at a much slower speed. I was also amazed by the variety of exercises crammed into each of the 4 workouts! The time goes by really quickly because you are never just standing about waiting for the next exercise to start, you are always either doing an exercise or transitioning into the next. I really have to praise the author, Alycea Ungaro, for the wonderful way that she voices over the DVD. Her instructions are simple and her tone of voice is very pleasant and calm. She makes the whole thing a real pleasure to do and makes me feel very motivated.

As a complete Pilates beginnner, I found the workouts quite tough. I was able to follow the moves most of the time, but sometimes I couldn't do all the repetitions or get myself into exactly the right position. But nevermind, this will obviously come with practice! By the end of each of the 15 mins I often have sweat breaking out on my forehead and my muscles feel like they have had a good workout. I like the way you can do just one 15 minute section or combine them. I like to do the 'Day by Day' section followed by one of the other 3 sections (I alternate them each time) for a good 30 minute routine.

Overall, I highly recommend this product. It has a very slick and professional feel and is very efficient in terms of fitting a lot of exercise into a short period of time.