Customer Reviews

Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD features instructor Meghan White leading 15 different customized core routines. Some of the routines centered around traditional crunches, whereas others are Pilates-based, sometimes incorporating equipment such as a stability ball and dumbbells. The Main Menu is set up as follows:

Core Basics
Core Challenge
...More for Your Core!

Core Basics provides beginner level workouts. Although Meghan goes slower here and does offer form pointers, I don't think she gives enough instruction to make these workouts appropriate for someone brand-new to Pilates. However, this section would probably work well for those who have some prior familiarity with Pilates but have limited flexibility. Here is the Core Basics menu, with brief descriptions added by me:

*Basic Abs (5 Min.)--basic and oblique crunches, keeping feet on the floor
*Strong Abs (5 Min.)--basic crunches, crunches w/legs raised, pulses, knees in and up, oblique work, unique side move
PILATES BASED CORE WORKOUTS (modified for beginners)
*Legs & Glutes (11 Min.)--modified versions of exercises such as the roll-up, rolling like a ball, side kicks, etc.
*Arms & Back (8 Min.)--modified versions of the hundred, roll-up, spine stretch forward, swan prep, swimming, scapular lift, and plank work
*Pilates Abs (11 Min.)--modified version of hundred, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, scissors, criss-cross, single leg teaser, and seal

The Core Challenge menu is set up similarly to the Basics menu above, and the exercises are similar as well, but in an unmodified and more challenging form. Here is the Core Challenge menu, with brief descriptions added by me:

*Advanced Abs (5 Min.)--basic crunch, oblique reaches, pulses, transverse crunch, transverse w/twist, knees in and out (lower than in basic program)
*Stronger Abs (5 Min.)--basic crunch, crunch w/leg lift, crunch w/1 leg in and out, crunch w/1 leg up and down, hip lifts, bicycle
PILATES BASED CORE WORKOUTS
*Abs, Legs & Glutes (15 Min.)--there are two separate segments here, a 4-minute abs workout with the hundred, rolling like a ball, double leg lowers, and criss-cross, and an 11-minute legs/glutes segment with the roll-up, leg circles, the saw, single leg kicks, a side kick series, and leg lifts on all 4s
*Abs, Arms & Back (15 Min.)--this was also two separate segments, a 9-minute abs portion with the hundred, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, scissors, double leg lowers, torso twists, teaser, and seal, and then a 6.5 minute arms and back portion with the hundred, roll-up, spine stretch forward, a series of back work (swan, swimming, scapular lifts), and leg lifts on all 4s

Finally, the ...More For Your Core! menu contains some more challenging workouts that include use of equipment as described below.

*Abs with Ring, Arms & Back, Stretch (15 Min.)--tough little segment using a fitness ring for the teaser and double leg stretch; followed by the same arms and back segment in the Core Challenge section and Stretch section with both reclined and seated stretches (actual time 17 minutes)
*Abs with Weights, Legs & Glutes (20 Min.)--starts with a 4-minute Pilates matwork flow and moves into a second 4-minute segment using a dumbbell for some unique moves such as side plank, partial roll-down, reverse curls w/weight under knees, and double leg stretch w/weight in hands; finishes with the same legs and glutes segment in the Core Challenge section
*Pilates Core and Stretch (30 Min.)--combines the 9-minute abs, 11-minute legs and glutes, 7-minute arms and back (all from the Core Challenge section) with the 3-minute stretch for a full 30-minute workout
CORE ABS
*Stability Ball (4 Min.)--nice short segment on the stability ball: roll-ups holding the ball in your hands, oblique work and teasers with feet on the ball, and double leg stretch holding the ball overhead
*Weighted Ball (4 Min.)--nice short segment using a small medicine ball: holding the ball between your feet for the hundred, hip lifts, rolling with a twist, and transverse crunch

Overall, this is a nice DVD with a good variety of abs routines. I did find the sequencing to be a bit strange: for example, the abs segment with ring starts off with a teaser variation, but then when you get to the arms & back segment, you begin with the hundred, usually the starting point for most Pilates routines (and sometimes the hundred is actually performed twice in the same routine here!). I would've preferred if all of the individual segments were listed in one menu where I could mix and match rather than having to choose one of the pre-formatted workouts on the menus. However, for someone who likes both traditional core work and Pilates and who is looking for a wide variety of workout options, this DVD is likely to fit the bill.

To be able to fully use everything on the DVD, you'll need a Pilates ring, a small Pilates ball, hand weights, a stability ball, and a mat, which is almost 50% more equipment than I have or am willing to spend more money and space on.

With the exception of a few variations of standard floor crunches, almost ALL of the exercises are standard Pilates floorwork and best suited for intermediate/advanced exercisers. There's not much here for the true beginner, the overweight, or the older exerciser.

Workouts range from 4 minutes to 30 minutes and unlike quite a few other DVDs of its type, it's all presented in a bland style that borders on the monotonous.

In the end, I traded it in to my local used DVD store. There are better DVDs out there for working your core that require less equipment or none at all. For the beginner who wants a Pilates-style workout, I'd recommend something like Pilates for Dummies, Pilates for Everybody, or Pilates for Inflexible People.

I'm really lucky b/c my abs and core are not a problem area for me. I got this DVD as a gift and thought I didn't need it. When I tried it I found out just the opposite. It's a great way to keep my core in shape and I'm finding that it really helps my back too. Definitely recommend!

I love this DVD! It offers a number of different routines which keeps the exercises new and exciting...AND it targets different muscles. So far, I can really see results. My muscles have stretched for a longer leaner look and I feel stronger and more energized. The instructor is very encouraging and makes you feel confident! Oh, and my husband loves it too.

Perfect Core turned out to be exactly what I was looking for in an exercise-at-home DVD. I wanted to continue some of the fundamentals that my personal trainer at my gym taught me (during the 1 week I had him :) and do them at home. This DVD was perfect for that and it allowed me to control the length of my workouts which is really important for my schedule since I'm a working mother. The core blast and ab challenge segments are flattening my stomach and tightening my abs! Get this one!

I have been using workout videos for ages, and it's hard to find one that is effective and not boring. I have a ton of old VHS and even some of the newer DVDs that haven't been used in years. I have to say that I LOVE Perfect Core. I've only been using it a short time and I already see a difference. My abs are stronger and I love that I can pick the amount of time to work out. The trainer is great. This workout will stay in active rotation for quite awhile.

This is not for those who aren't serious about sculpting their waistline. It's given me shape to my flabby waist within 2 weeks! (I'm 37 and a mother of 4). I actually see a six-pack taking shape. I love that she works the obliques and the back...usually underworked or altogether neglected. I like the progressive challenge of the different workouts and the routines are by NO means boring. This program strengthens your entire mid-section and you WILL see results if you'll commit the time and (as the drill sergeants use to say back in the day) "dont cheat your body"! This is a MUST HAVE.

This DVD is a nice mix of Pilates styled "core" workouts and 5 minute straight forward ab workouts. The Pilates sections are mostly 10-20 minute routines with each one focusing on different areas. There's also a sort of bonus section called More for Your Core that has a half hour Pilates and stretching workout and some 15-20 minute routines that use a Pilates ring, hand weights and a stability ball.

Instructor Meghan White does a better job of training what I need trained in Perfect Abs. However, having said that, this is a good beginner to intermediate "core" trainer that will wear you out. If you're severely overweight start elsewhere - this DVD will discourage you. Also, to do the full DVD you'll need to own certain items: fitness ring, stability ball and weighted ball. You'll want a mat for the basics.

I can complete the "basic" five minute abs routines but just barely, and I am fairly physically fit for a 37-year-old male. The 15 minute routines are not much of a challenge because they cover several different muscle groups.

I have not done the more advanced routines because they require items that I do not own items such as a weighted ball and a fitness ring.

Three sections of Pilates core and traditional Abs workouts are the equivalent of a beginner, intermediate and bonus section of slightly more intense work. The instructor does a nice job of giving you an effective core workout ranging from 10-30 minutes with moves based on the Pilates mat workout. The 5 minute ab workouts hit every part of your abs and if you do these regularly you will see results.