Customer Reviews

Pilates Abs Workout

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This video is led by Ana Caban, and it is probably her most challenging workout. In consists entirely of matwork and begins immediately with the hundred exercise. Ana then moves through a traditional matwork sequence, including moves such as the roll-up, the roll-over, rolling like a ball, the series of five, and the teaser. For many of the moves, Ana adds a more challenging twist--eg, performing several of the series of five exercises with no arms, doing the open-legged rocker with closed legs as well, etc. Because this is an abs-focused workout, the Pilates side kick series and back extension moves are not included. Ana ends the workout with a unique combination move which is a compilation of rolling like a ball, open-legged rocker, the teaser, and lowering down a rope; she then ends with a few brief stretches to bring the workout in at just under 24 minutes. Although Ana works out with an assistant, Tara, who shows modifications for some of the movements, this is an intermediate to advanced Pilates workout and should not be attempted by those new to Pilates.

This is the perfect home workout if you've had a significant amount of Pilates training and have good form. I was skeptical about doing mat work to a DVD- I'm used to taking one-on-one classes with an Authentic Pilates instructor who helps me adjust my form, but now that I have almost a year of Pilates under my belt I thought I might be okay to work out on my own, at home, sometimes. Having taken so many private lessons, I'd have to say that newcomers to Pilates owe it to themselves to find a good studio and take some classes before they jump in and try to learn from a DVD. But if you're at an Intermediate level, this DVD is great.

Ana Caban works at a nice pace- she's not manic but definitely not too slow. She keeps filler conversation to a minimum and her reminders to engage your ab muscles are very helpful. Her assistant, Tara, simultaneously demonstrates easier versions of the exercises. The exercises are similar to most mat classes you'll find in a studio or gym, but she adds some interesting twists toward the end. I can tell that the more I perfect my form the deeper I'll get into working my core muscles, and that's what I really want from any mat routine.

Highly recommended.

This workout is not for Pilates beginners! I am familiar with Ana Caban's beginning and intermediate mat workouts, yet I found about 40% of the exercises in this DVD to be too difficult on the first try. However, a second actor does an easier version of the moves, which you can follow until you are ready for the more difficult version. If you are not focused on using your abdominal muscles for all the movements, or if your abs are not very strong, you will also feel it in other muscle groups, such as the legs. That said, Pilates Abs Workout is focused and efficient.

Ana Caban is a good instructor - she reminds you to focus on your Pilates form and breathing without being annoying. The workout setting is a pleasant beach scene, and the music is a great background tune that flows well with the pace of the workout. The only reason I would not give this DVD 5 stars is that it is not for everyone. I would recommend it only to those who are already familiar with Pilates basic exercises and concepts and are looking to focus on the abs.

It's not for beginners, but for the intermediate and advanced.

I love Ana. She goes nice and slow and explains instructions for each and every exercise to the letter.

There's not a lot of unnecessary chatter, nor are there a lot of useless tips. Just listen to her voice (you don't even have to look at your TV screen) and do what she tells you.

This is the best Pilates DVD on the market. You can't go wrong!

Thank you, Ana ;)

This is a great workout DVD. Compact at under 25 minutes, but the pacing is neither too fast or too slow. The workout starts (relatively) easy and then progresses to some toughies at the end. For that reason, this workout is more advanced than the intermediate, and I would recommend buying it AFTER you either take some pilates classes or master the intermediate mat workout by Caban. This workout really burns your abdomen! Remember, the best way to work on pilates technique is to get someone to teach you.

this is an advanced abs workout. you need to know the pilates form to execute the movements correctly, keeping the point of control in the abdominal muscles, rather than in the back, sides, or legs. but if you know the form and can keep your stomach in while executing challenging movements, then you will get an excellent workout. the actual exercise portion of the video is about 20 minutes. out of 25, this is good, because other videos take up time with pointless, nonproductive talking or pauses. in fact, that's what i love most about this video. she is very efficient with the instruction, so you can keep moving throughout. i bought this one at the same time as the cardio pilates, about 3 months ago, and doing it at least 3x a week, i am still not bored, nor have i outgrown it. it is great. buy it. buy it i say!

I really enjoy this DVD. I keep hoping that Ana Caban will make an Advanced Pilates DVD and this is close. The focus here is on ABS for sure and it is a routine that can get some heat going.

I am an Ana Caban fan. She has a sense of humor, good imagery and a pleasant voice. There is a fun combination on this DVD that I hadn't seen before. I enjoy mixing this DVD in with other general Pilates routines for a little extra AB workout.

If you haven't done any Pilates, you probably shouldn't undertake this DVD. All Pilates targets the Abs--but this one even more, so if you're new to Pilates try her Beginner or Intermediate DVD first. Really. Form is so important. You don't want to hurt your back trying to get a flat tummy.

All I could ask is that this routine had gone on longer!

I love Ana Caban. I love her technique and overall routine for this DVD and others. This ab routine is very challenging. Just when you think you have mastered one move, the very next move gives you an extra burn and more of a challenge. The flow is great. I do this DVD two days a week with other cardio and pilates and have seen definite results. This is the first pilates tape that I could get my husband to do with me and he likes it too, and agrees it is tough. This is a great DVD and I recommend anyone to try it - even beginners - to work your way up to the most challenging moves.

I bought this video because I decided that I was going to get in shape for my final year of school, so I'd feel better about myself. I had never done pilates before, but I saw an infomercial for Mari Windsor, and wanted to try it. So when I saw this, I grabbed it. Wow! It's impossible. The instruction is great, and personally, I'm really thankful for the alternate version for people like myself with little or no previous pilates experience. Besides the fact that I'm still not able to do the whole video in one sitting, its great.

I agree that this video contains some moves that require a lot of coordination, and I did find the workout challenging, but that's just what I wanted. My last Pilates video from Gaiam was great, but too easy. This is maybe just a little bit too hard, but I liked it. I did feel my thighs and back getting a workout, too, again, I liked that. Part of what I like about Pilates is the focus on the total body, and on working all muscle groups so that they may support each other. So I wasn't really expecting to only feel it in my abs. I also liked the focus on precicion of movement, and I liked the fast pace of the video. Thankfully, the video doesn't waste a lot of time over-explaining each exercise. Very down to business.