Customer Reviews

Pilates Complete Sculpt and Tone

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD offers more then 20 workouts and conveniently breaks them down into workouts under 15 minutes and workout over 15 minutes. (The over 15 range up to about 35 minutes). I'm hooked on the short ones, especially the abs, glutes and legs all with hand weights, and the abs and back with the ring. Very effective and easy to fit into my busy evenings.

These are basic Pilates moves (like The 100, roll-up, double leg circles, leg kicks, spine stretch forward, the saw, teaser, etc.) with what some are now calling "standing pilates" that are basically focussed side and back leg kicks, and also a sprinkling of some basic tried and true squats. Adding in wieghts, the ring or a stability ball make the moves much harder then they look and give quick results! You don't need to go out and buy all the props. I've got a ring, hand weights and a stability ball and there's plenty here for me to do. There is some mat work without props as well. But this is "sculpt & tone" so it does leave out some of the gentler moves in the traditional mat routine sequence.

This program is a great addition to my regular Pilates and Cardio workouts. The Under 15 min sections work especially well on my cardio days or to fit in for a quick fix on busier days.

I was happy with this purchase and what the DVD offered. Several different programs to chose from with separate times intervals from 15 minutes to over 60 minutes. The workouts were kick-ass from the onset and I built up a sweat rather easily. Ive only used a few of the workouts and the good thing is it will take me while to progress to the other programs.

Defintely for those individuals looking for a flexible, no nonsense approach to fitness.

I've been using Meghan's "Ultimate Body" program and love it. I've done Pilates for several years and was very excited to see this DVD. Pilates has evolved and has taken on lots of different forms and expressions in recent years. The basis of Pilates is core conditioning and whatever individual interpretations have sprouted up, the basics seem to still be there - a strong core will give you a strong body and let you better perform other activities. This DVD is more of a Pilates hybrid, so don't start knocking it if you're a purist. Meghan takes some basic Pilates moves and some Pilates inspired moves too, and adds in light hand weights, the ring, stability ball and weighted balls to focus on specific body parts and combos of parts. There are also mat work routines and ones that are part mat and part prop. I haven't counted, but it seems that there are more then just 15 routines. It's broken into a selection of under 15 minute and over 15 minute routines. And then further by props used and sections of the body.

So far I've only done about 5 of the routines and combined two of the ones using weights, and I did the abs with the ring and did the upper body strength session from Ultimate Body. I will also incorparte some of these workouts into my regular Pilates sessions for variety. I would say that beginners will find lots that they can do, but intermediate and low advanced should try it as well. Every routine I've done so far was much more challenging to actual do then I thought it would be when I watched it first.

I've just ordered Pilates Complete for Everyone from the same company. That should round out my options and keep me going through the winter!

Pilates Complete Sculpt and Tone is an offering from Body Wisdom Media which makes full use of DVD technology to provide a wide variety of workout options. Here, shorter Pilates segments are mixed and matched to form complete routines of varying lengths, from just under 10 minutes to 30 minutes or more. Workouts can also be selected based on body part (eg, abs, arms & legs) or use of various equipment, including weights, a fitness ring (aka Pilates circle), a stability ball, and a small weighted ball (medicine ball). Instructor Meghan White does an excellent job of breaking down the exercises and providing tips on forms, and she frequently shows modification options.

The Main Menu and submenus are each listed and described in detail below (please note that these are quite different in appearance than what appears on the back cover of the DVD case).

MAIN MENU
*About this DVD and How to Use It (onscreen text instructions)
*Introduction & Lesson (6.5-minute overview of the 6 main Pilates principles)
*Lesson: Props (brief review of props used)
*Under 15 Minute Routines
*Over 15 Minute Routines
*Other Products (covers and descriptions of other Body Wisdom workouts)
*Contact Us

The submenus for both the Under 15 Minute Routines and the Over 15 Minute Routines are listed below. I have provided alternate times where my own viewing did not match the times listed on the menus. I've also included overviews of the exercises included in each segment.

Under 15 Minute Routines
*Mat: Pilates Flow (13 minutes)- 11-minute flow with hundred, roll-ups, leg circles, single leg stretch, leg lowers, spine stretch forward, back extensions, single leg kicks, side kick series, teaser, plank
*Mat: Modified Pilates Flow (11 minutes)- a slower (13m) version of the above with modified postures
*Mat: Legs & Arms (10 minutes)- 5.5-minute leg segment includes side kick series; 4.5-minute arms segment with the hundred, table, triceps work, plank, push-ups
*Mat: Abs & Glutes (10 minutes)- 6-minute abs segment with the hundred, double leg stretch, criss-cross, leg lowers, knee crunches plus a 5-minute glutes segment with pelvic lifts, leg lifts on stomach, swimming, leg lifts on all 4s
*Mat & Weights: Arms (8 minutes)- the mat arms segment from above (4.5m) plus a 4-minute Pilates weighted arms series (starting with the hundred)
*Mat & Weights: Legs (11 minutes)- the side kick series from above (5.5m) plus a 5.5-minute weighted sequence of squats w/side leg lifts, roll-up, saw, double leg kicks
*Mat & Weights: Abs (9 minutes)- the mat abs series from above (6m) plus a 4-minute weighted series with reverse curl, teaser, twisting teaser, roll backs, spinal twist
*Mat & Weights: Glutes (8 minutes)- combo of the glute mat work (5m) and weighted series (3m)
*Mat & Weights: Back (9 minutes)- a 4.5-minute matwork routine with spine stretch forward, work on all 4s, and back extensions plus 4.5-minutes of weighted work with the spine stretch, seated arm work, and back extensions
More Routines Under 15 Minutes
*Weights: Legs & Arms (10 minutes)- combo of the weighted leg series (5.5m) and the weighted arms work (4m)
*Weights: Abs & Glutes (11 minutes)- combo of the weighted abs work from above (4m) and a 3-minute weighted glutes section which includes squats, squats w/rear extensions, and rear leg lifts
*Ring: Legs & Arms (9 minutes)- 5.5-minute leg work with ring includes pelvic lifts, squeezes, scissors, single leg stretch, and side kick series plus 4-minute arms with ring offering spine stretch with shoulder squeeze, triceps work, and ring pull apart
*Ring: Abs & Glutes (8 minutes)- 4.5-minute abs work with ring includes leg lowers, a hand-to-feet pass, and modified teaser plus 3.5-minutes of glutes with ring involving squats, pelvic tucks, squeezes, double leg kicks
*Large Ball: Legs & Arms (8 minutes)- with stability ball, 6.5-minute leg work includes feet on ball for single leg circle, roll-ins, and side kicks; 3.5-minute arms includes push-ups on ball, lifting/lowering, and plank push/ups
*Large Ball: Abs & Glutes (11 minutes)- with stability ball, 4-minute abs work includes the hundred and single leg stretch with feet on ball, elbow planks, and roll-ups lying on ball; 6-minute glute work involves pelvic lifts, kneeling side kicks, and single/double leg lifts
*Weighted Ball: Legs & Arms (8 minutes)- using small weighted ball, 5-minute leg work includes side kick series and double leg kicks; 3.5-minute arms work involves push-ups, shoulder pulses, tricep extensions
*Weighted Ball: Abs & Glutes (8 minutes)- using small weighted ball, 6-minute abs work with the hundred, leg lowers, knee drops, side plank; 2.5-minute glutes work has all 4s work, leg kicks

Over 15 Minute Routines (note that each of the below routines include ALL of the segments from above for either that type of equipment or for that particular body part). Some of the segments below include a 6-minute cool-down consisting of reclined stretches for the hamstrings and seated stretches for the shoulders and triceps.
*Mat: Abs, Back, Legs, Glutes, & Arms (30 minutes)
*Weights: Abs, Back, Legs, Glutes, & Arms (25 minutes)
*Ring: Abs, Back, Legs, Glutes, & Arms (25 minutes)
*Large Ball: Abs, Back, Legs, Glutes, & Arms (30 minutes)
*Weighted Ball: Abs, Back, Legs, Glutes, & Arms (25 minutes)
More Over 15 Minute Routines
*Arms: Mat, Weights, Ring, Large Ball, & Weighted Ball (25 minutes)
*Legs: Mat, Weights, Ring, Large Ball, & Weighted Ball (35 minutes)
*Abs: Mat, Weights, Ring, Large Ball, & Weighted Ball (30 minutes)
*Glutes: Mat, Weights, Ring, Large Ball, & Weighted Ball (25 minutes)
*Back: Mat, Weights, Ring, Large Ball, & Weighted Ball (25 minutes)

These are definitely intermediate level workouts. Although Meghan offers good form pointers as well as modifications, she does not provide the level of instruction needed for those new to Pilates, so some prior familiarity with the exercises is a must. In addition, she often performs a higher number of repetitions than what is usually seen with Pilates, making the exercises more challenging. Furthermore, if you do some of the longer routines (eg, the abs with all the equipment), you will be repeating some exercises (eg, the hundred), so you will definitely feel the moves pretty intensely. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed that Meghan did not include some of the higher-level Pilates exercises such as the rollover and the neck pull; despite the large number of routines, the exercises were fairly similar across modalities. I also thought that the sequencing of moves was a bit odd at times, as Meghan does not follow the traditional Pilates matwork progression. Finally, I would have preferred to have the DVD allow me to do my own mixing and matching rather than to provide me with the premixed options (although I did appreciate that there were an extensive selection of these).

Overall, this DVD is probably best suited to someone who is an advanced beginner to intermediate in Pilates, enjoys working with a variety of Pilates equipment, and is looking for variety of workouts of varying lengths.

I was looking for a relaxing stretching video. I love Pilates and thought I would give this a try. Meghan really knows how to go slow BUT work every muscle. I thought it would be easy but it really challengs me. I also love how I can pick my own routines.
I do something different each time and work different muscles all week long. I could feel and see a change in my posture and form after a few days.

This DVD is a great addition to my colletction! I am able to vary my workout and feel challenged! The instructor is knowledgable, easy to listen to, and explains the moves in detail. There are so many workouts to choose from- it gives you many choices (so you're not bored)
So glad I bought it!! You do need a few props

I'm a petite person who doesn't want to lose any weight but I stillwant to tone up, but I've had a hard time finding a video right for me until now. You can feel it working the very first time you do it. The instructor is very pleasant and easy to understand and it lets you choose what level of difficulty which is great for when I become more advanced. I was so impressed that I recommended it to my roommate and now we do it together. Buy it you will love it as much as I do.

The paper I read (Argus Leader) ran an article where they had fitness experts review DVDs in various categories and whether they were "Worth The Workout". This DVD was highly rated across all categories

-There a good "burn"
-it was not boring,
- a beginner could do it, yet parts that were challenging enough for experts
- that the instructor was very good, professional and knew what she was doing
- the experts would use the DVD again.)

Anyway I picked up all four DVDs (there were recommendations in the general category of Cardio, Toning, Pilates and Yoga) and so far am extremely happy with all of the titles they recommended. (In fact I have some of the titles that they stated were very poor titles, and they were right there also.)

So if you are looking for an excellent Pilates DVD, look no further, the experts were right on the money in their review.

This is a very good DVD. Multiple routines to choose from. Each can be as easy or as challenging as you want. I was looking for a challenge and was pleasanty surprised that this DVD did provde me with a good challenging set of workouts. My daughter (an 18 yr. old competitive swimmer) and I do these workouts together and even she says that she can feel results!!

DVD comes with such a variety of workouts which totally blew me away. The instructor Meghan was so precise and detail, every program whether the full workout or shot express 10 minutes worked every muscle, I was in such pain, and I consider myself a intermediate exerciser. If you want variety and results along with Pilates then this one is for you.