Customer Reviews

Pilates Method - 2 Disc Set

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

 

 

This DVD is not for everyone. I have tried pilates and yoga but am not a dancer. Although it is interesting to see how Kries puts all three together it is very difficult to follow. She does not give instruction on the form nor does she give you much notice when changing from one move to another. If I had never practiced pilates or yoga I would be lost. If a beginner tried this they would not know how to do the moves properly. If you have experience in all three areas you may like this DVD but don't try it unless you're already familiar with yoga and pilates.

This should not be labelled as a pilates workout. There is really only a small section with a condensed mat workout. The rest is very flowy, dancy low-impact exercise. Some of which could be hard on the knees if done improperly. Lots of deep plie type stuff. It might work for you if this is the exercise you want, but if you are looking for PILATES, don't buy this. I wish I hadn't. Even the beginning Gaiam series with "perky" Ana Caban is better.

You will definitely see your posture and notice your body toning and start getting leaner.
I recommend you buy Pilates Workout for Dummies first, if this is the first time you do Pilates.
She incorporates Yoga and Ballet. She also, informs you on the importance of breathing and contraction of your stomach. I really enjoy this workout. You will sweat, and notice a difference.
The only reason I did not give it 5 Stars, was that she moves from one exercise to another without explaining them. This frustrated me at first, because I had to constantly stare at
the TV to make sure I was doing it right.
But thanks to Pilates for dummies I now do this workout smoothly.

If you're interested in the basic moves of yoga, pilates or ballet--or if you're looking for some variety in any of those disciplines--this is a great set. Jennifer Kries touches on the basics of all three, offering a solid workout in the process.

The 3-Dimensional Toning Video (my favorite) offers two workouts:

1. The first is a 30 minute, low-impact cardio workout that begins with very nice stretches, continues with ballet, and ends with yoga. It says that it's "Pilates-based," but you won't find any classic pilates mat moves here. Regardless, the workout feels good and should make beginners and intermediates work up a good sweat.
2. The second segment is a 20-minute core conditioning workout that is mainly pilates matwork. The moves are fairly basic and won't be much of a challenge to those advanced in pilates, but provide a good, quick workout/introduction for the rest of us.

The second disc, Precision Pilates, contains 3 20-minute workouts:
The first two use pilates methods to sculpt the upper body and lower body, respectively. The upper body workout uses light handweights. Both require few reps, but still leave a slight burn in the muscles they're working. The last sgement on this disc is a yoga-inspired "Flow and Flexibility" workout, which provides a solid cool down or stretch.

Both DVDs are divided into chapters, which makes it easy to use this set for a combination of cardio, sculpting, or stretch. All of the workouts leave me feeling a little more balanced and lean, without feeling knocked out.

Jennifer Kries is likeable and motivating, though her cueing is not always great. You will need to watch her the first few times you do the routine. She does use terminology from ballet and yoga, but she explains the motions--you don't need to know the terms.

Because the routines only touch on ballet, yoga and pilates, you might not get as intense a workout as you would if you just focused on one. Also, if you're very familiar with one discipline, that section might seem too easy. If you want a good mix, however, this is a great set.

I had the Pilates Perfect Mix DVD and decided to add these videos to my workout because I liked the other so much and was getting great results. Each of these videos offers a different type of pilates training and used together, I am now able to make a different workout each day depending on what I want to concentrate on. I love all 3 videos and am very happy with the results of toning, cardiovascular and stretch.

These DVDs aren't perfect, yet they remain some of my favorites. Jennifer's cueing is off at times and I do wish she'd explain more physiology (which I know she knows).

I find her workouts very relaxing and calming.(even the "energizing" ones.) I also find it very difficult to quit working out to her discs. I tell myself I'm going to do a 30 min. session and once that one ends I just have to do the next one. She makes it all feel so easy that you might not even realize how hard you've worked. You get your muscles warmed up and might even break a sweat. But you'll feel it the next day. And you'll notice it in the mirror. They even helped me quit smoking after 20+ years. (yep, I started when I just a young ballerina, 13y/o!)

Definetly worth buying if you can get them at a good price.

Her other earlier videos were much better. I don't seem to see the same results or feel the same energy with these.