Customer Reviews

Pilates Method - Precision Pilates [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A fan of Jennifer Kries' "The Method" series of tapes, I bought this DVD without knowing much more than what was described on the cover. It does not include the abdominal and core strengthening exercises that are the foundation of Pilates. However, there are some traditional Pilates moves on this DVD. It is divided into 3 segments, upper body strenthening, lower body strengthening, and stretching, each about 20 minutes long. The upper body segment is done with light weights and is very similar to part of her "The Method Precision Sculpting" video. I found all 3 segments challenging and I feel I will benefit from these exercises. I like having this on DVD so that I can choose which segment to do without having to rewind or fast-forward a tape. Also, the lower body section offers a choice of viewing from 3 different camera angles. The package says there is also an audio option to have music only, but I have not been able to find this on the disc.

After learning the Pilates matwork from a book, I've been doing the exercises for several months already. I expected this DVD to incorporate more of the matwork than it did. The content actually included more yoga-inspired moves than Pilates. It really wasn't what I expected and I'm rather disappointed that it's being marketed as "Precision Pilates."

Like her other workouts DVD's, this one delivers as well.
You need 2 or 3 lbs weight on this workout, you only need this in the first segment. The workouts are divided into 3 segments.First segment is Upper body{Pilates standing sculpting series}.Simple yet effective and not your usual arms workout. Second segment is Lower Body, she combines yoga and ballet moves plus pilates leg series. You will love this part if you are tired of squats and whatnot and want something new. The third segment is called flow and flexibility which is to me an awesome, awesome stretch!!! It's not just your typical stretch, but {as Ms. Kries words} it feels like a dance{ slow moving dance}.
I noticed the change in my body and posture. My backaches are gone and you will not get tired of doing her workout. It is always fun to do.I have been doing Ms. Kries types of workout for almost a year now and I'm still not bored with it{I also purchased other DVD's of Ms. Kries workouts}.My body is noticeably tone esp. the abs section and it always makes you feel invigorated that you will look forward doing the workout again the next day. Ms Kries is very inspiring and a good motivator. If you are a total begginer,or not familiar with Ms. Kries style watch the tape first bec. she's moving while talking.Position yourself where you can see her movement. It will get a lot easier when you familiarize the moves{ maybe in 3 sessions} You will appreciate this technique when you know the moves and you will not be wasting your time reaching the remote to forward.
Try her and you will be glad you did.

This is not a bad DVD.. it actually has 3 decent workouts... BUT the reason I'm giving it only two stars is because I felt very misled by it... The title Precision Pilates would obviously lead the buyer to assume it is a purely "pilates" workout. There is not one exercise here that is in the Pilates matwork routine. The moves are all Yoga based with a Pliates influence.

I bought this DVD as a supplement to the Pilates book by Brooke Siler... and was highly disappointed.. ! I would definitley watch this DVD before purchasing it, if possible.. it may provide you with a good workout.. but if its true Pilates matwork exercises you are looking for.. that is NOT what you will find here...

THIS VIDEO IS A GREAT DEAL WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT!! YOU GET AN UPPER BODY WORKOUT, A SUPER LOWER BODY WORKOUT, AND A RELAXING YOGA SEGMENT ALL IN ONE. ALL THE SEGMENTS ARE WELL DONE AS USUAL AND CAN BE DONE ALONE OR AS ONE INTENSE HOUR LONG WORKOUT. ANYTHING THAT ENHANCES YOUR WORKOUT OPTIONS IS GOOD. WITH SOME COMPANIES PUTTING OUT 20 MINUTE WORKOUT VIDEOS AND CHARGING 12.99, THIS VIDEO IS A SMART PLACE TO PUT YOUR MONEY.

Don't let the title of the workouts fool you- you get a thorough workout in all three. There is an emphasis on Upper Body and Lower Body in the first and second workouts, respectively, but as she says, if you do them correctly, you're going to feel the effects all over, especially your core.

This tape has less of an emphasis on the Pilates abdominal series and dance and more of an emphasis on yoga. Pilates and dance are very thoroughly integrated into the other tapes in this series, so I don't think that's a drawback. Also, although specific abdominal exercises aren't in this tape, 1) you will work them if you do the other exercises correctly and 2) the weight series and leg series is from the classic Pilates sequence.

This tape, in combination with her other two, will be sure to give you a long lean body.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this workout does not contain any of the traditional Pilates mat work, so those who want this will need to look elsewhere. However, if you are looking to try some of the lesser-known Pilates exercises (particularly, the arm series) blended with other methods such as yoga, this is a nice, full-body workout.

This video consists of three separate 20-minute workouts which break down as follows:

1) Upper Body Sculpting--This is the first time that I have ever seen the Pilates arm series featured in a video (the exercises can also be found in Brooke Siler's book The Pilates Body). Instructor Jennifer Kries works out with two others and starts by completing the standing arm series. After a few yoga sun salutations, the workout moves to the floor for variations on the Pilates arm work, and the segment ends with some additional yoga stretches. The Pilates arm series is meant to be done with light weights--the instructors here used 3 lbs., and I used 5 lbs. which made it difficult for me to keep up by the end.

2) Lower Body Sculpting--Jennifer works out solo in this section, which consists of both yoga and Pilates moves. The first half begins with sun saluations and other standing yoga poses. After some brief ballet-type stretches, Jennifer transitions to the floor for the Pilates side kick series, and she again ends the segment with yoga stretches.

3) Flow and Flexibility--This final segment focused on stretching by blending athletic stretch with yoga and ballet; Jennifer is again instructing solo. Like the other two sections, the first half is performed standing, while the second half takes place on the floor. The actual time for this segment was about 16 minutes.

Overall, I enjoyed this workout, finding it to be a nice mix of techniques and a pleasant change from my other workouts. However, I did not particularly like Jennifer Kries as an instructor. First of all, her cuing was inadequate, as she often failed to explain upcoming movements and frequently failed to cue right and left. Furthermore, I found her to be a bit showoff-y at times with her flexibility levels. Despite these flaws, however, I look forward to doing this workout as a break from my usual routine.

This disappointed me. I should mention that I am a beginner, so I was looking for a DVD that would teach the Pilates method. I have read a book about Pilates (Siles') and I think very highly of this approach to exercise. But I figured that getting a DVD would be better for me -- I could watch the motions "live" rather than try to emulate still drawings from a book. This DVD disappointed me because it assumes that you lready know the motions! She does not start slowly, does not really introduce the moves, but jumps right in, and her pace is quite fast. Perhaps this would be just fine if you already know the motions, but simply being told "be careful, don't do this wrong" does not help a beginner. The motions look great, but they are quite complex, so there are lots of ways a beginner could do them wrong! She shoud either slow down and actually teach the motions, or market the DVD only to experienced Pilates exercisers. Finally, from what I know about Pilates, the method is about focus, control and precision. The constant background music in this DVD makes me think more of jumpy aerobics instructors and does not inspire focus & precision.

If you are already familiar with core Pilates moves, some yoga positions, and a little ballet, you'll enjoy this workout. Jennifer Kries does an excellent job of leading you through various Pilates forms with some yoga and ballet thrown in for extra stretching and strengthening. I found the workout to be well-paced and surprisingly intense. She does use a few ballet steps which may not be suitable for everyone's knees, but I loved it. On the other hand, if you are new to Pilates or yoga, don't buy this video. Find one that is geared for beginners so that you'll get an explanation of how to do the moves.

"Our bodies move in every conceivable plane of motion, in varying ranges of expression. Most traditional exercise formats are comprised of linear one-dimensional or at best two-dimensional movements and are geared towards enhancing or changing appearance, rather than improving the body's efficiency or level of functionality. With this three-dimensional fusion of Pilates, Yoga and Dance, you will feel better, stronger, more flexible." ~Jennifer Kries

Workout 1 - Upper Body Sculpting: Pilates and Yoga helps to sculpt the upper body. You will be enjoying the swan dives and flow of the movements. The setting is beautiful with pink mats against a pastel gray/lavender background. You will be using weights during the first workout. Jennifer works with two instructors you may have seen on additional Method videos.

Workout 2- Lower Body Sculpting: Jennifer takes center stage and you can enjoy the one-on-one instruction stars have been enjoying for years. She is truly art in motion and her body speaks of years of dedication.

You start with sun salutations and go through a deep muscle workout to target all the areas that encourage beautiful lines and curves. The exercises here are mostly yoga poses. The only thing I don't like is "awkward chair" which I only want to do once in a workout. Doing it more than once sure teaches patience. While Jennifer pushes you to your limit, she never encourages you to go past your limit. More swan dives and breathing exercises, warrior poses, forward bends, ballet positions and the really fun side series (Pilates kicks, etc. This gives you a chance to lay on the floor which is a wonderful moment at this point). Then you do more breathing exercises and stretch out your hips. This all feels so good and healing.

Workout 3 - Flow and Flexibility: Jennifer explains that stretching can be boring and she is going to make it creative and trick you into thinking you are dancing. This is similar to the idea in "Perfect Mix" and has a similar energy, but you are not using weights. It is really difficult to sit here and type this because I'd rather be doing the exercises. lol So, while I did this workout a few days ago, I think I'll go for it again tonight. The stretching looks so "delicious," as Jennifer would say. You will reach new levels of flexibility if you have also warmed the body in the first two workouts. You can really do all three.

I'm not sure why these Pilates Method workouts end so abruptly when they start so smoothly. All of a sudden, Jennifer disappears. I would have enjoyed a "yoga-style" relaxations segment at the end of all of her workouts. Trust me, you deserve it.

If you have been working out for a number of years, you could use all three workouts for a 60 minute full-body strengthen, tone and stretch escape. I say escape because you won't be able to think of anything but this workout and your body. You have to focus to attain the level of precision Jennifer demonstrates.

If you have the choice between a Video and a DVD, go for the DVD. Isn't rewinding a video the bane of the workout existence? It is so eternally slow.

While "Precision Pilates" seems more like "Precision Yoga," I really enjoyed this video. If you want a more challenging Pilates-based workout, get "PERFECT MIX." It is intense and will take you to your limit.

This is now one of my favorite Pilates Workouts because it has so many unique poses and exercises. Make this year you reach your fitness goals, get as many Jennifer Kries workouts as you can find.

Her "Perfect Mix" workout is a true test of endurance, patience and flexibility. Once you can do that entire workout with perfection, you are on your way to looking and feeling better than you did last year. Exercise is one of those challenging aspects of life, but the results (no matter how long they take to appear) can be very satisfying when you see them appearing. I'm not exactly "skinny," but I intend to reach a new level of fitness in 2004. I'm going to review my way to fitness. Now there is motivation!

This workout is for Beginner to Intermediate, but you can take the positions to the advanced level over time.

Another workout to love!

~The Rebecca Review