Customer Reviews

Pilates for Weight Loss

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a Pilates instructor and recommend this to my students who come to class looking to get in shape and lose weight.

There is a wide range of work outs for them to use and the instruction is expertly done. Prior to recommending it to my students, I watched this DVD and did some research on the instructor's background. Both were impressive (she was trained and certified by Romana Kryzanowska.)

As others have pointed out, Pilates is not a "weight loss" method in and of itself, but was developed to help develop "core" strength and flexibility. It is used extensively in physical rehabilitation; in other words if you are out of shape or have an injury the general nature of Pilates is designed to be helpful to get you back into shape with less stress on your body than other forms of exercise. To me it accurately and faithfully represents what Joseph Pilates developed.

This DVD additionally provides three levels of instruction (Beginner, Intermediate and Advance) with the proper Pilates modifications for each level so you will be able to use it for a long, long time even as you progress and get back into shape.

The notes on the DVD state it "is the perfect complement to any weight-loss program" and instructor reiterates this on the DVD - Pilates will be one aspect in helping you get into shape and other changes in your lifestyle, such as diet, may be needed. There is never a magic bullet that will make you lose weight.

While there are also other physical activities you can engage in trying to get in shape, Pilates is one that is worth considering based on how and why it was originally developed. And if you already know that you would like to make Pilates part of your activity, then this DVD is perfect.

This is the best pilates tool anyone could own. I am overweight and looking to lose weight, and after I started exercising regularly, I wanted to add both Pilates and balance ball exercises to my routine. After searching for a LONG time to find a great dvd, I found this one. It has been such a rewarding dvd for so many reasons, and I have already lost weight in combining this dvd and others in my routine. This dvd has three sections for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. The great thing is that each section has 5 workouts ranging from 10 minutes to 90 minutes, and you can choose a program with or without a warm-up. The instructor is great and each move is done a good amount of times. There is nice music in the background as well. What I also find to be truly invaluable in this dvd is the fact that during the workout the instructor will remind you to breathe properly, just in case you forget, and she also tells you how many are left during each exercise. I can write forever about how GREAT this dvd is, but I don't like reading long reviews myself so I wont make you! Just know that this is the #1 DVD for Pilates students at any level, from novice to advanced, and I LOVE IT!!!

This DVD contains not 1, not 2 or 3, but 15 different Pilates mat routines. The routines are broken down into 3 levels, Beginning, Intermediate, and Challenging, and they are instructed via voiceover by certified Pilates instructor Karen Garcia. In addition to the workouts themselves, each section of the DVD also includes a "Lesson," which breaks down the new moves at each level. Within each level, the same footage is used in more than one routine in order to create a variety of different practice options.

Here is the main DVD menu, with my notes in parentheses:
Lesson: Principles/Cautions (overview of basic Pilates principles)
Beginning Routines
Intermediate Routines
Challenging Routines
Interview (6 minute Q&A session with Karen)
About the Instructor
Other Products (lists other Body Wisdom DVDs)
Contact and Credits

Okay, now I'll break down each of the three levels. The times are as they appear on screen, but the times in parentheses are based on my own review. I've included an overview of the exercises included in each practice (this is not intended to be comprehensive).

Beginning Routines (displayed by Sherri)
*Beginning Lesson (24m)--instructions for the hundred, roll-up, leg circles, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, spine stretch forward, open leg rocker, corkscrew, saw, beginning side kicks, teaser, seal, modified Pilates push-ups, beginning weight series
*Basics, 10 minutes (13m)--the hundred, modified roll-up, leg circles, single and double leg stretch, modified teaser, corkscrew, saw, seal
*Basics Variation, 20 minutes (17m)--adds spine stretch forward, open leg rocker, and side kicks to the above
*Basics with Warm-Up, 30 minutes (28m)--adds a 6.5 minute standing stretch series and a 2 minute seated warm-up; also adds Pilates push-ups and the weight series
*More Challenging Basics, 20 minutes (17m)--a less modified version of the Basics Variation which includes the weight series
*Challenging Basics with Warm-Ups, 30 minutes (29.5)--adds the warm-ups described above; also includes seal, Pilates push-ups, and the weight series

Intermediate Routines (displayed by Karen herself)
*Intermediate Lesson (20m)--instructions for a Pilates sit, single and double leg stretch (unmodified), single and double leg kicks, neck pull, shoulder bridge, spine twist, side kicks, full teaser, swimming, mermaid, seal, and intermediate weight series
*Short Variation, 15 minutes (15.5m)--the hundred, roll up, full series of 5; most difficult exercises include the teaser and swimming
*Short with Arm Work, 20 minutes (23m)--the segment utilizes unusual sequencing and includes the neck pull, teaser, seal, Pilates push-ups, and the weight series
*Short with Leg Work, 30 minutes (29m)--the leg work here is in the form of additional exercises such as the leg kicks, shoulder bridge, and side kicks; also includes the weighted arm series
*Longer with Leg Work, 35 minutes (34m)--adds the 6.5 minute standing warm-ups; also includes the neck pull, side kicks, swimming, and mermaid/seal/push-ups to finish
*Longest with Warm-ups, Abs, Leg, and Arm Work, 35 minutes (38m)--includes both the standing and seated warm-ups, full series of 5, open leg rocker, corkscrew, leg kicks, neck pull, shoulder bridge, side kicks, mermaid/seal/push-ups, and weight series

Advanced Routines (displayed by Alice)
*Challenging Lesson (15m)--instruction on the roll-over, corkscrew (advanced version), swan dive, side kick series, can can, hip circles, leg pull-down/pull-up, boomerang, plus advanced Pilates push-ups and weight series
*Short Variation with Warm-up, 20 minutes (21.5)--includes both the standing and seated warm-ups flowing into a fairly standard advanced mat routine; most difficult exercise is the boomerang
*Short Variation without Warm-up, 20 minutes (19m)--again, a standard advanced mat series which includes the advanced corkscrew, slow and fast repetitions of the series of 5, multiple repetitions of Teasers 1 & 2, and the boomerang
*Short Variation with Leg Work, 20 minutes (22.5m)--the leg exercises include the shoulder bridge, the leg pull-down/pull-up, etc.; this segment also seemed to have more intense ab/back work (eg, the neck pull and the swan dive)
*Longer with Leg Work, 35 minutes (31)--includes the 6.5 minute standing warm-up plus additional side kicks exercises
*Longest with Warm-ups, Abs, Leg, and Arm Work, 40 minutes (<43m)--this segment adds both the standing and the seated warm-ups, a Pilates ring during the teaser, and the weight series

In general, the practices on this DVD followed traditional Pilates sequencing, although some of the shorter routines deviated a bit. I was a bit surprised by how some of the exercises were classified--for example, I've usually seen open leg rocker and corkscrew rated as intermediate exercises, not beginner as taught here, and similarly, some of the challenging exercises were what I would consider to be intermediate. I'm at an intermediate level myself, and I was able to complete the Challenging routines without much difficulty (whereas Hilary Burnett's Advanced Mat is a bit beyond my level).

I think that this DVD would be fairly well-suited to someone who is new to Pilates and who is looking to purchase just one DVD that they can grow with over time. The add-on style teaching here (ie, you add in more challenging exercises as you progress) is similar to Brooke Siler's The Pilates Body, an excellent book for those new to the discipline. Although this video also contains more challenging practices, I would not recommend it for someone like myself who is already coming in at an intermediate or above level, largely because so much of what is offered is likely to go unutilized by the more experienced practitioner.

In summary, this DVD would likely work best for those new to Pilates who have had little experience with other Pilates videos.

Don't be fooled by the title. I don't need to lose weight but I got this program because it goes at a bit slower pace then most that I've seen and I can really focus on the movements. I've been doing the Intermediate and advanced workouts for almost a year and I don't find them too easy or boring. I really concentrate on the movements and still feel my muscles when I'm done. They even have hand weights sections at the end of some of the Intermediate and Advanced workouts.

This was the 7th Pilates DVD or video I bought and the only one that I actually use on a regular basis. It's done at a really good pace and there are several workouts to choose from so I can always fit it in. Just doing Pilates won't make you lose weight but doing 25-35 minutes of Pilates twice a week has done more for how I look and feel then all the time I spent on the stairmaster. Since I've been doing these workouts I don't have a sore back after my walks and now that I can see my muscles and starting to have definition. So if you want to look and feel like your weight loss is actually getting you somewhere then get this Pilates DVD and do it.

I bought Pilates for Weight Loss and Ultimate Body Challenging (also by bodywisdom media) and love them both so much. I try to do a full cardio AND a 20 minute or so Pilates together at least once a week. Other days I just do one or the other. If you get one of the Ultimate Body and this DVD, you'll have all the classes you'll need. No more trekking out to the gym for the same class over and over.

I'm overweight and very out of shape and wanted to try Pilates. The beginner section is really geared to someone like me who needed to be eased into exercise after many years of doing nothing. I especially love the long, slow, detailed warm ups. To some, doing neck and shoulder rolls, foot stretches, etc., may seem like wasted time, but I can't touch my toes and I can't make it twice around the block at a fast pace, so, I needed to be loosen up and get back in touch with my body. I was really pleased that after about a month of 3x week, I can do all the beginner workouts. I won't be moving on to Intermediate for a few more weeks, but I am starting to feel the benefits of Pilates and it's really helping me in my daily activity.

At first I thought pilates was for flexible and physically fit people. After having my first child I gained 30 pounds and was completely out of shape. From a high recommendation, I started "Pilates Complete for Weight Loss" everyday and within three weeks I saw impressive results. As a beginner not only did I lose some of my pregnancy weight but my breathing and flexibility has improved as well. Pilates is now a part of my daily life and I hope to reach the intermediate level soon.

I bought his video because I was having a hard time losing weight/inches after having my second baby. I have done the video about 4-5 times a week for a little over a month. After seven months of worrying I'd never get back down to my normal size, I am actually fitting back into my clothes from before I got pregnant now. The exercises feel good to me, not painful. And they do work. I love this DVD and I totally recommend it!

I too was weary about the DVD after reading one review about a "glitch", but I didn't find that at all. For the Most part I was impressed with the incredible value offered on the DVD. Lots of programs to chose from and best of all you can select your own workout routine based on personal preferences. Frankly, I have not found those capabilities anywhere else and I have a considerable collection of weightloss products.

I already own other pilates DVD and though I enjoy them, I quickly get bored with the same two routines, so I wanted to add some spice to my workout. I saw this at Target for $15 and figured it would be worth a try since it promised 15 different workouts.

There are advanced, intermediate and beginner sections and I personally enjoy using all three. I'm a solid intermediate and found most of the routines to be pretty easy (i.e. no major ab pain the next day and I could do all the moves without modification). On days when I've done a harder or longer cardio routine, I opt for a quick beginner stretch. Tonight I decided to give the advanced section a go . . . yes, it was a bit tricky for me and I did have to make a few modifications, but I did pretty good and will try to incorporate one advanced a week.

It probably won't help you shed the pounds, but you'll feel and look a bit sleeker. Plus, you'll notice an improvement in your flexibility, which is very important. When I first tried pilates, I couldn't reach my knees during "the saw", now I can reach past my toes. Also, your abs will love you . . .

This was the 5th Pilates DVD I bought and the only one that I actually use on a regular basis. It's done at a really good pace and there are several workouts to choose from so I can always fit it in. Since I've been doing these workouts I don't have a sore back after my walks and now that I can see my muscles and starting to have definition. So if you want to look and feel like your weight loss is actually getting you somewhere then get this Pilates DVD and do it.