Customer Reviews

Pure Barre: Ballet, Dance & Pilates Fusion

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I love barre workouts. I own a lot of DVDs devoted to this method and it's very effective, especially on the lower body. Like another reveiwer stated, the set and the production quality is bad. Really bad. It looks like something a high school AV Class threw together for a class project. The set is dark and ugly, the camera work is inadequate, cutting off body parts, and failing to show different angles to help with proper form. The instruction, is so-so, although I felt form pointers and modifications were a bit lacking.

If you're looking for really good, thorough instruction and a little more refined production quality, check out Lotte Berk, or if you can get your hands on some Bar Method DVDs, definitely do that. This isn't a bad DVD for a first try, there is just lots of room for improvement.

The only reason I gave this video even 2 stars is because the instructor clearly knows her stuff. My legs burned after the workout, and she moves quickly from exercise to exercise without a lot of set up, which is nice. However, there is no to very little stretching between difficult sets, and when you do get stretching it's only a few seconds. I paused the video to continue the stretching. This video has a lot of problems. First, I believe it was produced by a child. The camera even cuts off the top of her head for some of it. There is one hilarious scene with an overhead shoulder press in which halfway through the set, the camera operator finally figures out that the viewer cannot see the instructor's arms (during an arm workout!). So, the camera sluggishly tilts up, but by the time you can view the entire exercise, it's over! For most of the sets done at the barre, the very top of the instructor's head is cut off by the camera, and her feet are not always in the entire frame. The camera was too close. On top of that flub, you get very few side views of the instructor, so you can't see which way her foot is moving and you have to rely on her instruction, which is OK, but not always enough. If you are a beginner, you probably won't get it.

As if that is not enough to deter you from buying this, the set is HORRIBLE! There is a black floor and a mix of bright pink and white floor/can lights along the wall in the background, and you can even see an extension cord. It is very industrial, no soft colors, all very dark and not at all pleasant to look at. AND, the instructor is wearing all black against a black floor. Also, the music is the same 10 beats repeated over, and over, and over...

I wish I had never wasted my money on this video. I am no beginner, but if you are, this is NOT for you. There is little to no modification for beginners and you can't always see what the instructor is doing. The only reason I think I did most of the moves correctly is because they are familiar from other videos. If you want a good set of ballet inspired videos, you should try the Lotte Berk Method 4 pack. There is an entire beginner video (Basic Essentials), and on each of the 4 videos one of the instructors modifies the moves to make them easier.

Production issues aside, (which are not as bad as some make them out to be) this workout was painful. Of course, this is a good thing if you are trying to change your body. If you are familiar with barre type exercises and you enjoy them, this is the next step up. I have done Callanetics and Bar Method, but Pure Barre really managed to humble me. My legs were trembling throughout the thigh work. The seat exercises are relentless. She starts you off at the bar and then goes down for floor work. Seriously, I kept thinking, "This is Super Callanetics on steroids!"

I really liked the instructor, Carrie. She was tough and encouraging at the same time. My only gripe is that the stretching didn't last longer. I can't believe I waited so long to give this a try. I will definitely be purchasing the newer Pure Barre DVDs when they hit the market next month :)

I absolutely love pure barre. I have been searching and searching for a program to streamline my body and make me appear willowy and slender and this is it. I did the firm for awhile but it was starting to bulk me up with endless lunges and squats. This program is awesome, I cannot rave about it enough. My butt has never been so lifted and my thighs have NEVER been this thin. Yes, the camera angles and editing can be annoying but I'll take a compromise in that regard to look as good as I am doing pure barre. If you want an amazing body get this dvd, you won't regret it. When is Carrie coming out with more dvds? I'll buy them all. :)
Edited to add that I have been doing pure barre at least three times a week for over six months and my body is still changing for the better.

Update: I've continued to work out to this dvd along with the two most recent Pure Barre dvds and I have never been so well proportioned in my entire life. I have slim, toned thighs that are rock hard and a stomach so flat it is nearly concave. Honestly, if you are in the least bit pear shaped this workout is for you.

I bought this DVD based on a review in the Washington Post about the classes they offer. I thought buying this DVD would be a good substitute for the class but I was somewhat disappointed. Although the video is tough and does work out all parts of the body it didn't really seem to have much to do with ballet training as the video promises it does. The stretches are pretty remedial and only last for a minute.

The production on the video isn't great either and the music and atmosphere tend to get boring. I did feel my muscles for a bit after the workout and will continue trying it in hopes that it will produce some noticable results.

This is the most cheaply made video. It may as well be a home video that was made in someone's basement. The sound quality is also terrible. I recommend ballet inspired videos such as Tracy Effinger's "Squeeze",Bar Method Body, or any of the Callanetics videos, especially the two new ones. Don't waste your money on this cheapy.

This dvd provided a good burn once I figured out what on earth the instructor was doing. It is filmed very poorly, shot from the wrong angles so that you often have no idea what the instructor is doing. Secondarily, her instructions seem to have little to do with her actions. I was yelling angrily at the screen during the first 30 minutes but noticed when I finished the workout that I felt toned and trembly. A good workout but a terrible production.

I am so glad that I did not pay much attention to the naysayers of this workout DVD. I have been working out for more years than I care to admit and have done just about every advanced workout DVD out there. Now in my early 50's, I am leaning towards the lean, elongated definition, much like a dancer as opposed to a body builder. I am currently using Tracy Anderson MAT workout, Physique 57, and the Core Fusion series. And, to give credit to these above DVD's, I have to say that they have done a great job of changing my physique. I did not think that this DVD could surpass those, but I was pleasantly surprised and sore less than 5 minutes after working out. I do not understand the critiques of the production or of the instructor. Of all the above DVD's mentioned, this one is right on target. The instructor's instructions and examples of how to do an exercise are absolutely right on the money. I love her personality and look forward to moving this up to #1 of my DVD rotation. I cannot say enough positive things about this workout DVD - other than get it and you will not be sorry: sore, maybe, but not sorry!

I was hesitant to order this DVD given all the negative reviews. But I was curious and finally gave in. I am so glad I did. This is an amazing workout. You will feel it most in your lower body, but every muscle in your body is addressed. This video deals with very small controlled movements - which might take some people a while to master. If you are unfamiliar with barre type workouts, this probably isn't a good first choice. The negative reviews are right when they say the production value leaves a bit to be desired, but if you are already familiar with Pilates and barre type workouts it isn't such a big deal. Also, there are two new Pure Barre workout videos which were made using a different production company. I haven't tried these yet, but you can be sure I'll be ordering them. So if you're put off by the negative reviews maybe wait a while to see if the newer videos have better reviews. Bottom line, if you're new to Barre or exercising you should probably look else where first. Otherwise if your looking for an awesome total body, no impact workout that will definitely give you DOMS, buy this video you won't be sorry.

The title "Pure Barre" fooled me into buying this DVD, but I was so disappointed that the workout was far from ballet barre workout. In addition, there are no new or "fresh" workout routines in this DVD. The instructor has huge quads and her hip placement is obviously not that of a good dancer. (I'm afraid I will be like her if I use this DVD.) She also wears a pair of flared pants and it is difficult to follow her turn out or her leg positions. The production is also terrible. Don't waste your money.