Customer Reviews

Quick Start Pilates for Weight Loss

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The DVD begins with a 2 minute introduction to general weight loss guidelines, including amount of food taken in, sufficient exercise, and the benefits of pilates.

The workout itself is set off the shore of an ocean border with waves splashing on the rocks. The scenery is beautiful and inviting. The music is typical Gaiam relaxation music. There is nothing overly special nor offensive about it, although the beginning segment includes a nice drum beat in the background.

Ana begins the workout in standing pilates stance, then lowers down with arms crossed in front. The following is the list of exercise series included in the workout.

* The hundred
* Roll-up (5)
* Single Leg Circles (5 each direction, each leg)
* Rolling like a ball (5)
* Single leg stretch ( 5 slow)
* Double straight leg stretch (2 modified with arms and legs straight up, 3 normal)
* Spine stretch forward (5)
* Open leg rocker preparation (alternate leg extensions while balancing-2, follow both legs extended and balance)
* Cork screw (3 each side)
* Saw (3 each side)
* Neck roll ( 2 sets)
* Swan dive prep (5)
* Child's pose stretch (2 breaths)
* Single leg kick (5)
* Double leg kick (4 sets of 3 kicks)
* Child's Pose Stretch (3 breaths)
* Shoulder bridge prep (5)
* Side kick series (right side):
Up & Down (5)
Circles (8 each direction)
Bicycle (3 forward, 3 reverse)
* Side kick series (left side)
* One leg teaser (1 leg planted, 1 leg extended diagonally-3 each side)
* Hip circles (2 each side)
* Seal
* Stand without the aid of hands

This workout is low to mid-intermediate. The pace moves a bit slower than typical Cabán workouts. At first I was irritated by this, as I was used to Ana's previous speed, but I soon realized that I was able to focus better and feel the exercises more deeply at this speed. Although it is not my favorite of Cabán's work, I am happy I made this purchase, and plan to rotate it into my collection.

The instruction is impeccable, probably some of the best, detailed guiding that Ana has even done. It is performed in voice over format. As usual, Ana's form is excellent and inspiring. Ana uses a calm, yet motivating voice, and is very easy to follow. Her manner of speaking is not at all offensive, and it is easy to "bond" with her as an instructor.

Pilates for Weight Loss: Motivational Audio Program CD
Narrated by Ana Cabán

This audio CD is an accompaniment to the Pilates for Weight Loss: 30 Minute Quick Start DVD workout. Along with the DVD and CD kit is an access code for more specific dietary and exercise recommendations on a Gaiam web site for weight loss.

The CD has 6 tracks. The first 5 range around 1 minute long.

Track 1 focuses on staying on track with weight loss goals, by giving general recommendations about food intake and exercise.

Track 2 gives general recommendations for healthier eating and the benefits of doing so. Ana even reveals that she herself was beginning to combat weight gain until she started following some of these recommendations.

Track 3 suggests keeping a journal. The journal can record food eaten for the day, helping to create a sense of moderation. Or the journal can be of thoughts, such as lists of activities you have planned or even just how you are feeling.

Track 4 gives specific examples of what topics can be written in a journal. Some suggestions are current thoughts in the head, which exercises you enjoy, focus on daily fitness, or accomplishments.

Track 5 lists ideas of activities that will be beneficial to practice daily. For example, you should take time for yourself, focus on small steps, exercise, expect disappointment at times, think of 3 things you are grateful for, and drink 8 glasses of water.

Track 6 contains the actual audio workout. It is perfect for traveling as it is a mini-version of the workout on DVD.

The first 2 minutes discusses Joseph Pilates's belief on the purpose and effects of pilates.

The next 4 minutes include warm up stretches. This part would be good if doing no other workout before hand, or if relaxing at the end of the day, but it can be skipped if you prefer to go directly to the actual mat work, especially if you had done cardio first, for example.

Stretches while lying on the back:
* Pull knees into the chest, one at a time, with slow, synchronoized breathing. (2)
* Rib cage stretch: lift arms straight up above then pull over-head (5)
* Single leg hamstring stretch
* Lying back twist
* Breathing and relaxing with knees bent, feet on floor

The next 11 minutes begin the actual mat work. The workout is nearly identical to its DVD counterpart, using the same music and most of the same exercises; however, extra attention to description has been given to enhance the ability to follow along with the audio format.
The following exercise series is included:

* The hundred
* Roll-up (5)
* Single Leg Circles (5 each direction, each leg)
* Rolling like a ball (5)
* Single leg stretch ( 5 slow)
* Double straight leg stretch (2 modified with arms and legs straight up, 3 normal)
* Spine stretch forward (5)
* Saw (3 each side)
* Breathing and relaxing with knees bent and feet on the floor while lying on the back

The remaining 8 minutes or so continues with the relaxation music used in the DVD format.

I think the CD is a good reminder for anyone looking to change to or keep healthier habits, regardless of weight loss goals, if any. The actual workout is performed at Ana's normal pace and is at a low to mid-intermediate level. I plan to use this workout for travel, relaxing at the end of a day, or as an add-on.

Ana's instruction is very clear and purposeful, and her tone is soft and encouraging. Her strong visualization skills greatly aid in her description, allowing the exerciser to complete each exercise with good form.

I like how she clearly calls out each movement so that there is no guessing about when to bend my legs, etc. I like how the overall tone of the dvd feels very calm and not rushed (the music and scenery are relaxing) WITHOUT the video feeling slow or boring; I think she accomplishes this by moving from one exercise to the next without downtime, so I don't feel like I'm wasting time (this is in contrast to the Windsor Pilates "Basics set", which spends a very boring amount of time talking about each move instead of just showing or doing the move. The Windsor would be good for absolute beginners who want a detailed How-To tutorial). Anyways, She managed to get through a suprising number of different moves in half an hour, so I felt like I had decent abs/leg adductors workout from it (but keep in mind Pilates is low impact, so it's not going to make you sweat as much as aerobics).
Also, on the same disc users have the option verbal cues in SPANISH.

UPDATE: Since I wrote my initial review, I have tried at least 10 other company's pilates workout, and I would say Ana Caban's is still one of my favorites. She goes through a variety of moves but doesn't feel rushed, she cues well but doesn't talk talk too much, and the background is beautiful.

I bought this DVD based on the reviews stating it was a good intro to pilates. It really is a good workout. I also bought at the same time the Giam Beginning Mat Workout. I should have started with the Beginning Mat Workout DVD as it has modifications to some of the exercises I had difficulty with on the Pilates for Weight Loss. Still it's a great workout and I will continue to do it.

I Love this video. I used Ana's Beginners Mat Workout Video for several years, but needed to upgrade to a DVD when I started traveling for work (to play on laptop). It is really great. I would suggest starting with the beginner's mat workout video, to get familiar with some of the moves a little more. I haven't listened to the CD yet, but hope to get that on my MP3 player so I can finish my workout at the gym with some pilates.

The details of this workout has already been wonderfully described by the previous reviewer, so I'll just add that I think it's very nice! It has a great variety of pilates poses and it is very beautifully produced. Ana looks so nice and fit and the location on Malibu beach is a calming choice for backdrop. I'm glad that Ana slowed the pace down a bit in this workout-it gives me a chance to improve my form and I can really feel my muscles toning and strengthening while I hold each pose! And I like that the workout only requires 30 minutes of my time. The ironic thing is that I didn't even buy this for weight loss-I just wanted a good, slower-paced pilates workout.

After walking on your treadmill or biking, this "Quick Start: Pilates for Weight Loss" becomes at least an intermediate workout. Ana Caban guides you through a number of familiar Pilates exercises including the hundred, roll-ups, leg circles, rolling like a ball and the teaser. The serene-by-the-sea setting is relaxing as Ana Caban works out in a pink outfit on a sapphire mat on a platform above the waves. This energetic workout is perfect if you only have a half hour to exercise and want to boost your metabolism. The precise instruction makes this workout a pleasure.

~The Rebecca Review

Finally Ana is back with a whole new Pilates workout! She definitely knows how to pack a wallop in just 30 minutes! In addition, she included the Swan, one of my absolute favorite Pilates moves. I just wish the move could have been a little longer, though. This DVD is great for anyone generally new to Pilates. The one thing I was worried about though was the long table on which she worked out too. The setting itself was beautiful on a beach, but Ana was working on top of a table, and at times I was worried that something was going to happen to her. Luckily, nothing did. This workout worked out everything to me-the core, the legs, even the arms. I so can't wait to get her other new DVDs, coming out next month on Oct.4.

This is my second Ana Caban pilates video and I think she's great. Excellent cues in regards to breathing, neck positioning (just when she says to pull my shoulders away from my ears, I realize that they were there) etc. I wish she explained or showed a bit more modification for some of the harder moves, but I've been able to make it work and love this video! 30 minutes goes by in a flash....and I feel like I've really worked my body after this video.

This is my first Pilates DVD and I am VERY happy with it. I have had it over a year and still do it a few times a week. The routine is a little hard to follow the first few times, but once you get the idea, it's a really nice workout and is easy to keep doing. This first time every group of my abs SCREAMED for 3 days. Now, I can push myself to resist and make the moves more intense and I STILL enjoy the program. Usually the women on exercise tapes make me want to GAG, but I thought Ana was pretty good- low key and practical. Overall, I love this DVD and will look for others that are produced by Gaiam and "star" Ana Caban.

This was my first experience with Pilates....and I LOVE IT! Ana was easy to understand and the workout was not to overwhelming for a beginner. As a matter of fact, my eleven year old son who is probably ten pounds overweight wanted to do it with me and enjoyed the routine. He wants to workout with me now every evening. I think this DVD is great!