Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Goldhill Home Media
• VHS Release Date: December 16, 2003
• Run Time: 51 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000E1WK0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,823 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Joseph Pilates developed a unique fitness system combining aspects of martial arts, gymnastics, yoga and ancient Greek training techniques, focusing on the coordination of the body, mind and spirit. Joseph Pilates, practiced what he called "The Art of Contrology" until his death in 1968, at the age of 88. He left his studio – and his legacy as a trainer, teacher and innovator – to his student and colleague Romana Kryzanowska. Today, the conditioning system bears his name, is one of the most popular and fastest growing fitness methods in the world. Known simply as PILATES, its leading teacher and practitioner is also recognized by only one name, ROMANA. For nearly half a century Romana has traveled around the world, teaching this Authentic Pilates method that she learned directly from "Uncle Joe". Her clients include athletes, dancers and celebrities. Even the most successful Pilates teachers and other fitness experts regularly come to Romana for advanced instruction and certification in the Pilates method. Now, for the first time, Romana has created a video series for home use. An intense aerobic workout is the key to burning fat and building muscle. Romana’s Weight Management and Heart Rate Mat Workout is designed to help you achieve your optimum weight, while stretching and strengthening your muscles at the same time. Now you don’t have to jog or ride a bike before you get to the free weights or machines. Pilates unique approach to breathing while exercising accomplishes it all in one workout. Your blood will flow with renewed vigor. You’ll develop more energy and stamina. You’ll look better and feel more fit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic, Effective, and Proper Technique, August 22, 2004

By 

Pilates Pupil "Dedicated to Pilates" (Gilbert, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romana's Pilates - Optimum Weight (DVD)

I'm a beginner/intermediate to Pilates and had been going to a local studio in AZ for about 2 months. My instructor just opened her studio so she was green too. At her studio, she teaches mat and Reformer. What I noticed is that when I left class I often hurt for days. Some things about the workouts just didn't seem right to me so I decided to check 'other' Pilates material: books, DVDs, etc. I even read material Joseph himself wrote. What I found was my instructor was one of the many that's churned out from some instructor-over-night certification class---and she didn't know much more than I did. She certified under Stott and I trusted they wouldn't certify them if they don't know what they're doing. Not true! Once I asked, "how should I be breathing?" I was told by the instructor..."I really don't think it matters that you breathe as long as you breathe." WRONG! In Joseph's writings he preached breathing is essential and is always done through the nose, never the mouth. He spent a lot of time going over the dynamics and impact of breathing to get the optimum results from the workout.

After purchasing Romana's DVD, I am certain I'd be headed for life long back pain and injury if I continued to let some just-certified(incorrectly)-instructor teach me poor technique. I feel that Romana's DVDs teach the proper techniques safely and that they help you execute each move to get the intended and maximum results. By doing the moves correctly, you're gaining strength, flexibility and a better body.

I read the reviews where people complain..."oh there's only one workout." You want variety....don't be cheap---buy another DVD. For my $15, it's the best money I've ever spent and it will take me time to master it. If you went to her studio to learn this very session, you'd be paying a lot more than $15--so what really are you complaining about?--the fact that you can't do the workout? Stick with your $15 DVD; it'll come. Romana has saved me from injury and given me a better workout. After all, Joseph Pilates only created so many moves to be executed in a particular order on the mat. True Pilates is done exactly this way and took he and his pupils, like Romana, years to master. Hell....if you're bored or have outgrown the mat, get a Reformer or advance to another apparatus. This is pure common sense! When you passed the first grade you didn't stay there....you went to 2nd grade.

Oh and by the way, for those who complained about it not being a weightloss program. I was a size 14 two months ago and now wear a size 10. Go figure...my doing the ONE workout helped me lose weight. I concentrate on the moves and apply myself each day I play the DVD. I improve DAILY. I plan to continue use of Romana's DVD, master it and move to the next level.

I think people should have realistic expectations and want to do Pilates for all the right reasons. It's seems that many of the poor reviews that were written came from people who either already worked out with Romana or are practically instructors themselves. Give me a break! The rest of us millions of average everyday people haven't been to Drago's gym or had lessons with Romana. You should consider yourselves blessed. The majority of the population would get GREAT benefit from this DVD, so your viewpoints were found biased and downright unimportant. If you're dedicated to your form and the workouts 3-4 times a week, you CAN change your body and the way you feel about yourself. I am emerging a better me thanks to THIS DVD! I recommended it to anyone desiring better health, strength and above all attitude. I have chosen Pilates and it is a lifestyle change for me. I am so excited about what's to come for me for integrating it into my everyday routine! My only wish is that I could one day meet Romana and share a workout or two under her instruction. She is truly an amazing lady!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love Pilates, you will enjoy this video!, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Romana's Pilates - Optimum Weight (DVD)

I thoroughly enjoy this video. After seeing 80 year old Romana performing her routine on the Cadillac, you may vow to make Pilates a permanent part of your life.

The video begins with a history of Joseph Pilates and actual footage of Pilates performing his exercise routine. A young Romana is featured in the historic chapter.

Then Romana walks through the basics, explaining the Powerhouse, breathing, etc.

Next is the workout with Romana prompting and her student, Petie, performing an approximately 25 minute Pilates session. The set is beautiful, a studio with sunlight streaming in through a high window draped in white. The exercises are performed on the most luxurious mat I've ever seen. Romana is a riot, standing with arms folded, in her high heels, tapping out time and snapping form pointers to her student. She has a "stern yet earthly" instructor quality, this is not a video filled with repetitive, inane chatter.

Romana's instruction chapter is followed by Petie performing the full routine to a subtle voice-over cue, which progresses more smoothly without Romana stopping to nitpick her form. Even without Romana there to oversee, Petie is very inspiring in her strength and form. The exercises flow and transition one right into the next for an advanced-beginner to intermediate workout. I wouldn't recommend this for a first-time beginner.

Exercises include One Hundred, Leg Circles, Ball, Single and Double Leg Stretches, Open Leg Rocker, Swan Dive, Single and Double Leg Kicks, Teasers, and several others, finishing with Seal and some standing footwork. There are short bonus sections featuring a wall workout and foot strengtheners.

In performing the workout, I found it to be fast-paced, flowing, and strong. I'm an intermediate Pilates student and this video had me breaking a sweat, breathing hard, and feeling lengthened and very hard in my core afterward. I look forward to using it again, and plan to purchase the whole Romana series. Romana belongs in the video library of every Pilates devotee!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent high-intermediate Pilates practice, June 28, 2006

By 

dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Romana's Pilates - Optimum Weight (DVD)

Romana Kryzanowska is such a controversial person: on the one hand, she is revered as the person who received Joseph Pilates' blessing to carry on his teaching and methods, while on the other hand she is seen by some as turning a system of exercise into a secretive discipline. With those prejudices in mind, I waited a long time before I got my hands on this release. Now I'm very happy with it.

Romana comes across as matter-of-fact but with an appropriate sense of humor as she guides Petie, the participant for this video, through the routine. While the staples of the Hundred, the Rollup, and Single Leg Pull are included, she leaves out 3 of the 5 Stomach Series movements. However, although she leaves out the Rollover, she includes really tough exercises like the Full Corkscrew, the Jackknife and the Leg Pulls. Because of this, I would call this high intermediate, but I wouldn't quibble about calling it Advanced if someone insisted. As she instructs and corrects Petie through the movements, she makes knowing comments about the differences between the Rollup and the Neck Pull as well as remarks about some exercises she personally dislikes (Swimming, and possibly the Side Series Bicycle- perhaps Romana is predisposed to a weak back?). Her insights, though small and offhand, are valuable.

What I enjoyed most about this was how, even though the "workout" proceeded quickly (17 minutes?) and Petie was sweating halfway through (I need someone to explain to me why Pilates won't help with weightloss, because I always work up a sweat), she made it seem, if not effortless, not only enjoyable but also beautiful- no other way to describe it. People shouldn't, of course, feel that they have to do a certain discipline solely because of the way it looks, but I must admit that does add to the charm. The real pull, of course, are the results you can get from Pilates.

Having seen the footage of Romana at the age of 80, I can honestly say that I am in awe and that I want to be just like her when I grow up. Very flexible and very strong- it would be an achievement to have her strength now (I'm in my thirties), much less fifty years from now- she is living proof of what regular Pilates can do.