Customer Reviews

Stott Pilates - Essential Matwork [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, I'd like to say that I had been looking for a exercise program that develops 'core' muscles when I happened across this video. The Stott Pilates method is EXACTLY what I had been looking for. (Just to let you know I have been doing 'machines' and free weights for years and knew that 'something' was missing. Now I'm just doing Pilates, Kundalini Yoga, and Tae-bo.) Now for the video itself. Overall it's good, but not as good as I would hope for a second and revised edition. The workout routine itself is good and thorough - about an hour long. You'll definitely break a sweat while developing probably the most important muscles of all, those that stabilize the spine, hips, shoulders and abdominal areas. The tape unit itself feels cheap - I've had to remove the flip-up cover to get it to load into my VCR....And at times the audio is not very good - either my copy is bad, or the audio engineer sometimes had 2 microphones on that reverbed - but you can understand the instructions if you play with the volume. Also, I felt 'rushed' through the workout. I use my VCR remote with this tape at times to allow myself time to get from one exercise setup to the next. I wished they had either edited a longer version or simply allowed more time. (What's an extra 5 minutes when you're doing an hour routine?) And while the instruction is pretty complete, as a yoga instructor myself, I felt like Moira has not completely explained what muscles/coordination some of the exercises are developing. I had to stop the video and 'play' with a couple of the movements until I 'got' what finer points I was working with - especially the balance related parts. Despite these, perhaps, nit-pickings, I would recommend this tape.

This is the first exposure I have had to Pilates based workouts. I really enjoyed the video, even though it did seem to drag on a bit (45 minutes). Maybe this is more a feature of me not being familiar with Pilates, but the pace of the video seemed very slow and relaxed, even though I found the moves difficult enough to be challenging. I felt like I got a good workout and that I had better posture, even after using the tape for the first time. I would recommend this tape to someone wanting to give Pilates a try.

As a beginner in Pilates work, I had tried another video prior to this one and was wishing for more detailed explanation to the technique. A good friend and Pilates instructor recommended the Stott series, and this video in particular to start with. I was so glad she did! If you are new to Pilates and serious about getting the full sense of technique that will give you the results you're looking for, this video is the one to try! The leader explains each motion clearly and emphasizes the need for flow in between, as well as placing the importance on preparing for each new exercise as being nearly as important as the exercise itself.

The workout is very intense and requires both physical and mental endurance, and the instructor's demeanor is pleasant and makes you feel comfortable about being at whatever level you're at. If you're unable to perform the full exercise, she shows or explains how to modify it to suit you. I appreciate her manner in doing this, so I don't feel "less able" because I not as flexible as she is (yet!).

I feel I've advanced so much from using this video regularly, and I can't wait to try the other videos in the Stott series once I feel I've mastered this one.

I bought this video to introduce myself to pilates. I do yoga at least twice a week and wanted to try something new. The first time I used the video, I thought it was too slow, particularly the begining warming up part. I had to fast forward or just sit on my mat to watch her finish the breathing or explanations. However, the second time I realized that if I skipped the warming up or fast forwarded it, actually the video got more interesting. I even got a better work out in the third time, as I got used to the exercises and focused on completing them rather than paying too much attention to her talking and explanations. In sum, this video is a very basic mat workout, one that is good on a Friday afternoon, after a long week (especially if you want to skip sun salutations!). Since then, I feel great after each workout and think that my core body/back/abdominals are getting stronger just by sitting on the mat for an hour and following her instructions to complete easy exercises. Definitely not a challenging one, but a pleasant workout for parts of the body that we usually dont' focus on while doing aerobics or other exercises. I will try to advanced video next time.

I consider this video an excellent place to start if you are just beginning pilates. The first part focuses on breathing and proper technique, this may be slow, but in my opinion it is vital if you wish to benefit fully from your workout.
It may also be necessary to complete this video a few times before you are completely efficient and have good technique and breathing without being reminded by the instructor. And still a few times more before you are competent enough for the intermediate video which is more difficult.
The atmosphere is relaxing and the instructor is soft spoken and pleasant. She is encouraging but she hardly has the irritating cheerleader-like approach that many other exercise video instructors have.
The only reason I gave this video four stars instead of five was the slowness in the first part of the video that I mentioned previously. But as a whole I consider it a good introduction to pilates.

This is the second video of pilates i've viewed ( and by far the better). The instructor explained proper form/techniques throughout the video,although repeated viewing is needed to perfect the moves. The video is challenging for a novice to pilates and you do have better posture when finished! It's a keeper for me! Even though she moves with ease and you will struggle, that is part of the motivation for incorporting this video in your workout! 60 minutes does drag at times, but when it's done you feel like you've had a nice stretching, toning work out.

I have been praising Pilates to all my friends ever since I first picked up my Denise Austin video - now, I have discovered the Stott Pilates and, I must say this is excellent - like being in a Pilates studio. I felt absolutely no strain or pressure and if what you are looking for is a tough workout, (after all you are doing all the exercises with your stomach pulled in as far as humanly possible), Stott Pilates works you through the routine with grace, allowing you to concentrate on the moves, your positioning and how you are breathing. Moira Stott is gentle, not harsh, someone I wouldn't mind training me in person and since I live in Toronto, who knows, I just might do that.

I am new to this type of work out, so the first few times doing it i appreciated all the explaination that went along with it. However, after doing it for a while I found that I had to grab the remote and fast forward through some of the "talk", though not to much. (Personally I don't know how she CAN talk i during some of the routines. :-) It does do what it sets out to do,(tones your body) and that is what makes it a good video. I don't care for bouncy, giggly instructors that many videos have, and appreciate that she is instructive and encouraging in a positive, mature, and helpful way.

I had done 2 Pilates classes at my gym (that were too difficult to do safely without basic visual instruction) and also tried the "22 minute matwork" Stott tape when I did this workout. I found it very instructional and safe, but quite challenging for me, which is the perfect beginner video. I am in fairly good shape, and workout 3-4 times a week, am flexible, and this is challenging enough for me to begin with. yes, there are 2 quick audio glitches(no big deal) and I am soooo sensitive to annoying voices and I found her very soothing and professional. I would recommend this to anyone and urge "workout" junkies to be patient and understand the value of learning specific and safe movement, since my knees are paying the price now from aerobics!iF THESE ARE NOT LEARNED CORRECTLY, THEY WILL NOT WORK! PILATES IS ALL ABOUT PRECISION! She tells you to do cardio 3 times a week besides her video, so this is not meant to replace a cardio workout. I echo that it is rushed through, but it is long, so I was glad to keep up the pace. I was sweating and felt beat up the next day(s), so even if it doesn't feel like much, you feel it later, believe me!!! I will be purchasing this video and then moving on to intermediate. The 22 min. matwork was just way too easy.

Moira Stott gives excellent instruction for all the moves in this video. She offers great modifications (preps) for beginners like me who are starting out too weak to perform the Pilates moves. Other than bringing in some of her own exercises and changing the order of the exercises a bit, I believe she stays faithful to the core concepts of Pilates. Stott's form is impeccable, so she is a perfect instructor for beginners who are prone to injury if they execute the moves with sloppy form. The tape is a bit too long for me - 1 hour. The audio gets awful at some parts. I suspect when she moves that she muffles her microphone or something -- a technical detail that should have been corrected in a production that is otherwise very good. Nevertheless, you will get a good toning workout from this video. Try it; your abs and back most of all will thank you for it.