Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HEAVENLY, January 10, 2003
I started thinking about buying Pilates/flexibility tapes after getting disgusted with my stiff back (grunting everytime I bend over) and lack of even a trace of an abdominal muscle. But, I was afraid of tedious and repetitive moves, bad music, and tacky hot pink outfits.BUT, this tape is a gem, it's heavenly. I love the variety, (moving from Pilates to ballet to yoga) I never get bored because it moves to new moves all the time, I like the stretching, and use the ballet portion without the chair to help with my balance. I even feel tighter in the abdominals, and am more aware of my core and posture for the day. I DON'T think beginners need to shy away from this tape; so long as you listen to the instructor's hints about doing the easier, modified moves. Heck, I'll probably never be able to get through all of the Yoga reverse and tricep push ups--so what? I'm still doing more in proper form than I was 2 months ago. There's no fast paced music or moves that you'll have to keep skipping to keep up! In short, I'd buy a lot more videos if they were all this flowing and innovative.
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72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended, April 26, 2002
I tried this yesterday for the first time and wouldn't recommend it for a beginner. Collage rate it as intermediate/advanced - they're right. I work our regularly, and have worked up to using Moira Stott's intermediate Pilates video regularly for the last couple of months, interspersed with (amongst others) Baron Baptiste's Soul of Strength and Power and Precision - All the Right Moves - Kathy Smith's Timesaver weights - J Kries Perfect Mix - So I am pretty fit - but cannot lower straight down from a plank - knees go down first. That should give you an idea of my level!
Well - this video has LOTS of pushups - including tricep pushups - with the elbows close in - I couldn't even do these on my knees. Fine - something to work towards - but frustrating also!
Anyway - it starts of with 8 mins ballet/yoga warmup - nice, flows. And suitable for those who don't know anything about either of these regimes, as they don't take anything for granted - she doesn't even call a downward dog by its name!
Next comes the Pilates-based floorwork - 18 minutes - as far as I know, none of this is classic Pilates floorwork, but it is very Pilates in feel - and tough, yes!
Then 12 minutes of standing ballet - legwork - this is the easiest segment, but you will feel it if you do it properly - this time, they use the ballet terms - but explain them for non-ballerinas. Good stuff.
Lastly 9 minutes of classic yoga - warriors etc - to keep toning while stretching out. Also good. My only crit - why not another down dog to stretch out the calves even more after the ballet legwork? But the warrior poses probably do the job, as my calves feel ok today.So - 47 minutes in all - 2 pleasant instructors who cue extremely well, while not talking down to us home exercisers - and who smile often (unlike Karen Voigt who I cannot take any more) but not too much - unlike J Kries who can look a bit forced. This is a keeper, I recommend for those who have previous experience and are already quite strong. And - to compare with one of my favourite fusion videos - All the Right Moves - this is shorter - 47 as opposed to 60 minutes - and the yoga is hatha - not power as in ATRM - and IMHO it flows better - although really I like the way ATRM leaves me feeling more than this - i.e. wrung out! This is much less sweaty - which has its own advantages...... go for it!
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It Works! (Caution: Disicpline necessary), January 14, 2003
By A Customer
I used this video during last summer. I am in my late 20's. I had lost some weight previously due to stress. I had almost no upper body strength. My stamina was low as well. As a final blow, insidious cellulite had begun to dimple my thighs in ways that were anything but endearing, sending me into panic mode.
After carefully considering the reviews , I settled for this one. I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Not earth shattering in the way, say, the BowFlex commercials keep guaranteeing, but there was enough of a difference to make me happy. However, one has to be mindful of personal discipline and what role it plays in the results one gets from any exercise regimen. 'Regular' is the key word here.
I read one reviewer's comment on the difficulty of the push-ups even for someone in relatively good shape. For me, the whole point is to build _up_ to a certain level of strength. I didnot manage to do a single yoga push-up (correctly) the first time. BUT in about a week or so, I could do four of them, without cheating. The sense of achievement, in itself, was reward enough.
Btw, I most enjoy the ballet segment. I believe that it has helped improve my balance.
It is likely that one will eventually need to graduate to an advanced level of pilates, as this one starts getting easier.
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