10 of 10 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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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It was challenging for a beginner, but good., April 19 2002
I'm a beginner and I found this challenging but it was definately good. They do a good job of explaining as they go along. The ballet was much harder than I really had expected. I have typically done yoga in the past, and I liked the incorporation of all three into one workout. I probably wouldn't rely on any of the three segments for a complete workout on their own nor would I buy the video expecting any of the three segments to be comprehensive in that particular area of exercise. Each of the segments seems to focus mainly on one area. As a whole though, it was a good workout and challenging enough that I will want to keep on doing it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good low impact workout, July 10 2002
I hesitated before buying this video, but I am so glad that I did. The workout is easy to follow; the transitions are smooth. Also, even beginners, or those who are out of shape can do it. I got a great abdominal and leg workout.
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