Customer Reviews

New Method: Pilates Precision Toning and Sculpting (Full Screen)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The workout itself is quite relaxing - no annoying music in the background. While it's relaxing, it's challenging. The instructor provides excellent instruction - she's against a fairly neutral background, so you can see exactly what position she is in.

I particularly enjoy the 'chapter' feature, it allows you to pick and choose whatever part of the workout you wish to do - abs, legs, thighs, whatever.

As another review also mentioned, the instructor is so good that one doesn't even need to be watching the TV to know what position to be in. Her instructions are clear and precise.

I highly recommend the video!

I am a big Jennifer Kries fan. I love her newer series (Pilates Method/New Method) and her book, Pilates Plus Method. I tried in the past to get into some of her older stuff- Precision Toning and Precision Sculpting- and while I thought she gave (as always) great instruction, the workouts were very long and I just couldn't see myself making the commitment on a regular basis.

I just recently got this DVD and am now over the moon. It is very well chaptered. If your DVD has a programmable play feature, it's easy to split up the workouts so you don't have to do over an hour (Precision Toning) or forty minutes (Precision Sculpting). Some of my favorite combinations are: the upper body work from PS combined with the side kicks from PT; the matwork/Method Toning (minus the side kicks) from PT; and Toning Essentials from PT and the pelvic lifts/ballet segments from PS. And while figuring out the specific titles/chapters on some DVDs can be a nightmare, this is pretty straightforward: Title 1 is PT, Title 2 is PS, and the chapters for each segment are numbered on the title menu they provide.

Though some may already have other Pilates workouts (even other Jennifer Kries workouts) I still recommend this tape. The side kicks segment alone is worth the money- I could not believe how much my thighs and buttocks burned the first time I did her sequence, and I'd been a Pilates "veteran" for quite some time.

One final comment: when these two workouts were first released, everyone kept going on about how they were "fusion" workouts, combining Pilates, dance and yoga. Having done them, I can guarantee that they are almost completely straight up Pilates (with a little dance thrown in at the end of Precision Sculpting). Yes, we do use Child's Pose a few times, but that move has been used in "pure" Pilates practices for years. Not that this takes anything away from the workouts- I just wouldn't want someone to be disappointed by the lack of yoga on this DVD.

I was getting tired of my workouts(consisting of weight training/running)and thought I'd give Pilates a try. AT FIRST, I didn't find the workout challenging but there a few things I wasn't doing to maximize my results. (i.e. keeping heels off the floor when in sit-up positions-this enagages the quads continuously). Those of you that say it is not challenging are not performing the exercises correctly or not fully engaging the muscles(which takes a lot of mental concentration). I'm very happy with this DVD and encourage those who are not to give another try with the above mentioned in mind. You won't be disappointed.

I agree with the person who said this is like having a 1:1 trainer. Jennifer Kries is no-nonsense about her explanations and is very clear about breathing and how to hold the positions. No, there's no music, and no, she doesn't smile like a robot and talk endlessly like some exercise personalities do. That is why I find this DVD workout appealing. If you are just wanting to learn the basics of Pilates, this is a challenging workout you will want to do long after you learn the positions. Also, it's great that there are 2 workouts, the "Sculpting" and the "Toning." More advanced Pilates devotees will probably find this boring.

This tape is excellent as an introduction to the pilates and yoga moves used in The Method series. You will learn the proper forms and breathing patterns. However, because of all the time devoted to instruction, it is not a workout you will do more than a few times (depending on how long it takes you to become accustomed to the correct forms).

. . . you're not doing ir correctly, according to Joseph Pilates. I agree that the negative reviews here are unwarrented. I have had several Pilates tapes/DVDs AND I have used a certified personal trainer. I am fit and limber -- but I still sweat to this video. Perhaps the problem is not that the video is too easy, but that Kris does not stress enough that you have to be very precise with your movements (or that it's too easy for viewers to skip over that part -- particularly on the DVD version). I've never had a problem with her explainations, but maybe that's because I have had the benefit of one-on-one training. It's a great video for use between trips to the gym/studio. If you know what you're doing, you can use it as a guide and advance your movements according to your level -- even use equipment -- without being distracted by "exciting" graphics and music. But only if you're serious. If you're looking for a hand-holding video, you might want to look at something else.

I was surprised by the somewhat negative reviews here. I love this workout. It has two sections. In the first section, Jennifer is very descriptive of all the moves and also talks through modifications. The 2nd section is all the moves at a faster pace and also includes the "side series". As you become more adept at performing these moves, you use the 1st segment as a warm-up and then complete the 2nd segment. I never tire of this workout and no matter how well I can now do Pilates, I always come back to this workout and find her tips and techniques applicable. It's like hiring a 1:1 personal trainer. After doing this workout only three times, you will notice a major difference in your strength and you will be hooked on Pilates! I highly recommend this DVD.

I love Pilates, but this is the most boring excercise video I have ever done. no music, not motivating and Jennifer Kries drones. I did it a few times and threw it out. There are lots of other Pilates tapes out there, don't bother with this one.

This was my first purchase of a pilates DVD and I have to admit that I am disappointed for the amount of money I spent. Kries spends too much time talking and less time demonstrating moves. I found the tape to be excellent for a beginner like myself, but was really looking forward to a workout that kept me moving.

I bought the Precision toning, and Precision Sculpting tapes years ago, before the Pilates craze started. I had been doing yoga for years and also Callanetics and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately the tapes just never lived up to the expectations I had.

I wanted a workout that 1) wouldnt bother my back and 2) would reshape my body with a mat workout. I had done callanetics for years as a teenager and had been thrilled with the results, when I learned that this was a popular workout with celebrities I didnt think I could go wrong.

If you want to get toned from Pilates you truly need to invest the money in a trainer and use a machine, these tapes are not effective enough. Ive tried several of the method tapes besides these and they were never "enough" for me.

If you already excersize regularly like I do (1-2 hours a day 5 days a week) then you just wont get much results from these "light" movements. If you are a beginner and want to try something new, then these may be good for you. If you really want to get a leaner body and strengthen muscles you never knew you had, try callanetics. Ive been doing it off and on for 8 years and its never failed to give me the results I wanted.