Search - Fit Chic: Fashion Your Body with Pilates on DVD

An Excellent Pilates Workout

07/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Pilates workout on video (and I have several). I would have to disagree with another poster, however - I do not think this video is for beginners. I would classify this as intermediate to advanced. Some of the exercises in this workout are very difficult. I have been working out for over 3 years and consider myself an advanced exerciser and I found this workout to be very challenging.What is great about this workout is that it is short but very thorough and challenging. The workout is divided into 2 segments (each about 20 minutes long). The first segment is the complete workout. Each exercise flows into the next and there is no talking whatsoever - just music and the name of each exercise is spelled out on the screen. The workout is so wonderful and flowing...it almost feels like a dance. The second segment is an instructional segment in which Niedra goes through each exercise and teaches you how to do it. It is good ot watch this segment before you do the workout for the first time.All in all, this is an A+ pilates workout....a challenging and flowing routine with a great instructor and the music is awesome too. Nicely produced as well.I highly recommend it for intermediate to advanced exercisers."

Great for serious pilates students!

12/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent dvd for pilates beginners. Niedra's instruction and imagery are extremely helpful. She shows modifications for those of us who are less flexible, too. My only complaint is that I wish the instructional section of the workout had music. This is a must have for any serious pilates student, highly recommended!"

Excellent! -- Fast workout delivers fast results!!

EarthDogMaui | Hawaii | 07/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I started doing Pilates about three months ago (in addition to my regular yoga and jogging), and got this DVD in a quest for variety after I got bored with the good, but VERY slow paced, intro Pilates discs I had. This routine could be called "speed Pilates" and I love it!

This disc is divided into two sections: a non-stop :20 routine (no instruction, just music and title cues), followed by a detailed run-through with complete instructions for each exercise. The quality of instruction is excellent, and I picked up some good tips that were missing from the other (big-name) Pilates tapes I have.

I do think this workout can be appropriate for beginners if they start by following the detailed instructions section until they have mastered the basic moves, and don't try to do the non-stop routine right away (and maybe skip a couple of the more challenging moves until they build strength and flexibility). Do what you can, and respect where your body is at, and you'll improve faster than you expect!

It's also important for beginners (and experienced) to remember that Pilates is all about CONTROL and PRECISION. In the non-stop routine, Niedra does the moves quite quickly. Don't expect to be able to match her pace right away. It's better to do 5 reps with control and precision in the time she does 10, than to rush trying to keep up and get sloppy. The more attention you pay to form, the better your results will be, and soon you'll be moving at a nice tempo right along with Niedra.

As for RESULTS: I challenged myself to do this routine every morning for 40 days. It's day 38 today, and I definitely see a difference; my honey says I look "sleeker" in the hips and thighs. I've lost 2 pounds (without giving up chocolate, wine, or cheese!!) and look like I've lost 5. My waist, abs, and hips are all down an inch, and I've lost a half-inch or so from my thighs and have better muscle tone. My butt is firmer, and even though I've been doing yoga for years, my flexibility is a little better. Since I was in okay shape when I started, I didn't expect to see this much improvement in 5-1/2 weeks.

What I'm most thrilled about is that I'm trimming down without bulking up. I gave up doing free-weight workouts years ago, because my muscles got too big. I didn't care that it was muscle, not fat; I wanted slimmer, not bigger! This workout is delivering the strong, stretched, firm, toned, sleek thighs and mid-section that I had feared (at age 45) I would never enjoy again. Thanks Niedra! I'm a "speed Pilates" fan for life!

"

A workout you will LOOK FORWARD to!!!

Vett | Kenai, AK United States | 04/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since the birth of my son, I have been looking to get back into shape. Well, no matter what your fitness goals are, this inexpensive yet invaluable DVD will not let you down. It provides the perfect combination of strengthening, toning, and stretching.
Niedra Gabriel, the instructor/choreographer, is patient and understanding, giving modifications so that anyone can get the perfect level of challenge.
Part 1 is every exercise featured as a marvelous dance that alternates stretching and strength training. It is challenging, yet exhilarating, and, personally, I get lost in it. Turn it up loud; the music (which thoughtfully changes every minute or so) is entertaining, thought-provoking, and encourages a great mood. Don't worry if Part 1 is too much; Niedra says herself that "the goal is to be able to do Part 1 without interruption".
Part 2 is a comprehensive guide to each exercise (and there are many!) complete with at least 2 different variations (beginner/advanced). It is essentially the same workout, but with a patient, friendly, informative, and most of all understanding instructor with over thirty years experience under her (size S) belt!
Buy it and you will be taken by pleasant surprise."