Search - Pilates Complete for Everyone on DVD

A Variety of Classic Pilates Matwork Routines For All Levels

blueyed puella | CT, USA | 08/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Workout Description: Classics Pilates mat workouts ranging from 5 to 35 minutes in length, with most programs 10-20 minutes. The general instruction is included separately from the routines, which focus just on the movements.
Workout Level: basic (= introductory) to beginning to intermediate to intermediate / advanced to challenging
Instructor: Karen Garcia (certified Pilates instructor; former professional dancer; owner of Studio Body Logic). Karen's cueing and explanation is clear and accurate (although I find it strange that a Pilates instructor would insist on saying "stomach" instead of "abdominals"). She obviously knows the cues very well, falling into a definite rhythm during certain exercises. The only other thing that catches me off guard is how she talks during her quick cues, especially during the hundred; she sounds almost like an auctioneer! (In two, three, four, five, and out two, three, four five . . .) Since the pointers are included in the introduction to each level, Karen focuses just on cueing for each exercise with some important form pointers; the name of the exercise is on the screen rather than announced. Karen's flexibility is a little intimidating-something to aspire to!
Class: Karen only
Music / Set: The instrumental music is soft. The interior set is minimal: a wall and floor daubed with pastel shades.
Equipment Needed: mat; optional 1-2 lb. dumbbells and/or Pilates ring for some workouts
Caveats: Read the caution segments before starting. Take care to review and practice the instructional segment before moving on to each level. If you feel any strain on your neck and/or back, you should stop and take time to review proper form, perhaps at a lower level, before continuing.
Additional Comments: You don't need a lot of space for this workout. You should be able to lie down with your arms and legs extended and sweep your legs to either side.
This is an excellent DVD companion to Brook Siler's The Pilates Body, which I recommend to help you better understand the form for each movement and what it is supposed to accomplish. This is also a good supplement to a Pilates matwork class. If you attempt to teach yourself Pilates from this DVD or any others, you should try to take a Pilates class or at least work with someone experienced in Pilates to check your form before you take on more advanced routines.
This is not an exciting or flashy Pilates program. Instead, it is an excellent DVD to grow with since there is a variety of routines offered at each level, 28 in total: 3 basic, 2 beginner, 8 intermediate, 8 intermediate / advanced, and 7 challenging. In the intermediate level and beyond, you have the option of performing some routines with a Pilates ring (for leg and arm work) or with light hand weights (for arm work). The DVD is actually pre-programmed routines involving a number of different clips, so there is a slight pause between some segments. However, since the instruction is included before the routines, the routines actually flow pretty quickly.
Pilates purists will not find much to object to here, as these are the exercises devised by Joseph Pilates in the traditional sequence without a large number of repetitions. The number of repetitions is fairly low. The moves are performed at a quick pace, and the transitions are also fast."

Great Great Great

Dorian Gray | 10/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For a lazy a$$ person like me, hearing my mom telling me over and over to try Pilates, this DVD came as a great surprise.

I can chose the level of "pain" (was so happy to move to advanaced within a month! ), i can chose the length of the "pain" due to the fact the DVD is based on series of work-outs. So you don't have to do 30 min's every day, OR the same 30 min's everyday.

I enjoy doing this DVD, I toned my body completely, my abs are stronger (thanks to the 100, which as first i could NOT do).

Finally, i can say that i think this DVD is a great product, i love it, enjoy it and now i can even talk to my mom about Pilates!

I guess it would be perfect for:
1. People who never had Pilates
2. People who dislike GYM's
3. People who have no money for GYM's
4. People who have a busy day schedule

Enjoy!"

Great Detail, Many Workouts (At Least 30 I Can See)

Gloria Erstad | Miami Florida | 05/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is alot more detailed than others I have watched. I started at the beginner level right off, but in my rush I skipped the introduction and still had fun. Of course then I bounced around the DVD to look at levels and I thought they were the same or similar, until a friend explained a little bit of what to look for.She mentioned that at the different levels there are changes to the various poses that make them more difficult as you learn and progress and showed me a book on Pilates (from a real Pilates instructor, in fact Karen, the instructor on this DVD, is mentioned in this book as a "real" Pilates instructor). No matter what level, there are certain things that are used in many routines, but they are changed and modified throughout the DVD, and the longer routines have more exercises.The basic and beginner levels have about 10 routines that run 5-15 minutes and consist of around 4-6 exercises. The Intermediate, Intermediate/Advance & Challenging Levels have around 25 routines, that run 5-30 minutes and consist of around 10-20 exercises. (Do not let the shorter times fool you, if you do the exercises properly you can feel their effects. The shorter routines are also good for when you are short on time or not feeling "up" for longer routines.)The biggest thing to be careful of is watching and learning. There is a principal and caution description on the main screen, and an Introduction at each level as well. If you do watch these, it will make the great instruction and workouts even better for you and you will fall in love with this like I did."

A great program of authentic Pilates instruction!

Dorian Gray | 05/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you want to learn authentic Pilates from a certified instructor but can't find or afford the classes, this DVD will be a great starting point. Don't let the model fool you, this is not effortless and easy. She's got over 20 years of Pilates teaching experience. I've been doing Pilates (inconsistently) for a few years and a 25 min Intermediate workout from this program has me feeling my muscles and breaking a sweat.There's lots of variety here too, even for a the non-beginner. You can choose a lower level if you don't feel as energetic, or a higher one if you want a challenge. Just like a mat class, each "workout" begins with the warm-up of the "One Hundred" and "Roll ups" etc., but after the first few moves (which all Pilates classes at all levels start with) the routines are different. Some are completely different moves, others have only one or two different moves or modifications, but all are different. (I actually watched the whole DVD because at first I thought a few were the same). If you want to learn authentic Pilates or supplement your Pilates classes at home, this is a great program and a good value. It really uses the capabilities of DVD by providing numerous workouts at different levels of ability. It's not just a workout video reformatted. Don't be fooled into thinking that the latest "Pilates based" video from the fitness diva's is what Pilate's is all about. Find a certified Pilates instructor (not the aerobics teacher at the gym) and take a class. You'll see and feel the difference."