Search - Exhale: Core Fusion - Pilates Plus on DVD

HEALED MY BACK!!!

C. Hesse | NY, NY | 12/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hurt my back, was unable to fold forward, or sit. When given the go ahead by my doctor to move again, I found the Core Fusion Pilates DVD, and the Core Fusion Body Sculpt DVD, to be the only workouts that I could do without increasing my injury. In fact, it helped do the exact opposite and helped HEAL my back. After 6 weeks, I went from having a severe condition to being clean and clear. I did not take any drugs. I went to the chiropractor regularly, iced my injury, and did Core Fusion, and I feel better than ever!!! Not to mention I lost inches from my waist and hips, and am the strongest, leanest, and most flexible I have ever been! This dvd is AWESOME and empowering!"

Another take on the Lotte Berk Method

dnk | Boston, MA United States | 12/10/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The creators of this DVD- and the Core Fusion program at Exhale Spa- were instructors for the Lotte Berk Method years ago. As such, there program has the same elements- ballet exercises (they demonstrate with a chair instead of a barre), yoga, Pilates and orthopedic exercises. This release emphasizes more yoga (lots of planks and stretches) and their take on Pilates principles (they fall into the "tuck" school vs. the neutral spine). Based on the clips of the companion Body Sculpt release, it looks as if that one emphasizes more of the ballet work.

Others have criticized the amount of stretches in this and other Lotte Berk Method derivatives, but I think that's one of the method's strengths (no pun intended). I like that they integrate the stretches into the sets so they are difficult to skip- people don't stretch enough, particularly through their hips- but I'd prefer that they both waited a breath or two longer before the stretches began and held them for a longer period of time.

This release contains no weights- "just" body resistance. They more than make up for that with a long plank sequence and their variant on Knee Dancing (who knew that could work your obliques so well?). The star of the release is probably going to be Pure Core segment. While they include some classics like the Roll Up and some crunch variants (my least favorite ever), it's their take on the flat back work that might leave you breathless. First they start with a rounded back in a seated position then move the legs together, bent, straight, on the ground, and lifted, with variations of all. Then they do the same against a wall. This tough, and you'll feel your abs as well as your upper body and quads.

I thought this was a challenging practice, but maybe a little too much. Although the creators take turns showing modifications- he shows the ones demanding more strength, and she shows the ones showing more flexibility- much of what they show would still be too much for a lot of people. Maybe they should have added a third modifier as the Lotte Berk releases did so everyone would feel like they could participate.

This is very challenging, and many people who already like barre workouts will enjoy the abdominal section."

PILATES "A" PLUS!

LoveOBX23 | Merryland | 12/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Exhale: Core Fusion Pilates Plus

I absolutely love this program. I am a Pilates lover and although this is not a typical Pilates routine - the practice is based on Pilates principles - it's great to throw in, tone and sculpt, and mix things up. The instructors are easy to follow and explain each move thoroughly. It's no wonder this spa is so popular with the stars - I can feel a burn instantly. I highly recommend this program for any Pilates lover looking to mix up their practice and try something new."

Toning integrated with the mind-body connection

R. Anguin | Brooklyn, NY | 08/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was surprised at how much I've enjoyed this video. I do 1-2 segments weekly tacked onto other exercise, so it's really easy to fit into my routine and I've found these to be quite intense bursts. I'm sure the whole video done at once would feel energizing from head to toe.

I've been doing pilates for 10 years and no longer have time to attend classes. I'm sure the Exhale classes are great in person, but I don't have much time or the $35 per class to go to them! I've done a few barre videos in my day, many are forgettable. I just can't get into Callanetics or Lotte Berk, the videos I've done for them I've dubbed "body-perfecting barre-torture DVDs" full of weird thrusting and repetition. Not so with this DVD!

The instruction is in clear voice over. The instructors, who I found out are married but the chemistry is very low-key, are attractive without being intimidating and they even keep their abs covered so I'm not sad I'll never look like that and can focus on the strengthening benefits I'm getting. Most importantly, they have very grounding voices and guidance.

The segments are divided by what part of the body is being worked. The one focused on pure core was brutal in a good way, and I found the glutes one remarkable as I felt muscles I didn't know I had working. The moves seem to have a deep impact! They balance each section with a walking-in-place warmup and a stretch, and the final stretch is very relaxing.

This is, bottom-line, user-friendly. This relaxed approach is not passive, there's intensity. Overall, it's very balanced."