Search - Jennifer Kries' Pilates Method: Precision Pilates on DVD

Reach new levels of flexibility...

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 02/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Our bodies move in every conceivable plane of motion, in varying ranges of expression. Most traditional exercise formats are comprised of linear one-dimensional or at best two-dimensional movements and are geared towards enhancing or changing appearance, rather than improving the body's efficiency or level of functionality. With this three-dimensional fusion of Pilates, Yoga and Dance, you will feel better, stronger, more flexible." ~Jennifer Kries

Workout 1 - Upper Body Sculpting: Pilates and Yoga helps to sculpt the upper body. You will be enjoying the swan dives and flow of the movements. The setting is beautiful with pink mats against a pastel gray/lavender background. You will be using weights during the first workout. Jennifer works with two instructors you may have seen on additional Method videos.

Workout 2- Lower Body Sculpting: Jennifer takes center stage and you can enjoy the one-on-one instruction stars have been enjoying for years. She is truly art in motion and her body speaks of years of dedication.

You start with sun salutations and go through a deep muscle workout to target all the areas that encourage beautiful lines and curves. The exercises here are mostly yoga poses. The only thing I don't like is "awkward chair" which I only want to do once in a workout. Doing it more than once sure teaches patience.

While Jennifer pushes you to your limit, she never encourages you to go past your limit. More swan dives and breathing exercises, warrior poses, forward bends, ballet positions and the really fun side series (Pilates kicks, etc. This gives you a chance to lay on the floor which is a wonderful moment at this point). Then you do more breathing exercises and stretch out your hips. This all feels so good and healing.

Workout 3 - Flow and Flexibility: Jennifer explains that stretching can be boring and she is going to make it creative and trick you into thinking you are dancing. This is similar to the idea in "Perfect Mix" and has a similar energy, but you are not using weights. It is really difficult to sit here and type this because I'd rather be doing the exercises.

The stretching looks so "delicious," as Jennifer would say. You will reach new levels of flexibility if you have also warmed the body in the first two workouts. You can really do all three.

I'm not sure why these Pilates Method workouts end so abruptly when they start so smoothly. All of a sudden, Jennifer disappears. I would have enjoyed a "yoga-style" relaxations segment at the end of all of her workouts. Trust me, you deserve it.

If you have been working out for a number of years, you could use all three workouts for a 60 minute full-body strengthen, tone and stretch escape. I say escape because you won't be able to think of anything but this workout and your body. You have to focus to attain the level of precision Jennifer demonstrates.

If you have the choice between a Video and a DVD, go for the DVD. Isn't rewinding a video the bane of the workout existence? It is so eternally slow.

While "Precision Pilates" seems more like "Precision Yoga," I really enjoyed this video. If you want a more challenging Pilates-based workout, get "PERFECT MIX." It is intense and will take you to your limit.

This is now one of my favorite Pilates Workouts because it has so many unique poses and exercises. Make this year you reach your fitness goals, get as many Jennifer Kries workouts as you can find.

Her "Perfect Mix" workout is a true test of endurance, patience and flexibility. Once you can do that entire workout with perfection, you are on your way to looking and feeling better than you did last year. Exercise is one of those challenging aspects of life, but the results (no matter how long they take to appear) can be very satisfying when you see them appearing.

This workout is for Beginner to Intermediate, but you can take the positions to the advanced level over time.

Another workout to love!

~The Rebecca Review
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I love this workout!

YogaKat | Oregon United States | 02/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great workout. I especially like the 3rd segment on stretching. J.K. leads you thru a dance-like session of stretching that is quite lovely. I have an old DVD of Precision Pilates that breaks up when I run it. I'm glad to see they've republished the same sequences and called it the same thing (unlike Gaiam)."

Precision Pilates : a workout for the whole body

Lenore Minnick | Tallahassee, Fl USA | 09/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Precision Pilates is the second tape with Jennifer Kries that I have used. I've tried several other tapes with other instructors and, hands down Kries is the best. Her workouts are clearly demonstrated and her explanations for doing the different techniques are easily understood. One of the features I really appreciate is her ability to make you feel that with time and practice you, too, can do the workouts as fully as she does. Yet another aspect of her workouts I find positive, is the sense of discipline and structure she gives to the all her work. I would say this tape would be more for an intermediate level but a determined beginner could certainly work with it. The tape has 3 segments. I really appreciate this feature since I can either do one segment or 2 and still feel that I've had a complete workout. Kries incorporates yoga, pilates and ballet in this tape and that's wonderful. You never get bored doing the same thing over and over. I can't say enough good about her work and I urge anyone who is serious about improving the way they look and feel to try her tapes."

Precision Pilates with Jennifer

Mini Marshmallow | Bergen County, NJ | 01/31/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jennifer will lead you through 3 segments: upper body contouring, in which you will use lightweight dumbbells; lower body contouring with a special option for camera angles; and, flow & flexibility. Upper body contouring segment is done standing and on the floor. Moves are focused on isometric-push and pull rather than reps. Jennifer directs and informs how to move consciously. On the lower body contouring segment, you will do moves focused around the sun salutation, a lunge series, and the Pilates' sides series (lying down on one side). The last segment, Jennifer wants you to perform the series of exercises as if you were dancing. The blend of Yoga & Pilates moves flow continuously. I would recommend this DVD for the beginner-intermediate. Jennifer is very informative in how to proceed and hold the movements, which is helpful for the beginner level."