Search - Lotte Berk Method for Beginners: Basic Essentials on DVD

You should see me now!

Naintcy | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After using the tapes only twice a week for a little over 2 months, people at work started asking me what I was doing differently to lose weight so fast. I had to tell them it was Lotte Berk's tapes. I'd only lost 6 pounds but was down a full pant size. The instructors can seem annoying, but not nearly as bad as some other exercise tapes I've tried over the years.
The tapes are about 25 minutes each. I like the fact that the instructor reminds you to maintain your form. Each muscle used is then stretched, helping almost eliminate soreness the next day. To get results, in under 1/2 hour of working out, is my idea of a wonderful workout."

Yes, the instructor will make you roll your eyes but the wor

TBM Devotee | Lovely East Coast | 07/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, the instructor: (insert eyerolls ad infinitum) When you read reviews of Lotte Berk Method instructors being condescending and patronzing, this is the chick they're all complaining about. I'm telling you now, you are going to want to lunge through your screen and beat her senseless.

If you buy this or the set and you already know the basics, do yourself a favor and do this workout to just the music, otherwise you will have a headache. I think she means no harm and isn't aware of her patronizing 'tude but one more mental patient tone in which she asks, "Now where are you feeling that? In your thighs? Good! That's where you should be feeling it." or "Now where are your feet positioned? Look down, check!" "Can you lift your arms?" "Can you bring your leg up?" "Can you feel that?"

(What I forgot to mention in the other reviews is another option for support is using the wall. Barbara, the most advanced person, uses the wall for support during two DVDs and the instructions for using the wall would seem obvious but aren't. Your forehead must remain against the wall and your arms pressed against the wall at the height of your head so if you're a beginner, don't use the wall, lol.)

The barre work isn't so challenging here but this is a basic DVD so those exercises aren't prolonged, just a few for a good intro. The ab work, however, is another story. A few new ab moves that are really challenging and the Knee Dancing is not as fun as the knee dancing in Muscle Eats Fat but it does work your thighs.

You also won't escape push-ups and those killer reverse push-ups, either.

This instructor was really, truly annoying and during some segments, she started snapping her fingers and ... she was so offbeat. (more eyerolling) BUT believe it or not she DOES grow on you and the music is really cool in this DVD. But for first time users, I had to give that caveat. It's only fair. LOL!

I can't give the work-out a thumbs down because once again, the instructions for the set-up are fantastic (if she'd only be quiet once the set-up was completed), the previews of the exercises before you do them are wonderful and the music (as in all of the DVDs) is relaxing and motivating at the same time. The exercises in Basic Essentials are what you already know with a trick or two thrown in for good measure.

It's an excellent intro for anyone who hasn't done TBM or the other Lotte Berk DVDs. It won't scare you off. If you start with the others in the series, you may give up so start with this one or The Bar Method.

The instructor here is good at what she does and friendly overall but her style and technique are annoying. You're really going to want to pinch her. So she gets a D. (more eyerolling)"

Basic Essentials

vitality05 | North Dakota | 10/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I gave this DVD 5 stars, because it is a great introduction to the Lotte Berk Method. It begins with the usual 9-minute warm-up...Knee-lifts, shoulder rolls with pelvic tuck, upper body strengthening, and stretching...The first part of the workout focuses on the lower body using isometric exercises at the barre (A sturdy piece of furniture works just fine.) and then on the floor. The second part of the workout focuses on the abs using focused floor work...The cool down of the workout is "Shape By Stretching" where you stretch the worked parts of your body for elongated and shapely muscles. This workout is appoximately 30 Minutes long.I have the entire set of Lotte Berk on DVD. This is the "easiest" workout, but definitely the best introduction to Lotte Berk Method. The DVD comes with a special Blast workout...approximately 9 minutes long, and a definite intensity boost. The fact that this is a solid workout, great introduction, and has an increased intensity bonus workout makes me give this workout 5 stars. Plus the fact that this method is amazingly effective. I've seen the results! I truly hope you'll invest in this series. It shouldn't be missed!"

Small, precise movements give an intense full-body workout

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 03/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Lotte Berke Method is a non-traditional type of toning developed by a dancer of the same name. It supposedly focuses on the creation of long, lean (not bulky) muscles through the use of small, precise movements, and it has inspired similar methods such as Callanetics. A hallmark of this method is that stretching is included throughout the workout rather than just the at the beginning and the end; the emphasis is on shaping muscles through both strength AND stretch.

In BASIC ESSENTIALS, the focus is on whole-body toning. The workout begins with a warm-up common to all 4 Lotte Berk videos: a type of high-legged marching in place followed by simple stretches. Then it's on to the floor to work the arms via several sets of Lotte Berk push-ups--they're tougher than they look! Standing work with a ballet barre (a high backed chair or even a wall can be substituted) comes next. You start with ballet-type squats done utilizing the "Lotte Berk tuck" position and the move on to leg kicks for the buttocks. These are tiny movements that only LOOK easy; they really target the thighs and glutes. Following this, it's back to the floor for abs work. This is the one part of the video that I found to be a bit disappointing; although the moves were definitely challenging, I felt it in my back more than in my abdominal area. The workout ends with the Lotte Berk "knee dancing" move that is pictured on the cover of the video--a signature move which provides further thigh work--as well as a "shape by stretch" section.

BASIC ESSENTIALS is led by three Lotte Berk certified instructors. The main instructor, Stephanie, comes off a little condescending in her comments (eg, repeatedly saying things like "where did you feel that?"), but she provides good cueing during the workout. The remaining two instructors do not speak, but one shows modifications. The Lotte Berk Method is great for all exercisers who are looking for a different but challenging strength workout, including those at a beginning level, and this tape would be particularly helpful for those looking to tone up the stubborn areas of the lower body. Overall, I'd rate it as 3 1/2 stars for a good workout with an instructor who can be annoying at times.
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