Search - The Method - Pilates Target Specifics Plus on DVD

Misha F. from GARDINER, NY
Reviewed on 9/25/2013...

I enjoyed using this program. It has many Pilates exercises I had not done before. I was a little sore the next day so I know I was using muscles that needed to be worked on.

Lorelei K. (Lorelei) from OWINGS, MD
Reviewed on 7/10/2010...

I have been doing pilates for 15 years, mainly following the old Margaret Richards "Body Electric" routines which I still find very effective and upbeat. I thought I would give something different a try, but I didn't care for this instructor. She has no warm-up segment, doesn't explain or demonstrate the pilates moves much at all, and the soundtrack is uninspiring. I also found her routines strenuous on my knees, although perhaps a younger person would not have this difficulty. Compared to the Body Electric pilates work-out this one was just mediocre, in my opinion. The best thing about he work-out is that the instructor does try to come up with some original moves. I am sure the pilates routine she provides would be effective, but it just didn't engage my attention.

OW! Suprisingly challenging and effective for intermediates

Emily C. Jacobs | Cedonia, WA | 01/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this video to use on my light workout days. I thought that it would be a mildly intense workout. However, it proved to be more challenging than I thought it would be. This workout definitely is not for beginners. The flexibilty required alone is enough to classify this as a workout for intermediate exercisers. The movemements are very innovative and creative, but not Pilates movements. It was more Yoga than anything else. In fact, the only traditional Pilates movements were at the end, in the Ab section and even then, there were only two or three traditional Pilates exercises. The instructor does to a good job of reminding you to keep your abdominals engaged throughout the whole vodeo, however. Still, I don't think that they should sell this as a PILATES video, nor should they have PILATES written bigger than anything else on the front cover. Very misleading. That is why I give it a 4 instead of a 5. That, and also because, and I don't want to be mean, but, I found that the insructor lacked quite a bit of personality. I found her lack of facial expressions to be too distracting. It was like she was trying VERY HARD to be absolutely perfect. It drove me crazy.
Ellen Barret is exceptionally better at instructing a video.Anyway, I digress. This video was sectioned into 4 seperate, 15 minute workouts; legs, arms, [fanny], and abs. Like I said before, the exercises are more yoga based than Pilates, but being that they weren't your tradional yoga static postures, and that the movements flowed one right into the other, it was quite engaging and fun. The whole hour workout was finished before I knew it. And my [fanny], more than any other body part, was screaming at the end. (VERY NICE!) Also, this video was filmed indoors, but occasionally cuts away to the instructor demonstrating the movements outside near the ocean. The cut aways are quite often off cue and the transitions from indoor to outdoor is not smooth at all. (That is just me being nit-picky, though)I would recommend that anyone thinking about purchasing this video already be familiar with Yoga and Pilates, and also, already be quite strong and flexilable, especially in your upper body. Otherwise, you might find yourself very frustrated with the non tradional and creatively inspired movements.Overall, I liked this video and find it very useful for light workouts days. It is a keeper."

Challenging

Olga | Kansas City, MO | 07/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I didn't expect this DVD to be as challenging as it is, and I agree you need to basically be in shape before using this. The first thing I noticed is what other reviewers have said- the pace and tempo are too fast to be Pilates. The ab section does use some variations on the 100, and there are many traditional yoga poses incorporated into the workout, such as downward facing dog, but at a much faster pace than traditional yoga.

BUT-that's what I ended up loving about this DVD. I do the hour straight through, and it raises my heart rate just enough to be in the fat-burning range, so while it wouldn't be appropriate for intensive cardio training, it is cardio when you do the whole hour. On top of the cardio benefit, the moves combine strength-building and flexibility. So- you touch on all three aspects of a solid workout. Cardio, strength, and flexibility.

Really love it. I didn't find the instructor annoying, but maybe I'm just not judgemental enough. I wasn't impressed with the fake tropical stage, and there's at least one point where the cut away to the beach is off, and she's not doing the move in the right direction. I would love to have seen the scenery that Gaiam incorporates into their yoga and pilates DVD. (That's why it gets a 4)"

Excellent Toning Workout

Myra E. Peltier | Germany | 10/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These exercises are more like yoga mixed with pilates. The best of both worlds. I'm in the military so I am constantly working out. I am always going on long runs but not much seems to tone my thighs. The leg segment is the only workout that I have tried which actually tones my legs. I can see and feel the difference after one workout and after a week my legs are extremely toned.
This is an excellent DVD to have if you want to tone your legs, butt, and thighs."