Search - Pilates: Lower Body Workout on DVD

For the true beginner only

Geena | USA | 12/17/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"What a waste of my money! This is only good for the complete out of shape beginner, but the video does not tell you this. The pictures on the cover show exercises that are not even in the video. I kept going back to the menu to see if I were missing the actual work-out. The "work-out" was no more than a review of how to do a few exercises, and no more than a warm-up. The cover says "flatten abs" even though there are no ab exercises. If you have never exercised and want to start very easy this is for you. Everyone else should shop around. This was my first pilates video, but will now be the last one I get from Gaiam."

A light Pilates workout for the lower body

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 08/01/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you are relatively new to Pilates and looking for a lower body workout that is not too challenging, this video might be for you. Prior to the workout, instructor Jillian Hessel spends a few minutes introducing Pilates and going through a brief reivew of posture principles. The workout begins with some nice foot a leg stretches while lying on your back. You then perform some of the tradition Pilates mat exercises, doing only those that focus mainly on the legs such as leg circles and bicycle. There also are some more unique moves such as opening and closing the legs in a stradle position. Next comes the Pilates side kick series, including exercises that focus on both the outer and the inner thighs; there are also a few movements performed lying face down to work the back of the legs. The workout ends with a short standing balance segment, coming in at just under 29 minutes. This workout wasn't very challenging, but if you enjoyed the thighs segment from Crunch Pick Your Spot Pilates, you will probably enjoy this video as well."

A very light work out

Wendy Lin | Palo Alto, CA USA | 12/29/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with the review that only gave it one star. It is pretty light for a 25 minutes workout DVD. If you are new to Pilates, you should pick a real Pilates entry level DVD such as Pilates for Dummies. If you are not new to Pilates, you would find this DVD to be too easy and not a complete work out. I would recommend the videos made by Anna Caban (Pilates Intermediate Mat Workout). I give it two stars because I use this video as a supplement to my workout routines from time to time."

I like it...

Donald G. Hite III | Houston, Tx USA | 02/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I actually really like this pilates video and find it quite challenging. I have been doing pilates for several months and would consider myself an early-intermediate level practicioner.

There are several things about it that I like. I like that it has some new moves that are not in a lot of other videos (most of Ana Caban's videos, which I love, follow the traditional mat sequence... hundred, roll up, single leg circle, etc...). Also, it does focus more strongly on the legs than a the traditional mat sequence. I also like Hessel's commentary. I mostly do Caban vids, so it's nice to hear someone with different verbal cues and imagery to help you visualize the movements.

I wouldn't agree that this video is for true beginners only. In many of her videos, Caban says that any workout can be effective if you properly focus on the 6 principles of pilates. For example, Caban's quick start pilates for weight loss video is very easy for me compared to what I normally do, but when I do it I just focus on making the movements that much more controlled and that much more perfect, and I end up having just as effective a session as if I do the full mat sequence. I think Hessel's vid is the same. The exercises aren't that hard on the surface, but I just look at it as an opportunity to really focus on engaging the powerhouse and do every moment as perfectly and beautifully as possible.

I personally like a longer workout than 25 minutes, so I normally pair this video with Rodney Yee's "Yoga for Abs". I find that they are very complementary and make for an excellent and very intense workout session."