Search - Prevention Magazine - Flatten Your Belly With Pilates on DVD

Back injury & pilates

11/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have back problems and it is a vicious cycle trying to exercise and not being able to because other exercises would be to painful. I have tried other tapes and found I could only do some exercises. There are three levels to this tape and before you know it you are done. It is the shortest half hour exercise I have ever done. I feel energetic, streched out and looking forward to the next time I do the exercise routine. I recommend this for everyone who needs to flatten their abs and strenthen thier lower back muscles."

Easy, fast paced, effective

03/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is great because I never have enough time to get sick of an exersize. Just when I feel like I can't do another one we are ready to move onto the next exersize. All of the changing and simple exersizes make this program seem to go fast and make me feel great afterward.
My only complaint so far is that it says on the cover that there is a bonus eating plan booklet inside and there was not. I was dissappointed."

Fast, challenging, and fun

C. Daly | 05/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually enjoyed this DVD quite a lot, although there are two things I must warn about first. One, this is not a good introduction to the Pilates method. The movements are done very quickly and there isn't much explanation. Two, many of the exercises are not traditional Pilates moves at all. There were many exercises I'd never seen and a few that usually show up ("the hundred") were absent. This is more of a fusion than Pilates...but it still works your core.

The movements are done very quickly. I was so surprised at how fast we did the roll ups--I think a little too fast to pay proper attention to form. Michelle moved rapidly from one exercise to the next. I was sweating by the end of this 30- minute workout, but I felt really good.

The exercises are divided into three levels each demonstrated by one of three women...1 being the easiest and 3 being the hardest. All three women start out showing you the level one move. Then Michelle and the level three person move on to level two while the other person stays on level one. Then the level three person moves on to level three, while Michelle continues to do level two. I found the levels were inconsistant in difficulty. At times I could barely do level one; at other times I did level three. What I like about this is the ability to choose which you want to do for any given exercise.

I think this DVD is best for someone who is familiar with Pilates but wants a greater challenge. Because it gives me the three levels to choose from, I can challenge myself without being overwhelmed with exercises I simply can't do, as are found on some intermediate DVDs. I can do all of them at at least level one."

Fantastic workout by a superb instructor!

Stacey | Kansas | 07/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very well produced, well cued, and challenging toning workout. Michelle is great to watch as always and gives viewers three options to choose from for their exercise level. I recommend this to any level pilates exerciser, especially if you are at a beginner/intermediate level as you can grow with the workout."