Search - Pure Barre: Ballet, Dance & Pilates Fusion on DVD

Terrible production

TennisAny1? | Colorado | 07/13/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The only reason I gave this video even 2 stars is because the instructor clearly knows her stuff. My legs burned after the workout, and she moves quickly from exercise to exercise without a lot of set up, which is nice. However, there is no to very little stretching between difficult sets, and when you do get stretching it's only a few seconds. I paused the video to continue the stretching. This video has a lot of problems. First, I believe it was produced by a child. The camera even cuts off the top of her head for some of it. There is one hilarious scene with an overhead shoulder press in which halfway through the set, the camera operator finally figures out that the viewer cannot see the instructor's arms (during an arm workout!). So, the camera sluggishly tilts up, but by the time you can view the entire exercise, it's over! For most of the sets done at the barre, the very top of the instructor's head is cut off by the camera, and her feet are not always in the entire frame. The camera was too close. On top of that flub, you get very few side views of the instructor, so you can't see which way her foot is moving and you have to rely on her instruction, which is OK, but not always enough. If you are a beginner, you probably won't get it.

As if that is not enough to deter you from buying this, the set is HORRIBLE! There is a black floor and a mix of bright pink and white floor/can lights along the wall in the background, and you can even see an extension cord. It is very industrial, no soft colors, all very dark and not at all pleasant to look at. AND, the instructor is wearing all black against a black floor. Also, the music is the same 10 beats repeated over, and over, and over...

I wish I had never wasted my money on this video. I am no beginner, but if you are, this is NOT for you. There is little to no modification for beginners and you can't always see what the instructor is doing. The only reason I think I did most of the moves correctly is because they are familiar from other videos. If you want a good set of ballet inspired videos, you should try the Lotte Berk Method 4 pack. There is an entire beginner video (Basic Essentials), and on each of the 4 videos one of the instructors modifies the moves to make them easier.
"

Not for Those New to Barre

B. Danicke | United States | 08/18/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love barre workouts. I own a lot of DVDs devoted to this method and it's very effective, especially on the lower body. Like another reveiwer stated, the set and the production quality is bad. Really bad. It looks like something a high school AV Class threw together for a class project. The set is dark and ugly, the camera work is inadequate, cutting off body parts, and failing to show different angles to help with proper form. The instruction, is so-so, although I felt form pointers and modifications were a bit lacking.

If you're looking for really good, thorough instruction and a little more refined production quality, check out Lotte Berk, or if you can get your hands on some Bar Method DVDs, definitely do that. This isn't a bad DVD for a first try, there is just lots of room for improvement."

Pure torture :)

R. Peters | cali | 05/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Production issues aside, (which are not as bad as some make them out to be) this workout was painful. Of course, this is a good thing if you are trying to change your body. If you are familiar with barre type exercises and you enjoy them, this is the next step up. I have done Callanetics and Bar Method, but Pure Barre really managed to humble me. My legs were trembling throughout the thigh work. The seat exercises are relentless. She starts you off at the bar and then goes down for floor work. Seriously, I kept thinking, "This is Super Callanetics on steroids!"

I really liked the instructor, Carrie. She was tough and encouraging at the same time. My only gripe is that the stretching didn't last longer. I can't believe I waited so long to give this a try. I will definitely be purchasing the newer Pure Barre DVDs when they hit the market next month :)"

Not exactly what I was expecting...

Bee Bee | Maryland USA | 05/23/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD based on a review in the Washington Post about the classes they offer. I thought buying this DVD would be a good substitute for the class but I was somewhat disappointed. Although the video is tough and does work out all parts of the body it didn't really seem to have much to do with ballet training as the video promises it does. The stretches are pretty remedial and only last for a minute.

The production on the video isn't great either and the music and atmosphere tend to get boring. I did feel my muscles for a bit after the workout and will continue trying it in hopes that it will produce some noticable results."