Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-08-12
Highly recommended for beginners and people who can't cope with the fast and furious DVDs. Lynne Robinson explains well and she seems to know exactly when to put in a reminder of how to do it correctly. Yes, it is slow. Yes, it is suitable for older people and people with aches and pains. To get the benefit, you have to concentrate and do the exercises properly. It may not feel strenuous while you are doing it, but really it is a remarkably effective form of exercise. I like to do one of the three exercise sessions most days as they are quite short, then do a longer session from another Lynne Robinson DVD about twice a week to add variety. The final relaxation is great.
Very, very slow.......2007-06-06
Oh dear. I got very bored, very quickly. Long explanations and very slow. Suitable for extremely unfit people or elderly people maybe. Don't bother.
Three Really Good Routines!.......2006-05-13
This DVD contains three short workouts that are the ideal length to do after a day at work, they are not too long to fit into a busy a day and they are varied. Lynne Robinson explains things extremely clearly and reminds you of the correct posture and breathing. This is an excellent DVD to use on a daily basis as a complement to a fuller weekly workout or class.
I first used this DVD to help me recover from spinal surgery; within 6 months the Consultant had signed me off as having made a full recovery and I am sure that a lot of the credit goes to Lynne Robinson. I then used it to help me recover from surgery for a massive shoulder injury, working with a physiotherapist who knows a lot about Pilates; because of the severity of the injury, the Consultant expected me only to regain 60% normal use in that arm and shoulder but I have achieved nearly 100% and I'm still making progress. I think that's the best recommendation anyone could make! Use this DVD - it will make you leaner, stronger, more toned and more relaxed.
Too Slow For Me!.......2004-08-20
I was very disappointed by this DVD, which I don't think could be called a "workout" at all. The exercises are ridiculously slow and unchallenging, maybe it should be labelled for older people or those with injuries? Lynne spends so long explaining things that you are sitting around waiting, and often only do one or two repeats of an exercise. Only in the third routine do you actually do anything remotely challenging, and then it was over in a flash. I cannot see how anyone could shape up with this!
Trust her.......2003-11-06
My physio told me to add Pilates to my exercise regime, as I have a back problem. I bought and enjoyed Pilates for Dummies, but its appeal is not likely to last for long, as it shows moves rather than puts routines together. This, however, is wonderful: three 25 minute routines that you can either do separately or in any combination, that leave you feeling relaxed, stretched and somehow (I speak as a short person) longer. I trust the teacher totally: she obviously knows what she is doing and makes it easy for you to do the movements safely. My back is definitely being helped already, and I can imagine using this DVD for ages before feeling the need to get another Pilates one. I should make clear here that as a rule I do not do relaxed in any sense, and I have such a low boredom threshold that for my other exercises, I have to own masses of DVDs to keep me motivated. I didn't think I'd like this kind of exercise at all, being a cardio freak, and I thought I'd be totally rubbish at it, but it's fun in a bizarre way and it is very surprising how quickly you improve. Bear in mind, though, that you do need a few things such as leg and hand weights, a stick and a tennis ball; if you don't have them when you want to begin, that could be frustrating. Oh, and I'm not some bendy 20-something aerobics instructor, but a nearly 38-year-old writer; if I can get my legs round this, so can you. Highly recommended.
Customer Reviews:
Still the best of the series so far.......2006-08-08
To answer the last reviewer's question: yes, you may well be. This set is, in my opinion, the best DVD put out by the Body Control group. It has the first workout that coincides with the masterful first Body Control book, as well as the 3 shorter Weekly Workouts of the second DVD that are themselves very well organised and all-in-all are fantastic for introduction to intermediate level Pilates instruction.
I know they are the two oldest DVDs of the lot, but the production values on them are better than later DVDs (better sets, lighting, ambiance, pace of instruction). The later ones seem to be more hastily put together and some even look like cut-and-paste jobs from other DVDs.
Some people lose patience with the slow and detailed method of Body Control style pilates, but they aren't taking seriously that this method cannot delivery the quick and lasting results it promises *unless* you attend to the core exercises that may not look like much on the outside but are establishing a foundation that needs to be there before you progress. If you want your progress, that is, to something more than superficial outer appearances -- core and functional strength, health, balance and beauty.
I've been to a set of pilates classes in my gym lately with a super fit instructor in fantastic workout clothes who was more focused on doing exciting gymnastic-style pilates moves than core work. The result? The instructor is regularly off work with lower back pain! She looks great on the surface, but her own inner core foundations are weak. What I am to learn from that? So, I am back home to my Body Control DVDs until I can get myself into a Body Control class. This two-in-one DVD will not be surpassed as the best way to learn and progress in the Body Control Method from absolute beginner to intermediate.... and that takes time. No need to rush. There are so many great improvements along the way.
But -- to be fair -- it will be nice when one day they bring out a DVD starring someone else other than Lynne Robinson -- please! I love her but she's not the only one in Body Control. Maybe a companion DVD starring Miranda Bass of BC's Classic Pilates Method book. That would be a great way forward. But until then... this one is superb.
Am I the only person who didn't like this workout?.......2001-11-21
When looking for a workout DVD I was torn between yoga and pilates and, having never tried either, I was encouraged to buy this item by the excellent revies that it received. However, I found that the presenter's explanations during the exercises were very quick and I found it difficult to keep up. I wasn't as impressed as the other buyers I'm afraid!
Strength training without exhaustion.......2001-10-25
Do you want a workout that is fronted by a talentless soap opera actress?
Do you like your home workouts to consist of lots of jumping up and down, flapping your arms around and feeling like you have achieved absolutely nothing?
Pilates is neither of these. Pilates is quite simply fantastic. If yoga seems too hippyish and aerobics workouts just pointless, this is the perfect home workout for you. After just one workout you will feel strong, balanced and amazonian. The whole workout feels like all your deep muscles have been unlocked and re-assembled in their best possible arrangement. Pilates is accessible for all activity levels, whether you are a hardened couch potato or a regular gym bunny, you will enjoy this workout. DVD seems the perfect format for home workouts - the convienience of being able to go the exact workout you want to is a real bonus.
I have been a fan of Lynne Robinson for some time - her fantastic body is proof that this is a great workout.
Totaly Agree.......2001-01-03
I agree with the Pilates fan from Cambridge - this is actually two videos worth of material and does not come across in the title. The content is great and, with DVD, even easier to follow and to locate exercises. Lynne has a great way of explaining and keeping you involved. Great stuff -and, even better, it works!!
A brilliant buy for all Pilates fans who now have DVD.......2000-12-06
What the title of this DVD doesn't make clear is that you get two videos on one DVD - Body Control 1 and 2 - for the price of one! It hasn't been revamped for DVD, but hey, it doesn't need to be. And what's so great is that you can easily skip the intro etc. and go straight to whatever programme you want. That's the main reason I bought this - no more wasting time getting the tape to where you want it. Perfect!
UK DVD:
- Power Yoga Total Body [2005]
- Reiki 2nd Level Attunement: Learn and Use Reiki Sacred Symbols (NTSC)
- Reiki Psychic Attunement (NTSC)
- Rosemary Conley Box Set - Slim And Salsacise/Shape Up And Salsacise [2006]
- Sacred Yoga Practice: Vinyasa Flow - Pure Power [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Shiva Rea - Radiant Heart Yoga
- Shiva Rea - Yoga Trance Dance
- Simple Yoga For Pregnancy
- Stott Pilates: Be Kind to Your Spine
- Stott Pilates: The Secret To Flat Abs
UK DVD List
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Pilates
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Fitness
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Pilates Body Control
Pilates Perfect Body
Body Control 5 - Powerhouse Pilates With Lynne Robinson
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Shape Up The Pilates Way With Lynne Robinson [2002]
Pilates Express
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