Customer Reviews:
Short and Effective.......2007-08-17
I use to train in the mornings and I like this workout because it takes only 30 min. but it is effective (I could feel my body next day) and it's nice filmed. I would not recommend it for beginners.
Amazing...it actually works!.......2007-07-12
I've just had my second baby by c-section so my abs were in bad shape. I have used this dvd for 7, days each morning for 25 mins (when my little one who is 4 months is a asleep). I notice results already. Even though I am not getting a full night sleep yet I find I have increased energy...I also feel more positive and proactive.I am getting things done rather than talking about it! I know this sounds incredible but I suppose besides the benefit of doing abdominal exercises I am also making time for myself and that has far reaching effects.It is a very challenging DVD but each day I seem to be able to achieve more. The first time I tried it I couldn't even get my legs off the floor without lifting them with my arms!Buy it.You will notice a difference. My husband has!
Great abs workout!!.......2006-10-30
An excellent workout specifically for strengthening and toning the abs. It lasts around 30 minutes and progresses in intensity. There isnt a lot of help given for beginners to you do need to know your stuff, such as focusing on the powerhouse and inner centre. Ana Caban is a good presenter - simple, easy to understand instructions. The exercises are very beneficial as you can actually feel your abs strecthing as you do them. All in all, the dvd is a simple, half an hour workout that will (hopefully) give results!!
Impressive -- not for absolute beginners though.......2006-05-27
This was just the DVD I wanted -- pilates to focus in on the abs (and lower back) not the legs or upper torso work. So, does exactly what it says on the tin.
The instructor is very pleasant and her voice is easy to listen to over and again; nothing grating or annoying in the script; just basic instruction.
But that's all the instruction you'll get -- the basic do-this now, modify here, and go. So, if you are an absolute beginner and have not yet learned about holding the pelvic floor or firming your core while you work, etc., you need to get that somewhere else. There's a bit of lip service to it, but not much more than a gentle reminder afterwards.
I like the fact that this DVD is for the experienced-beginner thru intermediate to advanced. I'm often p-o'ed hearing the nubie chit-chat over and again. But it's important to caution complete newcomers that you can hurt yourself if you don't already have the basics -- particularly, you could strain your back muscles if you haven't learned somewhere else how to engage your pelvic floor and core muscles to stabilize yourself while working out.
Other than that -- this is a great abs workout!
Customer Reviews:
Easy to follow and very pleasant to participate in.......2007-06-06
I bought this DVD together with Suzanne Deason's "Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss" DVD, but with no prior experience to Pilates. As much as I raved about the other DVD, I actually preferred this one in terms of seeing very rapid results if you follow the workout on a regular basis.
It is paced well, so I found I wasn't getting bored, or getting confused by the change in positions. I really liked the fact you can either watch the two modified versions of the exercises either alongside the original position or seperately - I found it easier to focus when I had the fully modified version on its own, yet the combined version allows you to see how each modified pose relates to the original.
The workout lasts for just under an hour, and if full effort is put in then you will indeed feel pleasantly knackered, but with lots of energy. The instructions are clear and precise, yet with a gentle and friendly manner. You are advised when to inhale and exhale, and how to avoid common mistakes such as overstraining your neck.
I'm still using this DVD at the fully modified version of the exercises, so cannot fairly comment on if this DVD is relevant for those who have experience of advanced Pilates. I thoroughly reccommend this DVD for beginners or intermediate levels though.
A great DVD which I cannot reccommend enough without sounding like I was payed to review it.
Disappointing.......2007-03-01
From the positive reviews from others I was expecting something better.
My problems with this DVD are as follows:
1. There is no information on the box or on the DVD to tell you how long the various exercise sessions are. This wouldn't matter if the sessions were short, but they all see to be 45 minutes or more. I like to be able to plan how long I spend on exercising and this DVD doesn't help that.
2. The instruction sound track at the difficult level also includes the instructions on how to do the the same exercise at a lower level. This means you are being talked at a lot and you spend much of your time listening attentively only to find the instructions do not apply to you. This is not restful.
3. The camera angles are not always suitable for explaining what she is doing.
4. The terminology she uses on the sound track for the names of the various levels is not the same as that use in the written menus in the DVD screens. This is confusing.
A previous reviewer is right, it is a very calm DVD. Almost too much so for my taste. There must be better DVDs out there.
Calming and effective.......2006-12-13
I loved this DVD, very calm, perfect setting, the exercises are easy and very well explained..A definite must have for home exercisers!
Pilates made easy!.......2006-05-11
good clear instructions with extra information if required. moves easy to follow, ideal product for newcomers to Pilates. Have yet to see the weight loss though.....
Pilates - Conditioning For Weight Loss.......2006-03-25
This is a great pilates workout. It offers all levels, so beginners and advanced alike are catered for. It is a good hour long, so it is a complete workout, and works different areas of the body. The moves are referred to by their name, rather than with lengthy explanations, which for me (a more advanced pilates person), was great. Yet there is the option to pause and select an explanation for beginners too. The location is really nice, and Suzanne Deeson is not at all annoying in her instructions. Positions and movements are paced well to be effective and smooth in transition. Highly recommended.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent for a short workout........2007-09-14
This is a very good DVD for someone who already has a knowledge of Pilates. What I like about it, is that Ana uses the original Pilates exercises, which are designed to flow from one to another, so that it's almost like learning a sequence. You do need to have a prior knowledge of Pilates however to use this DVD as it's not that easy. However, these exercises really work and you will see results if you use it regularly. What's good about it, is that it doesn't take too long to do, so it's ideal if you want to exercise daily.
Good especcialy if you have a band.......2007-08-07
It's a really good dvd especcialy if you do the exercises with a band!The impact is not very high, the scenery is nice, and the voice of the instructor is helpful. Most important, she does not forget to remind us of our breathing.
Other than that, its nothing so special.
Challenging and also very instructive.......2007-07-31
This is a great DVD because it not only teaches the correct technique so that back problems can be avoided, but also presents the exercises in a way which continues to challenge, even if one uses the DVD repeatedly. The exercises are done slowly so there is time to complete each one properly (which I think is the best way to do pilates anyway). The only criticism I have is that the main workout is only 25 minutes and not sufficiently challenging without doing the quick booster workout as well, however since the booster workout is more or less a repetition of the main workout, it can get a bit monotonous.
Simply Brilliant.......2007-03-06
I can't praise this dvd enough. In a few sessions, this has drastically toned my stomach, waist, thighs and even the tricky triceps. More than that, I feel stonger and energized after every workout. If you're new to pilates, then I'd recommend trying the Beginner's Mat Workout by Ana Caban first, as you'll probably need some preparation before attempting the intermediate workout (it took me a while to work up to this one!). Also, Ana explains important concepts such as alignment and breathing on the beginner's dvd, but doesn't touch on them much during this workout. In fact, the only complaint I have is that the instruction could stand to be a little more informative at times, especially for trickier poses which may strain bad backs, such as 'the teaser'. Still, the workout is so effective that I can't bring myself to deduct a star! Ana's assistant demonstrates the easier versions of the moves, so 'improvers' like myself should find this useful.
The routine may only be 30 mins long, but the pace is rigorous and the moves are challenging, so it's plenty long enough. Also, there's a bonus 10 min workout for those who want to do that little bit extra.
My previous experience of pilates was limited to Lynne Robinson DVDs, and as good as they are, they didn't give me nearly the workout and results that this one does. Highly recommended.
Fantastic Pilates DVD.......2006-11-26
Having been a Pilates Instructor for 20 years - I think that this DVD is one of the best I have ever seen. The Ana Caban interview is extremely good in that she explains the Pilates Philosophy brilliantly! The teaching is clear and precise; the demonstrations are of a very high standard indeed and beautiful to watch. This is certainly not for a Beginner or someone that does not have the foundations firmly in place! If I have any criticisms they are that the main workout is only 30 mins long - 50 mins would have been perfect. Also there is no inverted work - which I found surprising, as it would have completed the balance of the excellent workout.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect for that motivated feeling after working out!.......2008-02-21
Felt more toned after just a few workouts, would definately give this 5 stars for strength building.
This is about 30mins long, which offers a fairly intense workout for the time taken. Which is perfect if your like me and don't have a whole lot of time on your hands to faff around with low intensity workouts. There is a bonus 15 minute workout too. Which its very handy!
I only gave this 4 stars because a couple of the new moves i didn't take to, i felt they were a bit 'gimicky' and a waste of time. but over all definately worth the money and time. I do this workout before work, it's great to really get you motivated, but not too intense as to tire you out.
Also Ana cobain is probably the less irritating instructor i have come across.
UK DVD:
- Pilates - Conditioning For Weight Loss [2004]
- Pilates For Lower Back Pain
- Pilates for Moms [2005] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Pilates for Mums - post natal, post pregnancy Pilates with Lindsey Jackson
- Pilates for Weight Loss Series [2006] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Pilates: Principles [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Power Yoga Total Body [2005]
- Power Yoga Total Body [2005]
- Pulse Yoga I (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Rocki's Prenatal Yoga, Vol. 2: Labor Preparation 1 [2005] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
UK DVD List
UK DVD
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