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 enlarge | Actor: Method
Studio: Parade Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $5.30
You Save: $14.68 (73%)
New (25) Used (17) from $4.50
Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 21402
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.7 x 0.7
MPN: PPID55516D
ISBN: 0739602624
UPC: 071083555169
EAN: 9780739602621
ASIN: B00005BIG6
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 2001
Release Date: May 10, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 43
*ab*solutely fabulous buy for your abs January 11, 2008
Priti S. Moudgill (White Plains, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have other Pilates DVDs for days when I am pressed for time; but on days when I have some extra time, this is the one I turn to.
The exercises really work to tone abs and hips. Thanks to some over-aggressive dancing, I had developed a bad hip. But after just a week or so of using this DVD my hip-joint went back to normal. That was a few years ago. My joint hasn't troubled me since. The "side-series" that cured my joint is an absolute killer. I think I came close to sobbing the first time I tried that set of exercises. But, what can I say, I am glad I stuck.
As for my abs, they have gotten a lot more taut than they used to be even pre-baby thanks to this (and two other) pilates DVDs. Even when one has a favorite exercise DVD, I think it is important to have more than one in order to keep tedium at bay. So, despite this being my favorite pilates workout, I use two others just so I don't get stone bored. Likewise, even though I have a favorite yoga DVD, I rotate between 3 to keep things interesting.
As for Jennifer Kries, I have to say (albeit admiringly): what a show off! She can coolly raise her legs over her head while casually doing some strenuous exercise AND talking at the same time. I feel more than a tad annoyed when she mis-counts reps forcing me to do a few more killer reps than I had expected to. She is also guilty of faux encouragment: "you can do this too after a little practice (touch your nose to your toe while keeping your legs straight)". Yeah, right.
But, minor kvetching aside, I'd say this is a good investment.
Good pilates workout, but Rael is better December 2, 2007
K. Streit
This pilates workout is a good one. I have numerous pilates dvds and I found this to be one of the better ones. However, the ultimate pilates dvd is the Rael Method. If you can only buy one, look for Rael 27. It is better paced, more challenging, and techniques are more thoroughly explained. Rael also gives you options for more advanced workouts. Method Pilates is good, but Rael is even better.
 Wasn't what I expected September 8, 2007
Pilates lover (Illinois)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I expected an advanced dvd on pilates methods. The exercises are in the intermediate stage and there really aren't many exercises at all. The workout was much shorter than what I expected.
 Absolutely excellent February 14, 2007
C. Bushel (Balto., MD)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
First, I would like to address the reviewer who wrote that this program was "misleading" and "not Pilates." Please do not heed her words. The truth is, in fact, that the first workout on the DVD is a comprehensive classical Pilates program. The differences between the Method rendition and Pilates are negligible, and include such few trivialities as flexing the feet instead of leaving them relaxed and putting the hands between the knee and calf instead of atop the knees during the single leg stretch. If you know the Pilates way versus the Method, you can easily amend your movements as I do. Second, I would like to remind or elucidate users that Pilates is a mind/body exercise, so the absence of music during the video (as another reviewer complains) is perfectly true to form. A Pilates student should be concentrating on breath, flow of movement, and the core but never Celine Dion. Third, if you can't feel it, you're either a Pilates maven or, more likely, not doing the exercises correctly. Doing the exercises correctly is initially not the most important thing. Pilates must be absorbed; connecting the mind and body is the ultimate goal, and it takes time to arrive there. You may need to memorize the flow of movement before you can ever accurately use your core to execute the exercises. Also, just because your body becomes used to the exercises doesn't mean they are not still working for you. A Pilates body takes basic maintenance, and flexibility and The mind body connection will always increase as you repeat the exercises.
There are many Pilates exercises that exist outside this video, but the exercises Jennifer Kries performs are the core exercises of Pilates and should be done whether you do additional ones or not. This DVD is a great Piltates guide, and while not advanced, leaves plenty of time for personal adjustments. As a long time Pilates fan and a third generation Joseph Piliates disciple, I cannot recommend this product enough. I use it in often and add in exercises where necessary. For example, in the time Miss Kries teaches roll up, I do both this exercise and advanced roll over, and then in proper time move with her into leg circles.
This video is absolutely excellent and true to form where so many other DVDs are not (it's hard to find a DVD that even does the core!). Enjoy. Your pennies and your time will be worth it.
 Effective abdominal workout but overall lacking January 21, 2007
Lady Muse (USA)
This lengthy DVD contains two programs - Pilates for Toning, consisting of standing and lying mat exercises, and Pilates for Sculpting, which incorporates the use of light dumbells.
The set is reminiscent of a ballroom or dancehall, with a simulated black starlit sky in the background. Jennifer Kries is the instructor and sole performer of the exercises, which are done without any accompanying music so you'll have to play your own.
These exercises do work the abdominals and are overall great for stretching. But I'm in agreement with other reviewers who think it falls short of a truly effective "Toning and Sculpting" workout, as is described. There are simply not enough reps of each movement to actually feel a burn. While Pilates can be overall effective for developing core strength, stretching the muscles and improving balance and posture, it seems it's been oversold for it's supposed "body-sculpting" benefits. While the Pilates philosophy may be "quality over quantity," exercise research supports the idea that to truly strengthen, sculpt and define the muscles, they must be worked to fatigue. One must feel the burn.
There are other Pilates fusion videos that more effectively combine the benefits of both Pilates and total body strength training, such as the "Breakthru Pilates Sculpt" DVD or Jennifer Kries' own "Pilates Method" DVDs. Even if one bears in mind that this is just a basic Pilates video without expecting too much in the form of toning and sculpting, I found this particular video to be rather boring, and I enjoy other Pilates videos more. As I previously stated though, these exercises are effective at strengthening the core muscles, and you will feel very relaxed and streched out after doing this workout.
Rating: Fair
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