Video Fitness

Attitude Ballet & Pilates Fusion

Bernadette Giorgi

I ordered Attitude Ballet & Pilates from the instructor's web site, justbmethod.com on Fri., Aug 17 and received it in the mail Wed., Aug 22. It was $19.99 for the DVD, there was no shipping charge and I was able to pay by paypal. According to info on the site and on the DVD, part of the proceeds get donated to breast cancer organizations. The DVD is very well chaptered. The main menu is broken down into an introduction, form pointers, workout 1, workout 2, premixes and credits. Workout 1 is chaptered by an intro, warm up, centre barre, centre with ball, mat work, and a stretch and is 40 minutes long. Workout 2 is chaptered by an intro, warm up, centre barre, centre with ball, mat work, and a stretch and is 38 minutes long. There are four premixes: Attitude Barre - 37.40 minutes, Attitude Ball - 24.10 minutes, Attitude Mat - 31 minutes, and Attitude Advanced - 68 minutes. I previewed the form pointers from the main menu, where she names various ballet & pilates positions while one of the women demonstrates them - this is good for anyone like me who doesn't know much about ballet or pilates. I don't think there was any music during the form pointers. She recommends doing workout 1 3x per week for 12 weeks, then moving on to workout 2. Next I previewed workout 1. The background music was soft and calming and Bernadette's voice was pleasant and well modulated. The lighting was good and the workout space appeared clean and visually appealing. The exercisers consisted of Bernadette and five other women who seemed to be regular people, not fitness models. Everyone was dressed in pink & black. The first part of the workout consisted of standing ballet work, I think she said you could use a chair or a bar if you wanted, but no one was demonstrating this. Next they moved to standing work using a 2 lb weighted ball. She mentioned that you can use no weight or a dumbbell if you don't have a ball; she recommended not going over 5 lbs no matter what you use. During this part they did plies, squats with bicep curls, lunges with tricep work and some balancing moves which she referred to as a yoga & pilates warrior move. Next came pilates mat work - some moves used the ball and some did not. After that was finished, there was a brief stretch. In between each section of the workout, little motivational sayings popped up for just a second. I haven't had a chance to look at workout 2 yet. I assume the premixes are made up of parts of workouts 1 & 2, but I haven't looked at them yet either. I've never tried a ballet workout before and my pilates experience has been pretty limited, so I can't really make comparisons between this and any similar workouts. I will say that, on preview, there was nothing that annoyed me and the ball work actually held my interest, so I think I will get use out of this. There was a note in the package that said she will be going into production for two new workouts in January.

In glancing at the back of the DVD cover, I noticed that the person credited with the cover art appears to be the same person who posted the August 18 review of this workout on the VF Reviews page.
I personally have no connection to anyone involved with this workout.

Instructor comments:

VF Member LAC

8/23/07

Beautifully produced by Greg Twombly/CIA Productions with soft instrumental music. Bernadette's cast are all over age 50 and fit (and look wonderful).

Two Ballet & Pilates fused sessions are included. (each workout is approximately 34-35 minutes long and is individually chaptered as well) Bernadette was wise to include several premixes which allow the participant to choose what they want to focus on for the day or if time restraints are an issue, they can select a shorter session. (the premixes average from 24 minutes to 68 minutes in length)

Workout 1 and Workout 2 are set up in the following chapters:
*Intro
*Warmup
*Centre Barre
*Centre with Ball
*Mat Work
*Stretch

Premixes are well thought out and written so you'll know what is included:

*Attitude Barre: 37:40 minutes
warmup, workout 1 & 2 Centre Barre work and stretch

*Attitude Ball: 24:10 minutes
warmup, workout 1 & 2 Centre with Ball work and stretch

*Attitude Mat: 31:00 minutes
warmup, workout 1 & 2 mat work, stretch

*Attitude Advanced: 68:00 min.
warmup, workouts 1 & 2 all sections and stretch

These sessions provide a straight forward approach to each discipline. Nothing fancy, you'll just get precise and easy to understand descriptions of proper alignment and positioning. (for further instruction, check out Form Pointers. Here, Bernadette takes you through the basics of some of the ballet & pilate moves. She guides while someone else demonstrates.)

The centre barre work is fluid and rhythmic. You'll perform classic ballet moves that have been modified for at home use. (you'll feel a burn in your lower body with these gentle but effective moves) For a total body effect, Bernadette has included centre work with a 2lb weighted ball. These moves remain just as graceful but you'll sculpt the arms without bulk. Here you'll perform such classic moves like bicep curls and tricep extensions, however Bernadette often adds a lower body toning element. (say including a lunge or plie move) The mat work has lots of variety. You'll work your entire core region, including transverse abdominals and obliques. To increase intensity, the 2lb weighted ball will be included in several exercises. Each workout has different exercises and/or sequences so you won't get bored. The workout will conclude with a well deserved relaxing stretch.

Advertised as an "older, mid-life" workout, anyone can benefit from this unique program. It has plenty to offer and with the Form Pointers, even a true beginner can follow along.

Instructor comments: Bernadette provides great form tips throughout each session. Her verbal cues are precise and easy to follow. (she doesn't cue too early or late)

Check out her website at www.justbmethod.com where you can read about the cast members and how this workout has helped them.

Denise R

9-11-2007



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