Lara Hudson
With strength work, I am an intermediate exerciser, who doesn’t really want to move up to advanced work. Most of the time, I do traditional strength work with weights. However, I have enjoyed branching out into Pilates and workouts on the ball as well. I have been looking for a Pilates workout with short segments that I could use as “sparks” or “add ons”. I think I have found it in this DVD.
This workout includes five sections: Pilates for Abs, Pilates for Buns & Thighs, Sculpting Pilates, Pilates Burn, and Pilates for Flexibility. Each section is ten minutes and she packs a lot into each ten-minute segment. I found some of the sections hard, especially the one for buns and thighs. The DVD allows you to choose a number of segments, repeating a segment if you wish, in any order you like.
This is NOT a beginner’s workout where she teaches you how to do the moves. However, she does give descriptions I haven’t heard before and that clarified some of the moves for me. Some of the sections were not pure Pilates, but veered into Pilates-like moves. However, many of the moves were standard Pilates moves.
Instructor comments:
She is straight forward and descriptive.
Laura S.
November 10, 2004
Workout time: Five 10 minute sections
Set: Workout studio, pretty basic, Lara alone
*I think I might have reviewed this before, but I can't find it, so here goes.
There isn't time for tons of form pointers, so it is probably better if you have some background in pilates.
There are 5 sections:
Pilates for Abs-Most of the tradition pilates ab stuff-hundred, criss-cross, straight leg stretch, even a teaser try at the end. A great workout if you are not a huge fan of pilates or if you want some quick ab work.
Pilates for Buns and Thighs-Includes traditional pilates leg work as well as bridge work. This is one of the sections I use the most.
Sculpting Pilates-Includes shave the head, circles, bicep curls up high (which is harder for some reason), and the superman lunge. I use this segment a lot as an add-on. I only use 3 lb weights, but something about the moves makes it hard still.
Pilates Burn-I have only done this one once. It is a flowing style section.
Pilates for Flexibility-I haven't done this one as the dvd I bought from the Swap had a glich and that section won't play. I'd really like to try it. From looking at Collage, it has some yoga stretches and looks nice.
I really like this dvd. I find myself using it often. There is no dread factor when it is only 10 minutes. It is easy to pop it in and squeeze in another 10 minutes here and there. Great if you are not a huge pilats fan, but still want the benefits of it.
Instructor comments:
Straighforward, to the point, but friendly. Doesn't make a ton of appearance comments, which is nice. Encouraging, without being annoying.
Krista (benemma)
18 Sept 05
This DVD is part of my rotation and I do try to do all five sections once a week.
Abs: Basic Pilates abwork (double leg stretch, scissors, etc.) Gets the job done. There are a series of rollovers where you roll back into almost a yoga plow position and roll down. I've yet to do these without having to physically push my butt up higher with my hands. My abs just aren't that strong yet.
Legs: A very good section. Leg circles, rond de jambes, bridges, grasshopper -- all of these exercises really work the legs for me and stretch them at teh same time.
Arms: A series of arm exercises using 2 to 3 pound weights. The reps are fast and light intensity, so light weights do the job just fine. As Lara points out, the object is to tone the arms, not to create muscle.
Pilates Burn: This one always makes me sweat. A series of flowing moves involving planks, push-ups, leg lifts and circles, etc. Very effective.
Stretch: My favorite section of all. This is one of the best 10 minute stretch series that I've done. It thoroughly works all of the kinks out, particularly in the back, legs and side waist.
I highly recommend this DVD. I only do it once a week because I am more focused on cardio and circuit training, but I like to do this one, even if I'm in the mood for something more that day. It gives my body a chance to relax from intense cardio and weights but I'm still doing some challenging stuff at the same time. Also, after all the stretching, I'm usually all refreshed and ready to go the next day for a fresh new week of exercise torture!
Instructor comments:
Lara is very calm, precise and no nonsense with her instructions. Not overly chatty, pleasant.
Lady D
4/28/06
