Leslie Sansone
This is one of several introductions to
pilates that are out there for beginners.
I like the way the dvd is set up- an
instructional segment, the main workout
and a challnge workout which uses a
dynaband to complete the same moves
as in the main workout. Leslie has
selected some very basic moves for this
workout. Execpt the most beginner of
beginners, there won't be a move an
exerciser can't do. Most pilates tapes
have a few moves that take some
practice to do, but not here. And there
aren't many moves at all- the main
routine takes only about 10 minutes.
The routine itself is a nice short routine
that would be a great add on for
beginners after a cardio session, though
I do wish it had some stretches after the
pilates work. The downside is Leslie.
Her breezy, silly and often irrelevant
banter is better suited to her basic
cardio workouts when she has her fellow
walkers to interact with. In this she's
one on one and and she talks nonstop
but not always with comments or
pointers that would help with the
workout. I almost got the impression
that Leslie went to a few weekend
workshops to learn some pilates basics
so that she too could put out a tape on
this very trendy exercise method. Her
form isn't that good in some points and
she doesn't get at all into pilates
concepts, like Moira Stott, Michelle
Dozois or Mari Winsor do. This is a
decent short routine for beginners, but I
would recommend teaming it with one
of Moira's, Mari's or Michelle's beginner
programs as well to learn better form,
the concepts behind pilates and to have
a few moves that take some working up
to. Leslie should stick to the basic,
encouraging cardio programs she is
known for. Her forays into toning and
now pilates have been disappoointing.
I'm not one of her big fans- I find her
chattiness annoying and occassionally
condescending and I prefer more
complicatted aerobic routines- but I do
think she is an outstanding cardio
instructor for beginners.
Instructor comments:
Leslie is chatty, encouraging and offers
modifications. For anyone familiar with
pilates, they'll notice that Leslie doesn't
always use good form and she doesn't
pay much attention to the finer points of
pilates concepts, like breathing. She
does however include modifications and
encourages exercisers to go at their own
pace.
linda