When I saw first saw this new Pilates workout, I thought “Great. A good workout for a light day.” Wrong! It is a TOUGH workout, at least, for me, an intermediate exerciser that flirts with advanced moves and workouts at times.

This workout is a combination, first, of strength work and then of Pilates and Pilates-inspired moves. Michelle and Tracy teach in tag-team style with no other exercisers. One of them shows harder variations and the other does easier modifications. The set that looks like a family room, or rec room, a simple, well-lit set. For this workout, you basically need a set of weights (I actually use two sets) and a mat. I add my step as a bench for some of the chest work sometimes. Don’t ask me about the music, because I didn’t even notice it. It must the standard dynamix type stuff – obviously, not very memorable.

After the warm-up, they lead a few moves designed to work on your balance. Then, they go into strength work with the weights. They do:

> a series of squats with different upper body moves as well as extra lower body moves
> lunges
> lat rows
> bicep curls
> more lunges with upper body moves
>plies with upper body moves (Sorry. I’m blanking on the upper body moves names!)

After stretches, they take off their shoes and move into the Pilates section. In this section they do multiple moves. Some are pure Pilates while others are strength work while others are a fusion of the two. It is harder work than most of my other Pilates workouts.

The only thing that bothered me is that multiple moves required supporting my weight on my hands and wrists. I have arthritis and the worst joints in my body are my hands and wrists. In some cases, I did other moves (for example, I do chest presses instead of the Pilates push-ups). In other cases, I did the more beginning move that did not require that all my weight be put on my wrists and hands.

The DVD has the following menu:

1. Introduction
2. Warm-up
3. Total Body Standing I
4. Total Body Standing II
5. Total Body Pilates
6. Weights Floorwork I
7. Weights Floorwork II
8. Buns & Thighs
9. Abdominals

The workout lasts just under an hour. I REALLY enjoy this workout and highly recommend it. It is NOT an easy workout though, so don’t get it if that’s what you are looking for.

Instructor Comments:
Michelle and Tracy interact really well. It's like working out with a couple of friends who know a lot about working out. They are encouraging and make me think I can keep up with them. They give modifications to make moves easier throughout the workout. They're great! Especially together.

Laura S.