Lower Body Pilates

Mari Winsor
Year Released: 2012

Categories: Lower Body Strength , Pilates/Core Strength


I love-love-love Winsor's Bun & Thigh Sculpting. At under 20-minutes, it's a quick and dread-free workout for any level; I can pull it out when I'm "starting over" or when I'm consistent and fit.

I was hoping that this new release from Mari Winsor would be similar ... times three. And it sorta-kinda is ... but not. :)

Workout #1 is "Slim & Sculpt Hips," but I really found this works the "muffin top" area and waist. It starts gently, in a seated cross-legged position, with breathing and stretching. It then moves on to side-reaches, torso circles, and spinal twists. Then comes rolling up and down, ab work on the back and in V-sit (involving the legs , like single leg stretches), and finally on to bridge and then planks.

Workout #2 is "Trim & Tone Thighs," and I found this most reminiscent of my old favorite but with some new twists. There is a lot of classic side-lying leg work (kicking forward and back, lifts, circles, tapping toe-to-heel, clam series, inner thighs). Most of these involve variations, like pulses or changing the range of motion. Needless to say, this was my favorite section from this dvd; did it top Bun & Thigh Sculpting? Meh ... I can't say that it did. It's good stuff, don't get me wrong! But B&TS has years of near-mythical raves following it; it would be pretty tough to top!

Workout #3 is "Lift & Firm Glute" (yes, apparently we are only lifting and firming just the one "glute" :) which begins with stretches and then flips to the stomach for heel kicks and leg lifts. I was surprised at the inclusion of (what I consider) back work (superman, swimming). Then you move to all-fours for leg lifts and donkey kicks. There are some new twists on classic moves here (leg lifts to the rear but in a circular motion -- ow! ow!). Then, what I thought was the most challenging segment on the entire disc: moves in plank and reverse plank and modified side plank, followed by a final segment in bridge. Ouch!

I found this dvd much more difficult than Bun & Thigh Sculpting (which I can do at any fitness level); this workout required quite a bit of modification.

Instructor Comments:
Mari never changes. The woman is ageless and while her instruction style is a little abrupt, it is consistent and adequate.

Alisoncooks

05/17/2012