After doing this DVD consistently for almost a month (which by the way is very unusual for me) I knew that I had to write a review on it.

The title has Pilates in it but it is also a true aerobic weight training workout using exercises found in Pilates. For the first thirty minutes of the workout, you will use light weighted dumbbells to do most of the aerobic weight training exercises such as plie squats, plie squats while reaching your arms (palms facing up) overhead and back (kind of like a wide shoulder press), bicep curls with side leg lifts, swan arms (arms stretching from side to side) with side leg lifts, mambos front and side with bicep curls, and back lunges with shoulder raises.

All the moves are low impact but I found you can really increase the intensity not by making the moves high impact but by paying close attention to your form and really controlling the moves. Ellen provides excellent visuals to make this possible.

After completing the cardio/strength series, you finish the workout with approximately eight minutes of more traditional Pilates floorwork which consists of shaving the head (triceps extensions w/a dumbell), stretching with legs extended to the front, pilates scissors, and exercises brining one knee to your chest while stretching the other leg away from the body. A very relaxing stretch at the end completes the workout.

As I have stated in other reviews, I'm not a big Pilates fan but this DVD and Ellen's other DVD, Crunch: Fat Burning Pilates, have changed my mind. Granted these are not your traditional Pilates workouts but a fusion of cardio, strength, and Pilates but it works for me. I adore this workout so much because it is a refreshing change from all the high impact that I'm used to doing. I'm an advanced exerciser and I really work up a sweat doing this workout. Must be all the muscle control, which is part of what Pilates is, that Ellen talks about.

The production is your typical Crunch style if you've seen other Crunch workouts. The workout takes place in an open studio. The music, while nothing fabulous, is pretty good. The only negative drawback to this workout is all the plies. There are no modifications shown for this move and if you have bad knees you may not be able to do this workout.

On a very positive note, by doing this workout and its sister workout consistently, I now have definition in my abs that I did not have before. Benefits aside, this is just a fun workout to do and I highly recommend it.

Tiffanee