The question that I keep asking myself while doing this tape is, "Why do I need to do these movements (or this tape)?" I feel that although Clare Dunphy presents some interesting and unique movements with the Body Bar, I cannot see a whole lot of purpose for doing most of them. I don't think the movements particularly increase strength or balance. I think most of the movements are too complex in that the upper body is doing one thing with the bar which doesn't really increase any strength or feel like a stretch, as Clare claims, while simultaneously, the lower body is doing something for some other purpose, such as to increase balance or sometimes, just moving to add interest or difficulty to the whole movement. While some of the movements are challenging, I think that quite a bit of the challenge is in figuring out how not to strain something, like the wrists, which take a lot of stress in this tape, or how not to fall over. I also think that the Pilates ab work with the Body Bar held away from the body and the twisting movements are unsafe, especially for the spine and back muscles. I doubt I will use this tape much, since there are so many other tapes that are more fun and more effective. If I am looking for something a little different along these lines, I would choose Kari Anderson's Angles, Lines & Curves or a Karen Voight tape.

Instructor Comments:
Clare Dunphy is an average-good instructor who obviously has studied dance and would like to incorporate various dance-like movements into this tape. I agree that she does not explain the purpose of many of the movements.

Abbe