The Lotte Berk Method

Kristen Lilley, Stephanie Lyons, Suzanne Cook, Barbara Boolukos
Year Released: 2003

Categories: Ballet/Barre


When I heard this method was finally out on DVD I was hoping it was going to be an all- in-one workout like Callanetics. Boy, was I disappointed!

Instead, there is a fair amount of repetion (especially in the warm-up and end stretching segments) between each DVD. There are hardly any closeups of proper form and most importantly, no profile views of doing "the tuck". There are very few modifications offered; you are apparently assumed to be in great shape just starting out, unlike Callanetics.

The music has a definite beat to it and is not conducive to doing the small precise movements required (same is true of "The Bar Method"), but while there is an option to work out with music only, there is no option to work out with instruction only, and no subtitles or closed captioning either.

This could have been an outstanding program if they'd put all the beginning workouts on one DVD and all the advanced workouts (there is one on each DVD) on another, for two all-in-one workouts, OR put everything together on one DVD and let you customize your own workout.

I'm glad I rented these from Netflix before buying--with all the repetition, they are overpriced. This is not to say that some of the sequences weren't good or useful, but I hate seeing waste, and 1-2 hours total (at most) of different exercises don't need to be spread out over 4 rather expensive DVDs. It is very wasteful both of resources and of a person's time spent changing out DVDs.

I will be staying with Callanetics in the meantime.

Instructor Comments:
There is a different main instructor on each of the 4 DVDs (they take turns in supporting roles). They all mention "the Lotte Berk Method" 'way too much, as if they're all reading from the same script.

I don't think any of them do a very good job of explaining "the tuck"--Callanetics does a far better job of that (btw, same issue with "The Bar Method" DVDs). If you aren't already familiar with Callanetics, you will *not* realize how important "the tuck" (aka the "pelvic tilt") is to properly doing these exercises.

Amy

04/17/2005