Brand New Butt and Pilates

Janis Saffell
Year Released: 2005

Categories: Lower Body Strength , Pilates/Core Strength


This review only covers the Pilates section of the DVD, which is all I've done so far :-) I am relatively new to Pilates, and don't generally like tapes that use a band, but I really enjoyed this workout. It is all done on the floor (she does first the left side, then the right). The focus is mostly on the legs, but I would say your core is definitely worked as well, and just a bit of arm work is there, too. I felt like a weakling some of the time, trying to hold the band in the positions that Janis does (and with such grace and ease, too!). I am used to Cathe strength tapes, and feel relatively strong, but there were times during this workout that my arms just weren't going to do what Janis was doing. Not complex moves or anything, really just holding the band down to the floor in various ways while your legs pull against it...
There is quite a variety of moves in this workout, and they flow really well together. You lay on your side, on your back and in a plank or one-knne-down position, all the while working one or both legs with the band. Beginner modifications are shown using no band. I am feeling it especially in my hamstrings today, and I felt it as I was doing the workout, too. There were a few points that I really felt a lot of strain in my neck--probably bad form on my part, straining to see the screen, and lack of core strength. That was the only negative I felt about this workout, and hopefully it will go away as I get stonger with these moves.

I truly enjoyed this workout, and plan to do it often.

Instructor Comments:
Janis is thorough with her form pointers, smooth with transitions, friendly, calm and motivating in the Pilates section of this DVD.

Wendy2

10/05/2003