This is a wonderful Pilates inspired ab and back workout. The workout length is about 45 minutes including the warm up stretches. This is a great mix of Pilates inspired moves combined with traditional ab work and even some moves that are yoga inspired.

I am not a Pilates master, so many of the moves I will be describing most likely have Pilate Names that I am not aware of. I will just try to describe some of the moves included in this tape.

The warm up stretches is approximately 8-10 minutes in length. She does spinal twists, neck stretches, cat and dog poses, hip stretches, and back stretches using both the straight back and round back positions.

The body of the workout is a nice mix of ab stabilization work and back work. She beings with leg stretch using the long leg (not bent) that moves into a controlled ab/back roll down. Then she moves into breath control exercises with legs extended into the air (45 degrees) and activated abs.

Small leg circles are next with alternating legs. With you back on the mat you raise one leg at a time into the air using your leg to draw circles. This move you can really feel in your lower abs, since you are working very hard to keep your lower body stabilized while making the leg circle.

More extended leg ab work is next. With legs extended to 45 degrees you activate your abs while using your arms to circle back. This really activates the abs well.

Then an ab/back move is next. In bridge pose you will shift your weight onto one leg while extending the other leg. This you feel in your legs, abs, and backs since you must be very controlled and work hard for stabilization on all of those areas to keep your hips from sinking to the mat. This move is challenging.

Alternating leg extensions are next with activated abs. Alternating legs, slow then fast you will really feel this in the lower abs.

Next you will do reverse curls. But you will vary the technique just a bit. You will move the legs in a circular motion while moving into a reverse curl at the top of the motion.

Modified leg extensions are next. You move your legs in a scissoring motion with either bent legs or straight legs. During this move you have to work really hard to stabilize in order to keep from wildly swinging the legs.

Now you will move into a series of back bending positions. You will begin with just lifting the chest, then you will move to just lifting the legs. Then combine them both together.

V holds with legs extended ab roll down’s are next. Both the straight leg and bent leg positions are demonstrated.

Next comes more traditional ab work. Standard crunches, crunches with modified leg positions, and varying oblique work is included.

Now back to back work. Activating both the legs and chest off the mat you will alternate opposite arm and leg into a swimming move. Scissoring the legs and arms, slow at first then faster. Then on to more back bending positions that vary the hand position and movements

Nice backstretches in the round back position are next, followed by the “Seal” This is a back roll. With your feet in your hands in the round back position you will rock back and forward on your back. This position is hard to describe but it feels very good after all the back work.

There are many stretches included between a lot of the exercises, especially the ones that use a lot of leg movements.

I really enjoy this tape. I really feel my abs after this tape. At first if you are not very familiar with the Pilates style moves it will be challenging. But what is great is how after each workout you can really see how you have progressed. It may not be easy, but it gets easier to hold the positions and you will find you get better at the roll downs.

Karen is wonderful in this tape. Her teaching style is very suited to this style of workout. She is neither stiff nor hyper, but gives good instructions and form points with out being dry. Karen’s personality really shines during this workout. The production is good and the nice guitar music fits very well with the movements.

I give this tape and A++. If you are wanting to incorporate Pilates style ab and back work then this tape is a must have. Actually this tape is a must have regardless. A wonderful thorough ab and back workout.

Susie F.