Fat Burning Fusion

Ellen Barrett
Year Released: 2008

Categories: Ballet/Barre, Pilates/Core Strength


This is one of the three original Studio workouts put out by Ellen Barrett (she has also done several Crunch Fitness, Flat Belly, and Self Magazine workouts). It is 45 minutes of all standing Pilates-inspired fusion, non-weighted cardio workouts, with a lower body focus.

If you have used Ellen’s workouts before you will recognize her signature moves such as breathing plies, butterflies (plie squats with “heart opening” arm movements), and swan extensions, and for her exercising barefoot. She emphasizes the mind-body connection, finding your “heart center,” and shaping the “female physique” without the use of heavy weights (or any weights in this workout).

If you are not familiar with Ellen, I would highly suggest her workouts for a “feel good” outcome more than a “feel the burn,” “puke in a bucket,” or “sweatfest” outcome, and to steer clear of her if you do not like the mind-body connection, or if you do not like plie squats! Also if you are a Pilates or Ballet purist and do not like fusion workouts, this might not be to your liking, although I think she succeeds at incorporating the elements of those principles correctly in her workouts. She constantly reminds you about core engagement and about proper form.

For what it is, this is a highly treasured DVD in my (large) collection. This is one of my best “feel good” workouts that lifts my spirit and makes me feel more elongated and elegant, and just happier and more content with life. I like to use it as a vacation workout (because it is not too taxing and there is no equipment needed, except an exercise mat which is optional), or as a recovery cardio day (because it is all low impact), or like I said because I need an emotional boost (or all of the above!).

The moves include (in no particular order): plie squats with breathing arms (arms making a wide circle up and down), faster paced plie squats elegant arms (arms straight out to side), or traveling with long reaches (swan extension); standing mermaid; several variations of standing twists to work the core as well as knee repeaters; lateral reaches on the diagonal which stretch and tone the side waist muscles; lots of unweighted arm work using a full range of motion to maximize the lack of weights; standing glute lifts, outer thigh, and inner thigh pulses with corresponding arm movements. This is really a great unweighted lower body workout and will get your heart rate into a moderate aerobic range.

There are two background exercisers and one of them performs beginner modifications. The workout takes place in a spacious and uncluttered studio and the music is GREAT – she has a knack for picking out upbeat music that really works with the exercise moves. Collage Video lists this as intermediate and I think that is an appropriate rating, especially if you really pay attention to form on the arm and leg movements, which are easily full range of movement because there are no weights involved. I always work up a gentle sweat, enough to know I’m working (and the DOMS will sneak up on you) but not so much that I feel taxed or overexerted. The chaptering is good (every tune lasts about 10 minutes and you can skip to each tune) and you can play the entire workout or skip to one chapter from the DVD menu. Grade A+!

Instructor Comments:
Ellen is enthusiastic, encouraging, and bubbly, always smiling and clearly enjoying the workout with you. She does have several “Ellenisms” including “opening your heart center” and “creating the female physique” that she refers to quite often and that might annoy some but it doesn’t bother me. Like I said she highly emphasizes the mind-body connection. She smiles a lot and it is hard not to smile with her! I also enjoy that she looks very healthy and fit, and her wardrobe is more conservative which might be an important detail for those that don’t like the midriffs, low cut pants, or cleavage.

Emily B.

06/11/2010