Pilates Workout for Dummies
by Andrea Ambandos
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DVD details
Actor: Michelle DozoisDirector: Andrea Ambandos
Brand: Fox
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 61 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-10-23
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Reviews of Pilates Workout for Dummies
DVD Review: If I can do it, anyone can.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm 27 years old and have never, in my whole life, been "in shape" or even close to it. I've just always been utterly terrible at all forms of exercise. (I mean, seriously. They put me in remedial gym class.) I've never managed a push-up or pull-up in my entire life, even after forty-five minutes, five days a week for the last seven years of public school. (Oh, and if you're wondering-I'm a tad overweight, but not obese.)
That said, even I was starting to get restless with a 9-to-5 office job. About the only form of exercise I don't hate is walking (or hiking), but that was getting boring-I live in a small town, and once I had memorized where the sidewalks were uneven, I started wondering if there might be something else I didn't hate. I've always distrusted pilates because I hate fads, but my sister recommended it so I figured, well, it's only a $12 DVD.
After reading a *lot* of reviews here on Amazon, I decided to start with this DVD. (I admit it, it was partly so I wouldn't need to buy equipment.) When it finally came, I opened it right away and watched it for the first time.
The person on the DVD, Michelle Duzois, is fairly perky and obviously in good shape, but not obnoxiously so. I don't know quite how to phrase it, but her attitude seemed to be "of course you can do this" and not "there's something wrong with you if you can't." By presenting all the variations (regular, beginner and challenging) in the same tone of voice and having her demonstrate all of them (including the things that are wrong), I felt like there wasn't the message that there was something wrong with you if you couldn't do the regular variation (as opposed to DVDs where a different person is doing each variation, and they say "Well, if you can't do what I'm doing, you can try what Kristy's doing instead").
The video had a nice introduction to pilates that was six minutes long, which I felt gave me useful information without overloading me. The basic routine then begins and is about twenty-seven minutes long (she tells you to only do the first several if it's your first time). I can't vouch for whether this is or isn't "real" pilates, but I can say that the routine went smoothly from one pose to the next (exercises are shown as separate scenes, but mostly the scenes start from where the last one left off), didn't focus on any one body part until it was exhausted, got my heart rate up (possibly it wouldn't do this for everyone) and showed good transitions (I wish she would describe the transitions more, though-sometimes she says, "Okay, now bend your knees like this, then extend them like this" but other times she just does it, so I didn't really see how she was doing them at first). Some of the exercises were a little uncomfortable at first, but after just a few times I could tell I was more flexible (still have a long way to go, though!). I definitely felt like I was getting a workout-sweating and really feeling the stretches-but when I finished, I didn't feel exhausted. I felt energized and, most impressively, like I wanted to keep doing pilates until I could do it right. (I can assure you I never felt that way about push-ups.)
The video itself has a black background with a large box with Michelle on a purple mat [how tall is she? Her mat looks the same size as mine, but somehow when she stretches out her whole body is still on the mat, whereas if my head is on the mat, the other end comes about to my knees] on a wooden floor, and then the black area is where variations are demonstrated or text appears. Most helpful to me are the places where she demonstrates (in the black part of the screen) what not to do during an exercise, with a big "X" through it. As in the For Dummies books, there are also tips, reminders and other symbols that appear. She demonstrates each exercise, then does the repetitions (usually 6 or 10) while periodically reminding you when to inhale/exhale or exhorting you to make sure to really stretch or not let your back arch or to pull your navel in. To me, if I'm not doing those things it's a good reminder, and if I am, it feels like confirmation that I'm doing it right.
I suppose the video is a bit boring-just one person in bike shorts and a tank top, on a mat, on a wooden floor, with no music. For me, anything more elaborate visually would be intimidating, and music would be distracting.
I have to say, I love it when she says, "all right, we're going to do our last three exercises now." It's not like some sort of scorekeeping-she doesn't do it every time-but it makes me feel like the end is in sight.
It annoys me at the end when she says, "You did a great job!" because I always think, "How would you know?" But maybe that's just me. That's my only complaint.
I've watched the intermediate routine (not tried it!) and it felt like something that I will, in fact, be able to do eventually-and more importantly, that I want to get to the point of being able to do it.
Description of Pilates Workout for Dummies
This unintimidating video explains Pilates mat techniques in easy-to-understand language. Not only can you tone and reshape your entire body by using this video - but you may even change your mind about exercise. What is the ultimate workout machine! YOUR BODY!!! With the authentic Pilates Method (developed decades ago by Joseph H. Pilates), you can reshape and tone your entire body to look longer and leaner by using these simple-yet-effective techniques. Anyone can do Pilates, regardless of age or fitness level - and that means you! Pilates for Dummies offers step-by-step instruction for 18 popular Pilates mat exercises and makes working out at your own level easy to do. This video incorporates floor techniques that are taught as part of every Pilates mat class to help you strengthen and lengthen your muscles, improve your posture, and tone and tighten your mid-section. About the instructor:
Michelle Dozois is a 14-year fitness professional and Method Pilates certified instructor. She's the co-owner of Breakthru, a personal training and Pilates studio in Pasadena, California. Michelle has appeared in over 15 exercise videos, including Buns of Steel Platinum Collection and 10 Minute Solution.
Pilates Workout for Dummies is a 60-minute DVD, ideal for both the first-time and intermediate Pilates exerciser. In the Basic Workout, well-toned instructor Michelle Dozois clearly and patiently presents 18 classic Pilates mat exercises, first demonstrating and explaining, then doing 6 to 10 repetitions. She explains what the Powerhouse is and how to use it, and covers the basics you'll need if you've never done this before (or need to be reminded), offering alignment tips, breathing, and extremely clear instructions for executing each movement. Dozois suggests modifications for making the exercises easier (or, occasionally, more challenging), and includes cautions against common mistakes and reminder tips for doing each exercise effectively. This is a fine first workout for Pilates novices. The Intermediate Workout consists of some of the Basic exercises and several new ones, all done at a faster pace and with more challenging instructions. This is a workout you can progress with! --Joan Price
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