10 Minute Solution: Pilates Reviews

• jackpot - this is the Pilates video for me.

  
  By A2OG83SEU9HL6D on 2005-01-13
  This is my second Pilates video, and it is by far the best I've tried. The 10-minute Solution DVDs offer 5 10-minute workouts. I really liked how this DVD was configured. You could choose to play all five, just one, or personalize your workout. Personalizing means you could put the workouts in any order and choose as many or as few as you liked. Not all exercise DVDs have such advanced features, and I felt it was worth noting.
  
  One of the reasons I like Pilates is that it requires very little equipment. I do not even use a mat. Speaking as one, any business traveller could make good use of this DVD for exercise on the road.
  
  This workout is fairly challenging, and I liked that. It wasn't so much that it tired me out. The challenging bit is that each exercise really made me feel "the burn". The instructor's excellent cues and the good use of videography allowed me to follow along easily. She offered many reminders of body positioning and what we should be doing, stretching limbs away from eachother, squeezing our stomach towards the spine, or breathing.
  
  The music and set are non-distracting. The instructor is the only exerciser.
  
  

• My New Favorite Pilates-Inspired DVD

  
  By A2KRP5FQT32KEF on 2004-10-16
  I'm a big fan of the short workouts, because I have a very demanding and irregular work schedule (long hours, lots of travel). As I get further away from my college years, I also find that there's more "trouble areas" developing on my body, so I prefer workouts that hone-in on specific body target zones. This DVD fits the bill. I enjoy the pilates-inspired workouts because they leave me feeling like I get a good workout without working too hard. The thing that makes this DVD so special is that it works my muscles even harder than previous pilates DVDs I've tried: the workouts give me that "good workout soreness" the next day, but do so without exhausting me so much that I can't bring myself to do it again after another long workday. I also like that in addition to focusing on my favorite trouble spots (abs, buns and thighs), this DVD has a 10-minute pilates sculpting workout (get out your light weights, everybody), a 10-minute cardio-toning pilates workout (get that heart rate up, everybody) and, my personal favorite, a 10-minute flexibility workout, which is relaxing--not strenuous--and is the perfect workout nightcap for any exercise routine (I truly mean that, it loosens all the muscles with a great, unique set of stretches). Another great benefit of having this DVD is that it allows you to build the number and order of the 10-minute workouts so that you can play as many or as few as you want, in whatever sequence you like.
  
  To top it all off, Lara Hudson is a fantastic instructor. I didn't realize the importance of a good instructor until I found some folks that I didn't like (for example, Denise Austin's raspy voice gets on my nerves). Lara Hudson, on the other hand, is sweet, motivating, and explains the exercises with just the right amount of dialogue. She's also very attractive without being impossibly in-shape (so she's pleasant to look at and you can actually imagine yourself having a body like hers someday). The scenes are all in a well-lit studio with modern exercise music playing softly in the background. Overall, I have no complaints. The one word of caution I must say though is that I think these exercises are better suited for people who have prior pilates experience or who are at least moderately in-shape, because they are quite challenging and do not offer modifications on the movements. So for those of you who like short, challenging, effective pilates-inspired exercises with variety, a good instructor, and a pleasant ambience, I strongly recommend this DVD.
  
  

• Wonderful pilates video...

  
  By ATKVDKXO3Q6ZM on 2005-06-05
  Based on the great reviews this video has gotten I decided to get it myself. There are 5-10 minute segments to pick from and they are all solid workouts that pack a lot into 10 minutes.
  
  The first segment is abs, you will see the hundred, rollup, double leg stretch, criss cross, scissors, corkscrew, double straight leg stretch, rollover, spinal twists and the teaser. I always feel a fire in my abs after this segment.
  
  The second segment targets the lower body. First you lie on your side and work your legs with side leg lifts while flexing and pointing your foot, then you will move into leg circles, then the ronde de jambe, and finally inner thigh lifts. After repeating this on the other side you will move onto your stomach and work your inner thighs again with the grasshopper again with pointed and flexed feet. Then you will move onto your back and do shoulder bridges, clean hip presses, then hip presses with one leg extended in the air, then you lower and lift the leg in the air which is a bit challenging. Then it's time to stretch.
  
  The third segment is called Sculpting Pilates, where you work on toning and defining your arms using light weights (2-3 lbs). First you work the shoulders with the zipup, then move onto bicep curls while holding your arms up in front of you, then holding them out to the side. Then you do arm circles, where you raise your arms up and down while doing little circles, you will do these lifting your arms in front and sideways. Then you will work your chest with out and in, which is basically a pec fly like motion standing up. After this you will do the "bug" which is the same as a rear delt lift in a bent over position. Then it's on to triceps, where you do an exercise called "shave the head", which is kind of similar to an overhead press, tricep kickbacks follow. Boxing comes next, you lift one arm at a time straight up, then you lean over and lift your arms front and back. Finally you do the "Superman Lunge", where you step into a shallow side lunge, lift your arms front and up then side and down, then you repeat the other way and step back to standing.
  
  Pilates Burn is the next segment, which is a total body segment. You will see planks into heel presses then pushups, swimming, mermaid, under the bridge (mermaid while twisting underneath), hamstring kicks into one legged pushups, lunge position into hip presses, and extended cat pose (extending one arnm and opposite leg then curling under. Then you will do some leg exercises while on one knee and lifting the working leg to the side, first moving the leg front and back, then leg circles which is quite tough, definitely harder than it looks.
  
  The final segment is Pilates for Flexibility, which is a nice routine that stretches you out nicely. Cat pose, lunge position, hamstring stretches, side stretches, spinal twist, the saw and around the world are some of the moves you will see here.
  
  Overall, a fantastic pilates DVD, which is programmable where you can customize your own workout, a very nice feature. Or you can pick just one or two segments if you are short on time. Lara Hudson is a very pleasant instructor with excellent form, she makes all the exercises look easy. I hope one day to be as flexible as she is. She also offers good form pointers and tips, as well as modifications for people less experienced. She also tells you the name of each exercise which is nice. I highly recommend this DVD for those who like pilates, but are somewhat familiar with it.
  
  

• My current favorite Pilates workout

  
  By A1BDPRQ7BEUNLP on 2005-07-07
  When I was in my teens and twenties, my workouts consisted of heavy weight training, running, step aerobics, and the Marine Corps Daily Seven. However, times have changed. The Daily Seven ended when I left the Marines. I don't care how much I can bench anymore, so I've laid off the heavy weights and Joe Weider supplements. Finally, step aerobics and running are too hard on my ACL-reconstructed knee. Therefore, I've embraced gentler fitness methods. Yoga, Pilates, cardio with light weights, and martial arts are my fitness modalities of choice. I'm not keen on the health club scene, so DVD workouts at home have become a staple. I own an expanding number of them, and "Ten Minute Solution Pilates" is one of my favorites.
  
  The workout is broken down into five ten-minute segments. Each part has a different purpose: one centers on abs, another on flexibility, a third on toning, and so on. You can do all five segments for a fifty-minute blast, or pick and choose to create a shorter routine. Of course, a lot of exercise DVDs offer such flexibility. But the "Ten Minute Solution" workout is a cut above many of them for two reasons. First, the instructor is one of the clearest callers I've heard. She almost seamlessly integrates her well-spoken commands with her concise movements, thus creating a flowing, easy-to-follow workout. Second, the exercises are challenging and really work you over. Some are the usual Pilates staples, while others add Yoga and hand weights to the mix. But when all are done consistently, they will make you stronger (in a lean sort of way), more flexible, and give you greater command of your body.
  
  However, there are two caveats as well. First is the somewhat high difficulty level of the workout. Many of the individual exercises are quite tough and require a decent level of strength and balance. Beginners could easily hurt themselves if their reach exceeds their grasp. For example, caution must be used during the hand weights segment because the movements go through a wide range of shoulder motion. Once I tried dumbbells that were a bit too heavy and slightly tweaked my left shoulder. Second, the instructor is the only person on the DVD. That means there's no one else to demonstrate easier and safer modifications, which would have alleviated the difficulty issue. A split screen with the instructor doing the mods would have been a welcome addition.
  
  Overall, the pluses of this DVD outweigh the minuses. After completing the full fifty minutes, I feel like I've gotten a great total body workout. If you are a solid Pilates beginner looking for a challenge, or a higher-level practitioner, then the "Ten Minute Solution Pilates" is an excellent addition to your home workout library. And you can always work your way up to this DVD with Ellen Barrett's lively Crunch Pilates series, Karen Voight's no-nonsense Pilates workouts, and Ana Caban's elegant Beginning and Intermediate Pilates routines from Gaiam.
  
  

• Back In The Day

  
  By A1GOWUO3JYE8WY on 2005-10-07
  I have been teaching Pilates since the early 1970s. I was fortunate enough to study with Joseph Pilates in the 1960s. Joseph Pilates would be happy to know his method of exercise is so popular. But he would not be happy about all the ways people change his method and lifelong dedication to helping people stay healthy. Joseph Pilates created a fascinating and complicated technique of body conditioning. And I never saw him teach a person for 10 minutes. 10 minutes would never be enough. Innovation can be helpful but not in this situation. For me, the traditional Pilates method can never be improved upon because it's too sophisticated and too complete. Please, no yoga-lates no bal-lates no aqua-lates no others.
  
  
• Surprisingly good
  By AYD2Y4U2SK8E5 on 2005-11-18
  I bought this DVD mainly for the ab workout - and the fact that it had 10 minute segments (I know that I am more likely to exercise if I know it is only 10 mintes.) The first time I tried it, I was saying "You gotta be kidding!" to almost all the moves. The next day I was sore but within two days I could notice an improvement. It didn't go from flab to six-pack abs, but there was a noticeable difference.
  
  I definitely recommend this DVD!
  
  
• Shortie but Goodie
  By A158UTCN7UTBUL on 2005-10-14
  I love how this DVD is divided into 10 minute segments. it's perfect to do first thing in the morning to get going or on the weekend for a full 50 minute workout. the moves are pretty basic, but they'll give you a good workout when you do the whole video. I would definitely try another Pilates video by this instructor.
  
  
• Not for Pilates purists or beginners
  By A1MZJ977WMS382 on 2007-08-21
  If you are completely new to Pilates and looking to learn the traditional matwork and at least some of the theory behind it, don't start here. This video will probably drive Pilates purists crazy. If learning matwork sequence correctly in a minimal amount of time is your goal, I would recommend Ana Caban's beginner and intermediate Pilates DVDs in conjunction with Brooke Siler's book "The Pilates Body".
  
  Even though I realize this is a 10 minute solution format, and this whole next section is going to sound preachy, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Pilates matwork was meant to be done in a specific sequence with an ultimate goal of perfecting each move and being able to flow through a workout smoothly and fluidly without stopping. The 10 minute approach flies in the face of that concept, chopping the routine up into several segments and mixing up the moves, with nothing in the way of theory and very little modification offered (I think the instructor offered only one or two modifications for exercises and did so verbally and in a fast enough way that if you weren't paying attention you'd have missed it, instead of physically demonstrating). Lara was the only exerciser in the DVD.
  
  I am not sure whether doing the workout in this format will help you achieve that overall toned, sleek elongated look, but you should be able to tone up individual parts well enough unless you're already very fit - in which case this would probably be too lightweight of a workout for you.
  
  One of the more significant problems with the DVD is failing to acknowledge and distinguish between levels of capability - specifically the limitations of a beginner - and this becomes a critical issue with the demonstration of The Teaser. For those unfamiliar, you may recall seeing this pose on various book and DVD covers, showing a woman sitting up in sort of a "V" shape - legs raised up off the mat with toes pointed straight out and arms extended straight out in front. Unless you're quite athletic and/or have a strong back with strong abdominals, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT ATTEMPTING THIS AS YOU WILL LIKELY HURT YOURSELF.
  
  Why? This is an advanced movement that a beginner should build up to with modified versions before attempting to plunge into the advanced form of the exercise. Personally it took me about one or two months to work up to this one. It's indicative of the progress you've made in Pilates work to be able to get up to this point. What's worse, she jumps right into the most advanced version by demonstrating the movement with hands over head, never once indicating that beginners should NOT attempt this straight off and should work up to the poses by starting out with a bent-leg version. This is the one point of the video that sorely need someone demonstrating beginner and intermediate poses.
  
  For the above reasons - failing to distinguish between beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercises and generally forgetting to offer modifications, and also for throwing in at least one non-Pilates exercise like "cat and cow" (a yoga move, not Pilates) to confuse the uninitated as to what constitutes authentic Pilates and what does not, I will knock off two stars.
  
  The only other thing I didn't like as far the exercises themselves was the way Lara threw her leg around too vigorously during leg raises, and she leaves off front/back of the side kick series altogether. Jerking your leg up down as she does might hurt your hip if you are inflexible, out of shape and trying to keep up with her.
  
  Having said all of that, I do think this is fine for someone who already has a solid understanding of the Pilates method and just wants to mix things up, but doesn't plan on using this as their daily routine. The pros are - good production value, a very minimal set with non-intrusive music; a fine instructor who for the most part does a pretty nice job of demonstrating proper form throughout; and great flexibility for mixing and matching workouts as your schedule permits. It also offers an upper body sculpting segment using Pilates techniques with weights that other DVDs and books I've worked with typically leave out.
  
  
  
  
• Interesting idea, mediocre execution
  By A32JFOVUD051VL on 2004-10-22
  I have been taking pilates classes (mat and reformer) for over four years, and during that time have become familiar with several different pilates instructors and techniques. I purchased this video because of my travel schedule -- I like the concept of ten-minute increments. Although I did sweat, I was quickly annoyed by the instructor's ditsy voice, and her demeanor struck me as unnatural and contrived. I also felt like form was not well emphasized, despite the fact that it is the key to getting results in pilates. All in all, I'm glad I tried it, but it doesn't add much to an ever-increasing collection of pilates videos.
  
  
• New Variations
  By A21YKD30QN3UDR on 2005-09-23
  The 10 Minute Solution Pilates video doesn't represent the method Joseph Pilates created. Joseph Pilates taught people to workout their entire body because health and well-being come from using your mind, body and spirit. Joseph Pilates did not separate workouts for different parts of the body. For example, he did not say, "Here is Pilates for abs," "Here is Pilates for thighs," or "Here is Pilates for back." He created a holistic system. Try Complete Pilates for Everyone or Classical Pilates.
  
  
• I really wanted to like this
  By A3KV4RQE2FVIZ0 on 2006-07-02
  but there were a couple of things that stuck out at me enough that I can't see myself doing this on a regular basis.
  
  As soon as I put the DVD in my player, I thought the music was familiar. It was- the same music in at least two of the sections was used in Liz Gillies' Progressive Pilates release- which included a 10 minute parts workout DVD. The exercises, of course, were similar- Pilates mat and weight exercises are limited (not that this takes anything away from the quality of the work, but you're not going to find tons of variety). However, some of the variations that you don't usually see on Pilates DVDs (Picking Daisies and Long Stretch, which are adapted from apparatus exercises, the very similar setup for Boxing, and the Cat/Cow extensions) were on both releases. Finally, one of the Associate Producers of this DVD (Annika Carlson) was also a participant in the Liz Gillies DVD. Which would mean nothing save for the fact that this DVD was released six months after the other one. As I noted above, the limited syllabus is going to make Pilates "parts" workouts similar, but this one felt derivative of another release. If you happen to like this instructor/set/music/whatever better than Gillies, then this may be a better option for you, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
  
  The workout itself is okay. The Abs workout includes the Hundred, the Rollup, the Double Leg Stretch, Double Straight Leg Stretch, Knee Drops, Criss Cross, Single Straight Leg Stretch, the Corkscrew, the Rollover and Teaser. I thought the Rollup was a weird hybrid of the Rollup and the Neck Pull- instead of rolling down to finish, she rolls up to a straight posture then rolls down, more like the Neck Pull. Also- and this is a problem I have with all "Pilates for Abs" workouts- nothing for the back, which opposes the abs and should ideally receive at least some work when you're addressing your abs. (I always think Joseph Pilates is rolling over in his grave when that happens.) You'd really have to use the Pilates Sculpt segment (for arms and upper body) to get into your back.
  
  Buns and Thighs includes Up and Down, Circles, Ronde de Jambe, Inner Thigh Lifts, Twist for a stretch, Grasshopper (with pointed and flexed feet), Shoulder Bridge, Straddle Stretch and
  Butterfly Stretch. These were pretty straight up Pilates, but the Ronde de Jambe was made easier by eliminating the sweep to the back.
  
  Sculpting Pilates includes Zip Up, Bicep Curls (forward and to the side), Arm Circles (forward and to the side), Shaving the Head, Tricep Press Back, Triceps Stretch, Shoulder Stretch, Boxing (vertical and bent), The Hug, The Bug, Superman Lunge, Chest Stretch with Forward Fold and Arm Circles. This was one of my favorite sections of the DVD- I appreciated the stretches she integrated into the strength and I love the Superman Lunge.
  
  The Pilates Burn segment left me pretty cold. It includes Walk out to Plank, Long Stretch, Pilates Pushups (at knees), Alternate Arm and Leg Extension with Reaches, Hip Press from Lunge, Long Hamstring Extension, One leg pushups (with bent knee), Swimming, Side Plank/Long Legged Mermaid, Under the Bridge/Thread the Needle, Kneeling Side Kicks and Picking Daisies. As I noted above, this section is very similar to the Gillies releases and yet not as fun or tough. Also, while I don't object to things being made more doable to those new to Pilates, she didn't show any variations to make the moves tougher. Disappointing, because this was the section I was most looking forward to.
  
  Pilates for Flexibility also struck me as odd. It includes Cat/Cow, Thread the Needle, One-legged Downward Dog with pulses, Bent-knee Lunge and Hamstring Stretch, Mermaid, Saw, Around the World/Rainbow Stretch. Having seen some of the lesser known stretches on other DVDs, videos and books, I'll give the producers the benefit of the doubt that these are all classic Pilates stretches. However, it had more of a yoga feel than a Pilates feel. Also, she had an odd variation for Saw that kept you bent over instead of rising at the center. I feel like that cuts your rotation and might hurt some backs.
  
  Overall, I'd give the workout itself 4 stars. However, the questionable origins brings it down to 3.
  
  
  
  
• OK But not for beginners
  By A26T4CF7ZFZNS4 on 2006-07-16
  I suppose this workout is okay for someone already in fairly good shape, but for anyone overweight most of the exercises are almost impossible to do. Most of the exercises require that you be able to bend really well and if you are overweight and trying to get in shape you should start with something else that doesn't require this amount of flexibility. It would have helped to nost waste money if they had said this was not meant for overweight people or beginners.
  
  
• Awesome DVD!
  By ATJFT1QTSBP8 on 2004-09-23
  This is an excellent exercise DVD. I love the way the sequences are segmented into 10-minute bits. I can do as few or as many segments as I have time for, and I can pinpoint the areas that need attention. The instructor is gorgeous, inspiring, and her explanations are clear and easy to follow. I highly recommend this.
  
  
• Highly Recommended!!!
  By A32EVAF9TNR88W on 2004-10-18
  I am new to Pilates and was worried that this DVD would be too advanced for me, but it wasn't! Yet at the same time, it was challenging! I love the fact that I can pre-program which workout(s) I want to do in the order that I want to do them; that I can "mix & match" them depending on what it is I want to work on each day. Lara Hudson is an EXCELLENT instructor--encouraging yet shows modifications for beginners without being "chirpy" or "cheerleader-y". I highly recommend this DVD for people interested in Pilates!
  
  
• Really great workout with an excellent teacher!
  By A1RBMC3U2EV57 on 2004-09-25
  I found this DVD at Best Buy and thought why not, I've been wanting to try out Pilates now that it's so popular. Wow, was I surprised as to how hard it worked me out. I was sweating and my muscles were burning, but I felt great afterwards. Now I know why so many people love this type of workout. The teacher, Lara Hudson, does an incredible job of instructing someone like me (a beginner), yet it was really challenging. She shows different levels of the exercises for different levels of experience. I also love the fact that I can change the order of the workouts. It keeps it new every morning I do the routines. What more can I say, this was a great purchase to get me into shape!
  
  
• A great pilates workout
  By A3FF4IOK2KYLUB on 2005-05-26
  I recommend this dvd for anyone that wants to tone their whole body. The instructor is fun, she is full of positive energy and is constantly encouraging you to keep up the good work. This dvd has a great total body workout. The dvd has five 10 minute segments. These segments consist of: abs, buns and thighs, body sculpt, total body burn, and pilates for flexiblity. I really enjoy this workout and have seen results.
  
  
• Easy and effective
  By A389R63KSUCT70 on 2005-09-01
  This product did not disappoint. After injuring my back in a car accident, my physical therapist recommended pilates to strengthen my abdominals and upper back muscles. Not only is this product easy to follow, you can go at your own pace and work your way up. So far I am doing two workouts but hope to build up to the entire 50-minute workout. I already see results and feel healthier. I would highly recommend this DVD.
  
  
• Great Pilates DVD
  By A29AXXY2VB7Y69 on 2006-05-18
  This was my first Pilates DVD I started with as a beginner. Lara provides good cuing and explanation of each exercise, good music and interesting combinations. It's a great DVD to start with and good for maintaining your strength.
  
  In a matter of months I progressed to mastering each of the five segments offered. There is a ten minute segment for each of abs, buns and thighs, burn, sculpting, and stretching. I usually do the abs, buns and thighs and one of the others every day. I am getting to the point now I am needing a more intense Pilates DVD as this one is not challenging or quick enough.
  
  I wish there would be a 10 Minute Solution: Pilates - Advanced! My children also like to do this DVD with me for their exercise.
  
  
• very happy
  By A30BIP7E79AJLL on 2006-06-19
  i love this tape. i can fit the routine in my schedule and it wasnt too strenuous , so i was able to keep up. i also lost a lot of weight while using this tape. i am a lot more fexible and i would recommend it to anyone!
  
  
• I love this workout!
  By A14UZO7FNK0H0U on 2006-06-29
  I played basketball all through high school and junior high. By the time I graduated, I was in good shape. But then, I went to college, and my once quite active workout routine was sacrificed for all night study sessions and law school applications. I wanted to get back into the habit before law school in the fall, so I started looking for a workout that was both productive and short enough that I wouldn't stop doing it when school started. This DVD is perfect for the college/grad student looking for a good way to get back into working out. The exercises are easy to master but challenging for muscles that haven't been used in a while. It's a great way to start toning up again. I know that I'll be able to keep this up, even when I'm cramming for exams, because the exercises are short and fun. I highly reccomend this DVD!
  
  
• Quick, effective Pilates
  By A3BAZSAG1Z8LN on 2007-02-06
  I like the 10 minute segment formats of this DVD series. Most of the segments worked me out pretty well, although the buns and thights section was pretty disappointing. The moves don't flow very well together during each segment. It seems like there is a lot of readjusting positions. The instructor was pretty good, although I didn't like her inconsistency giving breathing cues. For example, during one exercise, which only has 4 reps, she carefully explains the exercise as you do the first rep, then reiterates the verbal directions throughout the next 3 reps. She never tells you when to inhale and exhale (breathing is really important in Pilates), and does this for several of the exercises throughout the DVD. Sometimes she does make a point to loudly exhale into the mic so you can hear it. To get a good workout with this DVD, I would recommend these few things: 1. Watch the DVD once or twice to familiarize yourself with the correct form for all the moves. 2. Use a yoga/pilates mat. It will really help your knees from getting bruised. 3. Don't use hand weights over 3 lbs. for the arms section. 4. Stretch a bit before doing the workouts (some of the exercises are designed for the very flexible). 5. Make sure you have plenty of room to move around for the exercises.
  
  
• Perfect Work Out!!!
  By ADC1VW3F6L8DA on 2004-10-25
  This DVD is really the perfect work out. I've been doing Pilates classes at my gym for a while now and I am yet find a challenging home work out that matches the intenstity and quality of instruction. This video absolutely does the job. I agree with some of the others saying that the ability to mix and match the sets keeps the workout fresh... and most importantly, Lara Hudson, is an excellent teacher. She is the furthest from ditzy or pedantic, she is just the opposite as she encourages and motivates. I will be on the lookout for more of her videos. In the meantime, this one is a keeper for my morning ritual.
  
  
• Fantastic Workout!!
  By A9Z9WJG6TRAHP on 2005-03-15
  This is an excellent dvd. The production quality is very good...bright set, good music, great cueing. The instructor is easy to follow and challenging, and the workout is a intermediate/advanced level pilates workout. I have all of the Crunch pilates tapes and find this to be a perfect compliment to my other pilates workouts. I highly recommend this as well as the 10 Minute Solution Carb Burner workout.
  
  
• Fantastic and Effective!
  By A1A3QI0GADW8LU on 2005-05-12
  I found this video to be very effective. I've had it now for almost a week and after the first 3 days I could already feel my abs and core getting stronger. I, personally, am concentrating on separate routines at a time, but I do squeeze in that incredible flexibility set which is great for relaxing. I feel so good for finally buying a pilates video...especially this one. I couldn't have done any better.
  
  
• One of my Favorites!
  By A2CSY65TSN11V on 2005-05-18
  This is a great DVD - Each of the 5 segments is fantastic. I love that you can customize your own work out. You can feel your muscels stretching and toning at the same time. Lara Hudson is so graceful and instructs so well.
  
  
• Great Pilates Workout
  By A281603SLTJDAB on 2005-07-14
  I really enjoy pilates & quick workouts. This dvd allows me to do as little as 10 minutes or as much as 50 minutes of pilates. Even if you have been doing pilates for awhile, you can still feel this one working. Each segment is great & really focuses on the target zones.
  
  
• 10 Minutes of Exercising
  By A44Z6TWBOOKC0 on 2005-10-04
  Is it really possible to get a true workout in 10 minutes? In this amount of time you can briefly exercise a few muscle groups. Even though this video has good production value and a nice narrator, real Pilates can't be done in 10 minutes. If you want a Pilates basic video consider getting Pilates for Dummies because it's much more complete. You can get a full workout.
  
  
• Great overall Pilates work-out
  By A1IQBM5EEDZGAT on 2005-12-14
  Very effective overall; Not strenuous or difficult at all... great for beginners; The instructor, Lara Hudson, is very pleasant and encouraging, and demonstrates all moves before beginning reps.
  Main menu allows you to play individual sections (upper body, lower body, abs, etc.), or you can play all sections for an intense workout. I love choosing different sections to incorporate after a good run or walk on the treadmill.
  
  
• it worked for me
  By A4XEGO2TENMDU on 2006-01-29
  I had taken a couple of yoga classes and didn't feel comfortable in a room of strangers. This worked for me because I can do this in the privacy of my home or in the hotel when travelling. The instructor explains how to do the exercise and the way the DVD works you can play all five workouts in sequence. I generally do 4 in a row for an excellent 40 minute workout. I lost one pants size in 2 months.
  
  
• Soon-to-be addicted to Pilates
  By AH84FO9IB93PZ on 2006-02-03
  I support all of the reviewers who gave this DVD 5 stars! Even though I've never done pilates, I was able to do 2 of the workouts so far -- Pilates Burn and Pilates for Flexibility. The Instructor demonstrates the moves in a slow, but efficient manner which is great for beginners like me. You will really feel tension in your abdominal, leg, gluteal, and arm muscles after either workouts (I'm motivated to do the other 3). I bought this because I have gained the freshman 15+ since my freshman year in college and I'm taking little steps to get on the exercise bandwagon. I think this is great for college students who don't have time to go to the gym or are looking for a quick morning workout.
  
  

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