Search - 10 Minute Solution: Pilates on DVD

Not for Pilates purists or beginners

Reviewer | Anytown USA | 08/21/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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.



"

My current favorite Pilates workout

Erik Olson | Ridgefield, WA United States | 07/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."