Search - MTV Fitness - Pilates Mix on DVD

Pilates mix indeed!

M. Parra | USA | 12/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great DVD. It has loads of new moves from the first MTV Pilates DVD.

It has 2 30-minute workouts, divided in parts: arms, legs abs sections, and seems that workout 2 is more challenging than workout 1. Based on that, you can pick 3 workouts from arms 1, 2; legs 1, 2; and abs 1, 2. (e.g you can pick arms 1, legs 2 and abs 1, or arms 1, 2, abs 2. Any combination of 3 workouts!) and it'll play the ones you pick as a 30 minute workout.

It also includes a bonus total body 10 minute workout which is very challenging, it is mostly legs and some abs.

All in all a great workout DVD. Kristin McGee is a great instructor and the background people show different positions for all fitness levels. The location is a Manhattan club turned into a studio with black background and colorful sets. And has good upbeat music.

Definitely a workout worth checking out!"

The Ultimate Pilates Challenge

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you have been working out for years and have tried Pilates, Yoga, Ballet and a wide variety of traditional exercises, Kristin McGee will take you to an entirely new level of fitness. Throughout this workout you will recognize Pilates exercises, but they have creative twists and present new challenges for the intermediate level.



The creativity in this workout is stunning and mediocrity is not an option. Kristin presents challenging isometric exercises to test your highest level of patience. Yoga definitely prepared me for the concentration needed to count to ten.



So, the first time I tried this DVD I thought for sure I would never complete the exercises. My mind tried to tell me I was not young enough and that I should probably go back to a milder form of exercise at a slower pace. However, I'm back to say that you can do this if you watch this DVD first, then try the exercises at your own pace. By the third viewing you may find you can almost complete all the exercises with a few modifications.



This workout is in a club setting. The fuchsia mats are set on larger purple mats with white stars. The dark floor and the sapphire backgrounds make this an aesthetically pleasing workout.



Routines



Routine 1: This is a ½ hour body shaping routine with a focus on strengthening core muscles, toning the arms and working the abs like never before! Combine this routine with the second routine for a full-body workout. The beginning of this workout is deceptively easy. You quickly warm up and then move from standing to the floor in a quick sequence of movements you may recognize as a type of Vinyasa. Then you spend a lot of time doing push ups without really realizing you are doing push ups. This is wonderful because the variety helps you tone up your arms without boredom.



Your wrists may start to tire out if you don't give yourself enough breaks. I did wish she had alternated with exercises you could do on your back because I started to feel that I was spending too much time looking down at the mat. However, the bonus is a test for your patience level.



Due to the fast-paced style, I'd recommend this to anyone who has a basic knowledge of Pilates and Yoga. A Yoga mat is needed, even though this is presented as a Pilates workout. There are many Yoga postures and while you are in the isometric positions it is helpful to be working out on a secure surface.



Routine 2: This is a ½ hour workout designed for the legs and abs. You will feel your entire body being strengthened and toned. The beauty of Kristin's teaching style is in the motivational quality of her challenge. She presents the challenge and gives you more options. You can follow her and go for the advanced routine or you can choose beginner or intermediate. I found I was alternating between all three, depending on the exercise.



Bonus Routine: You could add this to the hour workout (Routine 1 and 2) or you could use this routine when you have less time. I'd actually say it is filled with creative interpretations of Pilates exercises.



Create Your Own Routine - Step-by-Step selections lead you to your perfect exercise routine.



Audio Setup - Want to listen to your own music? You can select the Instructor-Only Audio Track. I enjoyed the music on this DVD and it kept me motivated. After exercising, you may enjoy the music-only audio track for stretching. There is not a lot of stretching or a cool down section at the end, so that might be an option.



This DVD is not only a true test of your physical strength, the exercises will test your endurance and willingness to push your body to the next level. I was very determined to make it through this workout and on the second try I made it through most of the exercises. It brought out an entire level of competitiveness I didn't even know I was capable of and I was determined to make it through this DVD as if the world would end if I didn't complete the exercises. Now I look forward to incorporating this workout into my weekly routines.



Definitely an intermediate to advanced workout to try after learning the exercises in the MTV Yoga, MTV Power Yoga and MTV Pilates DVDs. The Music on this Pilates DVD is perfect and compliments Kristin's teaching style. Whatever will she think up next? I can't wait for the next DVD and I look forward to the challenge.



~The Rebecca Review

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Harder than i thought

K. Kenney | Indiana | 01/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am pretty athletic. I've been doing Pilates and Yoga for about 5 years, and I thought this DVD was HARD! My arms were shaking so bad during Workout #1, I actually had to rest for a second. I would definitely say this workout is for advanced Pilates people, not beginners. Of course, Kristin McGee and the music is great, but just a warning- this workout is TOUGH!"

A Question for All you Fitness Fanatics.........

Nilsa | Maine | 12/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If your house was burning and you had managed to save your kids, pets, photos, etc, but had time to only grab ONE video, which would it be? I own close to a hundred fitness videos- cardio, strength, pilates and yoga, but Pilates Mix would be my choice without even thinking about it. I agree with all the comments by the previous reviewers, so I won't go on to repeat their comments. The program is tough, it's very effective, and best of all, it is unique. I usually do program 1 plus the bonus on one day, skip a day, do program 2 plus bonus, skip another day, and then do a traditional full Pilates. I've been doing this since Pilates Mix first came out, and I've lost 2 inches from both waist and thighs, even though I had felt as though I was very fit before starting this. Another big plus is that my entire back is so much stronger now. So many fitness videos focus on strenthening or toning strictly what you see in the mirror- abs, arms, thighs. This program is well balanced for full body benefits. As previously noted, this is NOT for beginners. Some of the sequences are very fast-paced.Although modifications for some exercises are shown, all too often the viewer is in a position such as plank or down dog variation, and unable to see the TV screen. Even in the modifified versions, a good functional base of core strength is necessary to maintain good form. Anyone trying this who hasn't already been working at the intermediate level of Pilates could easily strain their back. Anyone with wrist problems might want to avoid Pilates Mix, (or at least, skip Program 1) Program 1 has pushups and lots of plank and side plank variations that may put too much stress on painful wirsts."