Search - Shape Pilates: Workout, Firm Up From Head to Toe on DVD

Best Pilates video I've ever used

Avid Reader | North Carolina | 01/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the only Pilates video I've ever used where I did not get bored with the instructor talking too much or by showing every exercise 5 times before you do it. The workout is a good 30 minutes and by the end, I felt like only 15 minutes had gone by! The instructor is wonderful - showing an advanced version and a beginners version for each exercise. The exercises flow very smoothly and work all muscles of your body. I'm anxious to try the 12-minute extra workout, as well."

Good workout for the New Year ;-)

Little Miss Cutey | Melbourne, Australia | 01/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We almost all have a resolution to workout more and get in better shape and this is a good place to begin. I have the other Shape workouts and they are all good as is this.

With the usual pilates moves and a fast paced pace, it's a good and challenging routine to do. Lizbeth Garcia leads it, and she's motivating and she cues well. There is a ten minute routine at the end done with dumbells and led by Tracey York. Both are excellent instructors and the whole routine is fun and flows well. It's a nice break from all the cardio, but just about as important. It's about 48 minutes or so all up, and I think that if you are intermediate or advanced, then it's perfect for you."

A full-body Pilates workout with some unique twists

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 07/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In this Pilates workout, instructor Lizbeth Garcia puts some unique spins on a traditional Pilates matwork sequence. Rather than begin with the hundred (in fact, the hundred does not even appear), she starts with a modified roll-up, adding an oblique move before going on to the full roll-up. She also switches up other classic Pilates sequences such as the Series of 5: in Liz's version of this series, you begin with a single leg sweep in and out, add leg circles, move into the single leg stretch, add criss-cross, and finish by flowing into the single straight leg stretch. There is also quite a bit of leg/glute work here, not just with Liz's variation on the side series, but also with some moves performed on all fours as well as a challenging push-up series which adds a leg lift. Although most of the Pilates moves that Liz includes are generally considered beginning level (ie, there are no rollovers, teasers, or other more intermediate/advanced Pilates exercises here), Liz's flowing pace combined with her unique twists make this more of an intermediate Pilates workout.



This DVD also includes a "Bonus Total-body Blitz," which is a 12-minute weighted workout led by another Shape instructor, Tracy York. Tracy uses 2 sets of weights here, and after a very quick warm-up, she starts with some compound moves: squats and lunges with biceps curls. She also does several series of moves that flow together, such as a shoulder row, mid-back row, and overhead press combo and a second combo that includes a front raise, reverse shoulder squeeze, and elbow lower. The moves on the floor include a push-up/leg lift combo, a chest series, and a few nice weighted abs moves. Overall, this workout does hit a lot in a short period of time.



Finally, this DVD includes a nice little booklet called "Simple Tips to Better Health"; it contains Pointers on Pilates Form, Power Up Your Pilates (a review of basic Pilates principles), 4 Simple Calorie Blasters, and A Few Facts about Breast Health (this DVD is also sometimes referred to as "Pilates for Pink," as part of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation). I would say that his DVD is most ideally suited to advanced beginner to intermediate Pilates practioners who are looking to work their whole body and don't mind more non-traditional Pilates sequencing."

Good for beginners, Not challenging for others

Heather | Bay Area, California | 02/22/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"What I love most about Pilates is that it strengthens core muscles, and I am usually a little sore after a good Pilates workout. I was not sore at all after this workout. Although Shape Pilates was not boring, it was not challenging either. I think this DVD is excellent for someone who has not exercised in years and would like to begin, but it is not advanced enough for a person who exercises on a regular basis. I did not even break a sweat during the Pilates workout or the bonus strength-training (bonus was a little more challenging than the Pilates workout)."