Caribbean Workout: Pilates (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are looking for a Pilates challenge you may be interested in the four workouts presented on this DVD. To be honest there are also quite a few reasons not to buy this workout. If you don't mind commercial breaks or exercises being repeated throughout the short routines then you might enjoy the challenging Pilates and Yoga exercises. For beginners I'd recommend anything by "Jennifer Kries" or "Winsor Pilates 3 DVD Workout Set {Basic, 20 Minute Workout, Accelerated Body Sculpting}." The four workouts on this DVD are definitely designed for intermediate students of Pilates.
Workout 1
A beautiful pool in Barbados is the setting for the first workout. After completing a version of "Mermaid" the exercises that follow present an intermediate challenge. You will be working your core muscles while focusing on the abs. A Teaser follows and then you move into Spine Stretch Forward, Roll Ups, Swan and Swimming.
Workout 2
If you want more than 20 minutes you can go on to the second workout. Immediately you will notice a repeat of some of the same exercises that you learned in the first workout. The exercises include an advanced Roll Over, One Leg Circles, Bridge, Reverse Plank, Swan, Open Leg Rocker and Spine Rotations.
Workout 3
The workout starts with a modified plank and then moves into a leg pull and cat stretch. At this point they start to take a lot of commercial breaks which breaks up the workout slightly. Fortunately you don't have to wait through any commercials and the exercises begin again fairly quickly. This workout is on a beautiful beach. The exercises include Scissors, Lower Back Stretches, Leg Pull, Swimming, Advanced Pus Ups and Pendulum.
Workout 4
By the time you reach the fourth workout you are ready to stretch so this works out perfectly. This is a combination of Yoga and Pilates. The exercises begin with a lunge and a Yoga mat is handy at this point. There is a repeat of Arm Circles and Scissors. The advanced roll over appears again and there are some back stretches (Cat/Cow). At this point a little counting wouldn't hurt and one instructor looks like she is about to fall into the pool. The session ends with Leg Circles, a Leg Side Series (you will feel the burn), Spine Rotations and a relaxing Hip Opener.
Once you complete all four workouts you will feel like you had a good full-body workout. This workout would be much better if the instructor had resisted repeating the same exercises numerous times. I would only recommend this to you if you are extremely patient and are also looking for some challenging Pilates exercises.
~The Rebecca Review


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DVD Caribbean: Pilates

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Caribbean Workout: Core Pilates (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently picked up this program after really enjoying the previous Caribbean Pilates/Pilates Plus DVD's (which I've already reviewed on Amazon).
This set contains three twenty-two minute self contained workouts that were formerly on the Caribbean Workout Show. Being from a TV show there are commercial breaks which fade in and out, sometimes more smoothly than others. Still, in spite of a few rough spots in that regard, these programs are really some of my favorite Pilates based programs along w/ the Caribbean Pilates and Pilates Plus.
Their length makes them easy to fit in, the price is super low and you get a lot of workouts for that low price.
The first workout has a abs/back focus and it's very well sequenced. Jennifer Tilley, who leads the workouts w/ Shelley Mcdonald as the "student", alternates between Abs exercises and Back extension exercises. Jennifer Tilley has an interesting approach to varying the "classical" Pilates exercises as well as the way she sequences them. For me it works very well and keeps things fresh.
The second segment is a mix of Yoga type poses and Pilates exercises. It starts standing and then moves down to the mat. There's a nice mix of Ab core and back extension exercises as well a mini Sun Salute where you go from cobra into child's pose (she refers to these as up dog and down dog, but they are actually cobra and child's pose).
This segment is very much a blend of Yoga and Pilates, more so than any of the other Caribbean workouts that I have.
The third segment is primarily focused on the lower body and features a fairly extensive side lying series.
It starts w/ the hundred to warm up and then moves into the side lying position.
The one thing that I wanted to point out is that Jen Tilley first does 4 or so exercises on the right side, then switches to the left side and does the same exercises. BUT then what happens is that she continues on the left side and starting with the Développé on does a whole bunch more exercises and ends w/ small leg circles.
At that point after some gentle hip stretches, then she goes to the other side, starts with the Développé and then completes the leg series on the right side. The thing I don't like about this is that even though the same exercises are eventually done on both sides they are not done in a symmetrical order which means the left side is really maxed out by doing them all in a row while the right side gets to rest and then complete the series after the left side is done.
Fortunately, if one is aware of this and wants to make it symmetrical, what you can do is, switch back to the right side when she starts the Développé and then switch back to the left side when she does the Développé on the right side. In spite of that workable imperfection, this is an enjoyable and fun DVD to work with that definitely works the areas intended. I gave it five stars in spite of the few imperfections because overall I think it delivers what it promises and does so at a ridiculously low price!
I enjoy the personalities of the two teachers, the spontaneity of the way they interact and the scenery as always is beautiful. There is always nice gentle music during the Pilates sessions which enhances the overall atmosphere of the sessions.
If you are looking for a more "classical" Pilates approach I would highly recommend Hilary Burnett's Intermediate program. If you've never done Pilates before I would recommend Stott Basics program for excellent detailed instruction. I have heard great things about the Hilary Burnett Beginner program but unfortunately don't have that one.
Ana Caban has some nice beginning and intermediate programs as well which are based more on Joseph Pilates approach.


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10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Pilates (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I knew I'd like this - I have Lara's 2 other videos and I like her style. She cues well and has a nice, calm demeanor. Rapid Results is different from her other pilates video. In this there are pilates classics with a twist. In the arms section you'll do saw with weights in both hands. I really felt that all over. The bun/thighs section has floor exercises: frog, bridge and side lying leg lifts with lots of leg variations. The abs section was very effective. Again, leg variations make you really feel it in your lower abs. The total body section was tough and I also felt like the stretch was a workout! If you like variety over endless reps you'll love this workout. It's not the same old pilates moves. Lara doesn't show many modifications; but I don't think this was meant for beginners. It's a fluid workout and I was challenged by each 10 minute section.

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NO TIME TO EXERCISE?We have the solution for you – the 10 Minute Solution! Everyone can find at least ten minutes in their day, and we’ve developed 5 dynamic Pilates workouts that are just 10 minutes each. The workouts were designed by internationallyrecognized Pilates Instructor Lara Hudson using a technique called Power Precision Sequencing that is specifically designed to give you rapid results. These compact, ultra-efficient workouts fit into even the busiest of schedules. Split them into 5 separate workouts, or mix and match to hit your own unique problem areas … or do all of them together for one total-body 50-minute Pilates workout!SUPER TONED BUNS & THIGHS Tone, firm and sculpt your lower body while lifting your buns – this 10 Minute segment will give you the results you’ve been looking for!ARM & SHOULDER SHAPER Get toned, sexy, sleek arms and shoulders with this Pilates-inspired program that incorporates light hand weights for dramatic, rapid results.WAIST SLIMMER Flatten your belly and slim your waist with this super- targeted segment that focuses on toning your entire core.TOTAL BODY BLAST This total-body conditioning segment is a real calorie burner – AND it’s unique, fluid and fun!SLIM & SLEEK STRETCH Increase your flexibility, improve your posture and get those famous long, lean body lines that Pilates is known for with the Slim & Sleek Stretch.

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