Description

Mainly legwork and cardio, less Pilates.A review:I assumed this would be another DVD that I would try twice and toss aside but I really enjoyed this workout. This is an aerobic and toning routine which is very easy to follow. It has some very simple moves which implements some Pilate’s concepts but didn’t seem like a Pilate’s workout to me.The exercise routine if from the Crunch series. It was released in September of 2004 and provides about a 45 minute workout.I have never tried a workout by this instructor, Ellen Barrett. She has a Masters degree in Education, certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), certified by Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and Certified in the Pilates Technique by the Physical Mind Institute. She has two other workouts called Crunch – Pick your Spot Pilates and Crunch: Fat Burning PilatesEquipment Needed- Hand weights (up to 3 pounds) are used in the workout for higher intensity- Shoes are worn in the first segments, barefoot for floor exercises.- An exercise mat is used for the last few minutes of the video for floor work.The SceneThe workout is held in a large room. The instructor is in front and 7 others are working out behind her. They are never spoken to and are not a focal point of the workout. They are all in great shape but there is a variety of types of people and they look like normal people rather than models.Rather than playing a song, a musical beat is used to set the pace. It is very loud and sometimes overpowers the instructor. It is a pretty good beat and it made me feel energetic and I didn’t find it annoying after playing the DVD several times.5 minute Warm-upThe workout starts out with a warm-up such as a little marching in place, step up and back, and squats. It proceeds to the arm warm up that introduces threading. The hamstrings and feet are stretched in a running stance.30 minute Cardio and conditioningThis is a standing Pilates workout which involves an elevated heart rate to burn calories. It begins with many squats with variations compiled with the squats. Plies, is a dance step that strengthens the buttocks and top of thighs, is also used a lot. If thighs is an area you want to work on you will get it here. Pilates circle and scoops are incorporated to raise heart rate. The arms are used for reaching to stretch the torso.The next set of exercises are kind of fun. It’s a see-saw move where you quickly swing the legs out the side then add the swan which is reaching up to the side while the leg is swinging out. It’s not quite a dance move but it does test your coordination. This move is followed by the pies with an added bicep curl with the weights. Side passé with leg lifts up and out again testing stability and works the butt and hips.There are some arm slices which replicates Pilate’s with pulleys.Pilate circles were easy. Point and make a small circle with the foot. This was followed by backward lunges with kicks and chest expansions.8 minute floor exercisesThe floor exercises concentrate mostly on the abs but also challenge other muscles as well. The first exercise works the triceps. While sitting on the floor with legs crossed and holding one weight the arms were lowered behind the head. The second exercise was a combination move which included rounding down, pulling arms to the side, lifting up, and folding down in front. We proceeded to lie flat on the grown and with legs tucked together rotate side to side challenging the abs. The final exercise involved lifting the legs up in the air while crunching, then using the legs as scissors while still crunching.2 minute cool downThis was a simple stretching while in the seated position.BeginnersI think this would be great for beginners because there is nothing complicated about the moves. They are very repetitive and easy to do. The simplicity of the moves makes it easier to do the move correctly which makes it more effective than a fancy move done incorrectly.One foot is planted on the ground nearly all of the time and legs and arm are mostly close to the body so the heart rate doesn’t elevate too tremendously. Pilates has not been known for weight loss because the movements are slow however Ellen Barrett really speeds things up in this workout so calorie burning is inevitable.Early in the video the instructor points out Erin who is modifying the workout for a lower intensity for individuals who aren’t ready for the higher intensity.Evaluating Ellen BarrettI very pleased with Ellen Barrett’s instruction. She has an easy to listen to voice which isn’t annoying and she doesn’t small talk at all. She explains things precisely without over talking about a movement. She reminds throughout the workout to check breathing, posture, and form. She points out the name of some movements that are Pilates as she introduces them.Where it LacksI think the DVD focuses more on legwork and cardio more than anything. I didn’t sense a lot of Pilates. The floor workout was very short so I know a lot of people will be disappointed in that area.I think there was a tremendous focus on squats and lunges which I try to avoid because I don’t want to put unneeded stress on my knees. I don’t have knee problems however I would not choose this workout at all if I did.