[.ca] Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates

From Amazon.com:
This Pilates workout's subtitle, "Pick Your Spot," sums up its flexibility; the three 10-minute segments each tone the abdomen, rear, and thighs using Pilates-based exercises. Crammed into each segment are up to 10 exercises. "Belly" features the 100, criss-cross, twist, and mermaid; "Butt" includes swimming, double leg kicks, and leg circles; and "Thighs" offers the frog, front kicks, and leg lifts. While each segment is too brief to challenge veteran exercisers, viewers are free to hit the pause button and add reps. Plus, a 10-minute bonus total-body Pilates workout proves more demanding than the individual segments. L.A. Crunch instructor Ellen Barrett does an excellent job of initiating newbies to the regulated breathing and core muscle control needed for the exactness of this exercise system. However, visual clarity is somewhat hampered by a crowded set of eight exercisers when Barrett and one other person demonstrating the modifications would have been enough. --Kimberly Heinrichs

LOVE this Pilates DVD:
I have just recently started Pilates. I read a lot of reviews of MANY Pilates DVDs that are sold at Amazon.com. I bought this one because of the reviews, and I would like to say that the reviews are correct! As a beginner, I found this very easy to follow along. I did not think that anyone was annoying (ie Denise Austin) or talked too much. After the workout (I did all 3 segments at once), I felt really good. I am actually lookig forward to doing this DVD again, which is more than I can say about other exercise videos/DVDs I have purchased. I would recommend this DVD to anyone interested in Pilates.

LOVE IT!:
I love this work out ..... I never stuck to a diet or excercise but this i do!! It is 100% worth your money.... You dont have to do the thigh section or butt section or ab section... YOU PICK!!! I do the ab section and i have done it 2 days in a row took a break one day and did it today and already feel the difference. Do not expect a difference if you dont follow the breathing its major...... I am a huge fan of this and am considering buying more of the collection!

stick to it!:
I chose this dvd on a whim when I started jogging and doing weights and wanted to add some more interesting ab excercises to my routine. The first few weeks doing 'Crunch' were definetely a challenge- the ab workout especially- but I was determined to stick to the routines and slowly found myself becoming stronger and more coordinated. The exercises are well explained and easy to follow along with-and Ellen, the host, is easy to listen to. There's very little chance for muscle stiffness since many excercises involve both stretching and strengthening components. One bonus-when the 'pick your spot' segments are no longer enough-try the total body challenge-and feel 'challenged' all over again.

Short but effective:
Out of the 20 or so tapes & dvds I have this is one of my favorites because it is only 30 min. but gives you a good workout. It is a bit challenging to a beginner but excellent for an intermediate. Not long enough for the advanced. The exercises follow each other rapidly without a lot of explanation. The music is rather bland and I always put on my own music. I feel there is not enough stretching at the end and add a couple of extra minutes afterward. Excellent for busy moms who are reasonably fit.

Great workout video!:
I've never done Pilates before but have done Yoga, ballet, bellydancing, aerobics, cycling, running...well you get the idea. I like to do different activities so it doesn't get so "routine". I decided to check out Pilates and picked this up because I had a coupon for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this workout. The instructor explained the moves and she was easy to follow. I will definitely be incorporating this DVD along with her other Pilates DVD (Fat Burning Pilates) into my routine.