The concept behind "Pick Your Level: Weight Loss Pilates" is that you can customize your workout by choosing the level which best suits your needs for each and every exercise.This is done through the use of three different exercisers displaying three different levels of difficulty.Instructor Ellen Barrett always does Level 2, the intermediate version, while her two background exercisers show the beginning (Level 1) and more advanced (Level 3) versions.The workout itself is broken down into three 10-minute segments:Standing Pilates, Side-Lying Pilates, and Pilates Matwork.The standing work is similar to several of Ellen's previous videos (eg, Crunch Burn & Firm Pilates) in that you are doing moves such as plies, leg lifts, standing leg circles, etc.This segment focused mainly on legwork, although the Level 3 modifier added arms movements to increase the intensity.Still, this section felt like light toning at best, and it certain lacked the cardio benefit to produce the "weight loss" promised in the title.The side lying moves are a bit more intense, beginning with a side plank.Some of the exercises here were similar to the Winsor Buns and Thighs video, and I could feel them in my glutes/outer hip.Again, Ellen does the middle level while the two background exercisers show modifications.Unlike in the standing section, however, each new move does not begin until Ellen explains all three levels, which makes for a lot of unnecessary downtime.In the final segment, Pilates matwork, Ellen has her Level 3 modifier add a few twists to traditional Pilates moves, making them more challenging.However, I found this to be a fairly easy matwork sequence which failed to incorporate any of the classic Pilates intermediate and advanced moves.Also, Ellen continued to focus on the lower body here; the abs work was not very intense, and no back work was included.
Overall, I did not enjoy this video.Even following the Level 3 modifier, I found the intensity to be a low intermediate level at best, and so I did not feel like I got much of a workout.Also, as mentioned above, there seemed to be too much down-time while Ellen set up the levels, particularly in the second and third segments; she also spends too much time at the end of each segment just breathing.Similarly, the workout seemed to move at a very slow pace throughout, leaving me bored and eager to finish it.A final issue was that I just did not click with Ellen's perky personality.I do think that this DVD is nicely produced and likely to appeal to some, mainly those who have enjoyed Ellen's prior Pilates videos and who are at a more beginning/low intermediate level in their Pilates work.
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Product Description:
Awarded Top Workout DVD of 2006 by Natural Health Magazine, this Weight Loss Pilates program is a great way to slim down and develop a long, lean, graceful body. Fitness expert Ellen Barrett chose the best of the best out of three types of Pilates - standing, side-lying and mat Pilates - to create three different 10-minute routines. Each routine was developed using a dynamic, flowing technique which eliminates all the repositioning that takes up so much time in other Pilates workouts - so you'll get maximum results in minimum time! The Pick Your Level System Makes Working Out As Easy As 1-2-3. Here's how: Just Push Play-there's no programming required. Within the workout, three instructors each show the moves modified for a specific level: 1, 2 or 3.You simply follow along and do each move at the level that feels right for you. Remember, this is your workout - you don't have to stick with one level throughout the entire routine. You may prefer to stick mostly with Level 1, but choose a few Level 2 or 3 moves occasionally. You can customize the workout as you progress or as your energy level varies from day to day. Whatever level you choose, know that Ellen specifically designed this program so that all of the levels are really effective.
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