The Method Pilates All in One Workout
Running Time: 90 minutes.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star Worst workout video in my collection
The instruction for the cardio of this workout is poor, poor, poor! The instructor first tells you how to do a very simple move, then says, “Let’s pick up the pace, now we’re going to change the feet a little,” changing the move to something completely different, at a higher tempo, with arms, kicks, etc. put in, then suddenly, when you think you’ve got the hang of it, she stops. I just stopped IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS WORKOUT to type this review, because it was that frustrating. Perhaps people with a dance background will like this video as they use dance terms “first position,” “second position,” “plie,” etc. all over the place, very quickly. I agree with other reviewers saying there is no warning on when the movements will change, they just suddenly do as you’re in the middle of it…I found myself pausing to figure out the moves, only to have them change twenty seconds later, which would result in pausing again - this is not a continuous workout stopping any benefit I would have from a continuous workout. This starting/stopping is due to the confusing nature of the instruction - really, if you want a pilates workout, go with somebody else - Maggie Rhoade’s pilates or Denise Austin’s - anything but this. What a waste. Now I’m going to go back and do another workout that was actually made for people follow.
4 Stars Love it
The Warm Up is okay and the Pilates section is challenging in a good way.
I have to disagree with the other reviewers who did not like the Cross Training segment. In fact, it’s the part of the video that I use the most. Of course, during my first viewing of the entire video, I didn’t try to *do* anything. I watched and tried to remember exactly what was going on, the moves, etc. This is what I do with all of my workout videos. The first few times of actually trying the aerobics segments were a bit hard and it took some rewinding and redoing to get the moves down pat, but I now have no problems with it. I have a space that is an approximate 5-6 foot square. I have no formal dance training. And I’m quite frankly surprised by the reviews here.
1 Star Terrible
Despite some really good core-strengthening moves, the choreography in this video just makes you feel ridiculous. They ruined what could have been a good workout with boring, repetitive bongos and moves that just make you fling yourself around the room. If you don’t have lots of space, forget it.
3 Stars OK, if you skip the frustrating aerobics part
The warm-up segment of this video is fun and effective. The mat work, while I found it difficult at first, by sticking with it, did really strengthen my abdominal core and yield results.
HOWEVER, I have to agree with the other reviewers regarding the aerobics segment. I also found it incredibly frustrating; I tried over and over again to “catch on,” but I never did. Now I do the warm-up and mat work, and skip over the cross-training section and instead, do some other video or exercise for my aerobic workout.
2 Stars Disappointing
Like some of the other reviewers, I found this DVD frustrating & disappointing.
Warm-up: Pretty basic; nothing special but does what it intends to do.
Cross-training: This part consists of both dance moves & weight training segments. I agree with others who said the dance part is nuts! It is so frustrating - just when I think I have the hang of a move, it changes. The instructor is not helpful; I have to concentrate so hard keeping up with the moves that I don’t feel I get a good workout at all. I have tried this several times & only made it through the whole thing about 3 times…I usually end up turning it off & switching to another video out of frustration.
On the other hand, the weight training segments are pretty good & the only reason I ever attempt this section.
Pilates matwork: Jennifer Kries is a great instructor & this is a challenging workout. However, it gets repetitious because the routine is run through once, and then repeated with the bar.
If you’re looking for an effective and unique pilates workout, I recommend Jennifer Kries’ “New Method: 3 Dimensional Toning” instead, which incorporates dance, yoga, and Pilates.