WEIGHT LOSS PILATES

Wow! This is a phenomenal workout. I have been doing pilates for years, and would consider myself advanced level. This workout still challenged me. It got my heart rate up, and worked my abs really well. Actually, it worked my entire body really well. Kristin is outrageously GORGEOUS, fit, strong, healthy, and totally knock-out beautiful. She is obviously very fit and healthy, and it is inspiring to come back to her videos everyday, knowing that this is what pilates can achieve for a body. Strong, lean, healthy, energized. I like that I can do pilates and then have a fresh, healthy glow and be energized, and continue on with the rest of my day, which is very different from sweating it out on a cycle at the gym, leaving sweaty and exhausted. The video itself is uplifting, calming, and energetic, but neither the images nor the music are in any way obnoxious or obtrusive. In fact, it is in every way energizing yet also calming. As well, the scenery is beautiful. I love the surprise switch to the outdoors. It's very dream-like, refreshing, spirited, mentally cleansing. I love Kristin and each of her workout videos. I have a whole stack of Kristin McGee DVD's and it is thrilling to be able to change it up. I have done other pilates DVD's with other instructors (who shall remain nameless), but what I find especially wonderful about Kristin is her positive, refreshing, upbeat, hip, yet calm energy. She doesn't sound nagging or parental or pushy or scolding. Instead, she is warm, engaging, admirable, fresh, and friendly. She is someone I want in my home everyday, someone I actually look forward to working out with. If you're going to exercise several times a week, you might as well find a joyful route. I can't say enough good things about this video or Kristin McGee in general. Pilates has changed my life and my body dramatically for the better. Just stick with it and you can achieve this for yourself, too. Kristin is magnetic. You will want to stick with it, not only to look as incredibly fit as she does, but to enjoy her warm and beautiful company while you get there. Bottom line: ORDER THIS VIDEO. For less than the price of a few pilates classes, you can order an entire collection of Kristin McGee yoga and pilates DVD's, and ultimately transform your energy level and fitness for the better.

I would consider myself a medium level of fitness. Pilates and yoga work more muscles than a regular jog/situp/pushup. This is what makes pilates so challenging and this workout was seriously tough --- which I like. The instructor was alright for me (i.e., not too annoying) but there were some points that just made me dislike this workout. I thought the view switch between her in the studio and outside in the garden was distracting and added nothing. At one point, the film cuts to her doing the move outside and, artistically, the focus is on the giant flower in the corner of the screen while she is mostly hidden behind the flower and you can barely see what she is doing. Ridiculously unhelpful. During some of the matwork, she was facing forward which I also found less than helpful --- having a side shot is easier for me. Lastly, at one point, I believe she does a move with one leg --- then instead of repeating it with the other leg, you do a different move on the other leg. I suppose at least we switched legs but I tend to think always doing the same move on both sides would give a more even result. Just not a keeper for me.

I am a 14 year old girl who loves to work out! Besides biking, cardio, and strength training, I also try to run periodically and love to change things up a bit with my workout! I recently ordered this as I was getting tired of my old workout dvds. WOW! I really enjoyed this dvd! Her version of "cardio" in the first segment is quite pathetic but boy, does it work your abs like none other! As said in other reviews, I dare you to do the whole session without stopping once. After doing the first workout, I felt refreshed. The next day, my abs HURT! I felt it was super effective! Although, I would say, the downside is that she doesn't really give you a break in between moves. She has you do 8 of this, 8 of that, and 8 of something else, says "Good job!" and keeps going. She kinda hypes it up so that you think you're about to get a break and then you don't =( The next session was great! When I was doing it, she said that it really worked your lovehandles... whatever. She was right, though! The next day, where my "lovehandles" are, I felt the burn! =) The cardio was much better in this segment! Same thing though, she really works your butt/thighs and she didn't give us a break. Or, she thought we had buns of steel and expected us to push through it =) BUT, since I FELT the results of her workout, found it challenging, AND refreshing, I LOVE IT! Would definitely recommend this!

Ouch... that was my first response to the workout afterwards. I found it exhilarating, and fun. First I started out with Kristin McGees Mtv Pilates dvd, which is a nice pace and good workout. After a month I wanted something more challenging, and I found this! I wont lie, I am NOT Ms. Iron Abs, so this workout burned every part of my body. And I mean EVERY part. The cardio blasts get your heart rate up, and really focuses on your leg strength. Then the pilates parts are just ridiculous (for someone just starting). Some of the moves she does look like something only a ninja could do. I've only attempted the workout flow 1. But you will get stronger, and it does get easier. Just be ready to be sore afterwards. I love it, and recommend it. Update: I've been doing this dvd for a month now 6 days a week, while wearing an ab wrap, and I've lost 11lbs. Be ready to sweat like crazy in Flow 2 of this dvd. Honestly I've never felt this kind of strength in my core ever. This is now apart of my everyday routine, and I can see the difference. If you can push yourself, and want a stronger core, this dvd is definitely for you!

I have to say, I'm a little perplexed by all the rave reviews this DVD is getting. I don't have a problem with the moves in this workout, it's the direction AND the lack of modifications offered for beginners/people who aren't extremely practiced with pilates. There should be a disclaimer somewhere on the DVD stating that this is NOT for beginners--I'm not a beginner, but I found myself thinking, "holy crap, if this was my first experience with pilates, I would turn this off in two minutes." I have a TON of workout DVDs that I love, and the very good instructors tell you what you're about to do/explain WHY you're doing it. Kristen just jumps from move to move, often without a rest between moves and often never giving you any sort of indication of when a rest will come. A lot of times she starts counting from 1 and doesn't tell you when she's going to stop...she simply keeps counting, and you have no idea how long you have to go until it's over. Once she even went to 14!--why 14? Most instructors either start at the high number or say, "we're going for 8...." It may sound petty, but when workouts are very challenging, it's the difference between powering through the last few or saying "when is this chick gonna stop?" and then giving up. Also, the second fat burn section is not that great, specifically in that she switches from intense cardio (jumping around, etc.) and IMMEDIATELY has you sit on the ground. I became very dizzy and then realized why. You don't do that! And just an FYI--the two "20 minute segments" are NOT 20 minutes. They're 24. Again, it might sound petty, but when you are struggling and looking at the clock thinking to yourself, "why is she still going! this is supposed to be ending!" it can be pretty annoying. I just recently bought a lot of workout DVDs, and I would recommend Erin O' Bean's "Strong Body, Ageless Body" as a better workout. She explains things much better, prepares you for upcoming moves, and demonstrates several modifications for beginners.

Never met Kristen McGee in person, but hope to join one of her classes next time I'm in NYC as this is my ultimate Pilates DVD. I'm 35 years old, married, no kids, busy work-schedule and this DVD simply keeps me in shape. I like her attitude, which is not obnoxious as some trainers tend to be... I can relate to her and her instructions are always very clear. Not to get bored from the same routine, I've also got her Kristin McGee S3 - Strong, Sexy Svelte DVD. As there are 2 different workouts (that can be combined if you have time, I usually don't) on this DVD and 3 different workouts on the her S3 DVD (that can be combined if you have time, again I usually don't), I can do five days of different workouts without ever getting too repetitive. All you need is a mat for this DVD, while you'll also need light weights for her S3 DVD. In addition, there are short warm-up, cool-down sessions that can be added before and after the main workout on the DVD. With those the actual workout comes to something around half an hour. If you can motivate yourself to work out at home (which was a bit hard for me at first), this DVD should definitely have the top place in your pilates collection. I've been a long-time member of Amazon and Kristen McGee is the only reason I actually set down to write a review. Maybe that may prove how much I enjoy her routines. I'll probably only buy her DVDs from now on for workout purposes. I'm definitely a devoted fan as her routines put me in best shape I've ever been in my life.

This video is not at all what I expected. In order to do this work out you need to be an expert. She gives no directions just goes from move to move without even describing what she's doing, some of the moves are her own. It is a very fast paced work out not at all what I expect from pilates. Also this work out is ONLY for those who are working on their abs! Most of the moves are just various advanced forms of sit-ups or crunches. The 16 page booklet is more like a magazine exert with no info and just a few recipes. In short the best description of this "work out" is glorified fast paced ab crunches.

I've been using this DVD every other day for a few weeks now, and my abs have gotten stronger. I'm able to do parts of the workout now that were too difficult at first. But, the production values on this DVD aren't great-- looks a little blurry on a high-def TV. I also agree with another reviewer that this DVD really would benefit from showing adaptations for moves that cause discomfort or are too tough for a beginner. Her explanations are good, but the expression on her face is somehow annoying to me. Possibly because she is smiling constantly and makes everything look so easy, when I'm struggling!

MTVパワーヨガのクリスティンがお気に入りで、その後どうなったのか気になって購入しました。痩せて筋肉ムキムキになっていたのにびっくり。 内容はピラティスとカーディオを交互に行うサーキットトレーニングです。前半は主に腹筋、後半は背中とお尻など。カーディオはプリエやジャンプ、ボクシングの動きなど。 上級者向けの動きが多く、つくづくクリスティンのコアの筋力はすごい！こんなことできるの？ってのがいくつかあります。 まじめにやると汗の量は半端じゃないです。マットの上にバスタオルを敷かないといけないくらい、汗かきました。（今ではそうでもないのですが） ヨガでもピラティスでも呼吸に気をつけて深く行うと汗がドバーと出ますね。格闘技系の激しいエクササイズよりも私には効果があるみたいです。実際３ヶ月くらい週２〜３日ほどピラティスを行っていたらすごく引き締まってきました。 ボーナスはアブチャレンジと就業中いすに座ったままでできるエクササイズがおまけでついています。 これなら筋力もつくけど減量もできます。このacaciaのDVDは日本のプレーヤーで再生できるようです。

This is amazing!! Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great Pilates workout.

50 minutos de buen ejercicio.