Product Description

This unintimidating video explains Pilates mat techniques in easy-to-understand language. Not only can you tone and reshape your entire body by using this video - but you may even change your mind about exercise. What is the ultimate workout machine! YOUR BODY!!! With the authentic Pilates Method (developed decades ago by Joseph H. Pilates), you can reshape and tone your entire body to look longer and leaner by using these simple-yet-effective techniques. Anyone can do Pilates, regardless of age or fitness level - and that means you! Pilates for Dummies offers step-by-step instruction for 18 popular Pilates mat exercises and makes working out at your own level easy to do. This video incorporates floor techniques that are taught as part of every Pilates mat class to help you strengthen and lengthen your muscles, improve your posture, and tone and tighten your mid-section.

About the instructor:
Michelle Dozois is a 14-year fitness professional and Method Pilates certified instructor. She's the co-owner of Breakthru, a personal training and Pilates studio in Pasadena, California. Michelle has appeared in over 15 exercise videos, including Buns of Steel Platinum Collection and 10 Minute Solution.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5068 in DVD
• Brand: STARZ HOME ENTERTAINMENT
• Released on: 2001-10-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .31 pounds
• Running time: 61 minutes

Amazon.com
Pilates Workout for Dummies is a 60-minute DVD, ideal for both the first-time and intermediate Pilates exerciser. In the Basic Workout, well-toned instructor Michelle Dozois clearly and patiently presents 18 classic Pilates mat exercises, first demonstrating and explaining, then doing 6 to 10 repetitions. She explains what the Powerhouse is and how to use it, and covers the basics you'll need if you've never done this before (or need to be reminded), offering alignment tips, breathing, and extremely clear instructions for executing each movement. Dozois suggests modifications for making the exercises easier (or, occasionally, more challenging), and includes cautions against common mistakes and reminder tips for doing each exercise effectively. This is a fine first workout for Pilates novices. The Intermediate Workout consists of some of the Basic exercises and several new ones, all done at a faster pace and with more challenging instructions. This is a workout you can progress with! --Joan Price

From the Back Cover
This unintimidating program explains Pilate's mat techniques in easy-to-understand language. Not only can you tone and reshape your entire body by using this DVD—but you may even change your mind about exercise. What is the ultimate workout machine? YOUR BODY!!! With the authentic Pilates Method (developed decades ago by Joseph H. Pilate), you can reshape and tone your entire body to look longer and leaner by using these simply-yet-effective techniques. Anyone can do Pilates, regardless of age or fitness level—and that means you! Pilates for Dummies offers step-by-step instruction for 18 popular Pilates mat exercises and makes working out at your own level easy to do. This program incorporates floor techniques that are taught as part of every Pilates mat class to help you strengthen and lengthen your muscles, improve your posture, and tone and tighten your mid-section.
About the Instructor: Michelle Dozios is a 14-year fitness professional and Method Pilates certified instructor. She's the co-owner of Breakthru, a personal training and Pilates studio in Pasadena, California. Michelle has appeared in over 15 exercise videos including Buns of Steel Platinum Collection and 10 Minute Solution.

Customer Reviews

Wow! What an unexpected surprise!
I saw this video at a local discount store and picked it up on a whim. I didn't expect much, but it was cheap, so I grabbed it.

What a pleasant surprise! I use this video regularly and definitely feel and see the results. Michelle Dozios clearly explains and demonstrates every move but is never condescending, irritating or intrusive. She also shows modifications for beginners and advanced exercisers, plus demonstrations of what NOT to do.

I'm not a Pilates expert, but I've seen some of these positions before on other Pilates videos, so I'm guessing they're pretty standard. You'll really feel it in your abs. (I think that overall, Pilates is much more effective -- and interesting -- than crunches for toning abs. I know I see a big difference when I do this video regularly.)

This is purely Pilates. There's no cardio, no weights. I like to alternate this video with cardio and weight work; additionally, you can skip the ab section on your other videos and use this instead.

This is a great intro to Pilates, and you sure can't beat the price. I highly recommend it.

An excellent pilates tape! Forget Windsor Pilates!
For those of you who are marveling over the Windsor Pilates infomercial, don't waste your money! I recently received the Windsor Pilates package in the mail, and to my disappointment, most of the exercises, and the tips were just like those on Pilates for Dummies! Pilates for Dummies is basically the 3 Windsor Pilates tapes in 1! This tape even has the advanced exercises that were in the Windsor Accelerated tape! Even some of the exercises on the Windsor Accelerated tape were considered moderate on the Pilates for Dummies tape!

Sure, the Windsor Pilates package has an exercise progress log, and a nutritious food booklet...but you can make your own exercise log, and common sense(as well as health sites on the Internet) can help you plan a healthy menu!

The results from Pilates for Dummies are great, when it is done with consistency! The instructor gives you clear directions on each move. The tape also shows you moderations to each move(both basic and advanced).

So, buy Pilates for Dummies! It beats paying an arm and a leg for a Windsor Pilates package!

Good Introduction to Pilates
This DVD has none of the lush production of other Pilates DVDs or tapes that I have seen. The music accompanies rather than inspires or encourages. The studio is Spartan.

What this DVD is is a solid introduction to the beginning and intermediate levels of Pilates. There is an introduction about 10 minutes long that explains the significance of and the proper position for the powerhouse and spinal alignment. The instructor, Michelle, takes the time to teach the proper method of breathing during the exercises.

After the introduction, there are two groups of exercises at the beginning and intermediate levels. The beginning group of exercises has 18 basic Pilates exercises. It looks like the intermediate group has about the same number.

The strength of this DVD is that each exercise is demonstrated in a detailed fashion along with easier and more challenging variations. You should have little ambiguity performing the exercise correctly after listening to the explanation and seeing the exercise performed. In addition, common problems encountered performing each exercise are shown in an exaggerated fashion, so you clearly understand what not to do.

I had read two highly recommended books on Pilates, but seeing the DVD really put it all together for me. After using the DVD 3 times this week, I am feeling muscles I haven't felt in years and have developed a sense of when I am not standing properly or slumped over at the desk. I did have a low grade lower backache for a couple of days (which is somewhat normal according to the books) but that has passed.

I recently also joined a health club where they offer free Pilates Mat workouts. After watching one session and working out one session at the health club, it clear how much better the instructor on the DVD is.

Finally, for me, this workout would not work on VHS format. I really enjoy the ability to step through the exercises rather than FFW or REV.