Pick Your Level Weight Loss Pilates

I purchased this Weight Loss Pilates video as a co-worker recommended Pilates to help me achieve a more toned look. I was drawn to this particular video because, being new to Pilates, I wanted the ability to "pick my level" to insure it would not be too fast-paced or difficult for me to do, as I am really out of shape, overweight and not flexible at all.However, I was rather disappointed by this DVD as it was not challenging *at all* - and my 13 year old was able to do the same moves as shown in the video with zero effort and she's not very athletic either.An essential component of any good weight loss workout is cardio - and this video really did not provide any of that at all. I didn't even break a sweat - and during an intense yoga session, I am usually sweating my tail off!The overall pace of this video is extremely slow and as previously mentioned, laughably easy. Normally after a successful workout session, I can "feel" it in my muscles and limbs - I finished this entire DVD and honestly did not feel any different than before I began, unless you count the disappointment I felt.That being said, this DVD *is* extremely easy to follow along to, so perhaps some beginners would prefer this style of video. Being a beginner myself, I just found that this is too low level and more of a glorified stretching routine (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but I do not see any weight loss benefits as the title implies.If you are looking for an easy introductory video and you have zero experience in Pilates, I would recommend this to you as it perhaps would meet those beginner needs. I myself will be looking for something that offers a bit more of a challenge.

I took a Pilates class a while back and really fell in love with it even though I was not very fit or flexible. I began a more focused and committed journey towards health on June 2012 and I used this dvd to help get me on track. Even though this video is only 30 minutes, I was able to fill a small portion of my day with a workout that I would not have otherwise done. On the other hand, it is only 30 minutes long! So I was able to do this every single day for around 2 months, when I finally "graduated" onto a harder workout on youtube called POP Pilates. It's great that there are different levels because you get to feel as if there are goals for you to strive for. It is also great for days when you are sore and need to scale back a bit, so you merely focus on level 1 or 2. It's motivational to see level 3 moves, and you feel as if they are something to strive for. You'll feel so accomplished as you see yourself moving up in level and becoming stronger and healthier. Overall this exercise is very gentle on your joints and the pace gives you time to catch your breath and spread oxygen throughout your body. It's actually quite relaxing. Combined with a drastic diet change (I switched to eating whole foods only), I was able to lose 10-12 lbs a month solely utilizing this dvd. A year later, I have lost a little over 60 lbs and I look back fondly at this dvd for helping me get started.

This is THE PERFECT STORM of Pilates work out DVDs! Unlike others, where it feels like the instructor is smirking at your pathetic mortal weakness from beyond the screen, Ellen Barrett truly delivers a work out that is both intense, varietal and relaxing. Strange I know, but this has been the only Pilates workout that has caused me to pour sweat while feeling like I'm relaxed yet focused. Other Pilates DVDs make me feel like I'm going to burst a blood vessel in my forehead and don't put enough emphasis on the breath which is sooo key to a great Pilates work-out. You can mix and match and change the focus of your work out and tune it to whatever energy level you may be feeling that day. Finally, her voice is soothing and motivating, not pushy, snarky or arrogant. She also doesn't talk too much or too little but just right... not to be the Goldilocks of Work-out Instructors, but it does get difficult to concentrate on stabilizing the core and keeping the breath up if the instructor doesn't take time to breathe herself. If you're going to buy 1 Pilates DVD this one should rank at least top 3 if not numero uno.

I've had this video for about a month and have done it probably an average of once a week (I do another Ellen Barrett DVD more regularly). The first time I did the work out I did the "easy" level, level 1, and couldn't believe I could lose weight doing it, because it felt too easy and didn't seem to raise my heart rate at all. The next few times I stuck with Level 2 for most moves, and Level 3 for some of them. I can now see how one could lose weight if you push to Level 3! But what's great is that some of the Level 3 moves don't feel as challenging as others, so for instance, turning a wide squat (Level 2) into a squat-shuffle-squat with arm work (Level 3) is a great addition of cardio, and is relatively easy to do, I can still stick with Level 2 or 1 for say, the push ups, which are tough for me to do without bending my knees. I prefer doing a work out that has cardio in it, such as Ellen's Crunch Fat Burning Pilates DVD (my favorite!), but I like this one for days when I want to do some other sort of cardio separately, or when I want a light day. I think this DVD is a great introduction to Pilates, too.

I gave this DVD a second try. I finished the entire 30 minute workout [which is broken up into 3 ten minute sessions] but, this time I focused on the person doing level 1 and then followed Ellen Barrett [instructor who I have other workout DVDs from that I enjoy] in Level 2 which helped alot. I find the camera focuses too much on the the Level 3 person which means missed repetitions for exercisers following levels 1 and/or 2 which is a huge negative if you're a visual person. I like when they show all three levels at once, I don't know why they didn't choose this format of focusing on all three levels throughout the entire workout. It was mildly sweat producing...I would recommend this workout if you don't have much energy.

This is an easy to follow, easy on the joints and very enjoyable workout dvd. The music is great and just about anyone can do it.

I'm enjoying sweating and toning my body with this DVD, it's fantastic! It's helped me in losing those last few pounds.

As I am new to pilates I was a bit concerned that the levels would be confusing but they are not. I found it easy to choose my level for each exercise.

Pretty good. There are 3 levels all happening at once so you follow just 1 person. All can be seen simultaneously and there is not too much roving camera work. I prefer classical Pilates but this is quite energetic so may be more appealing to younger people. Its not a long program either probably 30 35 minutes at the most. It also plays black and white unless you have a multi region DVD.