Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners

I have taken Pilates classes on my own and decided to get a video, since I'm often bad about leaving the house to attend classes. This is my first exercise video ever, so my critique may not take into account what's normally expected from other exercise videos. I like this video a lot and I don't think the moves are complicated; in fact, they're pretty straightforward. But after taking Pilates classes that catered to rank beginners, I found aspects of this video frustrating at times.First of all, the speed is intense. Sometimes, I forget to breathe trying to figure out the exercise -- Siler is either doing harder ones than I was taught or with some modifications. In my classes, there was typically a 2-3 minute pause for breathing between exercises; something that not only made it easier, but helped me push through a 50-minute set. This video has 45 minutes of exercise with little pause at all. So there's more moves than I am used to, and it's done really fast with no breaks. I could hit pause on the remote, but who wants to deal with that after your 20th roll-up?Also, index skips would have been a nice feature. When I'm worn out doing roll-ups or their derivatives, I would like to move on to other types of floor work -- but I have to use a FFWD feature to get it done. My Pilates instructor, before we took a break from the winter said that in order to do mere upkeep, you needed to do three types of exercise for each of the following sets: the back series, the stomach series, the side series and standing. This is to help you keep your body in balance. Because there are no well-planned skips, it makes it challenging to try to balance your modified workout as you're trying to learn the series.Nevertheless, the moves are simple, but some of them are intermediate or advanced forms,according to Brooke Siler's book on Pilates. I plan to do as much as I can until it gets easier. I'm kind of okay with the fact that it's a little too hard for me; but I also have the experience of having had some classes to try to make sense of it. Might be harder for someone just starting out.

I bought this Pilates dvd based on reviews and seeing Brooke Siler talk about pilates on a couple you tube videos. I'm a middle aged woman who is about 30 pounds overweight and needs to lose abdominal fat. About this dvd: I really like Brooke Siler, she is very likeable and she does a voice over in this dvd which was nice. It's just her doing the exercises which was better to me than having a group of people . It is a beach setting which felt very peaceful. My own experience with this pilates dvd: The pilates workout is very challenging, I tried to do all of the video right at the start, every other day and I know I over did it not giving myself time to build up to it. The more days I was doing the dvd the harder it was for me to get through it all as I was achy from the last time, and I felt sick to my stomach doing the exercises at times. You have to focus on your breathing, it takes time to learn how to do it right in Pilates. I only stayed with the dvd workout for two weeks, partly due to needing to give my body a break but also need the time to do the workout and I'm a busy mom of three. I do hope to get back to it in the near future at a more slower pace because I have no doubt that if a person was to stick with it that you would see results along with eating a healthy diet. I would recommend this dvd to anyone wanting to try pilates and want an experienced pilates teacher, which Brooke Siler is. Just take it at a slow pace if you are new to it.

Some of the moves were definitely beyond a beginner

I've tried a few Pilates DVD's over the years, and just could never get into it. I'm such a fan of some of the other DVD's from Element though that I decided to give this a try. I am very glad I did because I've found that with the right instructor I really like Pilates.This DVD is broken up into 2 parts: "pilates concious cardio" (20min), and "pilates prep & mat work" (30min). It should be noted that the "cardio" section is not really cardio. Though your heart rate will elevate somewhat it's not to a level that I would call "cardio". Despite that I love the exercises involved in this section, which range from very easy to very physically demanding (especially the last 5 minutes or so). The mat work section focuses mostly on your abdominal muscles, but there's also some leg/hip exercises. Again, it ranges from easy to physically demanding.As an instructor Brooke Siler is excellent. No faux encouragement, and she uses imagery to help you perfect your form, which I found extremely helpful. Though this is supposed to be a "weight loss" workout I don't think Brooke even mentions that; at any rate she doesn't harp on about it, which is quite nice. You also will not need any special equipment, and only enough space in which to stretch out completely.The reasons I love this DVD is because it uses controlled motion to build strength, which is excellent for me because I'm a total klutz. It's not glacially slow like some beginners Pilates DVD's are, but you are never left trying to frantically keep pace either. Secondly it pairs strengthening exercises with stretching, and even though I'm usually sweaty at the end of this workout I always feel great because of that combination. I must say in the few weeks I've been using this DVD my strength and flexibility have definitely increased. I do workout using other DVD's and being active by hiking, but since putting this in my rotation 3x a week I've noticed my arms are stronger, my pants are looser, my hips are slimming, and my abs are getting some definition.While I do think this is an excellent beginners Pilates workout, I'm not sure if it would be a good workout for someone who isn't at least a little physically fit. If you were truly an out of shape beginner I would treat it with caution; maybe skip some of the harder exercises until you build up a little muscle strength and don't push your body beyond it's limits because you can hurt yourself. It's not such a hard workout though that's it's intimidating, but it definitely gives you a goal to work towards.

After attending an eight week pilates class I decided I wanted a routine I could continue at home and this is ideal, particularly as the only item of equipment you need is a mat.This DVD is divided into 2 workouts just under 30mins each so you can just do one when in a rush or both when you have more time. I have found the routines easy to understand and to follow, and time seems to fly and it doesn't feel a chore. I can highly recommend this for people who have little experience of pilates although it is easier if you have attended a few classes first so you have had hands-on guidance with some of the techniques (including breathing technique!).Once I have perfected this routine I will look for something more dynamic//challenging..

This dvd has two sections - a cardio section and a prep and mat work section. The cardio section is a sequence of standing leg and ab work that increases cardio by lifting the arms above the head. The prep and mat work is challenging but each exercise is repeated only a few times so it doesn't become frustrating.I would say that the instruction is generally quite good. The only thing I noticed is a reference to 'lats' that wasn't explained. So if you don't know what your lats are, maybe it would help to find out before you start :)I would say that this workout, while short at 50 minutes, would be very effective if done 2 or 3 times a week.4 stars because its a bit short...

I thought as this was going to be really good but I was very disappointed. She talks fast and the music is horrible. Hard to follow unless you already know the moves in which case you wouldn't need the dvd. Waste of money.

I had another beginner pilates dvd and found it much easier than this one. I bought this one when a friend recommended it. After doing professional pilates classes I realised that some of the exercises in this DVD are of a higher level than beginner. However, I for my own personal fitness level I found it was perfect for me and always feel really good after it. Would definitely recommend.

Easy to follow DVD with clear instructions throughout. Instructor explains the movements in a voice over whilst she shows you what to do. Great exercise dvd.