Hit the Spot - Pilates
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.99 You Save: $4.99 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $5.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Hit the Spot - Pilates
Movie Review: A creative twist on the Pilates method if you can tolerate the instructor
Summary: 3 Stars
These are seven 10-minute workouts that target "trouble areas"- waist, abs, thighs, hips, etc. You can do them all or you can select as many as you'd like. Each workout includes many movements taken directly from the traditional Pilates exercises, as well as some yoga movements and others that are a combination of both, or where you target different muscles at the same time. While the workouts are short and varied, and provide a welcome twist to the routine that can set in on regular Pilates mat exercisers, I got annoyed by Denise's overly protective, motherly style which distracted me from fully focusing on each exercise.
The workout includes 3 different sets which target the abdominal area, waist and laterals. Surprisingly no hundreds. (Hello, isn't that the most important Pilates exercise?). She includes the 'stomach series', boat pose, lots of T stands and variations of it, one legged downward dog pushing to one legged plank, side stretches, lots of side twists as well.
There are then 3 segments of 10 minutes each, targeting the hips, buns and thighs respectively. She covers practically every exercise included in the side leg mat series (if you are familiar with Pilates), T stands again, lots of inner and outer thigh work, as well as a standing Pilates series and lunges. A nice burner overall.
My complaints about this video:
1. While Denise sure knows her stuff and displays good form, she did make me wonder, is this a Pilates video or did I just pay to hear Denise's nonstop blabbing while she does Pilates at breakneck speed? I don't need to be reminded that "this exercise works the waist". I think I can get an idea of which area these exercises target once I do them, or at least she doesn't need to mention it 10 times. Or she often tells you how this exercise is her favorite (they all are!), or "how challenging this exercise is!". Is she trying to motivate you? I don't know. It takes away your attention from the exercise.
2. The workout is too fast with very few repetitions of each exercise. Yes, intermediate Pilates is faster, however, she could have added few exercises with more precision. She repeats some exercises in a couple of segments, which she could have avoided by adding more repetitions to each exercise.
To summarize:
If you are a beginner in Pilates:
There are other quality videos you could try before venturing to this one. I would recommend getting a Stott Pilates video before progressing to this one, which offer superb instruction. Denise makes occasional remarks about form but she moves too quickly from one exercise to the next so you may be better off with a Stott Pilates beginner's video or one of the Gaiam beginner's ones, that way you can learn proper form and breathing and then progress to this one.
If you have some Pilates experience:
Again, this will be a fun twist to your mat routine. You could add one lb ankle weights to the hip and thigh sections to add challenge. I do need to mention that there is music only option. You can listen to Denise the first time to get familiar with the routine and then try it with music only.
There are other great DVDs that present short sequences (10 to 15 min each) and with much more pleasant instructors. Check out 10 minute solution Rapid Results Pilates with Lara Hudson or The Method Target Specifics Plus. Both are greatly recommended. Karen Voight "Total Body Pilates" is an excellent routine as well.
Movie Review: Fast-Paced Pilates
Summary: 4 Stars
I am new to Denise Austin. This is the first video of hers I own, so I was initially put-off by her voice, but I got used to it quickly. (Plus, you can mute her voice, and keep the music if you choose.)
I am also new to pilates except for another, much slower-paced Kathy Smith video (which has great pointers). So this is exactly what I wanted--a long workout (up to 60 minutes) that I can customize with a new set of exercises.
Now I know that I have yet another video in my arsenal that will actually work my core continuously, while also targeting my legs. It's something I'll come back to again and again since I am definitely already seeing the results, not just in muscle, but in posture, too.
Movie Review: Not Challenging enough
Summary: 2 Stars
I have always been a big fan of Denise's and generally enjoy her workouts. This one however, felt like a waste of time for me. I am in pretty good shape, and it just didnt challenge me.Movie Review: Love the Custom Workout Option!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm really enjoying the Hit the Spot Pilates-I love Denise Austin's style-she's so positive and encouraging. The customized workout option is awesome, really allowing you to mix up things so as not to get bored with the same order and selection of the 10 minute workouts. The only thing I was disappointed in is that there is little for the arms on this video. But that was my fault-I didn't notice that it was focusing on the lower body. All in all it's a great DVD and I look forward to doing it!Movie Review: you can feel this one work!
Summary: 4 Stars
Good exercises in this dvd, they are easy to follow and very effective. You will feel this workout the next day. I usually do a cardio workout and then follow it with one of the 7 segments. Good way to fit in toning.