Rating:

This was the 7th Pilates DVD or video I bought and the only one that I actually use on a regular basis. It’s done at a really good pace and there are several workouts to choose from so I can always fit it in. Just doing Pilates won’t make you lose weight but doing 25-35 minutes of Pilates twice a week has done more for how I look and feel then all the time I spent on the stairmaster. Since I’ve been doing these workouts I don’t have a sore back after my walks and now that I can see my muscles and starting to have definition. So if you want to look and feel like your weight loss is actually getting you somewhere then get this Pilates DVD and do it.

I bought Pilates for Weight Loss and Ultimate Body Challenging (also by bodywisdom media) and love them both so much. I try to do a full cardio AND a 20 minute or so Pilates together at least once a week. Other days I just do one or the other. If you get one of the Ultimate Body and this DVD, you’ll have all the classes you’ll need. No more trekking out to the gym for the same class over and over.

Rating:

Here is the main DVD menu, with my notes in parentheses:

Lesson: Principles/Cautions (overview of basic Pilates principles)

Beginning Routines

Intermediate Routines

Challenging Routines

Interview (6 minute Q&A session with Karen)

About the Instructor

Other Products (lists other Body Wisdom DVDs)

Contact and Credits

Okay, now I’ll break down each of the three levels. The times are as they appear on screen, but the times in parentheses are based on my own review. I’ve included an overview of the exercises included in each practice (this is not intended to be comprehensive).

Beginning Routines (displayed by Sherri)

*Beginning Lesson (24m)–instructions for the hundred, roll-up, leg circles, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, spine stretch forward, open leg rocker, corkscrew, saw, beginning side kicks, teaser, seal, modified Pilates push-ups, beginning weight series

*Basics, 10 minutes (13m)–the hundred, modified roll-up, leg circles, single and double leg stretch, modified teaser, corkscrew, saw, seal

*Basics Variation, 20 minutes (17m)–adds spine stretch forward, open leg rocker, and side kicks to the above

*Basics with Warm-Up, 30 minutes (28m)–adds a 6.5 minute standing stretch series and a 2 minute seated warm-up; also adds Pilates push-ups and the weight series

*More Challenging Basics, 20 minutes (17m)–a less modified version of the Basics Variation which includes the weight series

*Challenging Basics with Warm-Ups, 30 minutes (29.5)–adds the warm-ups described above; also includes seal, Pilates push-ups, and the weight series

Intermediate Routines (displayed by Karen herself)

*Intermediate Lesson (20m)–instructions for a Pilates sit, single and double leg stretch (unmodified), single and double leg kicks, neck pull, shoulder bridge, spine twist, side kicks, full teaser, swimming, mermaid, seal, and intermediate weight series

*Short Variation, 15 minutes (15.5m)–the hundred, roll up, full series of 5; most difficult exercises include the teaser and swimming

*Short with Arm Work, 20 minutes (23m)–the segment utilizes unusual sequencing and includes the neck pull, teaser, seal, Pilates push-ups, and the weight series

*Short with Leg Work, 30 minutes (29m)–the leg work here is in the form of additional exercises such as the leg kicks, shoulder bridge, and side kicks; also includes the weighted arm series

*Longer with Leg Work, 35 minutes (34m)–adds the 6.5 minute standing warm-ups; also includes the neck pull, side kicks, swimming, and mermaid/seal/push-ups to finish

*Longest with Warm-ups, Abs, Leg, and Arm Work, 35 minutes (38m)–includes both the standing and seated warm-ups, full series of 5, open leg rocker, corkscrew, leg kicks, neck pull, shoulder bridge, side kicks, mermaid/seal/push-ups, and weight series

Advanced Routines (displayed by Alice)

*Challenging Lesson (15m)–instruction on the roll-over, corkscrew (advanced version), swan dive, side kick series, can can, hip circles, leg pull-down/pull-up, boomerang, plus advanced Pilates push-ups and weight series

*Short Variation with Warm-up, 20 minutes (21.5)–includes both the standing and seated warm-ups flowing into a fairly standard advanced mat routine; most difficult exercise is the boomerang

*Short Variation without Warm-up, 20 minutes (19m)–again, a standard advanced mat series which includes the advanced corkscrew, slow and fast repetitions of the series of 5, multiple repetitions of Teasers 1 & 2, and the boomerang

*Short Variation with Leg Work, 20 minutes (22.5m)–the leg exercises include the shoulder bridge, the leg pull-down/pull-up, etc.; this segment also seemed to have more intense ab/back work (eg, the neck pull and the swan dive)

*Longer with Leg Work, 35 minutes (31)–includes the 6.5 minute standing warm-up plus additional side kicks exercises

*Longest with Warm-ups, Abs, Leg, and Arm Work, 40 minutes (

Rating:

There are only one set of straps for hands and legs ( I think you can order another set from Stamina if this is what you are used to) but if you dont mind changing the hooks when you go from lower body to upper body then its ok. I do that and its ok.

There are only 3 resitances. I would’ve liked there to be a softer one for the excercises where very few resistance is necesary for more effort (sounds like it would be the opposite but if you’ve done pilates before you know what I mean).

The rebounder is really fun too. I hadn’t done that before and its fun and easy to do.

I agree about the wheels for moving it.. they are worthless. I keep my reformer set up in a room permanently. Its really heavy to be putting it away after every workout.

I AM happy with the reformer, great first home reformer. I’ll probably upgrade in a couple of years (when I can afford it.. hahah) I use it every other day, I get a great workout.

If you dont want to spend a lot of money and really want a standard reformer this is a great choice! I recommend it.

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(Before any Pilates instructors – whom I respect – get all up in arms about that statement, let me just say that I definitely wish I had the budget to continue paying for an instructor, because it is worth it – but if you don’t have the budget, this is the next best thing.)

I’d recommend that if you’re going to buy one, you take at least a few Pilates Reformer in-person classes first – the accompanying DVD is a bit pithy compared to “real” Pilates – but if you know what you’re doing regarding Pilates positions, you can definitely make use of the Performer.

I’ve had mine for about 3 months, and although the two plastic covers on each far end do occasionally pop off (you assemble much of the machine yourself – not difficult – and those particular pieces are only attached with double-stick tape), the rest of it seems pretty sturdy given the price. I do not have mine up on a stand, and I prefer it that way, as I can tip it on its side, easily fold it, and slide it underneath the stairs at my flat. It IS quite heavy, but I only noticed that while taking it out of the box; once you dedicate a space for storing it, it can quickly be folded/unfolded and slid into/out of wherever you choose to keep it.

Performance-wise (no pun intended), I can do the majority of my previous Reformer routine on this machine, including The Hundred, Mermaid, Arm and Leg Circles, and Elephant, and I’m definitely feeling it in the muscles and seeing results.

I’d recommend it for several reasons – if you wish to seriously pursue Pilates but can’t afford private instruction (although, again, learning before you use it will benefit you greatly) – or if there isn’t a worthy Pilates Studio in your area. I’ve also noticed that having the equipment right in my flat encourages me to do Pilates 3x a week instead of the 1 session weekly I was doing before, when I went to an actual Pilates studio.

Good luck!