1. Winsor Pilates Basic 3 DVD Workout Set
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Winsor Pilates Basic 3 DVD Workout Set
Details:
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- Coach: Mari Winsor
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: January 1, 2003
One question you might find yourself asking is – what defines a suited Pilates video for at-home practice? Does it provide training for all skill levels, starting with rookies who are completely new to this practice, to skilled practitioners who seek new and challenging workouts to firm and strengthen their bodies? Or comprehensive explanations with detailed presentations of how to correctly proceed when you do your exercises?
The answer is both and much more, and the Winsor Pilates set fits the pattern from all points of view considering that it tailors to everyone interested in taking up the practice while including the most comprehensive, straightforward visual examples of proper body positioning and movement flow.
What the DVDs Include
- The first video:
Provides detailed 3D models that you must analyze to learn the perfect form to take when you work out. It caters to beginners who don’t know what the right stance is yet, helping them avoid injury and any negative effects of Pilates training.
- The second video:
It focuses on exercises that help shape your body so that you achieve the swimming suit look you always dreamt of. With the workouts you learn here, you will burn fat as well. Merge the sessions with a proper diet and you will look better than ever in only weeks of regular training.
- The third video:
Once you reach this part of the training, you already know the ropes in terms of posture, movement fluidity, and pace. It caters to seasoned practitioners and provides drills that are varied enough for you to stick with for years on end.
How the Training Sessions Go
One thing users universally praised is the energy of the coach. Mari was passionate and the energy she has is contagious, which is bound to keep you driven throughout. Seeing how lack of motivation is an issue when you train at home, having someone who is involved to hype you up goes a long way toward keeping you on the right track.
Each drill on the DVDs targets specific muscle groups too, and the trainer explains their effects so that you are made aware of the impact had by the workout on your body. This provides an added benefit too – you can concentrate more on exercises that emphasize muscle groups you consider need more attention.
Pros:
- Unbeatable when it comes to firmness improvement and weight loss
- Comprehensive workouts laid out for people of all skill levels to follow easily
- Features training sessions for all skill levels, so you won’t have to buy a separate DVD set when you reach the intermediate or advanced stage
- Mari Winsor explains even what muscle groups are targeted with each exercise
Cons:
- Not as many workouts for beginners as some might prefer
- The second DVD is shorter
Verdict:
Divided into three separate workouts as there are three DVDs included in the set. Aside from the fact that it provides with hefty sessions in which the instructor is the great Mari Winsor herself, it takes you from beginner level routines to advanced sessions so that you won’t have to buy another DVD after acquiring it.
2. Pilates for Beginners & Beyond DVD Set
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Pilates for Beginners & Beyond DVD Set
Details:
- Runtime: 360 minutes
- Coach: Various
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: December 27, 2011
The 360-minute length of this instructional set sufficed to convince us of its usefulness for at-home Pilates training. You can advance at your own tempo as you pursue the routines described by the multiple trainers featured. Moreover, it takes you from the starting point as a beginner, all the way through tougher and more complex drills until you reach the advanced level, where it assists you to be creative with your exercises to continue improving on your form.
There is a total of three DVDs, the first catering to individuals who have flexibility issues and seek to solve them and enjoy mobility as they did before injury or back in their younger days. The second DVD targets weight loss, so if you struggle with excess pounds, start eating right and religiously perform the exercises here to get that flawless frame you desire. Lastly, the third DVD features specialized videos for firming and defining the body, where you perfect your form.
As there are over 40 programs included, 15 of which are customized for the mat, you aren’t at risk of getting weary as you can mix and match as you like with each session. The selectable menus that provide a more intuitive fashion to find and choose the training session you want to do at any given moment present another worthwhile bonus as you won’t have a hard time going through the videos until you reach the training you seek.
Pros:
- Comprises plenty of drills that either accentuate shedding those extra pounds or sculpting your body
- There are 15 tailor-made mat routines for all skill levels, and it comprises over 40 drills total
- Divided into three sections, each DVD targeting specific aspects of interest
- It includes yoga sections, so it is more diverse than most instructional DVDs
Cons:
- With some routines, the coach only provides you explanation for the basis
- Can get dull at times
Verdict:
It includes over 40 different routines for flexibility increase, weight loss, firming, and sculpting. This 360-minute set is what you need to get from beginner to pro without spending a ton of money on courses, all from the comfort of your home.
3. Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners
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Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners
Details:
- Runtime: 51 minutes
- Coach: Brooke Siler
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: September 9, 2008
Pilates has a wealth of health benefits, but losing a few extra pounds is generally not among them seeing how it is an anaerobic physical exercise. However, the routine in the Element instructional DVD proves the contrary as there are cardio-focused drills blended with mat Pilates practices that are specially aimed toward slenderizing. Thus, the program is intended to provide the basic benefits, including muscle firming, core strengthening, and better elasticity, all while providing the added perk of weight loss.
What all the people who tried it out loved is that it is set by the beach, the view of the Pacific on the background serving as inspiration and motivation so that you keep on track. It puts you in a good mood only through the setup. Moreover, the fact that the instructor, Brooke Siler, knows how to explain and has the right level of energy only adds to the appeal of the training sessions when it comes to motivation.
It is intended for those who are now just starting their Pilates workouts, taking time to slowly go through the motions and explain each detail as comprehensively as possible so that you won’t become subject to injury. In terms of structuring, it is split into three sections, the first emphasizing core strength and slenderizing, the second putting emphasis on muscle groups in the lower body and muscles that are generally tougher to work out, while the third section concentrates on full-body workouts.
Pros:
- Among the preferred choices for beginners
- Aside from core strengthening and firming your body, it helps you shed the extra pounds you are battling
- Emphasizes on focus increase, which will help amp your focus levels in all areas of activity
- The soothing background serves as a stimulus to get you in the zone
Cons:
- Intended only for rookies, so once you advance in skill, you have to buy different instructional DVDs for workout inspiration
- Some users found the narration to be inconsistent
Verdict:
Apart from the beautiful view of the Pacific that is sure to emerge you into the session, this DVD includes a series of exercises intended so that you remain focused and hyped, providing the energy you should be provided with to remain on course and reach your objectives.
4. Denise Austin: Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates
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Denise Austin: Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates
Details:
- Runtime: 45 minutes
- Coach: Denise Austin
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: November 30, 2010
With over two decades of experience in creating at-home Pilates training sessions that are fun and easy, Denise Austin is a coach you will simply adore. She has the right energy and patience to keep you motivated and guide you on how to proceed right with your posture and motions. It is sectioned into three programs, each targeting different problem muscle groups so that you gradually strengthen and firm them while losing fat.
The sections are each 15 minutes long, the first one putting emphasis on the abdominal and core muscles, the second on the upper body, and the third on the larger muscle groups that are generally more pretentious. While the difficulty of the exercises is not overwhelming, it is intended for pupils of all skill levels. On the upside, the tutor’s explanations are detailed enough to ensure you proceed properly with the movements even if you haven’t done Pilates one day in your life.
Excluding the mat that is mandatory in the workouts, for some exercises, you will need additional accessories, like dumbbells, for example. This might seem like a downside as you should separately invest in some extra equipment, but you can get creative and save money by using household objects instead. To end on a positive note, we must mention that the intensity is gradually increased as time passes so that you won’t strain yourself doing the workouts but rather climb the ladder at a reasonable pace.
Pros:
- Helps you slenderize and shed fat in key body areas
- Comprehensive even for novice practitioners
- Includes at-home drills that are interesting enough to not lose motivation
- Gradually increases exercise difficulty intensity so that you won’t be left behind
Cons:
- The training sessions involve the use of Pilates accessories, like dumbbells
- A shorter length of the videos as opposed to what most DVDs provide
Verdict:
Specially intended for slenderizing, this professional routine is among the most prevalent to date because of the outcomes it promises and delivers, as well as the fact that it is comprehensive for rookies to pursue it free of incidents.
5. Pick Your Level: Weight Loss Pilates
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Pick Your Level: Weight Loss Pilates
Details:
- Runtime: 30 minutes
- Coach: Ellen Barrett
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: September 5, 2006
As the name implies, Pick Your Levels lets you do just that – select the difficulty of the training session. Aimed toward beginners, intermediates, and pros alike, the three sections in which it is divided include the same base workout with slight tweaks that increase difficulty gradually so that you feel a deeper burn as you level up.
Ellen Barrett is the trainer, one of the most prominent figures in the game as she not only teaches Pilates at a professional level but also has experience in dance and Reiki courses. What made her a worldwide Pilates celebrity is her development of the unique barefoot fusion method, her creativity and passion being felt even in the way she explains the exercises and follows through with the drills.
This is an award-winning DVD that you will have an easy time following as it doesn’t have you learning new routines with each upgrade to a new level. Moreover, the workout drills are specifically selected aid in weight reduction aside from firming and strengthening your body, so in a few weeks, if you stay committed, your body will look better and you will feel healthier.
Pros:
- There are three separate difficulty level sessions to follow that you can take up regardless of your mastering of the technique
- With each level, the exercises slightly vary so that you experience a deeper burn
- As the same base movements are used for all three levels, you won’t have to learn a new routine as you upgrade your skillset
- Explanations for the basic movements are very comprehensive
Cons:
- Some users found it too simple once they got a hang of the routine
- Tends to get repetitive
Verdict:
This DVD offers a versatile workout. It goes through variations of the same base workout with tweaks that make it cater to either beginners, intermediate users, or pros. For short, if you buy it, you won’t need another DVD ever again, regardless of how much you master the practice.
6. Pop Pilates Total Body Workout with Cassey Ho
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Pop Pilates Total Body Workout with Cassey Ho
Details:
- Runtime: 60 minutes
- Coach: Cassey Ho
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: 2013
Pilates is a rather somber, serious practice, and it is this specific aspect that could throw some people off and not appeal to all. If you need a bit of agitation when you work out to get in the zone and you seek a more dynamic and fun experience, there is an answer for you – Pop Pilates. The training session performed and described by the great Cassey Ho features lively music on the background, which is bound to put you in an uplifting mood and hype you up so that you continue to push your limits even when you experience the deep burn.
The instructor’s attitude and energy are the two elements all users praise as she transfers her energy to students who are watching the DVD and performing the routine. Basically, the effects of the workout session are the same as with classic training drills, the sole difference standing in the energy that the background music provides.
It is thought up for intermediary and advanced learners, so beware that this is not a viable choice for Pilates rookies as the difficulty is too high for their capabilities. To commence, you just need a mat and ambition, and with the hour-long training session that you use as inspiration, you will achieve a thin and mean physique in a matter of weeks.
Pros:
- The music on the background helps keep you driven
- Provides a full-body workout so that you see defining results in weeks
- Provides a modern take that is intended for folks who love music
- The instructor’s positive attitude helps practitioners find the motivation to push on even when they start to wear out
Cons:
- If you are not a fan of music during exercise, you won’t like the training session
- Does not comply with the needs of rookies
Verdict:
Fun and energetic, Cassey Ho is your dream instructor for at-home Pilates. She makes the routine seem so fun that you are bound to feel time fly and keep motivated regardless of how much strain the workout puts on you.
7. 10 Minute Solutions: Pilates
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10 Minute Solutions: Pilates
Details:
- Runtime: 50 minutes
- Coach: Lara Hudson
- Beginner-level workout:
- Intermediate-level workout:
- Advanced-level workout:
- Release date: December 26, 2005
Want to stay active and fit but your job and home life take up too much of your time? Then you can find the right solution in performing the 10-minute workouts in this instructional DVD. The programs focus on shaping up the whole body step by step, among the benefits you see after a few weeks of practice including stronger, more defined abs, added flexibility, and less body fat.
With each segment that the workout is split in, different muscle groups are targeted so that you diversify and not focus on the same area twice for fast results. Moreover, as the instructor, Lara Hudson, has advanced Pilates experience, she helps you with the workouts, showcases in each segment how to control your breathing, sit right, and focus.
The professionalism of the trainer is the highlight of this instructional DVD as Lara doesn’t only make each exercise seem easy so that you won’t have trouble even if you are clueless when it comes to this practice, but because she talks directly to you, assisting you to stay motivated in your goals. Another detail that we like is that she regularly gives reminders of minor elements that help maximize results.
Pros:
- Split into 10-minute segments so that even career-driven people can integrate Pilates workouts into their daily schedule
- The routines Lara Hudson explains are easy to follow and she speaks directly to the user for added motivation, even giving tips to help maximize results
- Appropriate for beginner to intermediate students who seek fast results through demanding movements and positions
- The total body workout ensures that you will see defining changes in the way your body looks
Cons:
- You need to acquire 2- to 3-pound dumbbells for a part of the drills
- Not suited for advanced Pilates trainees
Verdict:
With 10-minute programs that are split based on the targeted muscle groups to help you maximize results by not repeating the same workout two days in a row, this Lara Hudson instructional DVD is what people with little free on time on their hands need to stay active and fit.
Conclusion
Pilates classes are too expensive and attendance takes more of your free time than you would like? Are you bothered by the fact that there are other people around you? Then get yourself a mat and start doing Pilates at home following the guidance provided by these comprehensive instructional DVDs that are tailored for people of all skill levels.
Sure, a reformer might be the ultimate Pilates workout equipment, but to stay motivated when you do it at home, you need to look at a professional who thinks up routines for you to perform so that you stay on track. Before we end, let’s revise some of your best options once more to make sure you pick the correct DVD for your wants, needs, and skillset.
Best Instructional Pilates DVD:
Winsor Pilates Basic
In terms of Pilates training at home, nothing beats this DVD set where Mari Winsor herself helps you sculpt your body to reach physical perfection. It is split into three sections, each on its DVD, and presents a viable option for beginners and pros alike. Thus, once you upgrade your skill level, you won’t need to get another DVD as there is one included for you already.
Throughout the different routines on the DVDs, Mari takes you from the starting point where she explains the fundamentals of Pilates workouts and teaches you how to breathe and keep a proper form, to the point where she demonstrates how to do intense workouts that are targeted to shrink, tone, and strengthen each body area.
Editor’s Choice:
Pilates for Beginners & Beyond
The 360-minute duration of the instructional videos and the fact that multiple trainers are filmed throughout more than enough reasons on their own to convince anyone who seeks a quality Pilates DVD. As the name suggests, whether you are a novice, intermediary student, or a pro, you will find exercises that suit your skill level so that you won’t need to invest a cent more after acquiring the set. There are over 40 total programs included. Of these, 15 are performed on the mat, which makes it ideal for students who prefer a more basic setup.
Best Pilates Workout DVD for Beginners:
Element
Specially filmed to instruct rookies regarding the correct posture and movements they must follow through with to ensure safety, the Element DVD is your best option until you get a hang of the practice and can level up. The location chosen for the film is breathtaking and help keep you motivated as it inspires you to push on so that when you hit the beach next year, you will look flawless in your bikini. Moreover, the coach who explains the exercises and shows you how to perform them is none other than Brooke Siler, the woman who even trained major celebrities, including Madonna.
Best Pilates Workout DVD for Weight Loss:
Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates
The ultimate weight-loss DVD that you can ask for if you want to take up the practice at home. In just 21 days, you are bound to see major changes in the way your body looks, the 45-minute workouts provided being thought up to target all problem areas and fix issues. It is split into 15-minute sections that target different muscle groups to assist you to keep an organized schedule of what routines you need to follow and avoid repeating the same workout two times in a row. Best of all, the explanations provided by Denise Austin are comprehensive and detailed enough so that even beginners can safely follow the routine.
