Top Ten Pilates DVDs

Written by Glenn

Saturday, 20 September 2008

In this article we cover ten of the best Pilate DVD's on the market today. For those who don't know much about pilates, the Pilates Method (or simply Pilates), pronounced /p??l?:ti:z/ is a physical fitness program developed by Joseph Pilates, from Germany, in the early 20th century. In the United States alone, there are over 11 million people who practice the Pilates discipline regularly and 14,000 instructors.

Joseph Pilates called his method Contrology, this is due to the fact he believed this new method uses the mind to control the muscles .The pilates fitness program focuses on the core postural muscles responsible for keeping the body balanced and is vital to providing support for the spine. Pilates especially teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and focus on strengthening the deep torso muscles.

Here is a list of top ten Pilates DVDs really worth checking out…

Jules Benson's Total Core Pilates (2008). This DVD offers a defined variation of traditional and non-traditional Pilate exercises, and thus produces more extreme muscle sculpting. The 56 minute workout can be defined by: a 3 minute warm-up, 49 minutes of floor toning, and 4 minutes of stretching to end the workout. Jules Benson provides clear visual and verbal cues, and continually offers words of encouragement during the workout which makes this DVD easy to use. Total Core Pilates may be too difficult for the beginner, and meant for the intermediate or advanced user. The DVD retails for $19.95 on most websites.

Hit the Spot – Pilates by Denise Austin (2005). This DVD stars the well-known and knowledgeable exercise guru; Denise Austin. Denise applies her vast fitness knowledge to this Pilates DVD. The 81 minute DVD is broken down into 10 minute sessions that focus on all aspects of the body from the abs to the legs. This DVD is applicable to all levels of Pilates users from the beginner to the advanced user. Denise is an excellent motivator, and any person interested in toning and shaping areas of the body will receive benefit from this DVD. The DVD retails for $14.98, but it’s available on Amazon for as low as $9.99.
Pilates For Beginners by Maggie Rhoades (2006). This DVD is the ultimate resource for the Pilates beginner. Maggie Rhoades is a well-known Yoga and Pilates expert that offers a wide variety of Pilates variations in this DVD. The DVD has a running time of 240 minutes, and additionally offers an interview with Maggie Rhoades. The DVD presents a dozen exercise routines to focus on all areas of the body, strength, and health. The routines vary in time duration from 10 to over 30 minutes, which is perfect for those people always on the move. The DVD retails for $14.98, but it’s available on Amazon for as low as $12.99.
Crunch - Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend by Ellen Barrett (2006). This DVD offers a person an interesting, effective combination of Yoga and Pilates for weight loss and body-shaping into the perfect body. The 42 minute DVD offers specific Yoga/Pilates routines for obtaining a sound body through simple exercise and breathing techniques. Ellen Barrett is a definite expert in both Yoga/Pilates techniques; the user of this DVD will obtain valuable information. This DVD seems to be geared more for the intermediate and/or advanced user. The DVD retails for $14.98, but it’s available on Amazon for as low as $9.99.
10 Minute Solution Slim & Sculpt Pilates by Suzanne Bowen (2007). This 50 minute DVD by the AFAA certified Suzanne Bowen offers four 10 minute toning routines with an additional 10 minute stretching session to end the workout. This DVD offers a total body workout. However; each routine employs carefully selected movements to focus on a specific body area. A resistance band is included into the toning routines for effectiveness. This DVD is geared more for the intermediate and/or advanced user. Suzanne is an excellent, attentive instructor, and offers precise cues within the routines. The DVD retails for $16.95 on most websites.
Kathy Smith's Peel Off the Pounds Pilates (2007). This DVD is another excellent source geared for the beginning and/or intermediate Pilates user. The DVD has an interesting breakdown in its total 50 minutes. The DVD begins with a 10 minute warm-up, then focuses on aerobics and toning in the next two 10 minute sessions, and ends the workout with a 10 minute cool-down and stretching movements. The aerobic part is considered a light impact, and perfect for weight loss. Kathy Smith is another fitness expert with over 10 years of experience and has produced over 20 exercise videos and DVDs. The DVD retails for $14.95 on most websites.
10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Pilates by Lara Hudson (2006). This DVD is another of the 10 Minute Solution series with the Pilates expert Lara Hudson. This DVD was voted the Best Pilates DVD by Health magazine in 2006. Lara Hudson focuses on a total body workout in this DVD through specific Pilates routines for maximum effectiveness. This DVD seems to be produced for all levels of Pilates users from the beginner to the advanced. The 54 minute DVD offers a similar routine as in the 10 Minute Solution series, which is an asset to those people always on the run in life. The DVD retails for $14.98, but it’s available on Amazon for as low as $9.99.
Pilates Complete For Weight Loss by Karen Garcia (2003). This DVD focuses on that aspect of exercise that most all people want in today’s world; weight loss. This 240 minute DVD is specific for all levels of Pilates users in any physical ability. An excellent, definitive beginner resource for anyone interested in Pilates. The DVD offers over 10 specially designed routines for maximum effectiveness for busy people. Karen Garcia is a certified Pilates expert with a personable and attentive nature that is perfect in this instructional DVD and allows for easy understanding. The DVD retails for $19.95, but it’s available on Amazon for as low as $17.99.
10 Minute Solution: Prenatal Pilates by Lizbeth Garcia (2007). Another in the 10 Minute Solution Series DVDs with a special focus on the exercise of women in every level of pregnancy, and even offers routines for post-pregnant toning. The 67 minute DVD presents simple exercise routines to focus on those body areas to promote an easier delivery. There’s no Pilates level focus in this DVD, it’s essentially all beginner routines. Lizbeth Garcia is another certified Pilates instructor with a variety of educational and work experience background. The DVD retails for $14.98, but it’s available on Amazon for as low as $10.99.
10 Minute Solution Pilates on the Ball by Lara Hudson (2007). This DVD employs the use of a Stability Ball in its routines. The ball has a variety of positive aspects in its use in this DVD from resistance to balance. The DVD consists of this breakdown in its total 52 minutes. The DVD begins with a 9 minute toning, then two 11 minute toning sessions, another 10 minute tone, and ends the workout with 11 minutes of stretching movements. This DVD is specific meant for the intermediate and advanced Pilates user. The DVD retails for $14.95 on most websites.

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