Pilates for Weight Loss DVD Review

by Natalie Belford

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $19.95

I already own other pilates DVD and though I enjoy them, I quickly get bored with the same two routines, so I wanted to add some spice to my workout. I saw the Pilates for Weight Loss DVD at the shop and figured it would be worth a try since it promised 15 different workouts.

There are advanced, intermediate and beginner sections and I personally enjoy using all three. This DVD has 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 jogging. Since I’ve been doing these workouts I can see my muscles start to have definition.

The beginner section is really geared to someone like me who needed to be eased into exercise after many years of doing nothing. I especially love the long, slow, detailed warm ups. This DVD is pretty simple to navigate and allows for a tremendous amount of user control/customization, which I cant say I’ve seen anywhere else and I have used a several fitness videos/DVDs over the years.

I like the fact that there are lessons on each level to tell you what is changing in what was learned on prior levels and what is new at the level, the actual workouts are not interrupted. There is a slight break to let you get ready for the next part and when I first started I hit the pause button to assist me in getting ready for the next part. I am doing it less now.

The instructor in this DVD is very clear about proper posture, making this very easy to follow along with. The choices of exercise routine are very complete, offering lessons appropriate for a complete beginner as well as lessons appropriate for an advanced practitioner or anyone in between, which means that it is easy to move from one level to the next.

The workouts in this DVD are traditional Pilates with plenty of emphasis on the core. My abs definitely feel tighter and hope to have them beach ready by summer. Anyway I was most surprised by the amount of workouts available.

In Pilates, a lot of exercises focus on the abs or what is known as the 'powerhouse'

It Does Help You Lose Weight But Not Very Fast..

Pilates by itself is not a weight loss method, but coupled with a sensible diet appropriate for your body type, you can definitely make gains in your fitness levels and firm your body, which I was able to do in about 4 weeks.

While you WILL actually lose some weight but doing these exercises, this Pilates DVD offers more benefits for toning, posture and flexibility instead of weight loss. You’ll feel more flexible, relaxed and yet energized after Pilates workout.

I guess its a different feeling than actually hardcore cardio or aerobics, which does result in more weight loss but doesn’t do much for flexibility and energy.

Final Verdict: A Perfect Introduction to Pilates

I have an extensive library of fitness DVDs and this has to be one of the best. What I found most helpful was that you were able to navigate through the various programs and positions in a style more applicable to working out at home, yet very challenging and keeping in line with Pilates tradition of helping to streamline your body.

I really enjoy this DVD – the workouts are very clear and each level of workout has different models and a half dozen workouts for each level. I’ll be busy for a long time with these workouts. I can’t imagine wanting anything else from a Pilates DVD.

Very highly recommended.

Click here to get the ‘Pilates for Weight Loss DVD’ from Amazon.com.