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Lotte Berk Method: Basic Essentials

Backcover description: The Lotte Berk Method has been called the ultimate body transformation system. For over three decades, this no-nonsense, results-oriented fitness method has been available exclusively at Lotte Berk Method studios in Manhattan and Bridgehampton

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Lotte Berk Method: Basic Essentials

Magazine reviews

Fit October 2003
	"We're introduced to signature moves. The instructors are Lotte Berk Master Instructors, not models."

Self June 2003
	"The Lotte Berk Method takes the credit for creating the best butts in town -- firm and gravity defying."

Oxygen October 2003
	"A unique strengthening program. Dancers and Pilates enthusisasts will find these videos great for providing variety to their workouts."

Fitness September 2003
	"New York fitness insiders have long raved about the slimming effects of the Lotte Berk Method, a combination of dance, yoga and physical therapy."

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Detailed specifications • Minute-by-minute graphs • Descriptions by certified instructors

Level:		Begin/Inter

Toning emphasis:		Lower body & Abs

Emphasis details

Toning Emphasis

Lower body:	10 minutes	(56%)
Abs:	8 minutes	(44%)

Instructor:

Stephanie Lyons

Customer rating:

(average of 5 customer ratings)

Time graph for Lotte Berk Method: Basic Essentials

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Certified instructor description:
A very well-produced, very well-cued workout; it includes both lower-body standing routines and ab-focused floorwork. The workout features the techniques developed by Russian dancer Lotte Berk in the 1940’s (and later taught in her London and Manhattan studios). Each precise and detailed move has an exact point-of-origin and an associated stretch (“your workout is not complete without the stretch”). After an extended warm-up, you’ll move into dancer-type pliés that incorporate a ballet barre for support and optimum body-position. That’s followed by “Pilates-ish” abwork and a short stretch/relaxation. One instructor always shows easier modifications. They use a free standing “ballet barre” but a solid, heavy high-back chair would also work for most exercises. ©2002. DVD has: Chapter menus, Narrow screen.

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Lotte Berk Method: Basic Essentials
These exercises WORK & are TOUGH...IF you listen to the instructions!!!
There have been a LOT of reviews saying that they didn't feel the work during certain portions of the workout. This is because you must CLOSELY listen to the cueing of the instructor! There was one portion of the workout where I didn't feel too much-and then she reminded me to TUCK. OUCH!!! There it is!!! ha ha ha You must listen to her cueing very carefully, because the exercises must be EXACT. I am a belly dancer, and belly dance and do traditional abwork all of the time-but during the ab portion I was actually SHAKING. Lotte Berk works...you just have to make sure your body is doing exactly what she says! If she says tuck, then TUCK! - posted by mom2raiandjas on 11/7/2008

I am still feeling it an hour later
I like variety because I get bored very easily and thought the Lotte Berk workouts would be a wonderful travel companion. I received my package yesterday and did the Basic Essentials workout and hour ago and can still feel it! I love that you use your own body weight, need minimal space and the workout is about 30 minutes. I will be rotating all four workouts and can't wait to take them on the road with me while I travel for work. - posted by Lorrie on 8/2/2008

another good one
I love all of the Lotte Berk dvds. I especially like the bonus workout on this one - very tough and very effective. Wonderful results from these dvds. - posted by Ali on 7/29/2008

Annoying
This instructor is absolutely one of the weirdest, most annoying instructors I have ever encountered. The workout is also very beginner and very easy. Don't waste your time or money on this. - posted by Judy on 7/15/2008

Best Toning Video You Can Buy!
I LOVE this video. It allows you to build muscle without bulking up, and provides great-feeling stretches as well. Its pace is perfect to follow too. - posted by Donna on 10/21/2007

*The star rating system began in April 2007. Reviews posted before then do not have stars.
LOVED IT!!!
I absolutely love this workout as I do all of the Lotte Berk. The last two reviewers are wrong, they are not doing this correctly. These exercises work if done properly. - posted by on 2/6/2007

I don't get it
I didn't like this workout at all. It's just weird. I do like Pilates and ballet exercises so it's not that I dislike all toning that's not conventional leg work, but this workout just didn't do it for me. It was boring and really had just a few exercises with zillions of repetitions of each one. - posted by Barb on 8/20/2006

"Can you feel it I can't!" WHATEVER!!!!
I am not normally prone to fits of anger or violence, but this tape "BARE ESSENTIALS" made me want to throw things at my TV! The instructor just annoyed the heck out of me. "HOW MANY CAN YOU DO" she keeps asking, over and over and over... She is too intense. During the thigh and seat section when she says. "CAN YOU FEEL IT I CAN'T." I'll admit it, I lost it. I chucked a towel at the TV. I do like the exercises in the thigh and seat section, but not enough to keep this tape. I did it three times, that's enough. I am going to give it to my friend and try "High Round Assets" - posted by Nydia on 10/12/2005

Disappointed
I must say that I am stunned by all the good reviews about this workout. I have been using Designer Sculpting with Burr Leonard for several months now and I must be spoiled by Burr because this Lotte Berk workout was horrible. Burr is so sweet and speaks evenly and clearly and doesn't raise her voice and explains correct positions and repetitions, none of which were included in this workout. With a good instructor, this workout might be tolerable, but this girl is so aggravating I couldn't even concentrate on the workout, which was incredibly inadequate by the way. I had to do the leg/buns portion twice to even get any kind of workout and why do they break up the leg/thigh exercises by putting another thigh exercise after the abs section In summary, the instuctor's teaching 'technique' resembles a haughty actress that overacts her part and expects an Oscar. She kept yelling and breaking in and disturbing my workout. I'll stick with Burr, she has a much better buns workout anyway. - posted by Deb on 2/8/2005

Lotte Berk is fabulous
I just started using Lotte 2 weeks ago, I have been a 10 year Firm fan, but just felt that I was getting too bulky but did not want to lose muscle tone, these tapes are great, I like the long lean line they give, and I dont feel any loss of strength, I just did a Firm tape , and was not sore the next day at all, I agree that you need to add cardio every other day, but for a sleek toned shape , while maintaining flexibility these are great. - posted by Jules on 6/24/2004

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Reading a Time Graph

Each workout shows a time graph of the workout sequence, from beginning to end. For example, this workout starts with a 10-minute warm-up and ends with a 10-minute stretch. In between, you'll do aerobics, then toning, then a cooldown.

Segments that include both aerobics & toning
Some workouts combine aerobics and toning. If the aerobics and toning are done at the same time, you'll see a "blended" graph. If the aerobics and toning are done in short, alternating intervals, you'll see an "interval" graph.

Chapter menus

You can play only the individual workout segments you want by picking them off a chapter menu (one at a time).

Narrow screen

When played on a widescreen TV, this program will show black bars on the left and right sides. On an older 4x3 ratio TV, it will fill the entire screen.

Level

Beginner: Just starting out, very overweight or haven't exercised in over six months.

Intermediate: Active in sports, dance or any regular exercise (2 to 3 times per week).

Advanced: Very active in sports or consistently work out four or more times per week.

Toning emphasis

Upper body: Arms, chest and back.

Lower Body: Legs, thighs, hips and buttocks.

Abs: Abdominals (stomach), core and sometimes lower back.

Total body: Tones all three of the above muscle groups.

Muscle Toning

Definition: Slow, controlled movements working against resistance (e.g. dumbbells, a band or just your own body weight). Includes Pilates and weight training.

Benefits: Builds lean muscles. Increases your metabolism. Makes everyday activities easier.