| Customer Reviews (or write your own review) |
Crunch: Burn & Firm Pilates |
 Absolutely wonderful! |
| I loved this workout! I worked up a good sweat - I wasn't expecting to get a nice cardio workout! After trying out and loving Ellen's studio workouts, I decided to check out her earlier workouts. This is my absolute favorite! I liked it better than her newer ones. I loved working out all of my body, stretching, strength, and cardio and feeling completely energized when done. Ellen really is a unique force at work in the universe! - posted by Cheryl on 12/6/2009 |
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 not a great introduction to Pilates |
| I thought this would be a good introduction to Pilates, but it's really not. She makes the assumption that everyone knows these specific Pilates terms..which is probably fine for subsequent viewings. The lack of cueing makes it hard to follow and once you're out of synch, it's frustrating trying to get back to where she is. Also, I think Pilates is better for people who are sort of in shape already. The moves really put strain on my knees, even though it was a low impact work out. All in all, it's an ok work out, but I will probably give it to a friend. - posted by Sang on 12/2/2009 |
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| Ellen makes it fun and challenging! |
| I admit, I am an Ellen Barrett junkie - something about her personality is just so bright and cheerful without being annoying or cloying. She's just got a great, positive energy.
This workout is very well balanced and works all major muscle groups. I am definitely sweating by the end. The mat work section is pretty short but that doesn't bother me - there are ab-centric workouts for that. This is a video I come back to time and time again. - posted by Mary on 6/13/2009 |
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| NY |
| This is a challenging tape The weights and deep knee bends really work the entire body. I like that it has both standing work and mat work. Ellen's cues are very clear and she's very motivating. One problem for me (others might like this): The sequences are long and done to the right and the left. No problem here. But then Ellen leads us to do the sequence again to the right and left. This happens in three different sequences. The lack of variation and all these same repetitions are very boring to me. I do the tape once a week because the workout is good, but I daydream on the second repetition to the right and left of those three long sequences - - mostly of wishing for more varied moves.... - posted by Gayle on 4/2/2009 |
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| Just okay. |
| I really like Ellen Barrett - she is a great instructor. However, I felt like this workout had a lot of empty space in it - in other words, it isn't as efficient as other dvds in my collection. That said, I feel it in my legs and arms. This isn't a bad workout at all, I just prefer workouts that pack more into the same amount of time. - posted by KatieC on 1/21/2009 |
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| A Nice Challenge! |
| This was the first workout I ever purchased with Ellen Barrett as an instructor. I was pleasantly surprised...the workout is challenging enough to break a sweat. I love using the light weights (3 lbs) - my muscles really feel it. I feel much more toned, as opposed to "bulky". Alot of plies for the lower body are included. I really like Ellen's instruction and as a result, I have purchased more of her videos. A nice overall workout that gets you motivated. - posted by Victoria on 12/31/2008 |
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| A Totally Different Workout |
| I've had this dvd for years. It is totally different than anything else I have. When I finish I feel both stretched and tired from working out. It is really a great feeling. I bought this after my second child was born and I was getting back into exercising. It was perfect then. Now I run several times a week, do Jari and The Firm regularly but I still love to do this for a change or when I'm not quite up to one of the others. I'm always surprised though...I'm sore the next day!! I definite staple in my workout collection! - posted by cc on 10/29/2008 |
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| great for core work |
| I've been exercising for years -- intermediate to advanced. Since developing knee pain a few years ago from running I'm trying to decrease stress on my joints but get more toned. I love this workout. I've noticed improvement in my abs after just a few weeks of doing this once a week. I like the low impact and appreciate the pilates core focus without much floor pilates. Ellen has a calming style and I look forward to trying more of her videos. - posted by Cynthia on 9/9/2008 |
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| Great! |
| This is a video I would recommend to anybody who is just beginning. You are working every single part of your body. The music isn't the best. I think that she could balanced the matwork with when you are off the floor. - posted by Lori-Anne Laing on 6/7/2008 |
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| Ellen Rocks, but this is not a beginner workout! |
| After a hiatus from exercise, I am back in beginner status. I tried this video for the first time yesterday, and while I enjoyed it, it was definitely above my current aerobic fitness level. As other reviewers have noted, there are *lots* of plies, and even though I kept them shallow, my heart rate still went careening over 80% of my max target range. I did use lighter weights instead of the recommended three pound weights because I still wanted to get some of the toning benefits, so maybe I'll try again without weights for an aerobics-only workout. I want to keep trying, because I loved the moves and Ellen Barrett's instruction. Just wanted to give a heads up to other beginners like me. I look forward to getting fit enough to be able to do this workout without having to modify and staying in my target heart rate range the whole time. Interesting tidbit - Erin O'Brien of "Strong Body Ageless Body" is an exerciser on this video. - posted by Amanda on 4/6/2008 |
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