89 Customer Reviews
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Element: Ballet Conditioning |
  don't try if you are overweight |
| Strongly advise against using this DVD if you are overweight in the least and haven't done ballet through the years. I am about 20 lbs. overweight and nearly ruined my knees trying this video and I used to do ballet when younger (I'm now 61). Looks deceptively easy, but these are difficult ballet exercises. I'm in fairly decent shape but I could not finish the DVD because my leg muscles were trembling and knees were killing me. This has the potential to be dangerous to your knees, especially, so please don't try this unless you are already used to ballet and NOT overweight... - posted by Candy on 2/3/2012 |
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| Great, Overall Pretty Good |
| I have been seeking a great, balanced, ballet sculpt dvd for a long time. I took a ballet sculpt workout at a SCW Fitness convention one time, and felt the results in the right places the next day. But nothing has come out that compared. I read the reviews on this workout, and found that most reviews stated you saw results trim the legs, thighs, and saddlebag areas. They were not kidding. I'm slender, but maturity and slowing metabolism is affecting my tummy, waist, hips, and thighs. I definitely felt the workout in my legs the next day, but not to the point of discomfort or unable to walk. What I felt was telling me, this is going to trim and tone my legs! It reminded me of the ballet sculpt workout I did a few years back at the convention. What I am disappointed in is that there is a little bit of arm/muscle imbalance. Your right arm is in the air most of the time. Yes, when she works one leg and the arm is in the air, the other leg is worked and the other arm is in the air. But there are a couple sections that keep the right arm only in the air and not the left. So I change it up on my own, for balance. I did expect a little more toning for the arms. Even though your arms seem to be extended up most of the time, they never felt fatigued, like I wanted them to be! Balletone by Jody H, really fatigues your arms, but thats just toning them! I also am surprised that she incorporates jumps and cardio near the end of the dvd. I think she should have done it after the first section. Then the pilates is next, then some stretches. I would have liked a little more abs too, even standing abs, and a little more thorough cool down/relaxation section at the end. Otherwise, if you want great toned legs, this is the dvd for you, and it is elegantly done. - posted by Sher on 1/31/2012 |
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| Wonderful |
| I bought this for my daughter who is taking ballet and wanted to gain more strength. She is a teenager and she found this dvd very challenging. The controlled use of muscles in the exercises delivered great strength training especially in her legs. This is a great dvd for someone looking for conditioning work in a ballet dance format. I think one day when she is at school I am going to pop the dvd in and give it a try myself. - posted by Irene on 1/27/2012 |
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| Great for leg strenght |
| This video is great for working ankles, thighs, and calves. I am recovering from a broken ankle and this is a great workout for building up the muscles in calves and ankles. I will eventually be able to do the whole workout. - posted by Susie on 1/20/2012 |
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| Element ballet conditioning |
| This was a good work out for strengthening and defining the lower body. In the beginning I thought it would be too light, but after the warm up, it got right in there and worked the muscles for strength. I use this work out on days I want to give my joints a rest from impact exercise but still want to work the lower body, for definition. I couldn't keep completely up with her which gives me something to work up to. I take this as a challenge and realized you could really master this program and take it further by pushing your body even more. That means this is a great program to keep around on low impact days when you still want a decent workout that is not light. - posted by Iris on 12/30/2011 |
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| very tough! |
| My 8-year old daughter started taking ballet lessons so I ordered this video so we could workout together. Man, it is tough. I was sore in all the right places the next few days. It takes a couple of tries to get it down, I'd never done any ballet before but it is definitely toning my legs. I wish it came with a mini workout option. It does take endurance to get through the entire workout. My daughter quit half way. I will continue to use it to change up my workouts. - posted by Arminda on 10/6/2011 |
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| Nice Change |
| I was happy to have found this video on recommendation from a friend. After working hard at many more intense cardiovascular workout routines, I was looking for a alternative way to tone and burn calories. I enjoy some yoga and some pilates, but this video is a great way to change things up a bit. It worked my body in ways that happily surprised me and I love the results. I incorporate this video into my routine about 3 times a week. My legs and abs have benefited the most and I enjoy the slower pace stretches throughout. I would definitely buy another video of Elise Gulan's if she were to come out with another! - posted by Emily on 9/1/2011 |
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| Good ballet |
| I've done dance for many years and this is a great workout to keep me in shape for dance. I really liked most of this DVD, except for a few moves. I would give this a try if you are looking for a lean, toned lower body. - posted by Aimee on 8/5/2011 |
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| Intense But Too Much Emphasis on Outer Thighs/Hips |
| Have to start out by saying that my hips/outer thighs are my favorite body part - never really get out of shape unless I'm being ridiculous and eating whatever I want and not moving at all. So ... I was kind of disappointed that this awesome instructor in beautiful scenery and excellently produced video spent so much time on outer legs. I'm a fan of ballet videos and classes so I get it with the high reps and leg lifts -- I just think that she could have balanced a little more with movements that have more of an impact on e.g., inner thighs, sides/lats, core, upper back etc. Ab exercises at end are some of the best I've seen but on balance, although I initially liked the intensity of this work out (lot of reps JUST like a great adult-beginner barre class), after doing it like 3 times, I didn't feel like I was getting an all over toning. Now, on the other hand, if you have saddlebag issues -- this is the video for you. - posted by Celeste on 7/31/2011 |
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| Great choice for a ballet workout |
| This workout is taught by a former ballerina/now fitness instructor and is excellent. Elise is so encouraging that I look forward to doing the workout. This is less fusion than some other ballet-styled workouts-these are all ballet warm-up moves, many of which look easy until you try them. It's also very easy to follow-no previous dance experience required. You'll need a chair or stepladder for the first 30 minutes, after which you do some moves without a prop using your core muscles to stabilize. This is followed by some pilates mat work like roll-ups and what seemed like an endless series of single leg stretches. The emphasis is core and lower body but there is a slight upper body toning effect from the continual port de bras. There is one segment with some high impact moves which can be modified by substituting pulses or releves. Elise does not demonstrate any low impact options. There is also one move (a deep plie squat) that you will need to modify if you have knee problems. This is less difficult than Extend Barre-another excellent ballet workout-but it's still challenging and fun. I love them both so it's good to have options. - posted by Vanessa on 6/29/2011 |
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