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Elements Ballet Conditioning

Magazine reviews
Shape April 2008
Shape April 2008 "A total body workout that’s so different than your typical sculpting routine. Even if you have two left feet, you'll be able to follow this workout."

Elements Ballet Conditioning

Level:Intermediate
Aerobics impact:Mixed
Aerobics choreography:Basic
Toning emphasis:Lower body
Toning Emphasis
Lower body: 30 minutes (83%)
Abs: 6 minutes (17%)
Instructor:Elise Gulan
Instructor profile
Customer rating: (average of 33 customer ratings)
Staff favorite
  
Item #7905 $14.95In-stock: Yes
Time graph for Elements Ballet Conditioning
An intense lower-body workout that incorporates a variety of ballet-inspired movements. It’s designed to give you the long, lean body of a dancer by working deep into every muscle. Elise Gulan’s one-on-one, voiceover cuing makes it easy to follow. She’s both ballet-authentic and non-intimidating (e.g. “we’ll do a series of battements; that’s French for big kicks’”). The exercises incorporate familiar classics: pliés and tondues, port de bras and rond de jambes. But, each sequence also includes lots of subtle variations — tempo changes, movement progressions, pulses and holds. The short cardio segment is an intense series of fast-moving kicks, jumps and “plyo-pliés.” Beautiful outdoor garden setting. ©2007. DVD has: Chapter menus.
Customer Reviews (or write your own review)

Elements Ballet Conditioning

The most beautiful workout ever!
I have done various styles of workouts over the past several years. I am currently a big fan of Lotte Berk, Callanetics, and other barre inspired workouts. So when I saw this new Element workout I had to buy it. I have not regretted it. It is simply the most beautiful fitness video. The setting, the instructor, and the moves all combine to make this a pleasant experience. But I do want to caution people on the standing forward bends at the beginning and middle of the workout. I do not suffer from back problems, but these forward bends really made my lower back hurt. So if you have back problems do not do these bends. Also, I think I need to mention that this is so much more than just a pleasant experience - it will work your body hard. I'm sure I will go down a size or two after I've been doing this one for at least a month. I guess you could say it's the toughest but most beautiful workout out there. - posted by Helen on 7/11/2008
Effective but annoying
I love the leg work. It is graceful, but challenging. I found the instructor's too-sweet-for-me voice to be annoying, so a mixed review for me. - posted by Sarah on 7/7/2008
Love this workout!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE this workout! It is definitly not the type of workout I am used to, but I must say I am pleasantly surprised. It really gets my heartrate up there, (who would of thought from just doing ballet moves?)and leaves my legs shaking! I am always sore the next day in not just my legs, but my arms and abs, too!!! The cardio part is awesome too. It's really short, but it does the job! I find this workout to be really effective, and say it is a must have for anyones workout collection! - posted by Jessica on 6/27/2008
Peacefully Amazing
I have been doing this DVD routine for 4 months (4 times a week), and I absolutely love it. I have no formal ballet training, but I have never been one to enjoy weight lifting, running, or ellipticals. With that said, I purchased this DVD and have stayed 100% faithful to it and have lost 22 pounds. Elise Gulan speaks very calmly, and the music stays with the pace at which you work. I would encourage anyone with any interest in ballet, dance, core strengthening, or yoga to give this a shot. It truly works and you feel beautiful and amazing every time the DVD ends with you feeling, "a little taller and a little leaner than when you began..." - posted by Claudia on 6/6/2008
Intense and Lovely
This is a superb toning session. I haven't danced in years, I'm over 60, and I have a bent spine from an accident 35 years ago, and yet this video not only lets me do things I didn't think my body could (or should!) do any more, but makes me feel graceful even while I know I'm being clumsy. And as gentle and easy as the workout looks, I really work! I thought my legs were pretty strong from all the walking and lower-body strength training I've been doing, but I've discovered that a series of held grandes plies en relevee is a lot more challenging than all the squats and lunges in the world. I'm gradually developing the strength I thought I already had, and I'm confident that eventually I'll also develop the flexibility that the instructor assures us will come "even if you just get your leg a couple of inches off the floor now." (Well, at least I managed more than "a couple of inches.") This has become a regular exercise session for me on my strength training days. It makes me feel sweaty, graceful, and GOOD. - posted by Phoebe on 6/5/2008
Incredible workout!
Just did this workout for the first time. Very enjoyable, challenging, yet no "dread" factor. The instructor had the most pleasant demeanour, I'm a klutz, yet this felt so grace and empowering at the same time. The aerobic segment was short and very sweet. The abs segment was a surprise challenge! A keeper for sure! - posted by lyla on 5/15/2008
Oh my word!!!
Excellent complete workout! Easy to follow, relaxing, and fun. I loved the aerobics section. Not too much, but enough to get your heart rate up, especially after the first 30 minutes of toning =]. I can definately feel a difference in my body. Love it!!!! - posted by Nichole on 4/2/2008
wonderful
Great workout, she makes you feel graceful and smile and forget about the pain, yet you still feel a tingle after. Absolutly wonderful. - posted by . on 3/27/2008
Easy to follow.
This is the ballet workout I have been looking for! I know nothing about ballet, so when I try to do other ballet workouts it is very hard to follow them and I get confused. But this one is simple to follow, and slow enough so that I can really work my muscles instead of just going through the motions. - posted by Corenne on 3/25/2008
Good toning
This was a really nice change from the hardcore weight training DVDs with the same or better results. I felt gracefull and elegent while working out, and was pleasently sore afterward! Sent it to my daughter who got a track scholorship to a Chicago college and she loves it! Five stars. - posted by . on 3/22/2008
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Reading a Time Graph
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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.
sample time graph
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.
sample time graph
Chapter menus
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You can play only the individual workout segments you want by picking them off a chapter menu (one at a time).
Level
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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.

Aerobics impact
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Lower Impact: Both feet never leave the ground at the same time. This minimizes stress on your knees.

Higher Impact: Includes movements like jumps, hops and skips. Very high-impact is called plyometrics.

Mixed Impact: This alternates or combines the above styles.

Aerobics choreography
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Basic: The easiest to follow. It ranges from simple walking-style marches to sports and athletic movements.

Complex: More intricate combinations and patterns. They're ideal for people who like to dance.

Moderate: More interesting than Basic, less dancy than Complex.

Toning emphasis
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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.

Floor aerobics & toning
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Definition: Includes two workout activities. The aerobics segments are fast-paced standing movements like marching, dancing and jumping. These segments require no equipment. The toning sections are slow, controlled movements working against a resistance. These may include Pilates and weight training.

Benefits: The combination of both activities provides a balanced workout. The aerobics burns calories, strengthens your heart and increases stamina. The toning builds lean muscles, increases your metabolism and makes everyday activities easier.

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