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Customer Reviews:- My favorite exercise video!
This is my absolute favorite! Jennifer Kries is an encouraging instructor....the BEST! (not annoying!!!!) I like the drums...nice subtle background music. This tape includes four sections...Abs (a lot of Pilates), Arms (using 2 to 3 lb. weights), Hips (mostly Ballet leg work while holding arms outstretched...also improves balance and strengthens arms and legs), Legs (mostly Yoga). Each section is about 15 minutes so it easy to find time to do a section or two. I like to do the first three in the am and the last before bed. Fantastic tape!...more info - Great for beginners
I have been out of the excercise mode for quite a while now, and bought this tape to get back into it. This is a great workout and I found Kries instruction to be clear and encouraging...but not over the top annoying like many workout video instructors. After just a few times through the tape, I am noticing that I have more flexibility and strength. The warm-up is a good mini-workout if you have limited time, but the real good stuff comes in the full workout....more info - I love this work out!!
This is a great video! I cant say enough good things. I just had a baby and was in a car accident while pregnant resulting in back injuries. I thought Pilates may not be for me because I was so out of shape and injured. Definatly not the case! Another person said there were no modifications to the moves and you had to be fairly fit to even try this work out. Not so!! Several times she says to go only as far as comfortable, you have to follow her directions- then you have a completly tailored work out.
True there isnt a whole lot for arms...but I have a baby for that!...more info - Feels Good from start to finish !
This video is all on the mat without any props at all. I have a bit of neck and back trouble from the computer use. At first there was a little discomfort but this went away after using the video a few times. What I like about the workout is that it is all about mental focus and tuning into the body and the breath and I feel great after! Also this is NOT all situps it is a fantastic variety of flowing movements that do not get repetitive like all the other tapes I have! I recommend all her tapes, which all variey widely enough to make them interesting and so you can rotate. If you add a 20 minutes walking twice a week you will feel all round great. She makes me smile all the time and so easy to listen to, she empowers you....more info - Difficult and time consuming, not for beginners.
I was interested in a work out that would lengthen muscles as The Method boasts of. However, I found many of the excercises difficult to complete, and straining the neck. The entire tape focusses on the lower body abs, thighs, and back side. The first part of the tape is 15 minutes, focussing mostly on abs. The second part is 30 minutes which begins with a repeat of the first ssection, then goes on to a focuss on the legs. I feel 45 minutes is a lot of time invested in toning without working out the upper body. I do enjoy the leg work out and have used parts of the ab and the entire leg work out in my usual toning routine....more info - great workout, but not the best for pilates newcomers
This is an excellent workout, and it clearly explains how to do the different moves, however it is hard enough that I would not recommend it as a first pilates tape. It might be better to get into pilates with the Anna Cabon tape, build familiarity and strength for a month or two, and then move on to this tape....more info - !!!Great workout!!!
I have been doing Pilates type exercises for some time now. I started with Denise Austin and recently bought this tape. I still do my Denise Austin tape, even though she is a bit annoying. I like this tape alot. It is easy to follow and a good workout. The one thing I do not like is the fact that it says the total running time is 50 minutes, with the first workout "Toning Essentials" being 15 (which is pretty accurate) and the second workout "Method Toning" being 30. Method Toning is 49 minutes from start to finish! The first time I did the workout I noticed how long it seemed. After 3 more times of timing it with the VCR it is indeed well over 45 minutes. I don't know how this could have slipped by the production company or the other reviewers! That is the only major drawback for the work out....more info - Method to her madness
This is without a doubt...the best video I have ever bought! Jennifer Kries is a very good instructor. I sweat more doing this 45 minute tape, than ridding the stationary bike for an hour. Through my own experiance, you MUST regularly do this tape for at least 2 months before you will REALLY see results. I think I spent the first 2 months mastering the different moves. Then when I had done so...I could start concentrating on feeling the burn in my muscles. This tape WILL change the shape of your body...and you will see a difference, but you must stick with it. The Method Precision Sculpting video is also really good. I have been incorporating both tapes into my routine...and seeing the results I want....more info - increased flexibility
I had the pleasure of taking classes with Jennifer in Philly and she is so inspiring. When I moved away from Pennsylvania, I was sad to give up my classes and flexibility. Needless to say, I am thrilled to have Jennifer teaching me again. I have all of her tapes...the best benefits are increased flexibility, increased ab strength and BETTER posture. A few weeks with this tape and you'll be looking like a ballerina! It's important to keep your spine in contact with the floor and your abs engaged, otherwise you may strain your back. This tape is not for wimps. Love it!...more info - Very inspirational with good instructions
Out of all the fitness videos I've ever bought, this is by far my favorite! Jennifer Kries is an excellent instructor, reminding you of what you should be doing and explaining everything very thoroughly. It also containes some of the best abs excercises I've seen. I'd reccomend this video to anyone!...more info - Great for the abs
If you do this video (the 15 min or full 45 min) regularly (5x/wk), you will get tighter, more defined abs. I'm a beginner and was able to catch on pretty quickly (not that I could ever be as flexible as J. Kries). The ab exercises are relentless. But they work; it only took me a week to see a difference (although I'm average-sized to begin with). Stick to it, and you'll see a difference, too.
I didn't give it 5 stars, because I really didn't feel/see a difference in any other part of my body. So alternate with another video throughout the week....more info - TERRIBLE!!!
I have been doing Pilates for 6 mos. I swear by it and will allways have it in my life. But this tape is terrible. It seems like a showoff tape for the skills of Jennifer Kreis and has little in the way of accurate instruction. I have tried several tapes (Denise Austin is the best) and a great book- Brook Siler's Pilates....but Jeniifer Kries takes the cake as the worst one. Give pilates a shot, its awesome!!! But this tape is BAD!!!!...more info - An ok workout
I kind of like this workout. It is somewhat challenging, although I get bored with it quickly. I'm not particularly fond of Jennifer Kries' teaching methods either. I don't doubt that she is skilled in what she does, she's just very bland, as is the workout and the appearance of the set. This was the first pilates video I bought. I did it a couple of times, and then didn't do pilates again for almost a year. I would suggest starting with Ana Caban's beginners video if you are new to pilates....more info - THIS IS NOT PILATES, and it is suitable only for Beginners
this tape is poorly produced, with a terrible verbal script and a stilted style that incorpates lengthy and fundamental instructions into the work out, meaning that after the first few viewings one is interrupted during each work out to listen to the basics again. I bought this tape based on the terrific reviews that talked about how hard the work out was. Since the title of the tape does not mention 'beginners' I assumed that it was intermediate to advanced. In fact, the cover even mentions that the exercizes are intermediate. NOPE - I did not break a sweat and spent most of my time mentall composing this review. To add insult, Kries is also vain and condescending, saying things like 'you won't be able to do this.' what HOOEY! finally, the 'warm up' section of this tape is EXACTLY the same as Kries's other tape, New Method - Perfect Mix, which is also a mediocre work out. For someone who is older and/or just starting to explore exercize, or someone who is recovering from an injury, surgery, or childbirth, this tape would be an appropriate and gentle way to start a fitness regime. However, I would warn even those people that the time when they are ready to move on to something more challenging will come very soon....more info - Former Dancer
Very good video, but gets less challenging after about a week or so. Very good for starters though....more info - easy but relaxing and does work out abs/posture
I foutnd this to be a good video with great instruction and heavy emphasis on form. It is not a "feel the burn" video however and is more suited to a light workout with emphasis on streching, posture and working the abs. It does not work arms at all and the legs workout was very light. I would not use it as my core toning but only to complement weights and aerobics training to increase flexibility and improve posture....more info - Long and Hard
I love Pilates exercises but have a 10 month old who makes it hard to do a 20 minute work out let alone this 45 minute work out. Frankly I won't be able to do it much. Perhaps Kries is not showing off, but many of these exercises are absolutely impossible for the beginner. Denise Austin may rush the breathing and some of the postures but she's a little more accessible and Denise has two 20 minute workouts you can alternate with on one tape. Jennifer's tape is a good workout but you need an hour without your baby and really strong abdominals to begin with in order to not get discouraged....more info - Only for high stamina people - It's all abs...
Hi...If you want a video that will help you get in shape, do not invest in this one. It is all abs-based and if you are out of training, it will not help you but discourage you. I personally don't like the way Kries explains the exercises. I understand that this system does work for some people, but only if you are one of those high-stamina-give me abs kind of person. IF you want REAL work out, less strenuos but way more profound, check CALLANETICS. AFter one class of that I felt muscles I had never felt before, plus, you don't STRAIN yourself like with this one (back, neck, etc) - Check Callanetics!...more info - TERRIBLE!!!
I have been doing Pilates for 6 mos. I swear by it and will allways have it in my life. But this tape is terrible. It seems like a showoff tape for the skills of Jennifer Kreis and has little in the way of accurate instruction. I have tried several tapes (Denise Austin is the best) and a great book- Brook Siler's Pilates....but Jeniifer Kries takes the cake as the worst one. Give pilates a shot, its awesome!!! But this tape is BAD!!!!...more info - wouldn't recommend
Sorry, unless you're really fit, this is not for you. It says it's for all ages and fitness levels, but I disagree, it's extremely difficult. It doesn't have a pretty location, her voice isn't soothing, and worst of all, doesn't end with a good cool down....more info - good, fundamental tape
Precision Toning is a great introduction to Pilates, and a solid beginning tape. Jennifer gives solid instruction throughout the first 15 min. workout, which serves as an explanation of the basic principles of core conditioning. The second 30 min. workout takes out the explanatory pauses and makes smoother transitions between movements, while still giving instruction (Jennifer talks while she moves rather than taking as many breaks). The longer workout includes a solid, core-conditioning workout which will tone your entire abdominal and core area, and also includes a great section on toning the legs. (I have a few other videos of hers and this seems to have the best leg workout. It isn't terribly long, but if you do it right you'll feel it!) The one thing that bothers me about this tape is that it doesn't advance with you very much. I outgrew the "beginner talk" portion of this tape pretty quickly. I would love to skip over the introductory workout to get to the second workout, which is classic no matter how advanced you are, but it is such a pain to keep forwarding/ rewinding until I find the break. Since she wears exactly the same leotard and does many of the same movements, it makes it nearly impossible to distinguish the two workouts. The longer section is definitely worth keeping in your routine (I've moved on to more advanced tapes for most of my workout, but this tape is so classic it is great to come back to). I would love to see this released on DVD specifically for this reason. Overall, a great tape. Jennifer is intelligent and personable, with no fluff. This tape is a classic, but if you become serious about Pilates, you will start to use it less and less.
Also recommend: Bryan Kest's Power Yoga series...more info - Easier with time, but definately fun trying.
I have done other Pilates workouts before, but I find this one more enjoyable becaue Jennifer doesn't push you. She wants you to do the work, but repeatedly assures you that you'll get better. People who do not exercise at all will definately find this workout challenging, but it gets easier as you keep doing it. I imagine it is probably most difficult for those who can not hold their ankles while sitting on the floor. I enjoy Pilates much more than running around and sweating to death, and I definately feel like I've worked out at the end of this video. I would recommend it to those who want to increase flexibility. Now I feel good about working out instead of dreading it....more info - Good workout, not quite enough instruction for beginners
I bought both this tape and Anna Caban's Pilates - Mat Based Workout for Beginners. Precision Toning has a longer, much more intense workout than Anna Caban's tape. However, I thought Anna was a much better instructor, giving more detail on how to do many of the moves that the two tapes have in common. Anna is also a bit more upbeat and fun to workout with than Jennifer. But, after I started to get comfortable with the moves (in 5 viewings or so), I liked the pace of Precision Toning better because there are fewer pauses or long explanations between exercises. Though, I've found doing Anna's Mat Based Workout and continuing one exercise while she's explaining the next one works well too.So, if you are a total beginner to Pilates, I would recommend Anna Caban's Mat Based Workout for Beginners over this tape. If you've had a little experience with Pilates or you're in decent (not necessarily great) shape and want a more intense workout, Precision Toning is probably for you....more info - Good instructors remember to modify...
Kries does seem to be very skilled. As others have mentioned, she's incredibly fit and incredibly flexible. However, she's not a particularly good instructor. The best instructors know that everyone has a different fitness level. They know that some people have disabilites, some people have more body fat, some people have limited flexibility or ranges of motion. They know that not everyone in their class (or buying their tape) will be working at the same level. Good instructors keep this in mind at all times, and good instructors offer modifications for the exercises for those that can't do them as presented for any of the above reasons. The best tapes, the best classes, and the best instructors really *are* for every fitness level.
This is not one of those tapes. This tape offers absolutely NO modifications for any of those moves. If you can't do the move as presented, you are simply out of luck. Kries does not offer any suggestions or modifications. This is thoughtless and irresponsible.
This video is not appropriate for all fitness levels - not by a long shot! Anyone beginning this video must be at least somewhat fit already, or you will not make it through the first 15 minutes. It is demanding and strenuous, so if you're extremely unfit, this will not work for you. It requires flexibility and range of motion, so if you have a lot of body fat, or arthritis, or any number or other issues, this may not work for you. Keep in mind that it is awfully hard to fold yourself in half if your stomach isn't already flat. It's awfully hard to stretch when you have joint problems or chronic pain. :-/ If you are, heaven forbid, in a wheelchair, or have some other sort of physical disability, it will be almost impossible to make this video work for you.
I have to take exception to what some incredibly irresponsible reviewers have said here - this tape absolutely is not appropriate for anyone who is older or recovering from surgery/injury/serious illness, and is just beginning a fitness regimen. It offers no modifications for compromised range of motion, for disabilities, for injuries, et cetera. Without suggesting modifications for the moves, the tape is not safe, not beneficial - and not recommended....more info - Frustrating...
If you are not that flexible in hamstrings and not that strong in your abs, you can pass this tape. It is purely frustrating to watch and follow the exercise Kries is showing. Pilates was first created for injured dancers and that's why it has been popular among dancers whose range of motion is far beyond normal person's. I am sure Pilates can be beneficial if learned properly with a good teacher, but just watching & following this tape might bring nothing but injuries, especialy in the back. I used to have many Method tapes, but the only one I have now is "Target Specifics". That's the only tape I can follow without frustration. And one more thing about Kries's tapes....how come all her tapes are more or less the same?...more info
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