 More user-friendly Pilates from Alycea Ungaro |
| Review Date: February 23, 2008 |
| Reviewer: dnk, Boston, MA United States |
Alycea Ungaro has once again set a new standard for accessible yet authentic Pilates instruction for the home exerciser. As in her last release, The Pilates Promise, she uses smaller workouts to help introduce Pilates to the new (or time-crunched) exerciser). Here, however, she extends the at-a-glance guides into what she calls a "gatefold"- two consecutive pages that open out into a four page spread with the workout. While I had no complaints about the guides she used in her previous books, this is much easier to see and use.
The workouts themselves have a slightly different twist from her previous works: definitely in the Classical Pilates tradition, but with some preparatory additions (though I can be as much of a purist snob as anyone else, I think I've even heard of Romana doing this). However, while the sequencing is traditional, it is definitely slanted toward the beginner or low intermediate exerciser- many movements, such as the Teaser, are modified down, but few are modified up.
From the more advanced exerciser's point of view, Ungaro compensates for that somewhat by including some very rarely seen exercises, either from the Mat, Standing or Reformer-on-Mat sequences. The majority of those show up in the weights series (e.g., the Lunges) or the "functional fitness" workout, (e.g., the Splits). At the very least, they're a great way to incorporate variety into your Pilates routine.
While Ungaro previously used a Magic Circle in her other books and even an optional Pilates bar, here the only pieces of equipment required are a well-cushioned mat and hand weights; in other words, even more accessible for the average home exerciser.
The workouts themselves are: Day by Day, which is a modified version of the classical syllabus most Pilates practioners are familiar with (the Hundred through the Stomach Series, plus some other classics, although, again, movements like the Hundred and the Roll Up are modified); From the Top Down, which uses handweights and has a more immediate upper body emphasis, but also works the lower body if done properly; From the Bottom Up, which includes much of the well-known Side Kicks series as well as the modified Teaser and a few weightless upperbody movements); and Up, Up and Away, the functional fitness workout which includes a differently modified Hundred, some Rowing exercises, some spinal twists, some modified Reformer movements and the rarely seen Footwork and Splits series).
Because I have been doing Pilates for years, I would probably turn to the last workout the most because of the different movements. However, Ungaro also provides sample schedules for people who would like to incorporate all of the workouts into their weeks, with different time constraints- another very useful guide.
As for the DVD, each workout takes the promised fifteen minutes, although experienced practitioners could probably perform them more quickly. Ungaro has a pleasant onscreen delivery in voice over- patient, warm, but to the chase. I think many people who want to get started with Pilates and need an AV guide would find her suitable.
This a great addition to the library of beginning and intermediate Pilates home-practitioners, but advanced students may want to look at Ungaro's older books. |
Everything you would expect and more.
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| Review Date: February 12, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Stephanie J. Ramos, Winston Salem, NC |
I have been a big fan of Alycea Ungaro, for years I have purchased her books and the Classical Pilates DVD's that she collaborates on. This book/DVD combo is great. Thank you for finally giving us a book that can really open out and show everything step by step.
This is interactive Pilates, between the book and the DVD it is near impossible to not know your exact form and the page references are nice. Even though I have practiced Pilates for years I still found myself pausing and checking the book to make sure I knew what I was suppose to be doing. (Especially with the arm series which had many new exercises for me.)
The first workout is really a Pilates prep or reset. Where you get back to the basics and even into pre-basics.
The second workout is more about upper body w/ light weights.
The third workout focuses on the leg series and lower body.
The forth workout is more of a full body workout that is more intense than the first workout.
Since these are all 15 minute workouts, its easy to fit them into your day. I have been doing 15 mins in the morning after my cardio with a PM session to get the full 30 mins into my daily work week. Then on Saturdays I'll do 30-60 mins depending on how much time I have.
I liked this Book/DVD combo so much I have come back to purchase a copy for my mother. |
Finally! A way to do matwork at home with a Master Teacher!!
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| Review Date: December 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: JEP, NYC |
| I was overjoyed to get this product. I have been a Pilates practioner for years and I am always encouraging my friends and family to take it up but I never feel like that here is anything out there that would: 1) get them moving, 2) be realistic about the amount of time they have to workout, and 3) be in the hands a true master teacher! Thankfully, Ms. Ungaro has come out with yet another product that is informative, accessible, and challenging. I love the vibe of the DVD and the exercises and routines are great! Get this for anyone who has ever wanted to try Pilates mat work! |
A Triumph!
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| Review Date: July 14, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Veronica, England |
Everything about this book is great. For a start, the presentation is really good - from the smooth cover to the well-designed page layouts and clear photographs demonstrating the exercises. The pages that 'fold out' to show each of the four workouts are also very helpful. Perhaps most importantly, the exercises are all explained in detail and each stage is described in a simple yet effective way. Overall, it just feels like a lot of effort went into every aspect of the book to make it user friendly.
The DVD is the perfect complement to the book. I didn't realise that you could move from one exercise to another so quickly and without the DVD I would have been going at a much slower speed. I was also amazed by the variety of exercises crammed into each of the 4 workouts! The time goes by really quickly because you are never just standing about waiting for the next exercise to start, you are always either doing an exercise or transitioning into the next. I really have to praise the author, Alycea Ungaro, for the wonderful way that she voices over the DVD. Her instructions are simple and her tone of voice is very pleasant and calm. She makes the whole thing a real pleasure to do and makes me feel very motivated.
As a complete Pilates beginnner, I found the workouts quite tough. I was able to follow the moves most of the time, but sometimes I couldn't do all the repetitions or get myself into exactly the right position. But nevermind, this will obviously come with practice! By the end of each of the 15 mins I often have sweat breaking out on my forehead and my muscles feel like they have had a good workout. I like the way you can do just one 15 minute section or combine them. I like to do the 'Day by Day' section followed by one of the other 3 sections (I alternate them each time) for a good 30 minute routine.
Overall, I highly recommend this product. It has a very slick and professional feel and is very efficient in terms of fitting a lot of exercise into a short period of time. |
Purchased for all my friends!
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| Review Date: December 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Martha T., Far Away |
| Someone gave me a copy of this for my 30th birthday and I loved it. Within a week I had a flatter stomach. The four workouts on the dvd are great for breaking it up and only last 15 minutes each. And the price for a book and a dvd together can't be beat. I just ordered 5 copies for my friends and coworkers for the holidays! |
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