Crunch - Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend Review

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(More customer reviews)I was pleasantly surprised with this workout, it is invigorating and relaxing but you will feel it working too. Ellen Barrett, who is known for her Crunch and more recently Self magazine workouts is back in what I feel is her best workout ever. Ellen is joined by 7 other ladies including Marni who shows some beginner modifications.
This 40 minute workout begins with some power breathing and standing backbends before moving into the first yoga series. You will move into warrior 2 and pulse while in that position, therefore called the "warrior pulse", then you will move into side angle pose, then reverse warrior, and sweep your arms around and down to the center for some power breaths up before repeating on the other side. This series is repeated a few more times, but with less warrior pulses. More power breathing finishes this series.
The next series is somewhat similar, but you will begin in triangle pose this time. Once in triangle, you will move back to warrior 2 but twist to the front and raise the arms up, hold them before lowering and twisting back to the front. This is repeated several times on the same side before doing on the other side. Next is the zigzag, Ellen's favorite move which targets the core. You will face front and extended your arms from side to side then scoop down and do the same thing. Then you will repeat the triangle series on each side again followed by the zigzag once more. Then you will move to triangle once more before moving to plank pose then do some knee cross crunches. Then you will stretch out first in downward facing dog, then childs pose.
The next series is the willow series which is much harder than it looks. You will begin in childs pose, then lift up your torso up while trying not to lift your rear from your heels. I need to work on this one. You repeat this several times before moving to the dolphin float (elbow plank). The willow/dolphin series is then repeated several more times. Then you will do a variation of extended cat pose, you extend one arm and the opposite leg, and lift and lower each one, then you will extend them out to the side slightly and do the same, then you will alternate front and side. This is then repeated on the opposite arm/leg before stretching out in childs pose.
The next series starts on your front, you will first do leg beats, then a back extension, then a little piece of heaven which is a pushup on the knees, hinging back, then returning to start which your elbows are held inward. This really targets the triceps and I was definitely feeling it after a while. This series is repeated several times before finishing out with pilates leg circles. Then you will lie on your side for some more leg work. You will lift the bottom leg off the floor, then lift and lower the top leg, then you will lift and lower the bottom leg. The option of taking the supporting arm is there to make it tougher, side passe alternating the leg to the front and back follows. Then you will do the side bend twist, then the knee drop progression. Here you are propped up on your elbows and you will drop knees to each side while extending the top leg, then you have the option of straightening both legs while lowering to each side. Then you do a brief stretch before repeating the lying side leg series and side bend twist on the other side and do some more knee drops.
To finish out the workout, you will do some ab work. You will roll down and up halfway before going into modified teasers, then you will roll halfways down again while pulling the elbows together. Then you will move into the single leg stretch, some more oblique work where you drop your knees to each side and climb an imaginary rope and finally the ballerina criss cross. Then you will do some brief stretching and breathing.
While I am extremely active and aim to do weights, cardio, yoga and pilates each 3 times weekly, I do have to force it somedays. This is one workout that I truly look forward to doing. It is exhilarating and I feel great afterwards. It isn't hard, some experienced in yoga/pilates might feel it is way too easy but it is perfect for me and I have a blast doing it. This is Ellen at her best, she does an excellent job leading this workout. 5+ stars for this one.

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CRUNCH:SUPER SLIMDOWN - DVD Movie

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Slim Sculpt Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a big fan of Ellen Barrett's, and have been for a couple of years. My favorite routine of her's, up to now, was the one she created for FitTV's "All Star Workouts" called Zen Sculpt. My next favorite, also from "All Star Workouts" was her Slow-robics. This new DVD, "Slim Sculpt" is from Ellen's Buff Girl Fitness productions, and is a melding of both of the "All Star" routines! It is a great workout from start to finish, and is very challenging and tough. It is Ellen at her very best.
A little note about Ellen's style...she isn't for those who want a bulky physique. She is more about elongating and strengthening the muscles for a lean and feminine dancer's body. Her routines blend Plilates and weight/resistant training, with cardio integration. The entire program works all areas of the body--the powerhouse, the heart center, and the limbs. So, you burn calories, build muscle, and stretch through each move smoothly and gracefully. There is a great warm up, followed by the main body of the routine using light hand weights, which has plenty of her signature plies and "butterfly" moves and some balance challenges, with mat work (powerhouse and glutes) and a cool down/stretch at the end.
Working out with Ellen is not easy, but it is gentle to the mind/body. If you want hard-core cardio, with lots of jumping around and kick-boxing, she's not for you. If you want to look like Cathe Friedrich, Ellen won't get you there. However, if you want to be toned, flexible, long and lean, she's your gal. Done on a regular basis, you will see results.
If you want to see what this workout is all about, watch Ellen's "All Star Workout" segments, then think of a combination of each routine. That's what this is, and for me, it's perfect!

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Item Name: Slim Sculpt; Studio:The Studio by Ellen Barrett

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Fat Burning Fusion Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a big fan of Ellen Barrett's, and have been for a couple of years. My favorite routine of her's, up to now, was the one she created for FitTV's "All Star Workouts" called Zen Sculpt. My next favorite, also from "All Star Workouts" was her Slow-robics. This new DVD, "Fat Burning Fusion" is from Ellen's Buff Girl Fitness productions, and does not disappoint! It is a great workout from start to finish, and is very challenging and tough if done correctly. You will get out of it what you put in to it. Her focus is not always on what is moving, but what isn't moving.
A little note about Ellen's style...she isn't for those who want a bulky physique. She is more about elongating and strengthening the muscles for a lean and feminine dancer's body. Her routines blend Plilates with dance, with mind/body integration. The entire program works all areas of the body--the powerhouse, the heart center, and the limbs. So, you burn calories, build muscle, and stretch through each move smoothly and gracefully. You will feel this the next day--especially in the legs and glutes.
Working out with Ellen is not easy, but it is gentle to the body. If you want hard-core cardio, with lots of jumping around and kick-boxing, she's not for you. If you want to look like Cathe Friedrich, Ellen won't get you there. However, if you want to be toned, flexible, long and lean, she's your gal. Done on a regular basis, you will see results. This is Ellen at her very best-great cuing, easy explanations, and fun!

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Item Name: Fat Burning Fusion; Studio:Buff Girl Fitness

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Self: Bikini Ready Fast (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)This workout is led by Ellen Barrett, who is best known for her appearances in the Crunch Pilates workouts. She is back with two fellow exercisers in this workout filmed on a beach in Mexico.
This workout is about 30 minutes long and contains 3 segments. I would describe it as more of a toning video with pilates inspired movements. The first segment is more toning, you will see 3 giant sets of exercises, each performed slightly different. The first includes traditional bicep curls, side lateral raises for shoulders, then squats some of which include some of which include some standing ab work. The second set has more biceps, this time hammer curls, side lateral raises for shoulders but with a slightly different twist, and step squats. The third set has angled bicep curls, overhead presses and pulsing squats.
The second segment has more pilates inspired moves, plenty of standing ab work using light weights such as torso circles and ribcage reaches. This segment also includes more toning exercises for arms, but ones that are more commonly seen in pilates work like the zipup, half moons, arm slices, lat pulldowns, figure 8 arms, etc. You will also see some plies, pushups and static lunges in this segment.
The third segment is the shortest of the three and does not use any weights. You start with plyo jumps, basically jumping from one leg to the other, then you will do another set of jumps this time holding briefly and then returning to standing while on the one leg. While you are standing on one leg you will do "figure 8 knees" which are pretty self explanatory. One legged squats follow, and then you repeat the series a few more times. Then you finish off with standing knee cross crunches before cooling down.
There is also a bonus pilates abs routine that Ellen teaches on her own. It is short and sweet, not particularly challenging though.
Overall, not a bad workout. I would recommend it for beginner/intermediate levels mostly or it would be good for days you are not up to anything strenuous. There is a nice variety of exercises, plus some new ones that are interesting. Ellen as always is a very pleasant instructor. The scenery of the video is pleasing to the eye as well.

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SELF, the premier magazine devoted to women’s health and well-being, delivers a workout designed to make you look and feel strong, confident and sexy. With these fun, easy-to-follow moves, you will trim and tone all over and achieve the body you’ve always wanted in as few as four weeks, regardless of your current fitness level. This expertly designed sculpting routine will motivate you to reach all your fitness goals–fast! Best of all, SELF magazine’s Bikini Ready Fast! workout will help you burn more calories than you would during a typical resistance-training workout. Get ready to hit the beach!

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Crunch - Burn & Firm Pilates Review

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(More customer reviews)This is Ellen Barrett's third Crunch Pilates video and the first which incorporates weights into the workout. Similar to in her previous video, Crunch Fat-Burning Pilates, many of the traditional Pilates floor exercises are performed here in a standing position, although Burn & Firm Pilates does include a separate matwork section (see below). The workout begins with a 5-minute warm-up consisting of simple movements such as marches and plies (there are A LOT of plies in this video!). Following this, there was a 7-minute segment that is difficult for me to define; it was too slow-moving to be cardio and might best be described as light toning. In this section, there are additional plies plus some basic ballet-inspired leg movements.
Next comes the "meat" of the workout, a 24-minute cardio segment using light weights to increase the workload. The first series includes alternating side leg lifts (the "saw") with a "swan" movement that involves raising one arm overhead and lifting the opposite leg. Although Ellen stated that we should be feeling this in our inner thighs, I found that it was actually my OUTER thighs and hips that were burning! Next comes more plies interspersed with two moves from the Pilates side series, rond de jambe and leg circles, both performed in a standing position. Continuing on, there is a segment involving knee lifts which turn into lunges and combine with a front arm raise. After that, it's back to MORE plies! This time, a standing Pilates arm zip is performed in-between sets. The finally cardio segment provides even more work for the arms: you will do a front and side mambo that turns into a front and side lunge (a bit awkward to the side) while performing bicep curls the entire time. The cardio section ends with a few additional exercises for the arms such as circles. Overall, I found the intensity of the cardio to be about the same as for the cardio segment of Crunch Fat-Burning Pilates, although this would not have been the case without using the weights.
The final 8 minutes of the video are performed on the floor, starting with arms and abs work in a seated position with the weights. Next, you move on to your back for two additional exercises, knee drops and leg straddles, using the weights as anchors. Finally, there are just two traditional Pilates matwork exercises, the single leg stretch and the single straight leg. The workout ends with a very short (1-2 minutes) cool-down in a seated position for a total of approximately 44 minutes.
I enjoyed this video and liked the addition of the weights, especially since I have been trying to add light weights to many of my cardio routines. What I did NOT like was the absence of a traditional Pilates matwork sequence; I would have much preferred to leave out the light toning segment early in the video and devote this time to mat exercises instead. Although the exercises are a bit more repetitious here, most fans of Crunch Fat Burning Pilates will probably enjoy this video as well.

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Welcome to CRUNCH Fitness! Now you can get a Pilatesbody faster than ever with this revolutionary workout. Everyone knows that Pilates is great for creating longer,leaner muscles. But we’ve taken Pilates to a whole new level by addingsome unique "Burn & Firm" elements to this workout! Webegin with standing Pilates exercises blended with some simpledanceinspired moves for a cardio-blasting "Burn" segment. Second, we add light hand weights to gently speed up the totalbody toning and re-shaping effect of Pilates. That’s wherethe "Firm"comes in. Don’t worry, this Pilates routine is still low-impact,easy-to-follow, and won’t leave you feeling drained like traditionalcardio and weight training. Best of all, because this programmulti-tasks, it makes the most of every minute of your workout time. With Burn & FirmPilates you can finally get that sleek, lean, elegant body fast from a workout that leaves youfeeling refreshed and revitalized.All Fitness Levels. A set of light hand weights and amat are recommended.The CRUNCH Philosophy:The CRUNCH fitness program welcomes people from allwalks of life regardless of shape, size or ability. We created a workout environment that isnot competitive or judgmental. Enjoy these favorite classes with imaginative instructors inan atmosphere that makes working out fun.Meet the instructor:Ellen Barrett, instructor at CRUNCH New York.Certified Pilates and fitness instructor and founder ofbuffgirlfitness.com. Fitness philosophy: Strive to be the best version of yourself.Favorite splurge food: Anything peanut butter.

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Crunch - Pick Your Spot Pilates (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)The beauty of the Pilates DVD workouts is that you can workout for 10-40 minutes or pick any section or sequence. I recommend doing the entire 40 minutes. This workout goes by so quickly. For some reason, time seems to fly by extra fast. I could not believe how fast each section went by.
There are four 10 minute workouts on this DVD, not just three. There is a Bonus 10-Minutes Total Body Pilates Workout which finally includes moves like the teaser and roll-ups which are essentials.
10 minutes Belly
10 minutes Butt
10 minutes Thighs
10 minutes Challenge
I like that this is 40 minutes, but I wish they would have included a longer warm-up and cool-down section. This routine needs some stretching moves at the end. I guess that is not the focus but I felt like I wanted to do stretching at the end.
The frog move was interesting and I've not see this in other videos. There is a nice flow to most of the movements although if you are used to doing the "side series" all at once, it is broken up between the Butt and Thigh workouts.
There is an exercise at the end of the challenge section that you can do more easily if you have a couch behind you for support. I discovered that today! I've never been able to do one of the exercises and finally did it today!!
I would not recommend this DVD for anyone with lower back problems. The exercises are done much faster than in Winsor Pilates or even Pilates on the Go. There is a great advantage in having a wide variety of workouts because then you can modify some of the exercises to suit your individual needs. Like, her version of the bicycle was much faster than I'm used to, so I just did my own thing and did less.
If you are new to Pilates, I'd recommend the Winsor Pilates and Pilates on the Go before you start this DVD because they don't really cover all the basics.
A fun edition to your routine as Ellen has some variations to regular Pilates moves you might enjoy.
~The Rebecca Review

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3 Targeted 10-Minute Workouts For Your: BELLY - BUTTTHIGHS. Welcome to CRUNCH Fitness! Change your body in 10 minutes? It is possible. Pick Your Spot Pilates targets your favorite body parts to train: the belly, butt and thighs, with three l0-minute workouts. We've made every minute count with classic Pilates mat exercises to tone, firm, and re-shape your body. Gentle yet challenging, and easy-to-follow, Pilates focuses on precise breathing techniques to get in touch with your body's core so you can sculpt without bulk, creating sleek abs, leaner legs, and a bikini butt. Do one program at a time or all three in a row. These mini- workouts are completely self-contained including a warm- up, a fabulous workout, and cool-down all in 10 minutes! If you're time-crunched and need to squeeze in your workouts, this program is for you. You'll be surprised how many l0-minute spots you can find in your day! For all fitness levels. A mat or rug and bare feet are highly recommended. The CRUNCH Philosophy: The CRUNCH fitness program welcomes people from all walks of life regardless of shape, size or ability. We created a workout environment that is not competi-tive or judgmental. Enjoy these favorite classes with imaginative instructors in an atmosphere that makes working out fun. Meet the instructor: Ellen Barrett, Los Angeles. Certified Pilates and fitness instructor. Fitness philosophy: Fitness should lead to health, not only beauty; no matter what size you are, or what age you are, a healthy body IS beautiful. Favorite binge food: I'm a peanut butter nut. If you have any questions or comments about Pick Your Spot Pilates write to: Fitness@anchorbayentertainment.com Please consult your physician before beginning this or any other exercise program.Amazon.com description

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