Pilates/Yoga DVD Review #3 - Trudie Styler's Core Strength Pilates

Okay, let me just say that I LOVE this DVD workout by Trudie Styler (Sting's husband) and James D'Silva!  I did not care for their Yoga DVD as much, but this one...this one is really good. 

Source: Amazon

Granted, the reason I like it so much is because it combines Pilates and Yoga.  It's approximately an hour in duration and a perfect mix of easy, intermediate, and difficult moves.  Though, as an Amazon review pointed out, there aren't really any modifications for some of the moves...so you'll have to do the modifications on your own if needed.  Trudie and Styler are very flexible!

The stretching feels really good throughout the series while the leg, hips, and butt moves towards the end really test your strength.  But throughout the entire workout, everything is very smooth and not choppy.  There weren't nearly as many core and ab moves as you will find in other Pilates DVDs which is probably one of the only negatives.

Overall I give this DVD an 8/10...I may even buy it instead of requesting it from my library so often! 

Pilates DVD Review #1 - The Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink Core Challenge

In the next few posts you'll notice a pattern: that I'm trying to get back in to doing Pilates and Yoga.  My old work building was directly across the street from this amazing gym and I would take Pilates and Yoga, respectively, once a week (included in membership yay!).  That's not possible now, so I checked out about 10 DVDs from my library.

My disclaimer: I have been doing Pilates off and on for about 10  years...mostly through an old Denise Austin VHS (yes, the actual video tape) but more recently through mat classes.  So I guess my level is intermediate at best.  I have been doing Yoga for about a year and I'm beginner-intermediate.

The first DVD I tried was The Mari Winsor Pilates for Pink Core Challenge. 

It is divided up in to four "10 minute express routines" that target your arms, shoulders, abs, posture, hips, thighs, and butt.  Lest we not forget there is no such thing as spot toning...but you can target areas to strengthen the muscles.

In all honesty, this DVD sucked.  I'm not a fan of dividing up sections of Pilates...I believe in full body Pilates while going through transitions.  Yes, it's fine to focus on your butt, but give me more than that.  That all said, the only good segment of this DVD was the segment that targets your hips, thighs, and butt.  Even then, not the best I have seen.  The DVD as a whole does not show the right techniques in many instances re: how to even do Pilates.  I give this DVD a 3/10.