I bought the Winsor Pilates informercial product when it was "$9.95- a 75% discount", rather than spend $39.95 when it first came out. This was a mistake. The reason the set is now $9.95 is not because it's 75% off, but because they've taken out all the bonus items. Instead of the original set (Step by step and 20 min workout, Accelerated Body Sculpting, and Power Sculpting with resistance band, plus the band, workout log, and eating guide), you get the step by step and 20 min workout, the workout log (a piece of paper with a calendar-like chart), and the eating plan. The two other workouts are completely excluded. There's also no list of what exactly is included in the $9.95 package versus the $39.95 package, and the $39.95 package is not listed on the website, so it's not easy to make an informed decision.
Incidentally, this purchase also puts you into their video "about every other month" program. What this meant for me is that every 5-6 weeks, I received another shipment of two DVDs. I accepted two. The first one included the Power Sculpting with resistance band (and band) and an Ab resistance band workout. The second included Accelerated Body Sculpting and a Hips/Thighs resistance band workout. Each one of those was $19.95, so for the original set, I ended up paying $49.85 plus shipping for the original infomercial set. After discovering this, I was rather annoyed and cancelled my subscription. Incidentally, with the exception of the infomercial set, you can get copies of the other workouts by Mari Winsor at collagevideo.com for $14.95 in most cases.
Having said that, I've tried Stott pilates, and did it twice before deciding it wasn't for me. It was not very motivating. Mari Winsor's technique of teaching is far less boring, and more motivating. the first video is the step by step (which took maybe 10 minutes, and just shows you what the moves should look like) and the 20 minute workout. In the DVD version, these are on the same DVD. The 20 minute workout did seem to work muscles pretty thoroughly. Mari is encouraging throughout, and presents an alternate view for people with low back and knee problems.
Incidentally, this is not a stand alone program, even though it's billed as one on the infomercial. In the workout log, it states you should do Winsor Pilates 2-3 times a week, PLUS 3-5 miles of walking per day. I do think that Pilates will help sculpt muscles, but I think for weight loss, the 3-5 miles would work at least as well, unless you're very close to your ideal weight anyway.
All in all, the program is nice, but I resented the marketing ploy. If you want to try it, borrow it or buy the whole set, not the $9.95 gimmick
Instructional DVD starring Mari Winsor Practice Level: beginner About This Video Lengthen and tone from head to toe with two dynamic Pilates mat wor...More at RollingSandsHarmony
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.