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I have recently discovered the Pilates and have been using Pilates techniques at home to improve my fitness level. I choose this workout because I thought that it would be upbeat since MTV was in the title. After viewing the workout I have no idea what MTV has to do with the workout but it’s an excellent workout just the same.

About Pilates
Pilates is an exercise discipline that emphasizes mental focus, body strength, and improved flexibility. The exercises are done on the floor and the goal of the movement is in precision and control, not speed.

Equipment Needed
No equipment is needed however the hour is spent on the floor so you will probably want a workout mat.

The Setup
The certified Pilates instructor in this workout is Kristen McGee. The room that they are working out in is dark as in the lights are off with blue accent lights. The floor is blck wood and their mats are purple and pink and are set up in a circle with their front side facing away from the center of the circle. All three fitness levels are represented during the workout, you just have to figure out which person you are to be watching and hope that you can see them. Beginners watch Shannon. Intermediates watch Jeremy and Christiana and Advance watch Joe and Melanie.

There is very little warm up or cool down so you may want to allow extra time for your own warm-up or cool-down if needed.

1st Routine
The first workout focuses on the arms and abs. Emphasis is put on the shoulders, triceps, biceps, and back. Some of the moves were rolling body down and walking forward out and walk hands back and up. While in a high push up do leg lifts, lowers, and stretching to the side. Supporting ourselves from the knees we do some exercises that work the abs and improve balance. Another move was from the A position do a dog split with your leg in the air, allow your weight to take you forward, lower down to the ground, leg lift and press. The workout continues with more floor work while lying on the stomach. There were several different movements that required lifting limbs off the floor while lying on the stomach. Next there were some movements while supporting your body with your forearms. While standing on your knees there’s some chest expansion work while working on the triceps. We then proceed to reverse inclined push-ups. Some more hand movements are done while sitting with legs extended.

2nd Routine
This 30 minute workout focuses on the legs and abs focusing on the outer and inner thighs, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. The exercises start with sit ups while lifting and reaching with the arms. The workout proceeds to lying on the back and do some leg movements followed by the 100’s and alternating 100’s. There re body lifts similar to sit ups, variations of bicycle moves, while still lying on the back there are leg circles and lifts, and sit ups. There was a fun move where you ball up and roll back. There were move moves where your legs and body are in the air and you are holding your body weight with your shoulders. Rocking back and rolling forward to a standing position. There are some standing plea and squeeze and a sumu wrestler twist.

Bonus
There is an 11 minute bonus routine for when you don’t have time for a full workout. Kristen is by herself and there’s plenty of light in this setting. The entire workout is done while lying the side and doing several different leg lifts. A few mermaid poses are done and continue the leg lifts on the other side.

Fitness Level
There are a lot of positions that require you to support your entire body with your hands, arms, or shoulders which is in itself challenging. The movements are done with 8-10 counts which are easy to do but then several more movements are done to exert the muscles in that area.

Not recommend for:
To me, this is not suitable for a beginner because it is difficult and may be discouraging as well as making very sore muscles. The routine focuses on an area for 30 minutes which is much longer than most workouts spend. In addition, she doesn’t give guidance at all on the correct form or technique so a beginner could miss the benefit of the exercise or injure themselves by doing it incorrectly.

I know some people with back problems and there’s no way that they could possibly do this workout. There were a lot of exercises that required holding the body weight up, sit ups, and rolls. Pilates is known for strengthening the back and healing however the movements are demanding. I would either check with a doctor first or avoid this if I had back issues.

Intermediate / Advanced
This workout will be tough for an intermediate and likely acceptable to an advanced user. The workout contains a lot of moves and many of them are different so the viewer shouldn’t be bored. I saw many moves that I’ve never seen before. Many times in a workout the instructor does a couple 8 count moves and then moves on without ever exerting the muscle.

Replay Value
I think this DVD is a great value because it is set up for repeat use. The first day you do the 30 minute upper body, second day the 30 minute lower body, and the 3rd day you can put them both together for a full body workout. From the main menu you can create your own workout.

There is an option to listen to just the instructor without music, music and no instructor voice, or both. With MTV’s name on the workout I expected some great music however the music was just background noise and I didn’t even notice it.

Drawbacks
The only complaint that I have is with the camera coverage and the room set up. The camera pans around a lot and it’s difficult to follow along and see the moves. The darkness of the room coupled with the group wearing black pants makes it difficult to see the moves but improves in the second and bonus workout. Also, the way that they set up their mats in a circle makes it more difficult to follow the person who is demonstrating your fitness level.

It’s very difficult to do floor work and watch the television.

The instructor gave absolutely no motivation or praise throughout the workout. There was no instruction on the correct way to perform the move or reminders to breathe (mostly because this is not a beginner’s workout).

Overall
This is a very challenging workout that is sure to tone the upper body, lower body, and abs. The workout will be challenging for the muscles, for balance, and endurance. There are features on the DVD that allows you to design your own workout for added benefit. This is undoubtedly a very effective workout and since it has very little instruction and counting and covers the total body it should have a high replay value. Although the DVD says it’s suitable for a beginner I would avoid this if at a beginner fitness level or have little to no knowledge of Pilates.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV