Customer Rating:  
Summary: This works wonders.
Comment: This is a great video for all. I use the video all the time but I pause it to do more reps. It takes about 35 mins. for the whole video. I would have given it 5 stars if the video had more reps.
Customer Rating:
Summary: My new favorite workout
Comment: I started working out again on the stability ball about 6 months ago, and about a month ago switched to pilates. I was excited when I found a workout that combined the two!
This workout works your entire body, while working your core muscles the entire time. Make sure to press into the ball with your arms or legs as you workout, and really stretch your arms and legs as you lengthen them, and you will be sure to get a workout on those muscles during the workout. I could really feel it in my abs as well as my triceps and hamstrings the next day!
I can already see a difference in my core strength and tone after just a few workouts. The workout doesn't get boring or drag on like some. Having a hectic schedule I always look for a workout that is around 20-30 minutes long. This gets it all done at once. I took off one star because the breathing instructions aren't always completely explained. Breathing properly and at the appropriate time is important in pilates. Sometimes she forgets to tell you when to breathe when. Other times she will tell you, but do it different than the instructions say. Other times she has you inhaling and exhaling too close together and it just doesn't feel right.
Note for beginners, I would suggest having a little experience using a stability ball and knowing the basic pilates moves before doing this workout. The ones I used and suggest are Core Secrets fundamentals and 20 minute workout, and the Winsor pilates instruction workout and 20 minute workout. I would also suggest having some core strength before doing this workout. You are using those muscles thru this entire workout, and it would be too much if you are just starting to work your core and/or your abs.
Also, if you are just begining to work out, DON'T MOVE ON TO THE MORE CHALLENGING MOVES AT FIRST. I think that's where a lot of people had problems with this DVD. She starts out with the basic move in a series, then adds on to make it more challenging. If you are just starting out, or find the next step adding on to the basic move challenging, just stick with the basic move. Then, as you get better and stronger you can add on. If you find it difficult adding on then just stick with the basic move. You'll still get a good workout, and you have the advantage of having something to work up to! I think this workout can still be good for a beginner if you do this.
Another suggestion is make sure your ball has the appropriate amount of air or is the appropriate size for your body. Although my stability ball worked great for my Core Secrets workouts (I also highly recommend those), I needed to let some of the air out to be able to do some of the moves with this workout. The very first move was difficult for me to plant my feet while doing the move, and holding the ball between my thighs, but once I let some of the air out I had no problems.
I highly recommend incorporating the stability ball and/or pilates in your workouts. It makes a big difference in the results you will see in your abs.
Customer Rating:
Summary: short but interesting exercises
Comment: This is not a comprehensive workout but has some good exercises in it if you need to do a quick workout.
Customer Rating:
Summary: good work out
Comment: I have never done pilates before or used a fitness ball. It moved at slow pase for proper body mechanics and still got a good workout.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Toning Workout!
Comment: I started Pilates about a year ago due to my health. I suffer from extreme pain daily due to fibromyalgia and an old back injury. So I was looking into various exercise programs to see what I would actually follow through on and that would be doable for me. I liked the mind, body and spirit methods used in Pilates, so I began using Pilates. I found that Pilates reduced my pain level by about 1/2 after about 1 month of regular use. When I am faithful and do it daily I notice not only that I'm toning up, but that my pain level is very manageable. Lizbeth Garcia is very clear and precise in her instructions although for a true beginner some other helps might have been added to help clarify some things like `squeezing the sit bones together.' This video is a very good "On The Ball Beginner" and for those who just can't do the high stress programs out there.
My 11 year old son got his first ball last fall and so I got Lizabeth Garcia's On the Ball Pilates program for him and found it was perfect for me as well. I was so excited because it was for 'beginners' and I was concerned about him doing the exercises correctly and not over exerting himself. I am glad however that I had previous experience with Pilates that explains in greater detail how to squeeze the sit bones together or as one Pilates instructor says "smile." I found that very amusing and my son laughed and said my bum can't smile! Another thing I found that that Lizbeth Garcia uses to communicate with her audience is her continual use of the word 'Challenging,' I think this is an essential part of encouragement and it really motivates our son and for that matter me too, to keep trying parts that are more 'challenging.' Keep up the great work Lizbeth and I look forward to future videos.
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