Crunch - Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend [DVD]

I love this workout. I've been using it for a few years and it still leaves me feeling stretched out and limber. It's a little cardio but not enough to really make you sweat and it's a little yoga which will stretch you as much as you take it. Although the cues are pretty easy to follow, if you're a first-timer to yoga or pilates, you'll need to keep your eyes on the screen; not because she doesn't show examples before going into the moves, but because there's little attention to good form or breath (although it's not completely negated either). It really is a great core workout overall - when you do the poses correctly you'll notice every move through this 40-minute workout extends from your core. I would recommend this as a pre-workout or a morning workout. Definitely not something to use alone if you're trying to lose weight.

I wanted to get into better shape, but I'm not really one for cardio videos, and my gym membership had expired months ago. However, I tried Yoga for the first time last fall in a gym class at school, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I could tell that I was getting a workout, and yet I was having fun while doing it. Thus, I decided to purchase a couple of Yoga and Pilates DVDs, and this happened to be one of them. And let me just say how absolutely thrilled I am with my purchase!This DVD is a fantastic blend of both Yoga and Pilates moves that are fun, easy-to-learn, and yet give your body a great stretch and a great workout. Again, I've never been one for workout videos, and the few that I've tried I've stopped using after a few days because they're either too hard to break into or I just get tired of them. This, however, I'm actually excited to do when I get home at night; it's a great way to workout and get in your daily exercise, but is also a great tool to help you unwind at the end of the day as well. I actually look forward to doing this DVD each night!I also love Ellen Barrett. She is a fabulous instructor who knows what she's doing and knows how to best get you through the workout. She helps coach you along and motivate you without being overly loud or peppy or energetic; she's calm and relaxing and yet still motivational, which I love.The workout is also great for beginners to both yoga and/or Pilates. I had only ever done the one yoga workout when I first tried this DVD, and was not exceptionally flexible or in-shape, and yet it was extremely easy for me to get into this workout. That's not to say that it's not challenging and that you don't feel it afterward, because you definitely do - I still feel the burn from it and I do this workout just about everyday - but it's at a slow enough pace and moves through gently enough, easing you into all of the positions, that it's a great DVD to start with if you're new to yoga/Pilates.If you're thinking about purchasing a yoga/Pilates DVD, definitely give this one a try, particularly if you're new to these types of workouts. It's definitely worth the price and you'll be thrilled with your purchase!!EDIT: As with many workout DVDs, after doing this DVD nearly everyday for a week and a half, many of the exercises became less challenging and I felt like I was getting less of a workout. I ended up moving on to some of Ellen Barrett's other Crunch Cardio-style Pilates videos (which I also love), and have started to use this DVD for days when I'm tired/sore or just feel like doing a less challenging workout. As this is a much more "relaxed" workout (no cardio moves, slower transitions, etc), it's the perfect choice for days like that; however, you do still get a good stretch, and at roughly 40 minutes, it's still worth doing and gives you a pretty good workout.

I have been wanting to do Pilates forever, but I won't go to a class by myself. Since I couldn't find any of my friends that were willing to try it, I started looking for videos on here.Just so you know, I tend to be on the lazy side. I don't heavily monitor my diet, but I limit fried food. I scavenger eat other people's. The kids are used to it. Lol. I received my video, and keep your eye on price, I did not pay $50 for mine. The workout is challenging, but not in a way that you can't get through it. What I love about this type of workout is that it's actually relaxing as well. I have a very overactive brain and this really helps me focus on my body and it quiets my mind. I also have daily upper back pain and this really helps with that. I am used to just loading up on ibuprofen and making my hubs rub it. Now that I typed that, I realized that I am hardly taking any ibuprofen anymore.I have been doing it at least three times a week for a little over two weeks and I can already tell a difference in my body. I did Kosama for almost a month and didn't see this much of a change. It's not a huge change, but I can see it in my abs and a little in my tush. Plus, my clothes are fitting a little looser. Subtle but appreciated change.If this will be the first time you have ever done yoga or Pilates, I will tell you that there isn't much information on the importance of breathing and how to do it. It's vital to the workout. I still catch myself holding my breath, so I really have to focus. If you are breathing right, it's almost like doing a stomach crunch every time you breathe.Don't look at this as a workout. Look at it as a way to become in touch with your body and appreciate yourself. It's a great way to relieve stress.I love it! Give it a go!

Let me begin by saying for the price of this DVD it is totally worth it. Second of all, it is an awesome pilates and yoga workout! I cannot afford a gym membership so I make my home my gym. I have a treadmill, weights, and a weight bench. I also have about 20 different DVDs, both cardio (Tae Bo, bootcamp ones) and yoga and pilates ones. This DVD though tops them all! I have other DVDs of Ellen's (and they're all great) but this is my favorite. The flowing moves, the repetition, and the music is very relaxing, but it also offers an amazing workout. You can really see your core working hard. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone who likes yoga and pilates. I would also recommend Ellen's level DVD (the one where you can pick from 3 different workout levels). I teach yoga and pilates at a summer camp and I brought the level one in to do with the kids and they loved it and kept requesting to do it again! I will be doing this one with them, too! I think I will have the same results with this one as well! Hope you enjoy the DVD!

I have done this DVD three times; the first time I noticed my muscles were stiff, and did not have the flexibility needed to do the workout. But I didn't give up. After my second and third time through the workout, I noticed that my muscles were gaining strength and were able to complete most of the movements in this DVD. I feel my abs have gained the most benefit - which will definitely help with my waistline!! Ellen is good, and once you have done the tape once, you'll be familiar with her verbal cues and will be able to follow her instructions. I purchased this and 10 Minute Solution Yoga; but I'm not strong enough yet for this DVD, but Crunch will get me there!! Crunch Pilates Yoga Slimdown is Great!!

This was recommended to me by a friend and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. The pilates/yoga combo is really good. 40 minutes flies by, but you do feel the work the next day. I like that the modified moves are demonstrated by a model behind the main host. The host is really effective as well. Good stuff.

I bought the Crunch: Super Slimdown-Pilates Yoga Blend workout because I had another Crunch workout with the same instructor and I like her.I also like that the setting is simple and that the camera doesn't jump around.This workout is much more Pilates than Yoga and it focuses on core strength, leg strength and stretching.The workout covers all muscle groups, the instructions are clear and it is well paced and varied enough to keep me motivated. However, the workout could benefit from a brief introduction as to it's objectives and an explanation as to what makes this workout a "Slimdown". The workout would be more efficient with constant reminders of the proper breathing per exercise. Pilates and Yoga have very different breathing techniques so it isn't clear which one we are suppose to follow. I feel strong and well stretched by the end of the workout. All in all, I enjoy this workout.

I just purchased this DVD and did it for the first time on the weekend. Didn't feel like much when I was doing it but man, the next day I could feel it from my thighs to my shoulders! And I go to the gym 4 days a week! Excellent DVD, easy to follow and lots of fun!!

I bought this video thinking it would be a lighter workout than my other Crunch videos and I would do this routine on days when I do not want to work as hard. Although it does contain more yoga type moves, it does give a great workout and hits spots that the other videos seemed to have missed. I love it because it is different and very enjoyable. Ellen has become my favorite Crunch instructor.