Jennifer Kries' Pilates Method: Perfect Mix

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Starring: Jennifer Kries
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: KOCH VISION
Release Date: 2005-02-08
The "Perfect Mix" is like having a health club in your home. Every element for good health is included, from strength training to cardio fitness to a stress reducing yoga session.

Great
This is a very good exercise DVD. It has three sections. I do one section of it that's half an hour long every other day and I'm still working to getting it right. You need very light weights (3 lbs?) be barefoot and you will be on the floor for part of it so get your mat ready. It's graceful and not flashy but way more precise and difficult than it looks. You can't take your eyes off the screen and it takes a while to get the moves of the legs and arms together, so I've been focusing on the legs (I'm kind of a spaz with dance moves). She targets many body parts at a time and uses sweeping motions. I am dripping sweat by the end and feel sore in lots of places!

Pilates Challenge - Intermediate to Advanced
Jennifer Kries is definitely the Pilates goddess of the workout world. Not only does she create challenging Pilates workouts, she gives perfect instruction and teaches you to respect your body in a new way. This is her New Method style workout. It is a combination of Pilates, Weight Training, Dance and Yoga.

Workout 1 - Core Conditioning - Classic Pilates routine and Yoga moves. You will recognize all the basic Pilates moves with the roll-ups and modified roll-ups. Jennifer gives a lot of advice on modifying, but I just have to say that I have my own secret ways for getting from the flat-on-back position to the bending over one's legs position. I'm not sure she would approve. While Jennifer shows each position, she gives even more "breathing" instructions. I love "rolling like a ball" and the challenge of making each exercise so precise.

Workout 2 - Metabolic Booster - Light weight training segment to increase cardiovascular strength. I love this almost "dance-style" workout. Jennifer is working out with four workout partners/instructors.

The music is motivational, the colors are inspirational and the setting is so classic. You flow through the stretches like a dancer and then learn to get fancy with the weights. You are moving fairly fast so it is advisable to really learn the moves before increasing your speed. I found that once I was distracted by anything, I had to refocus, rewind and begin again.

This is the most challenging weight workout I've ever done. Not only does this push you to the limit of your coordination, you are also moving in a very creative way. I love this section because it will be one I will be perfecting for months. Your arms will feel toned and the addition of the weights also helps you burn extra calories during the cardiovascular moments.

Workout 3 - AM/PM Rejuvenation - Yoga-based workout to release tension and promotes flexibility. You will recognize all the basic yoga moves and there are a few variations with an added dose of creative appeal.

Breath of Fire is an exercise I've recently seen in many yoga workouts. Jennifer almost seems to relax into this workout, although she is still just as precise. Her personality comes across especially well in the newer videos. She not only talks the viewer through the exercises, she is very comfortable with the entire process.

I like the way you can actually hear Jennifer breathing in various exercises, it reminds you to breathe! She teaches some breathing techniques I've been seeing in a number of yoga workouts. It only took me about three videos to get that breathing technique under control. Ironically, the secret is to let go of control.

This workout is the most challenging Jennifer Kries workout I've ever completed. If you do all three workouts one after the other, there is no need to do any cardiovascular work before starting this routine. Normally, I'd suggest walking for about 30-40 minutes, but with this workout, you don't need any additional exercise. You will strengthen and tone your entire body in 60 minutes. "Perfect Mix" has all the elements of a full-body workout and stretch.

I noticed immediate results in how toned my body felt and also in my posture. Jennifer has the perfect body and now we know why. It takes intense determination and when you do this workout over a short period of time, you will almost become addicted to the demanding aspects.

The workout you need to move into an entirely new realm of fitness. If you have working out for a few years and want to test your strength, "Perfect Mix" will invigorate and energize you. I highly recommend this workout.

~The Rebecca Review

Simply the best
This is my favorite tape and I go back to it again and again. The three separate workouts allow you to divvie them up to different days, if desired. Each section is about twenty minutes: pilates mat workout that strengthens the core and targets the abs; an aerobic workout done with light weights for resistance and building muscle; and a relaxation stretch. Jennifer Kries is a terrific instructor. She explains while doing, so your not standing around killing time between exercises, and she talks just enough, not too much, and in a pleasant, non-condescending or patronizing way, and without ridiculous over-enthusiasm. In other words: perfect.