Leslie Sansone has become a household name for many women who are trying to lose weight. For over 25 years, she has been helping people to help themselves. Sansone, the creator of Walk Away the Pounds, has produced several walking videos, as well as You Can Do Yoga, and You Can Do Abs. (View all her DVDs and videos here)
With You Can Do Pilates, Sansone tries to prove that every one of us, no matter our fitness level or athletic ability, can benefit from Pilates.
How Does You Can Do Pilates Work?
Pilates is fitness program that was born about 100 years ago by Joseph Pilates in Germany. It is a unique approach to fitness that promotes strengthening by using the proper body mechanics, movements, trunk and pelvis stabilization, coordinated breathing, and muscle contractions.
Because it is difficult, it can be overwhelming. Pilates is often intimidating to a person who isn’t a fitness junkie and who simply wants to get back into decent shape. But that is precisely the person who needs Pilates. Here, Sansone tries to bring this terrific fitness opportunity back to the layperson’s level.
You Can Do Pilates is a complete 60 min workout that has three segments. You will be impressed by Leslie’s professional approach and calm voice.
The first is approximately 17 minutes long, and in it, Sansone teaches you how to do the exercises she’ll use in the workout. They are all common Pilates movements.
The second section is the mat workout, which is also about 17 minutes long. This one is a workout! Yet once you’ve mastered it, you can still move on to the mat challenge, the third segment.
The third segment works best if you have a resistance band.
The total workout time is 45 minutes.
What Others Are Saying – Does You Can Do Pilates Work?
Reviewer PicOlio lives a very sedentary lifestyle. She was never good at Physical Education and she hates aerobics. “But I CAN DO Pilates with this DVD and it feels GREAT!”, she says. While she found it hard at the beginning, by the 5th workout she was doing it without any problem. She now looks forward to exercising every day and she recommends it to anyone.
Sarah has been using the DVD for two weeks. Her previous experience with mat pilates was disappointing as she did not have the strength to do the moves. But this video is much easier for her. “I already feel much stronger after doing Level 2 a few times,” says Sarah recommending the video to anyone who wants to start pilates.
How Much Weight Will I Lose?
Doing Pilates will burn calories. How many calories you burn with You Can Do Pilates will depend on your body type and level of exertion. "To make this workout super efficient, try one of Leslie's walking workouts", recommends Rebecca Johnson who has lost almost 12 inches since following this approach.
In addition to burning calories during the actual workout, Pilates also creates lean muscle mass, which increases your calorie-burning potential throughout your day. And trimming and tightening things up will also give you a slimmer appearance.
Some people choose to complement their Pilates routines with an aerobic workout, e.g. go for a brisk walk before or after doing Pilates.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- You can do this workout even if you know nothing about Pilates.
- You don’t need much room to do the workout.
- Sansone puts her viewers at ease. Her tone and mannerisms makes the exercises seem possible.
- Pilates improves posture. Improved posture improves your overall health.
- Pilates improves your self-image and self-esteem.
- Pilates teaches you how to breathe deeply and correctly, which is important for calorie burning.
Cons
- Sansone only provides modifications for some of the exercises.
- If you are very fit (i.e gymnast) you will prefer a more advance video
Problems and Complaints
Some people report that Pilates causes muscle soreness. As you build up your muscles and stamina, you will no longer experience this soreness.
People who are too heavy, like J. Leffelman find it difficult to do the moves as their belly and flab get in the way.
Another reviewer noticed that if you are out of shape or if you have problems with your back youwill not be able to do the moves because the exercises involve your core and abdomen. “I recently bought this DVD and I could not do it. It was torturous, painful, and impossible. It is like doing difficult sit-ups for a half hour.” she says, and then adds: "Otherwise, Leslie Sansone is great in this dvd, like she always is and I do recommend this dvd to people who have a strong core".
Where Can I Read More Reviews?
Like all Leslie’s fitness DVDs, You Can Do Pilates has received excellent reviews on Amazon with the majority of reviewers giving it 5 our of 5 stars. Read more reviews here.
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