Fitness DVD Review: Element Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners

A couple things drew me to the Element Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners DVD: 1. I had always wanted to try Pilates but didn't have time to make it to a class at the gym; 2. The words "beginner" and "weight loss" were both in the title, and 3. It was super cheap on Amazon.com, with new and used copies starting at just over $7.

What's cool about Pilates is that it combines the flexibility of yoga with resistance moves using your own body weight. For a good workout all you need is a mat and some room to stretch.

Brooke Siler, the DVD's instructor, is very clear with directions. She keeps things serious, and when you see her on screen she's actually not talking to you. Instructions are given in her voice-over instead, which I really like. (I always wondered how those fitness instructors can explain so much while contorting their bodies into crazy stances.) The music is a nice compliment to the exercises, conspicuous but not distracting. And the scenery is absolutely beautiful--she's outdoors overlooking the water.

The 50-minute workout consists of two parts: the cardio section (about 15 minutes) and the mat workout (about 35 minutes.) The DVD gives you the option of playing either part separately or playing it all the way through. This is a nice feature for when you're pressed for time.

The label "cardio" for the first section is a little misleading. This isn't kickboxing, you won't break a heavy sweat, but it definitely gets the blood pumping and is a great warmup for the rest of the routine. It's a lot of lunges, bends, squats and something called "sweeps," which gave me a great lower-back stretch. I've done just this beginning part when I'm incredibly strapped for time and just need a quick pick-me-up in the morning.

The mat workout segment is what it's really all about. There are plenty of core exercises that give your abs a real burn. As the workout progresses it gets more difficult, but that's good and it gives you something to work toward so you don't get bored with the moves.

Overall I'm very pleased with this DVD. The workout is simple enough for an absolute beginner, but fun and challenging enough with the possibility of tweaking the moves for extra work. I would definitely recommend this video to anyone who wants a Pilates workout from the comfort of their own home.