Element: Ballet Conditioning

A little about me: I bought this DVD because I was seriously out of shape. I have a little dance/ballet experience, but not much. I also have scar tissue around both my knees and if I do too much I definitely feel it. However, having done ballet in the past I also knew that it's one of the best ways for getting in shape, so I was excited to find this DVD.The first time I did it, it was pitiful. I managed about 20 minutes before I gave up and laid on the floor pouring sweat for a while. The next time I did about half the reps of everything and skipped a couple of the hardest exercises, but made it through to the end. That was 6 weeks ago, and I've been doing Ballet Conditioning at least 3x a week since then. Just in the last few weeks I've finally worked up to doing all the exercises in the recommended reps, but even before that I noticed definite changes in my body. My saggy butt moved back where it belongs; my pants are noticeably baggier (especially my thighs); my tummy is losing fat, gaining definition, and developing some impressive ab muscles; my arms and shoulders are also gaining definition and developing muscles without looking like a muscle-man. Can I chalk it all up to this DVD? Probably not. I alternate this with  Quick Fix: Stability Ball Workout  (my "lazy" days) and go for daily walks, but I think this deserves much of the credit for my recent 10Lb weight loss.Even though the workout is almost an hour in length, and physically demanding I never get bored with it, and like Elise Gulan says several times throughout it, the more muscle strength and flexibility you gain the more of a workout you get. I love her as an instructor because she's not at all obnoxious; no irritating cheerleader-y pep talks, and excellent cuing. She's definitely encouraging, but it's not fake or overdone.One thing that I have noticed is that some people say this is tough on knees. I'm far from being an expert, but I can see how if you're not doing the exercises correctly it could be very painful. If you're turning out into first position from your knees instead of your hips, or not using your muscles to control your landings during the jumping section it will definitely hurt. That may be the only way in which having a little ballet experience pays off, but I don't think it's that hard to learn.I do have one complaint about this DVD: I wish the beginning warm-up was a little longer and had a greater variety of stretches. I did just the stretches contained on the DVD the first half dozen times I used it, and it was fine; I didn't hurt myself or anything from lack a longer warm-up. However, I know my body well enough to know that's not enough for me, so I spend about 10 minutes doing stretches before I even start the DVD. I find that doing that allows me to get much deeper into the workout. But that's my body and of course everyone's is different, which is why I'm not knocking a star off over it. Overall though this is definitely my favourite workout, and I highly recommend it if you're looking to tone your muscles and lose weight.

With patience and persistence after 1-2 months, doing it 2-3× weekly, you WILL see results. I've been doing yoga for 15 years and finally jumped in and indulged my secret desire to learn ballet. I went into this series thinking I would do well from the start since I was an advanced yogi. WRONG.Palms sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy....and if I'd eaten mom's spaghetti it'd be on my shirt. I was totally cashed in 10 minutes, humbled and ungraceful. But, I kept at it.I made it all the way through the next time with modifications, clumsy. But by the 4th time, I was getting the routine down, enjoying tendus and becoming more graceful and stronger with fewer modifications and rest breaks.A lean, generally fit person to start, I can't believe the changes.. Fast forward to today, 2 months after starting, I have some abs (my last to tone feature) for the first time in my life and a little booty. My legs (my first to tone feature) are lean and ripped. My developpes and grand ronde de jambe are almost the same as Elise's. I look forward to this workout, followed by some gentle yoga.The cons to this video are easy to work around. As you watch it, you'll notice in the beginning thigh toner that she only does the right arm and forgets to alternate. To work around this, I just do it without the bar to work out both arms symmetrically which also challenges your balance more.Elise Gulan is encouraging and pushes you without being annoying. The "musak" is very early 2000s, but not overly distracting. There's a good warmup and while the workout isn't very "dancey" she teaches you the technical terms and repeats them, establishing a good foundation.

This DVD is for those of us who are bored, tired, or sick of Jillian Michaels and similar workout "gurus" whose workouts coerce the viewer into frantic and frenzied movement during an inefficient and painful 20 minutes of yelling and punching. This DVD is also for those of us who prefer measured and elegant movement, combined with the history, moves, and strategy of a discipline that has been shaping bodies for over many centuries.I am not a fit and slim ballet dancer like the leader, Elise, but that didn't make me feel any less graceful as she led me through a series of yoga-inspired stretches, then onto ballet moves that incorporated basics such as plié, port de bras (how to carry the arms), relevé or balancing on the balls of one's feet. There are some jumps such as jumping from second to first position in a cardio section, and the ab section is mostly doing bicycling moves with the legs.I appreciated that Elise first did the exercises slowly, then gradually increased their tempo once I got used to them. She also explained what each technical ballet term was, giving the video authenticity. What struck me the most is that she often mentioned that while it was okay to stretch or move within your range of mobility, that, with continual practice, one's flexibility will increase. As simple as it sounds, it made me want to continue to work out to see the effects of the program. I also appreciated her ballerina's sensibility shining through with reminders to smile and to enjoy the movements. They weren't phony, but I could see she enjoyed the exercise. The video even ends with a curtsy to applaud your efforts!Although I gave the video 5 stars, on account of the high production quality, beautiful setting, affordable price, emphasis on elegance and legitimate ballet, I do have a few suggestions. First of all, the music is primarily smooth modern chill or jazz. I was hoping to have some classical music as I find that most relaxing. The music here is not horrible, but it would have been nice to have perhaps an alternate audio track.Secondly, a previous reviewer mentioned that it would be too hard to do this DVD without prior knowledge of ballet. While I'm familiar with some ballet terms, and took ballet in kindergarten, I can't say that that gives me any advantage over someone who hasn't. Elise explains the terms she uses. And who knows, perhaps you'll exercise your mind in learning something new, as well as your body!

No me encantaron las rutinas. Me da la impresión que la instructora piensa que los que realizamos estos ejercicios somos igual de capaces que ella y no es así. No soy extraña al ejercicio, hago yoga, corro, caminata, trail, en fin, no soy una "couch potatoe" pero me pareció que este video es un poco presuroso en demandar ciertas cosas para principiantes en la danza, como yo.

Dvd reçu dans les temps, c'est un dvd qui est plutôt axer sur le travail des jambes et fessiers, les exercices sont assez difficiles mais pas inaccessible. Après le travail des fessiers, vient une séance sur un travail intense des abdominaux qui est assez difficile . Je pense que ce dvd est dans l ensemble une très bonne routine, pour qui veut retrouver ou garder la ligne. Je recommande vivement ce dvd

I was going to wait a few weeks and write a review about my results after using this workout, but I decided that seeing as I am on a 1300 calorie diet, have already lost 3 stone and currently also do yoga and taebo every week, that any results seen on me can not be fully credited to this DVD. So here is my initial review.I tried the workout today for the first time. It is about 50 minutes long, which personally I think is an optimum amount of time for a good workout. I wore my heart rate monitor with build in calorie counter; a good quality and reliable one. For about a third of the workout my heart rate was 'in the fat-burning zone'. I burned 292 calories on my first attempt - I did all of it without stopping except the very last set of Ab work (it killed me!). So that is a calorie burn of (say) 300 calories on a 9 stone female in 50 minutes - not hard core, but this DVD is about toning not cardio, so 300 calories was a surprise.Here are what I consider pros for this DVD:It is hard work and you will feel the burn, my legs were like jelly after 15 minutes, I did manage to continue though.The instructor is easy to watch and follow, she has a lovely tone and a way about her which I find pleasant.The workout is steady paced (it isn't stop/start/stop/start filled with commentary). So you don't lose any momentum which is important in a tough workout because if you lose momentum then you may just stop and give up.It doesn't require much space - just enough to lift a leg to the side - most of it is done on one spot.It is not condescending and does not require any ballet experience (just a lot of effort).The cons:There are none at all!One last note: a few reviews have stated that they felt their arms were neglected. I have to disagree on this. Having to hold my arms in a levitated position for nearly an hour is hard work. I had to drop my arms and shake them every so often because my shoulders were burning so much!This is without a doubt an all over low-impact yet intensive workout. I felt great after completing it and look forward to having a long lean body in a few weeks. Even though I do yoga and Tae Bo (which is kick ass) this workout targeted places that my other exercise DVDs haven't reached. I'm a very happy customer (and as usual, good prompt delivery from amazon).

I agree with the other reviews associated with this product. Ballet conditioning is a great training program which will tone your legs, arms, buttocks and abs.I started ballet as an adult and I find that this DVD goes well with the formal training I received. Because I am often require to travel for work, I will often bring this DVD with me to train from my hotel room.I would not recommend this DVD to individuals who have never taken a formal ballet or dance classes. The posture is extremely important to prevent injuries (i.e. straight back, strong abs, natural rotation of the hips, pointed toes, etc.).I have done this DVD for the third time now and every time I feel it was a great workout. The DVD is only 50 minutes, but an intense 50 minutes.

ich habe die dvd vor mehreren monaten bestellt und mal nen paar wochen damit trainiert,dann lange pause und seit 2 monatentrainiere ich regelmässig 3x bzw. 2x pro woche.ich muss sagen,am anfang hatte ich ca.eine woche muskelkater-jetzt nicht mehr,aber es ist dennoch weiterhin anspruchsvoll für mich als nicht-profi=habe nie ballett gehabt und bin mehr oder weniger!sportlich.es ersetzt ja nicht das korrigierende auge eines lehrers,aber es ist eine schöne mischungaus bbp,die arme trainiere ich xtra mit t.anderson(ähem,will die arme einfach nicht in die luft halten bei den übungen!).positive ergebnisse an mir kann ich auch verbuchen,auch nach erst 2 monaten training.preis ist super,elise gulan ist sehr anmutig und ihre stimme ist sehr angenehm.hintergrund ist auch schön-obwohl ja für mich nur halb-wichtig.die musik ist gut-irgendwie passt da alles gut zusammen.ich kann diese dvd echt empfehlen.