I've always enjoyed a good ballet themed workout since I like ballet in general and have always wanted to achieve the beautiful, long, lean, toned body of a dancer. Having done the New York City Ballet's workout and several other ballet themed workouts I thought I knew pretty much what to expect from this. However, this is not a "true" ballet workout. It's more of a combination of ballet, pilates, and yoga. So, that left me a bit disappointed. I did give each of the five workouts (Warm Up, Strength, Balance, Floor Barre, and Stretch) a try. They were a nice, full body workout. Each is around ten minutes long and together they come to around an hour. You can do just one or two or all five segments at a time. I really liked that one of the girls working out behind Jennifer did a modified workout for beginners. For those who are looking for more of a pilates or yoga type workout with a hint of ballet this is for you, but if you're looking for a more traditional ballet workout there are betters out there.

capers01

Vernon Rockville, CT

Jennifer Galardi, 2009This dvd has 5 seperate segments that you can do individually or string together (play all). The total w/o time is just over 60 minutes including warmup and stretch. Jennifer works out in a nice open set w/ hardwood floors and pinkish windows in the background. There are 2 background exercisers-one shows beginner modifications. You will need one set of light/medium dumbbells for some of the sections. She recommends not wearing shoes-so I didnt! Love that. The music varies from upbeat classical to almost African sounding-it was all appropriate for each section and I really liked it.**Warmup:** This is a very active, fluid warmup that gets the blood flowing nicely. It includes a solid pliet series and also works the arms because you are holding them out ballet style. You get some nice flowing stretching here as well. You could do this section on its own as a light w/o IMO.**Strength:** You start with a close stance pliets, pliets variations & relevettes. Then she moves into some standing ab work that I really enjoyed-it was very different than what Im used to! Felt very effective! She does standing ab scoops, side bends, and portibra all with a ballet flair-very active and fluid. She moves into a tough curtsey dip with oblique squeeze sequence that I particularly enjoyed! Then she grabs her dumbbells for rotator cuffs work, V raises, bicep curl variations, and a behind the back tricep squeeze. **Balance:** She starts the standing leg work with a mini rondejon with a glute sqeeze and moves into what, to me, felt like standing table work. From there you move into a plank-tri push-up-down dog series and finished with some tricep pushups that really fried my triceps. This section closes with some unique table work.**Floor Barre:** You start with some lower body work done on the floor and move into a rollup (V sit) core exercise, leg raises, and rolling into a ball. My arms were also being worked in a lot of these moves (in this and other sections as well) because you are holding them out. You do some lying inner and outer thigh ballet type moves and finish with some killer standing leg lifts. **Stretch:** The stretch was very nice and welcome! It was done lying and was definately dance inspired. I would rate this an intermediate workout but I am no expert on ballet or barre. Collage rates it intermediate/ advanced. It was an awesome change of pace from my normal workouts and we all know variety is not only the spice of life-but our bodies NEED it to progress. I just adore Jen as a lead and I really enjoyed this workout. It didnt make me want to die but definately felt effective. Great workout!

lindseylu8

Bevery Hills, CA