Karen Voight: Total Body Pilates (2002)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Starring Karen Voight
Produced and Distributed by Karen Voight and Entertaining Fitness, Inc.

Features:

• Equipment descriptions
• Descriptions of workouts
• Web links

Rating: NR, suitable for all audiences

Anamorphic: N/A

My Advice: Buy it.

Karen Voight has been a leader in the exercise industry for some years, and on this disc, we can see the fruits of her experience, wisdom, and abilities. Pilates has been rightfully gaining in popularity over the past few years, and this disc helps to demonstrate why. It is an effective, yet engaging exercise form.

Total Body Pilates consists of a variety of exercise options. There is “Total Body Training,” a 50-minute routine designed to address the entire body and increase overall fitness and health. There is also another 50-minute routine geared toward the abdominals and back, which not only focuses upon a common “problem area,” but also provides a sturdy foundation for total body health. If the abs and back are strong (and how many of us have back trouble we need to address?), then it is much easier to improve our fitness in other areas.

Voight is a top-notch instructor, and it shows. She is motivational without being annoying or overly cheerful. Viewers like myself who cannot stand the false friendliness of many exercise divas will appreciate Voight’s openness and straightforward approach. This is not to say that she is cold or unfriendly by any means, but she has not given way to that high-pitched, irritating cheerleader aspect that seems to claim so many other exercise leaders. Kudos to her for being a human being, albeit a motivational one.

The routines in this disc can be performed with a proper Pilates mat (thicker than a yoga mat) and a resist-a-ring, both of which are available at most fitness centers or online, including at Voight’s own website. A link is provided on the disc for your convenience.

The features on this disc are minimal, but useful. There is an overview of the useful and necessary Pilates/exercise tools, as well as a description of the workouts themselves in Voight’s own words, so viewers can know what they are getting into before they start. Finally, there is a web link to the official Karen Voight website.

In short, this offering from Karen Voight is another useful and challenging exercise disc. Anyone looking for another title to add to their personal repertoire or who wants to start a home exercise library need look no further for satisfaction. Voight is always a good bet, and Pilates is as well. As fond as I am of Pilates, it can get a bit dull to do the same routine day after day. Motivation is hard to come by when you are bored, after all. This disc is a marvelous way to stave off that boredom and increase your body’s fitness level at the same time. Viewers may never look as healthy as Voight, but at least we can try, and any exercise instructor who can motivate me to get up and move must be doing something right.