New York City Ballet - The Complete Workout Vol.1 And 2

I bought this DVD set on recommendation and I totally do not regret! It is really good way for getting in touch with ballet for common people. It really feels like you were at ballet lesson. The first disc is guiding you through simple warm up exercises, basic ballet postures and also streching and calming down. Each exercise is repeated appropriately so that you will tone your muscles but even the beginner could manage it. So it is adequate level for everybody. The second disc comes from the first one so there are lots of exercises you did with the first DVD. On the other hand the exercises are longer and enriched with added postures. The most amazing thing about the second DVD is that in the end you can try 20 min of real dancing!! It is set of 2 DVDs which you surely enjoy.

This is certainly the classiest of all the ballet workouts out there - not everything is difficult and will suit beginners to ballet. And for those who have already studied, it matches the classes we all remember, using the same steps. The dancers are absolutely beautiful and an inspiration during the workout! It is filmed artistically - sometimes footwork is missing from the shot at crucial times but this by no means detracts from the professionalism of the DVD. And, of course, the biggest thing is that there is no cheesy, distracting music as found on almost every other DVD of this kind. You can choose Classical or Contemporary and it is, mostly, beautifully played (excepting some rather insensitive interpretations of 18th century works). I also love Darcey Bussell's "Pilates for Life" - all of the same attributes and I use it regularly. Buy this - it's worth it!

These are absolutely the best DVDs for practising ballet at home - I've tried several. My recent purchase was actually to replace the original ones I bought three years ago because my DVD player kept spitting them out so I bought a new DVD player as well then realised that they worked fine in that so I've given them to another member of my ballet class. Regular practice with them has definitely toned me up and improved my posture and balance. They start with a good warm up and stretches then take you through various basics of ballet and finish with a cool down and I know I've worked when I finish a session. If anything awful happens to these, I'll replace them again - that's how much I love them.

I bought this after trying out the first disc and having read several glowing reviews regarding disc 2 (many also claiming it superior to disc 1, which I loved, so it seemed like it couldn't get much better) Now, I love disc 1. I was nervous about trying it but I found that it was soothing and fun as well as encouraging. For a full month I used it and saw great improvements in legs and arms. This will be the disc I continue to use because as my title claims, I am the cheese that stands alone, because I did not love disc 2. I have never been discouraged from a Warm Up before but somehow this program did it. It lacked the engaging grace of the first one and was far too fast paced for me. It left me feeling like I never want to use that disc again. I probably will, somewhere down the line, but for now I would caution other hesitant buyers not to get over-excited about that second disc, it is not vastly better than the first. It does have a glossary, which is nice, and combination movements, also nice, but on the whole I prefer disc 1 and my grade four star grade is for disc 1 only.

The exercises are sufficiently challenging physically but familiar to the work done in my actual ballet class. As a ballet newcomer, I've found the terminology and pace of the exercises appropriate - I'm not as out of my depth as I thought I'd be. I've found that with practice it's becoming more and more useful as you're able to select chapters to concentrate on the exercises you feel are needed rather than being lead through the workout - you can adapt it to your own needs. This is enhanced on the second disc as you can preselect your chapters and not have to worry about flicking around on the remote to find what you're after. The reviews I read for this were really helpful, and I've got to admit, they were very accurate. It's well worth the money.

New York City Ballet - The Complete Workout Vol.1 And 2 [DVD] [2006 ] I cannot rave enough about this DVD set. It's a 2 piece box set and great for anyone who are lovers of Ballet or 'work the barre'(like me.) Ive recently had 2 spinal operations last year and needed to get motivated and back into it whilst not doing to much which would cause more injury, so i bought these and they arrived earlier than anticipated and in immaculate condition, also at a great price. great work out with the very best there is in Ballet and exercising. Very happy :)

Best work out dvd ever!!! You dont need to be a ballet dancer. I used it twice a week or so for at least a month or less. I noticed enormous difference in my legs. I actually had flexible legs and toned too. The only thing i'd advise is be careful not to use your arms too much as you will start to loose fat around your boobs!!lol! good if you want that result. I really enjoy it everytime I use it. Must have!!

I was really looking forward to this, especiall as it has so many great reviews. I was deeply disappointed... the exercises are all well known, pilates and class related, so absolutely nothing new. Especially the stretches were disappointing as I was hoping for some great techniques to improve flexibility.. nothing! All standard stuff that everyone knows that have danced before. The music and the structure of this dvd was also not bearable. You couldn't skip the introduction so if you were to do this regularly you can't just get to the workout. Also, it is extremely samey and no fun at all. Sold on straight away and very disappointed!

Se anche voi coltivavate il sogno, sin da bambine, di essere ballerine ma poi non se ne è fatto nulla questo DVD fa per voi. La scuola è una delle migliori di NYC (quella frequentata da Sarah Jessica Parker) ed è un allenamento indicato anche alle non più giovani, persino se siete completamente a digiuno (mai fatta danza classica in vita mia). Se non potete frequentare corsi di danza per adulti (da me l'unica era allenarsi insieme a bimbe e ragazzine e non mi sembrava il caso), potete cominciare con questi: i DVD sono due, uno dedicato agli esercizi base (niente danza quindi) e uno ai passi veri e propri con vere coreografie. A forza di pliés sarete più leggiadre e composte. Consigliato!

C'est le seul DVD d'exercice physique que je pratique avec plaisir ; je trouve les entraînements assez complets (deux DVD différents : échauffement, exercices de barre aux sol, abdos, dos, exercices plus spécifiques de danse classique ) + bonus : petit tutoriel pour effectuer quelques pas de danse d'un ballet, interview des danseurs etc.). Les DVD sont en anglais mais je ne trouve pas que ce soit gênant, c'est assez compréhensible ; de plus les danseurs sont bien filmés et on voit assez précisément les mouvements à effectuer. Le tout sur une musique classique vraiment agréable, je ne vois pas le temps passer ( une séance dure environ une heure) ; bref, ça me change des DVD de fitness, stretching ou autres où souvent je compte les minutes qui me séparent de la fin de la séance et où le rubber band me servirait bien à me pendre.

I LOVE these DVD's! I believe anyone with a basic knowledge of ballet and a desire to work on the art form, will enjoy them. They are challenging and unless you are an experienced dancer, you will not get everything the first time you do it. They will make you sweat! I believe those with at least a basic understanding of ballet technique will do well with the DVD's. They move fast and I can see how someone might get frustrated if they have no experience with ballet. For someone with no or very little ballet experience who wants to try these DVD's out, take a few classes in ballet too. Just having a basic understanding of the technique will make the DVD's much clearer. #1 is good, but #2 is even better. The combination is fast, but very fun. I wish #1 also had a combination. The dancers are beautiful and this deal is great! If you buy the DVD's separately, they will cost you almost twice as much. Spend the extra $5 and get both!!! I am a 33 year old female, I do take ballet classes (intermediate level) and have worked as a professional singer/dancer. Despite my experience, I do not consider myself to be a "real" dancer. I am hired to dance because I move well and my voice is good, not because I am a good dancer. So, I feel confident in saying, if I can do it, with a little time and dedication, anyone can.

Good

Ich habe diese und drei weitere Ballett DVD's gekauft und möchte diese mal aus Sicht eines Mannes ;) bewerten. Für diese Box mit zwei DVD's zahlt man schon mal etwas mehr. Lohnt sich das? Ich finde schon. Ausleuchtung und Bildqualität sind in Ordnung. Der Hintergrund ist Geschmackssache. Hat den Charakter einer großen Show, mir hätte ein Studio gereicht. Im Ton sind diese DVD's gut ausgestattet. Aus vier unterschiedlichen Tonspuren kann man wählen: zwei unterschiedliche Musikarten, die beide hervorragend zum Bewegungsablauf passen, jeweils mit oder ohne Kommentar. Bei diesen DVD's mache ich mein Training auch teilweise ohne Kommentar. Alle Übungen sind ohne Hilfsmittel machbar. Sie werden von Männern und Frauen vorgeführt, wobei die Aufnahmen gut zusammengeschnitten sind. Beim ersten Training ist mir aufgefallen, dass im Vergleich zu anderen DVD's die Totale wesentlich seltener eingesetzt ist, sodass man manchmal nicht gleich sieht, was die Beine grad genau machen. Stört aber nicht weiter, denn die Übungen sind gut verständlich. Bei den komplexeren Choreographien wird außerdem die Totale verwendet. Die Übungen sind schon auf einem angenehmen Niveau und sich sukkzessive steigerndem Niveau (hoch für Anfänger), sodass man vielleicht die Choreographien am Ende der DVD nicht sofort in dem Maße mitmachen kann. Und genau das finde ich das tolle an diesen DVD's, was sie auch von den anderen mir bekannten abhebt. Außerdem sehr positiv finde ich, dass man hier wirklich das Gefühl hat, Ballett zu machen, und nicht nur Krafttraining, welches vom Ballett inspiriert ist. Und wie bereits erwähnt endet das Training in schönen kleinen Choreographien, die echt Spaß machen! Ich nutze diese DVD's sehr häufig. Ich habe wie gesagt auch noch drei weitere DVD's bewertet, die etwas andere Schwerpunkte haben, aber auch empfehlenswert sind.