Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core Reviews

5 Comments

1. Beth Cholette says:

   July 28, 2010 at 7:50 am

   Review by Beth Cholette for Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core
   Rating:
   This DVD features instructor Meghan White leading 15 different customized core routines. Some of the routines centered around traditional crunches, whereas others are Pilates-based, sometimes incorporating equipment such as a stability ball and dumbbells. The Main Menu is set up as follows:

   Core Basics
   
   Core Challenge
   
   …More for Your Core!

   Core Basics provides beginner level workouts. Although Meghan goes slower here and does offer form pointers, I don’t think she gives enough instruction to make these workouts appropriate for someone brand-new to Pilates. However, this section would probably work well for those who have some prior familiarity with Pilates but have limited flexibility. Here is the Core Basics menu, with brief descriptions added by me:

   *Basic Abs (5 Min.)–basic and oblique crunches, keeping feet on the floor
   
   *Strong Abs (5 Min.)–basic crunches, crunches w/legs raised, pulses, knees in and up, oblique work, unique side move
   
   PILATES BASED CORE WORKOUTS (modified for beginners)
   
   *Legs & Glutes (11 Min.)–modified versions of exercises such as the roll-up, rolling like a ball, side kicks, etc.
   
   *Arms & Back (8 Min.)–modified versions of the hundred, roll-up, spine stretch forward, swan prep, swimming, scapular lift, and plank work
   
   *Pilates Abs (11 Min.)–modified version of hundred, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, scissors, criss-cross, single leg teaser, and seal

   The Core Challenge menu is set up similarly to the Basics menu above, and the exercises are similar as well, but in an unmodified and more challenging form. Here is the Core Challenge menu, with brief descriptions added by me:

   *Advanced Abs (5 Min.)–basic crunch, oblique reaches, pulses, transverse crunch, transverse w/twist, knees in and out (lower than in basic program)
   
   *Stronger Abs (5 Min.)–basic crunch, crunch w/leg lift, crunch w/1 leg in and out, crunch w/1 leg up and down, hip lifts, bicycle
   
   PILATES BASED CORE WORKOUTS
   
   *Abs, Legs & Glutes (15 Min.)–there are two separate segments here, a 4-minute abs workout with the hundred, rolling like a ball, double leg lowers, and criss-cross, and an 11-minute legs/glutes segment with the roll-up, leg circles, the saw, single leg kicks, a side kick series, and leg lifts on all 4s
   
   *Abs, Arms & Back (15 Min.)–this was also two separate segments, a 9-minute abs portion with the hundred, rolling like a ball, single and double leg stretch, scissors, double leg lowers, torso twists, teaser, and seal, and then a 6.5 minute arms and back portion with the hundred, roll-up, spine stretch forward, a series of back work (swan, swimming, scapular lifts), and leg lifts on all 4s

   Finally, the …More For Your Core! menu contains some more challenging workouts that include use of equipment as described below.

   *Abs with Ring, Arms & Back, Stretch (15 Min.)–tough little segment using a fitness ring for the teaser and double leg stretch; followed by the same arms and back segment in the Core Challenge section and Stretch section with both reclined and seated stretches (actual time 17 minutes)
   
   *Abs with Weights, Legs & Glutes (20 Min.)–starts with a 4-minute Pilates matwork flow and moves into a second 4-minute segment using a dumbbell for some unique moves such as side plank, partial roll-down, reverse curls w/weight under knees, and double leg stretch w/weight in hands; finishes with the same legs and glutes segment in the Core Challenge section
   
   *Pilates Core and Stretch (30 Min.)–combines the 9-minute abs, 11-minute legs and glutes, 7-minute arms and back (all from the Core Challenge section) with the 3-minute stretch for a full 30-minute workout
   
   CORE ABS
   
   *Stability Ball (4 Min.)–nice short segment on the stability ball: roll-ups holding the ball in your hands, oblique work and teasers with feet on the ball, and double leg stretch holding the ball overhead
   
   *Weighted Ball (4 Min.)–nice short segment using a small medicine ball: holding the ball between your feet for the hundred, hip lifts, rolling with a twist, and transverse crunch

   Overall, this is a nice DVD with a good variety of abs routines. I did find the sequencing to be a bit strange: for example, the abs segment with ring starts off with a teaser variation, but then when you get to the arms & back segment, you begin with the hundred, usually the starting point for most Pilates routines (and sometimes the hundred is actually performed twice in the same routine here!). I would’ve preferred if all of the individual segments were listed in one menu where I could mix and match rather than having to choose one of the pre-formatted workouts on the menus. However, for someone who likes both traditional core work and Pilates and who is looking for a wide variety of workout options, this DVD is likely to fit the bill.
   {amazon:2}
2. TheCafeWriter says:

   July 28, 2010 at 8:08 am

   Review by TheCafeWriter for Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core
   Rating:
   To be able to fully use everything on the DVD, you’ll need a Pilates ring, a small Pilates ball, hand weights, a stability ball, and a mat, which is almost 50% more equipment than I have or am willing to spend more money and space on.

   With the exception of a few variations of standard floor crunches, almost ALL of the exercises are standard Pilates floorwork and best suited for intermediate/advanced exercisers. There’s not much here for the true beginner, the overweight, or the older exerciser.

   Workouts range from 4 minutes to 30 minutes and unlike quite a few other DVDs of its type, it’s all presented in a bland style that borders on the monotonous.

   In the end, I traded it in to my local used DVD store. There are better DVDs out there for working your core that require less equipment or none at all. For the beginner who wants a Pilates-style workout, I’d recommend something like Pilates for Dummies, Pilates for Everybody, or Pilates for Inflexible People.
   {amazon:2}
3. Lori Salotto says:

   July 28, 2010 at 8:22 am

   Review by Lori Salotto for Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core
   Rating:
   I’m really lucky b/c my abs and core are not a problem area for me. I got this DVD as a gift and thought I didn’t need it. When I tried it I found out just the opposite. It’s a great way to keep my core in shape and I’m finding that it really helps my back too. Definitely recommend!

   {amazon:2}
4. Janna Jones says:

   July 28, 2010 at 8:38 am

   Review by Janna Jones for Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core
   Rating:
   I love this DVD! It offers a number of different routines which keeps the exercises new and exciting…AND it targets different muscles. So far, I can really see results. My muscles have stretched for a longer leaner look and I feel stronger and more energized. The instructor is very encouraging and makes you feel confident! Oh, and my husband loves it too.
   {amazon:2}
5. Vicky S. says:

   July 28, 2010 at 8:41 am

   Review by Vicky S. for Perfect Abs Vol 2: Perfect Core
   Rating:
   Perfect Core turned out to be exactly what I was looking for in an exercise-at-home DVD. I wanted to continue some of the fundamentals that my personal trainer at my gym taught me (during the 1 week I had him and do them at home. This DVD was perfect for that and it allowed me to control the length of my workouts which is really important for my schedule since I’m a working mother. The core blast and ab challenge segments are flattening my stomach and tightening my abs! Get this one!

   {amazon:2}