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73 of 77 found the following review helpful:
Worth my time and moneyFeb 26, 2004
By Shelley Ashfield
I started dance classes three years ago at the age of 38, and bought The Ballet Workout to help develop more muscle control in my hips and legs. I've done yoga, Pilates, belly dance, aerobic dance, but really, nothing compares to ballet for gaining the strength and muscle control I'm looking for.
Melissa Lowe is a good teacher. Her voice is pleasant, and her descriptions of movements were very precise, complete, and not at all redundant. As a beginner-level adult, I needed that level of explanation so I could execute movements correctly without injury.
Some things, like Ms. Lowe's stage makeup and poker face may seem jarring to the 21st century viewer, but keep in mind that this tape was produced in 1983, one of the very first dance instruction videos, before teachers had much collective experience before a video camera.
For me, the moves are difficult to execute, even at the tape's "beginner level", perhaps because of my age and inherent lack of flexibility. I would have appreciated being able to see what the exercises look like when executed correctly, although the dancer cannot yet achieve complete turnout or raise the leg fully. Melissa Lowe's verbal description was a great help for me to be able to make a good guess, but a demo would have worked even better.
I look forward to seeing more of Melissa Lowe's video instruction, as in these last twenty years, she will have become a prodigious teacher.
42 of 43 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent for Toning Legs!Sep 21, 1999
I love the workouts on this tape. I've been using this tape for a year now - which is proof that it works, it's easy to stick with, and the workout is as challenging as you make it (there's always a technique or position to improve). You see and feel results right away. Whenever I see that I'm gaining a couple of pounds or my legs are losing their shape, I just follow this workout for a week or two, and I fit into my jeans again. I can't wait to try the second video by Melissa Lowe!
33 of 35 found the following review helpful:
Great workout for your body!Apr 29, 1999
This video is for anyone who is trying to tighten things up. In only a few weeks I noticed a difference. After the first workout I felt great! It shows some really good stretching exercises. It also makes you more aware of your posture so you stand taller and look thinner. The moves are so easy that my two and three year old children love to do "ballet" with me.
46 of 51 found the following review helpful:
Pretty good video instruction for classical balletAug 13, 2000
By Dr. Lee D. Carlson
This videotape gives a fairly good introduction to the basic exercises in classical ballet. Beginners will have to rewind it frequently to understand the exercises; advanced students may find it helpful for teaching purposes. The narrators are pretty good at explaining things, and someone who just wants to get a workout but with a ballet flavor should buy it. The exercises in the tape are not aerobic, but the precision required in performing them will definitely be a good workout, for the body and the mind.
48 of 54 found the following review helpful:
 Too Much TalkJul 26, 1999
As with other workout videos, I found the ballet workout much more talk and explanation than actual workout. For once, I wish someone would put out an exercise video where one could just DO the exercises without all the chatter.It might help to know that I have taken ballet class for several years, am familiar with all of the positions, etc. and therefore am not interested in all of the "stopping" the action to assure correct placement of arms, feet, etc. Please someone out there put out a video without all the talk!
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