Pilates for Buff Bones with Rebekah Rotstein DVD

I just got this one last month (having had an eye on it for ages) - and I love it! I think it's one of the smartest Pilates DVDs I've done.For those that like faster, harder, faster, stronger, faster, bigger type pace and movements for your Pilates, then this is so not for you. The pace is deliberate, with Rebekah getting you correctly positioned before you start each exercise. There are two backgrounders, and between the three of them you're given three levels to work to; I think the "easier" level could've shown a few more modifications for beginners, but it's still not too bad. Better than a lot of the beginner modifications I've seen in Pilates DVDs!I've read a few comments about this DVD only being for beginners with just a little room to grow - if that's the case then I have to question why on earth I'm training as a Pilates instructor, since I get a seriously good workout from it. The pacing and positioning means that I can maintain good form, which means I actually get something out of it (I find that a lot of Pilates DVDs I'm rushing too much from one exercise to the next, and don't actually get much out of the exercises).Rebekah is delightful - funny and warm. I don't have osteoporosis or osteopenia (although have a history of not great bone density readings due to prednisone use - my last reading was well and truly back in the normal range though), but do have neck issues, and so the absence of flexion exercises makes this a great one for me when my neck is playing up.You can read my full review on my blog: Livingroom Athlete

i like it

I went thru menopause at age 41 and have had cancer & chemo and taken femara for 5 years. At age 63, I have reason to worry about my bones. I read "Your Bones" and began taking supplements for bone building. The book recommended Pilates. I read reviews and decided on this video for my bones. I do a lot of hiking, biking, swimming, lifting weights, etc. I am no weakling. I was looking for a video that would educate me on proper form to protect bones. This video does that. It is about balance, mobility and proper form. She reminds you not to let your head dangle or if your back should be flat or curved. She reminds you if you should be breathing in or out. Although some of the reviewers do not believe this is a good workout, I believe it is. I do jumping jacks to warm up at the beginning and and plank while she explains something during the workout. Otherwise, I follow the dvd. I intend to continue doing this dvd at least twice a week.

This is a great video for anyone who has osteoporosis. Since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis I have had to give up many of my exercise videos because of the movements with flexion and twists included in them. Rebekah has been careful to leave out any movements that might be detrimental to the bones. She has a lot of hip strengthening and balance movements. You don't work up a sweat with this video but at the end you definitely know that you have had a workout. It's probably not for you if you want cardio and strength in one workout. This is a Pilates based routine.In the video you watch 3 people---Rebekah, a woman doing modifications for beginners, and a woman doing modifications for stronger people. There is no music but Rebekah has a pleasant voice. She is precise about what you should be doing and throughout the video continues to remind you to use proper form. This has become my favorite excercise video along with Sheri Betz' Pilates for Osteoporosis and Joanna Hall's Drop a Size for Life. The latter has some things that I cannot do because of forward bending and twisting but it also includes cardio.

I like this DVD and find it helpful. What would really be helpful would be a companion book. Pilates can be a good exercise routine IF you are positioning your body correctly and that's where a DVD is important. However, having a book to take with you where a DVD player is not available would be handy.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a few months ago and I made the decision not to take the drugs which are routinely prescribed to treat the condition. In the course of researching other ways to protect my bones, I discovered the Pilates for Buff Bones program and began taking classes with Rebekah. Rebekah makes it clear from the outset that she is not a doctor but she is nevertheless very knowledgable about both exercise and nutrition and their impact on bone health. She is also a very patient and talented instructor who cares enormously about what she does and all of that comes through both in her classes and in this video. The exercise portion of the video is very similar to a typical class so if you don't live near a certified "Pilates for Buff Bones" instructor, the video would be the next best thing and if you do take "in person" classes, the video is a great way to practice in between. Recommend very highly.

Lets start by saying finding a good Pilates DVD is challenging to say the least. I have bought this one based only on reviews for it and let me say I have never been steered so wrong by Amazon reviews. This DVD was awful. In fact there were parts of it where i just laughed at it because it was so silly. I have taken Pilates mat classes and they are always difficult, as they should be since I'm using muscle groups that I'm not typically using. Now I'm not saying I'm looking for a PX90 style work out but I want a honest Pilates class on a DVD that last 60 to 90 minutes that's going to challenge be beyond the basics. I also want an instructor that is motivating, and you know one that is actually fit like say, a fitness instructor? This DVD is suitable for children and not much else. Maybe she should have called this Pilates for Buff Kids.