Element: Ballet Conditioning

I trained as a dancer (tap, jazz, ballet demi and Pointe) from age 3 to 19 years old. I am 32 and out of shape, very overweight. This DVD is wonderful. I cried the first time because it was memory lane for me. Elise takes you through the basics of ballet. Don't think this is she she foofoo workout. This is hard core kick your butt workout. You will sweat. I have had the DVD for 3 weeks now and I still haven't made it through the entire workout yet, but I will and I have already seen results. My legs, feet and ankles look wonderful, strong not body builder strong, lean, toned well shaped. My posture has improved greatly. I do this workout 3-4 times a week. Each time I go a little bit further. I love it it's a must have. Even people who have never danced before can do this, BUT pace yourself. It takes time. I trained for years and I still needed to pace myself as I'm starting back after 13 year hiatus. Elise did a wonderful job. By far my favorite workout DVD ever. I actually look forward to ballet dancing again. Total body workout. I walk in addition to this and I sleep better, feel better and my body is changing. My BFF 10 year old daughter said to me yesterday "you look smaller in you face". Needless to say I threw in an extra session yesterday, I haven't noticed my face. Such a self esteem booster for me.The scenery on this DVD is lovely and tranquil, makes you want to exercise. Elise's voice is calming and soothing, her dictation is clear, easy to understand and follow. You need only a chair for balance and barefoot is best. Can it get any better??? Get this DVD and try it. If you actually hate it and I can't see anyone not liking it donate it to the public library. I have nothing but good reports for Elise and this DVD.

A little about me: I bought this DVD because I was seriously out of shape. I have a little dance/ballet experience, but not much. I also have scar tissue around both my knees and if I do too much I definitely feel it. However, having done ballet in the past I also knew that it's one of the best ways for getting in shape, so I was excited to find this DVD.The first time I did it, it was pitiful. I managed about 20 minutes before I gave up and laid on the floor pouring sweat for a while. The next time I did about half the reps of everything and skipped a couple of the hardest exercises, but made it through to the end. That was 6 weeks ago, and I've been doing Ballet Conditioning at least 3x a week since then. Just in the last few weeks I've finally worked up to doing all the exercises in the recommended reps, but even before that I noticed definite changes in my body. My saggy butt moved back where it belongs; my pants are noticeably baggier (especially my thighs); my tummy is losing fat, gaining definition, and developing some impressive ab muscles; my arms and shoulders are also gaining definition and developing muscles without looking like a muscle-man. Can I chalk it all up to this DVD? Probably not. I alternate this with Quick Fix: Stability Ball Workout (my "lazy" days) and go for daily walks, but I think this deserves much of the credit for my recent 10Lb weight loss.Even though the workout is almost an hour in length, and physically demanding I never get bored with it, and like Elise Gulan says several times throughout it, the more muscle strength and flexibility you gain the more of a workout you get. I love her as an instructor because she's not at all obnoxious; no irritating cheerleader-y pep talks, and excellent cuing. She's definitely encouraging, but it's not fake or overdone.One thing that I have noticed is that some people say this is tough on knees. I'm far from being an expert, but I can see how if you're not doing the exercises correctly it could be very painful. If you're turning out into first position from your knees instead of your hips, or not using your muscles to control your landings during the jumping section it will definitely hurt. That may be the only way in which having a little ballet experience pays off, but I don't think it's that hard to learn.I do have one complaint about this DVD: I wish the beginning warm-up was a little longer and had a greater variety of stretches. I did just the stretches contained on the DVD the first half dozen times I used it, and it was fine; I didn't hurt myself or anything from lack a longer warm-up. However, I know my body well enough to know that's not enough for me, so I spend about 10 minutes doing stretches before I even start the DVD. I find that doing that allows me to get much deeper into the workout. But that's my body and of course everyone's is different, which is why I'm not knocking a star off over it. Overall though this is definitely my favourite workout, and I highly recommend it if you're looking to tone your muscles and lose weight.

This DVD was a great choice for me; it involves strengthening, conditioning, fine and precise movements, a bit of Pilates for core strengthening, and a casual practice atmosphere. It also has a much better flow and is more fun to do than the NYC Ballet Workout (though these DVDs also have their own strengths as a ballet workout). Even though some may have thought Gulan's DVD workout is not "traditional" enough as a ballet workout, I can accept it for what it essentially is: a workout based on ballet movement. First and foremost, it is meant to be an exercise routine, and in this respect it succeeds sufficiently. I did break into a slow sweat (not heart-pounding cardio, but one is definitely burning calories and working the muscles of the legs intensely). It is a wonderful, relatively low-impact workout that makes one feel like one has actually worked out, but not to the extent as to make it impossible to walk a day afterwards. I like that the movements are not abrupt, jarring to the limbs, or involve vigorous momentum for their execution. For my purposes, this DVD workout does indeed serve its purpose. There may not be much of an upper-body workout involved, but most ballet doesn't actually involve a lot of upper-body work; it's all based on creating a lean upper-body over time via graceful poise and "port-de-bras". I can do yoga or Pilates for more upper body work, or even weight-lifting if I want (though I'd like to de-bulk my upper-body from years of weight-lifting instead of making my arms bigger). No twisting, pulling, or harsh positioning on the joints is involved, and so would suit those who have lower back or neck problems (though the Pilates core-strengthening in the end might be difficult for those who have weaker abdominal muscles). I'll be using this one to alternate with my other workout DVDs in the future.