New York City Ballet Workout

This video was neither motivating nor interesting. The commentary was bland at best, with a monotonous European accent coldly instructing the movements. The dancers who performed the exercises to the cold voice of Big Brother were empty moving parts. It was a bore to watch and a bore to follow.

That being said, the exercises probably do work if the video and the exercises are followed faithfully, but are unlikely to give any visual results anytime soon. With the sheer boredom and unpleasantness in following the video, it makes practicing a pain with the most likely result being that the video will be another dusty addition to the bookcase.


Simply Watch the Video First   July 3, 2004
DarkAngel (USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Most of the complaints are about not being able to following along with the dancers. If you are not familiar with ballet simply watch the video first. of course of you watch it for the first time while trying to do it you will not be able to follow along. To point something else out. this is a Ballet Video not a kickboxing video. The narrators voice is soothing there would be no need for him to be shouting while you are trying to do ballet. I will say that there is no need to buy he second version of this CD because they both have the exact same content. This video has the best stretching exercise that I have ever done. I do the warm up on this video then do other videos in My collection. if you are looking to add variety to you workout this is a great video to add to your collection.


Best ballet video for strenghening the body.....   June 8, 2004
Diane Lindenberger (Houston, Texas USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I take open adult ballet class with the Houston Ballet 3 times a week and find this tape is invaluable for increasing my abilities in class. I have tried every other ballet video on the market, Melissa Lowe, David Howard, etc, etc....Somehow, I always seem to come back to the New York City Ballet Workout Video !!! The unique thing about this workout is that it changes my posture, so that I stand up really tall. It is magic. The "floor barre section" is excellent. It strenghens the legs and posture too. The abdominal section while hard, becomes easier if you do it everyday, like Peter Martins says, "This is what we do everyday" and so I do it everyday, 7 days a week, even when I have class. My back problems have disappeared too. I feel more centered. This is the only video that doesn't seem like a chore to do. And the music is enthralling. I find myself whistling along with the wonderful classical score. But then, what else would you expect but excellence, from a world class, world famous ballet company like the New York City Ballet. This video rules !!!!


An excellent DVD   June 5, 2004
Laura J. Arbogast (Boston, MA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

The New York City Ballet Workout offers is a great program
combining toning, flexibillity and even a little cardio with the ballet combinations and "little jumps" section. The hour it takes to complete seems to pass effortlessly- while the other tapes I have tried seem to drag along and leave me with a headache, instead of the renewed energy that this one gives me. Sure, its a workout, but it also leaves you feeling with a great sense of accomplishment and energy (and even after the first workout I felt "fitter" and it left me looking forward to the next time I would be able to play it).
I especially enjoyed the floor barre section- the stretches are hard (some of the things that the dancers can do seem impossible) but rewarding if you practice them, and your abs, back and arms get a really good workout (you'll be burning). I found that one of the hardest things about the DVD was keeping my arms up during the combiniations- it got kind of hard to concentrate on the steps when I was focusing on having the proper position with my arms.
Some of the draw backs on this DVD are that if you dont have experience in ballet your might have trouble with some of the steps- they arent explained by the narrater (the steps were easy for me because I have about five years of previous ballet experience). Actually, the narrater doesnt really explain anything- you mosltly just have to follow the dancers (who are amazing, by the way). I reccomend watching it over once before doing it so that on the floor bar you dont strain your neck by trying to do the excercise and watching the screen at the same time.
Another surprisingly thing about the DVD is that the extras are pretty cool- there are diaries of the dancers, interviews, and a "behind the scenes" section. They all offer an insight into the New York City Ballet Company.
In conclusion, I reccomend this DVD, but only to people who have a little experience in ballet.