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The Ballet Workout | 
| Actor: Melissa Lowe
Studio: Standing Room Only
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 19.99
Buy New: CDN$ 10.39
You Save: CDN$ 9.60 (48%)
New (15) Used (1) from CDN$ 10.39
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 8575
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D1230D
ISBN: 0769712304
UPC: 032031123090
EAN: 9780769712307
ASIN: B0002VGU1K
Theatrical Release Date: 1987
Release Date: March 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships from USA. BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED! Delivery takes about 10-14 Working Days.
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
The title is somewhat a misnomer: this 83-minute video isn't a "workout" so much as a ballet class. If you've taken ballet in the past--or if you've always wanted to--pull on your tights and leg warmers and enjoy this video. Melissa Lowe, a former soloist and principal dancer with several ballet companies, leads two levels of workout. Level 1 is for those with little or no ballet training; ballet experience is helpful for level 2. Each level has three segments: floor work (stretches to warm up the muscles), barre work (standing exercises and positions done holding onto a barre or chair), and center work (more intense conditioning with balance, traveling, and some jumping). If you're not already flexible, you'll find the stretches daunting, even at level 1. This is a 1984 video and doesn't have the production quality you find in more current videos, but ballet is timeless. The music is solo piano--just like in ballet class. The lithe, willowy instructor doesn't smile or try to engage the audience, but she sure knows ballet, and her flexibility and grace are awe inspiring. I--Joan Price/I
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
Very happy with this video! April 29, 2004
Jackie Coleman (Utah)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I took ballet for several years growing up and even got on toe. I stopped and came back to ballet when I was in my 20's. I have loved this video b/c it feels like my old ballet classes, is the right length of time, leaves me feeling like I worked out (and have improved my posture), and is a literal class. I was looking so forward to receiving the New York City Ballet DVD and was sorely disappointed with the lack of class feel (even though it is very well shot) b/c I love barre work. (Also, if you want to look at a bunch of naked bodies . . . well, I prefer the good, old fashioned tights and leotard in Miss Lowe's workout way better -- way better)! pThe only drawback I see (and I agree with other reviewers) is that I wish she had explained more of the moves as you do them. She never really explains them and then expects you to figure them out as you dance (while your eyes are down at the floor or following your hand)?!! You have to watch and memorize the tape before you can do the moves, frankly -- which if you have prior ballet experience is somewhat easy to pick up on, but frustrating, none the less, at least at first! I love the music she chooses, but the exercises are a bit short. I wish she had done them twice on each leg or made them a bit longer like many of the classes that I have taken. Still, I am happy and look forward to my class every day I do them. I recommend the second workout in her series for a more advanced dancer. Personally, I am still working on the first (even though I have enough knowledge to keep up with the second) simply b/c I need to get back in shape again. Enjoy your workout!pOh, and Miss Lowe is a typical dancer, so I didn't expect to be entertained during her explanations. Her dancing makes up plenty for others' comments about her dryness of personality in reaching out to the video audience. I thought she was splendid, and is a beautiful dancer and example to follow! My understanding of dancing, and what I need to do to be a good dancer, is enhanced and strengthened by simply watching her . . .
For FORMER classical ballet dancers - Excellent Workout April 20, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Ballet Workout, Level I, is approx. a 40 minute workout which includes the floor warmup, barre work and some center work. There is also a Level II on the tape that is also approx. 40 minutes and the ballet steps are a little more advanced. For me, the 40 minute workout is a perfect length of time since I, as we all do, have a full schedule. The most exciting thing about the tape for me is that I am basically taking a ballet class again, but in the privacy of my own home. I studied classical ballet for 15 years, but it has been 20 years since then. The instructor executes her movements perfectly. The 4 other women students are intermediate level, which doesn't intimidate me. Since I am familiar with the terminology timing of steps, it is easy to follow. I also like that the tape doesn't waste too much time with explanations or corrections, so I wouldn't recommend it to someone who has had little to no ballet training. There is always a chance of injury if someone is not correcting body positioning.
 My favorite workout! March 17, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful classical ballet workout, with piano like you would hear in the studio. Both the beginner and intermediate levels include floor stretches, barre work, then center work (without barre). This is not an aerobic workout, but it is a fabulous way to work both strength and flexibility. With ballet you are going to use all your muscles, including ones you didn't know you had. If you've had no or little ballet exposure, it will take a little time to learn the routines but once you do it pays off. During the exercises, the instructor provides many useful tips on form that will help you get a better workout, and are especially helpful to someone who hasn't had prior training.pI think the workout is timeless, and a great find for someone who enjoys the structure of classic ballet instruction. I wish the title was available on DVD!
Worth my time and money February 27, 2004
Shelley Ashfield (Philadelphia, PA USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.br 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.br 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. br 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.br 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.
Simple and a little too easy May 22, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Ms. Lowe has made an excellent tape for true beginners. I danced ballet several years ago, and given it up. Recently I've been doing Pilates and yoga which led me back to my old love. When I came back to dancing I thought I was in terrible shape, but not this bad, I guess! It's a good tape, the quality's not the best, but for a real workout, try a class or the NYCB's tape, which is much better.brNote: The second workout is slightly more challenging.
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