20 Jan 2004 - Nancy of California, USA writes:
I have had Winsor Pilates for awhile now. It's sitting on my bookshelf. I had been doing it with little results. The routine becomes extremely boring quickly and Mari is such a boring instructer. It becomes so tedious that just the twenty minutes feels like an hour! I now just do my own exercises so i can watch tv which solves my problem of being bored and i can change up the routine however i like.
20 Jan 2004 - Jenny of Michigan, USA writes:
hi i was using winsor pilates for a while and i found the moves to be rather boring and dull.. I think the only things that work are the accelerate video because its a fast exercise. and i highly reccomend u order the ab video. After one work out i felt the results! its amazing! i been going to 24 hours for a long time and always working on those ab machines...altough those machine works because i can feel the pain but the pain goes away in less than a minute. but the winsor pilates ab video u can feel it workin the next day! although i got too lazy to do winsor i still do it when i need a good tone in my abs. Its works! u should try it!
14 Jan 2004 - Renee of Connecticut, USA writes:
I bought Winsor Pilates a week ago and started doing it daily for about 5 days now. Already I have seen a tightening in my stomach and overall I feel taller and leaner. I have been a dancer for 15 years but haven't been active in dancing for about two. The stretching in the videos helps me and I can see myself getting back the flexibility I used to have. The video is a bit slow paced but it helps you focus on what you are doing and the longer you hold the moves, the better results you will see. My goal is to lose 10 pounds and get back my dancer's body and with a stricter diet I know Winsor Pilates will help me achieve that goal. I give it 5 stars!
5 Jan 2004 - Renee of Arizona, USA writes:
I am in very good physical shape and decided to add this to my workout to get a good stretch and a little bit of ab work. I have to say I love it. I feel so stretched and relaxed at the end of my workout- I like t do the 20 minute video before bedtime on the nights that I have to work late. I have also purchsed the bun and thigh Windsor video and will keep it in my video rotation. Now my friends have started doing this too after seeing the toning and lengthening of my muscles that I am getting from it, and I was already in good shape. 5 stars!
1 Jan 2004 - Sarah of British Columbia, Canada writes:
I am a 16 year-old soccer player, but i decided I should change up my strict cardio routine. Initially I began doing pilates with a different pilates DVD, which I found fairly good, but also somewhat short. Because of this I borrowed the Accelerated Winsor Pilates tape from a friend for about a month. I found that Mari speaks exceedingly slow about the exercises and isnt' very knowledgeable. Because she speaks slowly, one holds the unnatural positions for a longer period of time, causing neck and back strain. Ths happened to me and had never been a problem prior to using Winsor Pilates. When my father bought a set of the Winsor Pilates DVD for myself, I decided to restart from the basics and work my way up. My muscles have strengthened, but i was toned and muscular prior to using pilates. I still find i have problems with neck strain, so i revert to my old pilates program occasionally. I would also like to remind people that feeling a burn that lasts for a couple days is not a good thing. Soreness in muscles should only last a day, and if you do the workout routinely, the soreness should lessen. I'd only reccomend this program to people who have strong muscles already and not have a history with neck or spinal problems.
29 Dec 2003 - Vilma of New York, USA writes:
I just bought the winsor pilates program on DVD yesterday which includes the basics step-by-step, the 20 minute workout, and the accelerated body sculpting workout. Well anyways as soom as i got it i first WATCHED the step-by-step and the 20 minute workout...then i did the 20 minute workout and some of the accelerated body sculpting workout...yesterday i didn't feel anything except that i was a lilttle tired because some steps are very difficult, but today, OMG when i woke up my whole body was sore...i'm actually happy about this because this tells me it's working and i'm going to keep on doing it! I'TS A GREAT PROGRAM so far.
18 Dec 2003 - Elizabeth of Ohio, USA writes:
This workout was OK, but I wasn't really impressed. I did the accelerated workout 4-5 days/week for 3 months and didn't see much in the way of results. That might have been due to the fact that I'm a fairly advanced exerciser, I don't know. I found the accelerated workout fairly easy to do the first time through, and barely felt anything the following day. Normally I'm at least a little bit sore the day after a new workout. I think Winsor Pilates is geared more toward the beginning exerciser. I got much better results with the Slim Series.
17 Dec 2003 - Kameko of Oregon, USA writes:
I am a former collegiate athlete, so I can handle just about any workout. Because I am trying to spare my joints for future use, I decided to taper down on my running workouts and other high intensity workouts for something a bit more relaxing. Many fellow athletes suggested Winsor Pilates. I purchased Winsor Pilates thinking that I would be getting a less strenuous workout. I was SO WRONG! My back cramped up and there was a strain in my neck. For me, having this type of pain from something that's supposed to be better for you than weight training is unusual. It worried me; was I doing it wrong? But I'm very coordinated. I have a background in dance. So I checked with a highly qualified national trainer afterwards and he suggested I stick with Hatha Yoga. You won't burn a ton of fat, but it will save you from pain and strain, thus you're able to gain flexibility. More power to the people that swear by this product, but I think there are better alternatives out there. (By the way-I also found out I wasn't doing it wrong.)
19 Nov 2003 - Maureen of Illinois, USA writes:
I have been using this video for a couple weeks now and although I have not lost weight (not really using it to lose weight), I have noticed that my "problem area", my saddlebags, have gotten noticeably smaller. I also have much improved strength and flexibility. I just watched this video at a friend's house. Didn't actually do it, just watched and was amazed that Mari Winsor was a fitness instructor that DIDN'T make me sick. I actually want to finish the video for her. And lastly, the length of the exercise is superb. It's only 20 minutes and therefore I do it whenever I have a free second. It's Great!!! I highly recommend it!!
12 Nov 2003 - Jackie of Maryland, USA writes:
unlike the other people who submitted reviews, i bougth these tapes for the purpose of reducing stress, because i suffer from depression. They are relaxing, soothing, and make me feel uplifted. A big bonus is that in addition to feeling more energized and happy throughout the day, after only two weeks of doing this program i can see amazing ab definition and and feel my legs tightening up. I love Winsor Pilates!!!!
10 Nov 2003 - Carlie of Minnesota, USA writes:
I have never wanted to exercise more than I do now! Pilates alone is a great system, and I was doing a basic version of it before I found Mari's program. Her program targets more of the things I want to work on and is so much more fun! Mari is so encouraging and pilates is such a great workout for your mind and body. Being a singer, a lot of the areas worked on in Winsor have actually improved my singing! Try this for sure!
31 Oct 2003 - Sabina of Ontario, Canada writes:
I have been following home exercise videos for years. After going through a period of inactivity due to stress I felt I needed to get back into a fitness regime. Winsor Pilates was a perfect way to get me motivated about fitness again! I feel more "lifted" and "leaner" and my posture has improved incredibly. I'm in IT so sit at a computer a lot. It has really helped to strengthen my back, neck shoulders and abs. Thanks to all of your reviews. After 4 weeks my clothes feel like they are falling off but my overall weight appears to be stable. As I read from others' reviews it helps to do some additional cardio which I will start to do as well. Overall Winsor Pilates makes you feel confidant and amazed at how flexible and strong your body can be.
21 Oct 2003 - Michelle of Virginia, USA writes:
I have to agree with several of the reviews here: Winsor Pilates is NOT for weight loss (at least not for most-- I'm glad it worked for some of you). I'm not even sure it's that great for toning. Maybe if I did the tape 3 times a day every day there would be a toning effect? I think the tapes are a great way to stretch and get some flexibility, so you can do other home workouts and put the Winsor tapes in afterward for a good relaxing stretch. But they don't get your heart rate up or make you sweat much, so if your goal is to lose weight, the tapes alone won't get you there.
8 Oct 2003 - Ann-Marie of Tennessee, USA writes:
After taking Tae kwon do for several years, I was extremely depressed when I was in a bad car accident and injured my back, forcing me to stop my workouts. I sat around for about two years, trying to do exercises given to me by my chiropractor and physical therapist, but I had a hard time with them and always ended up in more pain than when I started. During this time, I gained around 40 pounds and became even more depressed. I can never really sleep at night, and I often saw the infomercials for Winsor Pilates. I have never bought anything from t.v. before, and I was very wary of anything sold in infomercials. What grabbed me was that the women in the commercials were not perfect looking. A lot of adds try to trick you by showing extremely overweight people transformed into perfect bodies with six packs and everything. The women just looked better and looked like they felt better. Also, since the excercises were not too strenuous, I decided to give it a try. After three months now, my back and hip injuries are healing and my joints and muscles are getting stronger for the first time since my accident. I still have to modify a couple of the positions, but I love the fact that they have a model to show you the correct ways to modify and still acheive results. My fiance has noticed that my butt has gotten smaller and higher, and I have noticed that I have lost about 5 inches in my waist. I love this workout, and I have a feeling I will for a long time.
17 Sep 2003 - Jane of Nevada, USA writes:
I just started this video two days ago and let me tell you I've never felt my abs so tight! I used to do over two hundred sit ups a day and would wake up with the slightest twinge in my abs and a stabbing pain in my back. With winsor pilates I don't have any pain in my back at all and my abs are sooo tight feeling. You have to listen to what Mari says to do in the video though. Suck in your stomach, breath right, and you'll feel it!
- Margaret of Maryland, USA writes:
I did not like these tapes at all. The exercises put an unnatural strain on the neck and back, and caused my neck to ache the next day. I couldn't wait to return them. I would recommend yoga instead.
- Carolyn of Ontario, Canada writes:
I was pleased with the Winsor tapes, although I did expect them to be a little more challenging. I rotate the accelerated workout with my old "Abs of Steel" tapes to give my muscles more variety. The exercises are different, which I liked because I already have strong abdominal muscles. I've only been doing it for two weeks, but really see a difference in my glutes. The "dent" on the side of my butt is getting deeper by the day! I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to begin toning an already basically slim body. I don't think it is especially useful for overweight individuals unless it is combined with good cardio and a decent diet. Mari is pleasant and encouraging, and although I do get a little impatient with the lengthy preparations for each exercise, I simply fill the time by doing a couple extra sets while the intructors are getting into position.
- Tracy of New York, USA writes:
I had a severe back injury and a physical therapist reccommended switching from my usual intense taebo tapes to pilates while I recovered. Before Mari Winsor made video tapes she wrote a book with specific instuctions on how to do all the pilates exercises- I got the book and LOVED it- I saw phenomenal results in my thighs and legs AND as my stomach got stronger my back pain dissapeared. When I saw the tapes being offered on tv I immediately called and couldnt wait to try them. However, I was very dissapointed with them because it was the same exact thing as the book only at a much slower pace- so if you really are interested in doing pilates mari winsor is wonderful- but buy her in book form instead- that way you can skip or add exercises as you get stronger and more comfortable with your "powerhouse" - it's a great routine to do in the morning before you go into your cardio/ weight training (I reccomend the firm- results guaranteed in 10 workouts? more like 2!! Way better than billy blanks!)
- Kristyn of Ohio, USA writes:
If you have back, hip or spinal problems, this product will be uncomfortable. I purchased the product and can do the exercises with no problem, I just cannot do them with out being sore afterwards from cracking and popping in my hips and back and neck. I would try The Firm, a less intense product for your joints.
- Emily of Michigan, USA writes:
I love Winsor Pilates! I am quite fit, and am able to do the 20 minute routine with my overweight mother every evening and add in a few 45 minute routines every week and we are both experiencing life-changing results. My mom has lost 2 pounds per week for the past 7 weeks!! I have slimmed down to my high-school weight (down 20 pounds!) I feel relaxed and I can feel my stomach hardening each time I complete a workout. Mari is wonderful and soothing. I love this program!!!
