Pilates-Conditioning for Weight Loss (Gaiam) (2001)

This review is sponsored by

BUY IT

General		Extras
Category	Pilates	Main Menu Audio Multiple Angles-Combined W/O;Full Postures;Partially Modified;Fully Modified
Rating	?
Year Of Production	2001
Running Time	195:12
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Ted Landon
Studio Distributor	Universal Pictures Home Video	Starring	Suzanne Deason
Case	?
RPI	?	Music	Benjamin Davis

     Pilates - Conditioning for Weight Loss is an unusual DVD to review as it doesn't have a plot - being a video-based exercise regime. My wife has recently commenced a Pilates class, but my knowledge of the subject is limited to this DVD. The best I can hope to do, is describe the contents of the DVD and hope that those of you who are contemplating, or already undertaking, Pilates, will find it a useful pointer as to what resources this disc has to offer you.

    One caution for those of you who may consider buying this DVD - the language used is all rather "Californian" or "new-age"; personally I find it a little grating.

    Annoyingly, the DVD starts with a series of non-skippable copyright statements, warnings and disclaimers running for over forty seconds.

    At first glance, there appears to be quite a substantial amount of information on this DVD, however the menus are somewhat circular and many selections end up at the same video footage, with just a difference in the path chosen to get there. The "angle" icon appears on screen, which relates the ability to switch between video streams as described in the "Choose Workout Level" paragraph below. Selecting the angle button serves the same purpose as menu-selecting a workout level. The DVD is divided into the following sections:

• Combined Workout - a video introduction to the background of using Pilates for weight control by Suzanne Deason explains how we can use our breath "to connect the mind and body and help develop a deep internal awareness". This video stream shows the workout with three ladies at various levels of expertise in shot at the same time. This allows you to determine which of them most closely represents your ability level, and also gives you an idea of how the postures change as you develop your ability.



• Choose Workout Level - this can be either Full Postures, Partially Modified or Fully Modified. These are the same as the video shown in the above section, but each one shows only one of the ladies performing the workout. Nicole will lead you through level 1 (Fully Modified), Katia will be your tutor for level 2 (Partially Modified) and the mind-bogglingly flexible Suzanne will amaze you at level three (Full Postures). The higher the level, the more extreme the movements become. For instance a movement might be carried out with feet flat on floor, raised to "table-top" position, or most strenuously waved about over your ears.



• Special Features - this selection allows you to choose Fully Modified, Partially Modified or Full Postures (again identical to the above segments) and then to select either the Introduction, Creating Awareness, or (the main) Workout sub-sections of the disc. Additionally, a short 00:45 promotional video for Gaiam can be selected. Possibly the most significant special feature is the "Personal Instructor". Turning this option on, results in the appearance of an icon at the bottom right corner of the screen, at several points through the workout - much like following the "White Rabbit" on The Matrix DVD. This leads to a detailed explanation of the mechanics and benefits of the particular pose, by Suzanne in the Pilates Studio before seamless-branching returns you to the point you left off. This is a worthy addition to the disc, and provides some genuinely useful detail on the correct performance of, and importance of the postures.

    The overall workout includes various warm-up stretches such as Foot and Ankle Work, The Hundred, Leg Circles, Single Leg Stretch, and Hip Circles. The workout then progresses gradually through more tricky postures including The Mermaid, The Saw, Quadruped, Swan, Child's Pose, Bridges and so on. A complete session would take around an hour to complete.

Video

    The overall video transfer of this disc is quite poor, but adequate for its intended purpose.

    The material is presented in a ratio of 1.33:1 and is therefore not 16x9 enhanced.

    The transfer is typical of a full-frame video source, with bright colours from the leotards and the breathtaking (Hawaiian) backdrop. There are no dark scenes per-se, but low level noise can be seen on some transitions in the branching video.

    MPEG artefacts are frequently present, and are most noticeable whenever anything on screen moves. These can be distracting when the image is displayed on a large screen, but on a small television the image is more acceptable. Edge enhancement is present throughout giving a visible halo effect. Aliasing is omnipresent.

    Film artefacts are totally absent and I imagine this was originally shot on videotape.

    There are no subtitle tracks offered, which is a shame for hard of hearing Pilates fans.

    This is a dual layer disc. I could not detect a layer change so it has probably been sensibly placed between chapters.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    The overall audio quality of this disc adequate for its intended purpose.

    The sole audio track is an adequate Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack in English recorded at 192 kbps.

    Listening to the sole English soundtrack, the narration was always clear, which is critical as it provides the directions on how to perform each exercise.

    Music plays a minor role in providing a mellow background of instantly forgettable "elevator muzak" without drowning out the essential vocal narration.

    The surround channels are used to carry the background music track thanks to the Dolby Pro-Logic flag being set.

    The subwoofer is not used as there are no LFE signals present.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

    There are no extras on this disc, beyond the use of multiple angles as described above.

Menu

    The menus are musical, functional and cover the choices described in the Plot Synopsis section.

    The Region 1 DVD of this movie appears to be essentially the same as the Region 4, although it appears that the Region 1 suffers from commercials which cannot be skipped, prior to the start of the feature.

    Pilates - Conditioning for Weight Loss is a niche DVD, of interest only to those people undertaking or contemplating Pilates. It appears to provide a reasonable workout, catering for varying levels of ability from beginner to expert. The use of seamless branching and multiple "angles" is still quite innovative and suits the disc content well. The video and audio, whilst not stunning, are adequate for the purpose and the outdoor setting makes for a pleasant, restful backdrop.

    The video quality is poor but adequate for its purpose.

    The audio quality is adequate.

    There are no real extras, but the use of multiple angles and seamless branching make this a well-planned disc.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall