Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Excellent Workout
The New York City Ballet Workout is an excellent workout, however challenging it may be. Even for me, a teenager who had almost 10 years of ballet experience in my life, this video has it's challenging aspects. The exersices are fairly simple, but take a lot of effort and muscle strength to perform them. If you haven't had any previous ballet training, the workout can be hard to follow as well, being as how they simply say the name of the move, and then do it, without any real explanation on how to go about performing it. However, after a few times of doing the workout, I think just about anyone could catch on. It's also a rather lengthy video, it takes about 60 minutes to get through the 17 exersices, so it may be more practical to do half of the workout at a time. Also, the ballet dancers who do the workout on the DVD are more flexible than just about anybody that might buy the DVD, so when they go through the stretches, it seems impossible to copy their movements exactly, but it's easy to modify the movements to your own strength and flexibility. This workout really strengthens and tones your muscles, as well as improves your flexibility, posture and balance. After just a week of doing at least half of the video each day, I was already noticing differences in my muscle tone and flexibility. I definitly recommend this video, more to people who know at least a little bit of ballet terminology, but anyone can get the basic jist of the workout if they do it a few times and put in the effort to learning the proper form of the moves.
Rating: - A good workout, after you get a little backround
I ordered this video for a change of pace from pounding cross-training workouts. I also ordered it because I have developed an interest in ballet watching my daughter develop as a fourth-year student. The video, music, dancers, and narration are all beautiful and calming, unlike most exercise videos. The warm-ups are small dance routines and are too fast and difficult to follow for a warm-up segment and for someone with no experience in ballet like myself. The exercise segments are controlled and fairly easy to follow, but there are errors in the editing (like incorrect changes from right to left) that can through you off. Some of the exercises are old standbys like push-ups and crunches. But overall, I felt very strong and refreshed after this segment. The cool down is very graceful and beautiful. Many basic ballet positions are not explained, though. (I had to get help from my daughter). The thirty minute segment on the dancers in the video is very well-done. My daughter (an aspiring dancer) enjoys it very much. Overall, I would recommend this video as an refreshing change of pace workout and an introduction to a beautiful art form.
Rating: - Challenging but beautiful workout
Though many reviewers would not describe this as a workout video, it is definitely exactly that...you truly need to WORK to get the most OUT of it.For everyone that is not familiar with ballet terms, you will be somewhat lost with the lingo. It will not explain fully or sometimes at all what the ballet terms mean so you will have to guess as you watch the dancers. For some, it will not be too difficult to learn what a plie or tendu is. The narrator mentions proper form during the workout, however, the viewer will not learn what the proper form is by this video. You will probably need additional instruction elsewhere to learn the form if you have no ballet training. But, there are times when the narrator will remind you to tuck in your tailbone or do not stick out your buttocks (which I find hilarious every time I hear it). Overall, the vocal cues and instructions are very poor and minimal. For example, he often does not cue you as to which side or what movement is next. For some routines, I had to watch it first, and then I was able to follow the sequence. There is an option on the DVD that allows you to turn off the voice over if that is helpful. If you have some background in ballet, then this video would be a good accompaniment to your ballet training. You can strengthen your muscles, improve your posture and line, and increase flexibility. Inexperienced dancers can learn basic ballet skills and grace along with what I just mentioned by following the dancers. For the slightly experienced dancers, the majority of video would seem too simple but the abs and leg darts exercise would give you a good burn...I found it to be very challenging for me. The music and the flow of this video are very slow and relaxing. You will sweat but you won't be dripping with it afterwards. It has a very different style and tempo than other workouts you might be used to, but I think that is appropriate because it is based on the ballet theme. There is only one exercise or segment I consider that works your cardiovascular system, and that is the little jumps. Each segment is about 3-6 min long. Short but very effective...wouldn't want a burnout. There are warm-ups and a cool-down (aka reverence). I recommend the DVD so you may choose which exercise you want to do or skip without delay. There is also a section where they offer combinations of exercises that are good for a particular type of sport like racquetball. The video is not very amateur friendly production-wise if you are not familiar with dance or dance classes. For example, all exercises are done without supports (i.e. chairs or barre). Stressing and encouraging balance I suppose. However, if you need the extra help, I recommend doing some of the exercises with a support next to you that will not hinder the purpose of the exercise. The exercises don't require a large amount of space so you do not need to clear the room. The video also does not offer alternatives for novices. It is basically "watch and do" except for one of the stretches and the push up, where they offer a modified version. And do not be confused with their narration when referring to lefts and rights. Many reviewers found this to be a problem. The narrator refers to the movements according to the dancers' point of view. This should not be a problem if you have the narrator's voice off or if you are familiar with this type of instructional training. I would have given this a 5 star if not for the production flaws. Overall, the workout fulfilled its purpose--it tones your arms, back, abs, sides, buttocks, legs, chests, etc. A note, though there isn't a specific exercise that targets the arms, you will feel a burn in your shoulders and triceps from holding your arms out at second position during most of the exercises.
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