New York City Ballet: The Complete Workout, Vol. 1 and 2

Bought these DVDs on a whim. Was looking for something different that would keep up my motivation. Both DVDs are nicely paced and easy to follow even for the ballet novice. They work on strength, flexibility, balance, and even a little bit of cardio. New fun twists on old boring floor exercises. The second DVD is my favorite as you can create your own workout with your DVD player menu and target whatever areas you choose on a particular day. You will walk (or in my case crawl) away sore, but feeling like you've done a fair amount of work. It won't turn you into a ballerina, but I do feel like less of a klutz.

These DVDs are excellent for learning exercises that will improve balance, lower back strength, and abdominal strength. The dance steps increase in complexity, so it takes a little time to be as coordinated as the dancers, but there are enough of the simpler moves to be beneficial.

This product is the best it's slow enough to keep up with and intensive enough to give your the workout you need.

Though I have taken many dance classes, including ballet, I still found this challenging the first few times I did it. I felt and saw results (mostly in my legs/glutes) after completing volume 1 for the first time! I did Vol. 1 a total of 3 times, one week before I went snowboarding and my balance has never been better on the slopes and because my legs were stronger, I wasn't nearly as sore after my first day boarding as I normally am. This workout is relaxing and strengthening at the same time; I have incorporated both volumes into my regular routine of pilates, yoga and running and I would highly recommend this to anyone!

I danced for 18 years but was forced to stop about 3 years ago due to stress fractures in my lower back. Now that I'm regaining my health and fitness, I'm moving slowly back into dance and this DVD has been immensely helpful in that regard. My sense of grace and balance has returned and my flexibility is improving!

I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone who is in good shape and has a firm body- mind connection. That is, anyone who understands the principles of body alignment and basically just knows how to listen to their body.

If you've never taken a dance class (or pilates), please be cautious with these exercises. It's far too easy to injure yourself if you're not exercising the proper posture and alignment. The DVD doesn't take a lot of time to explain these so it's very helpful if you're already familiar with them.

Overall, this is a fabulous workout that I'd say is geared mainly for dancers or pilates/yoga friendly folks.