About.com Rating

Updated May 01, 2014.

The Bottom Line

If your inner ballerina has been looking for a home workout, Bernadette Giorgi's Attitude Ballet & Pilates Fusion might be perfect for you. This is a good combo workout that develops naturally with workout two building on skills from workout one. There is a lot more ballet than Pilates in this DVD but the Pilates link is clear.

Manufacturer's Site

Pros

• Includes two full-body workouts and premixes of specific sections

• Easy to follow - beginners may need a few times through
• Includes a good introduction to ballet and Pilates movement basics
• Designed to appeal to a full range of ages and abilities
• A portion of proceeds are donated to breast cancer research

Cons

• Those looking for a lot of Pilates instruction won't find it here
• Includes moves that require extra caution, like the grande plie and ballet position 5
• Exercise modifications are not demonstrated

Description

• Includes two full ballet and Pilates inspired workouts.
  
  
• Each of the two workouts include standing, mat, and light weight exercises.
  
  
• Offers premixes with short, beginner, and more advanced workouts.
  
  
• Created and led by Bernadette Giorgi: ballet dancer, black belt, TV fitness expert, and Pilates and fitness trainer.
  
  
• Retail Price: 19.99

Guide Review - DVD Review: Attitude, Ballet & Pilates Fusion

At first I wondered about reviewing this DVD because much of it isn't directly Pilates, but Pilates has a long history as a companion to the dance world, and I like to explore ]Pilates fusion and vary my workouts now and then.

The back of this DVD says that it is designed with women over 50 in mind. I'm not over 50 but I liked it and I think a lot of you will too. It's perfect for those of us who have had some dance training and miss it, or wish we had a little and don't know where to start. The ballet basics are introduced and reviewed until you get (or remember) them, and there are many good Pilates inspired strength and stretch exercises. I also learned some new moves with the weighted exercise ball, which is used optionally in part of the routine.

I enjoy the overall tone of this DVD. I find that the ballet-like atmosphere enhances the breath and flow aspects of the mat exercises. Breath and flow are important principles in Pilates that are sometimes hard to address in training. The class members in the DVD are made up of Giorgi's beg-int. students which gives it a real-life feel, however you will need to look mostly to Giorgi on points of form. The music is pleasant -- a nice change from the typical techno accompaniment we get in most fitness DVDs, and Bernadette Giorgi teaches with a gentle, encouraging tone.

Since I wrote the above review, I have had the opportunity to view Bernadette Giorgi's next ballet and Pilates DVD, Attitude Tu. Flowing but strong, Attitude Tu moves from basics, on to a dance-based workout, and then to the mat for Pilates. It comes with a pink exercise band and includes a set of standing dance exercises that use the exercise band as well as some Pilates mat exercises with the small exercise balls (optional, not included). This is a nice, focused workout for those who have some dance/pilates background.

Manufacturer's Site