Element: Ballet Conditioning

Backcover description: Ballet dancers always have slender bodies that are both strong and lean with lovely proportion and gorgeous body lines. One of the greatest secrets to a dancer’s body is ballet conditioning, which focuses on all muscle groups. In this u

Element: Ballet Conditioning

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Shape April 2008
Shape April 2008 "A total body workout that’s so different than your typical sculpting routine. Even if you have two left feet, you'll be able to follow this workout."
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Level:Intermediate
Aerobics impact:Mixed
Aerobics choreography:Basic
Toning emphasis:Lower body
Toning Emphasis
Lower body: 30 minutes (83%)
Abs: 6 minutes (17%)
Instructor:Elise Gulan
Instructor profile
Customer rating: (average of 91 customer ratings)
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Certified instructor description: An intense lower-body workout that incorporates a variety of ballet-inspired movements. It’s designed to give you the long, lean body of a dancer by working deep into every muscle. Elise Gulan’s one-on-one, voiceover cuing makes it easy to follow. She’s both ballet-authentic and non-intimidating (e.g. “we’ll do a series of battements; that’s French for big kicks’”). The exercises incorporate familiar classics: pliés and tondues, port de bras and rond de jambes. But, each sequence also includes lots of subtle variations — tempo changes, movement progressions, pulses and holds. The short cardio segment is an intense series of fast-moving kicks, jumps and “plyo-pliés.” Beautiful outdoor garden setting. ©2007. DVD has: Chapter menus.
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Element: Ballet Conditioning

Love, love, love this one. It's beautiful.
I overlooked this one for a long time because it was marked intermediate. But I was desperate for a ballet DVD after doing the New York City Ballet DVDs over and over. I tried this one and it has been a regular in my ballet, pilates and yoga rotation ever since. It is a great workout that keeps my lower body in great shape and has helped me with grace and balance. The setting is gorgeous, Elise is delightful and the whole workout is just so enjoyable. I would love to see another one like this! - posted by CM on 5/21/2012
Thank you!
I really enjoy this work out. My legs and glutes definitely feel it afterwards! - posted by Carly on 4/8/2012
don't try if you are overweight
Strongly advise against using this DVD if you are overweight in the least and haven't done ballet through the years. I am about 20 lbs. overweight and nearly ruined my knees trying this video and I used to do ballet when younger (I'm now 61). Looks deceptively easy, but these are difficult ballet exercises. I'm in fairly decent shape but I could not finish the DVD because my leg muscles were trembling and knees were killing me. This has the potential to be dangerous to your knees, especially, so please don't try this unless you are already used to ballet and NOT overweight... - posted by Candy on 2/3/2012
Great, Overall Pretty Good
I have been seeking a great, balanced, ballet sculpt dvd for a long time. I took a ballet sculpt workout at a SCW Fitness convention one time, and felt the results in the right places the next day. But nothing has come out that compared. I read the reviews on this workout, and found that most reviews stated you saw results trim the legs, thighs, and saddlebag areas. They were not kidding. I'm slender, but maturity and slowing metabolism is affecting my tummy, waist, hips, and thighs. I definitely felt the workout in my legs the next day, but not to the point of discomfort or unable to walk. What I felt was telling me, this is going to trim and tone my legs! It reminded me of the ballet sculpt workout I did a few years back at the convention. What I am disappointed in is that there is a little bit of arm/muscle imbalance. Your right arm is in the air most of the time. Yes, when she works one leg and the arm is in the air, the other leg is worked and the other arm is in the air. But there are a couple sections that keep the right arm only in the air and not the left. So I change it up on my own, for balance. I did expect a little more toning for the arms. Even though your arms seem to be extended up most of the time, they never felt fatigued, like I wanted them to be! Balletone by Jody H, really fatigues your arms, but thats just toning them! I also am surprised that she incorporates jumps and cardio near the end of the dvd. I think she should have done it after the first section. Then the pilates is next, then some stretches. I would have liked a little more abs too, even standing abs, and a little more thorough cool down/relaxation section at the end. Otherwise, if you want great toned legs, this is the dvd for you, and it is elegantly done. - posted by Sher on 1/31/2012
Wonderful
I bought this for my daughter who is taking ballet and wanted to gain more strength. She is a teenager and she found this dvd very challenging. The controlled use of muscles in the exercises delivered great strength training especially in her legs. This is a great dvd for someone looking for conditioning work in a ballet dance format. I think one day when she is at school I am going to pop the dvd in and give it a try myself. - posted by Irene on 1/27/2012
Great for leg strenght
This video is great for working ankles, thighs, and calves. I am recovering from a broken ankle and this is a great workout for building up the muscles in calves and ankles. I will eventually be able to do the whole workout. - posted by Susie on 1/20/2012
Element ballet conditioning
This was a good work out for strengthening and defining the lower body. In the beginning I thought it would be too light, but after the warm up, it got right in there and worked the muscles for strength. I use this work out on days I want to give my joints a rest from impact exercise but still want to work the lower body, for definition. I couldn't keep completely up with her which gives me something to work up to. I take this as a challenge and realized you could really master this program and take it further by pushing your body even more. That means this is a great program to keep around on low impact days when you still want a decent workout that is not light. - posted by Iris on 12/30/2011
very tough!
My 8-year old daughter started taking ballet lessons so I ordered this video so we could workout together. Man, it is tough. I was sore in all the right places the next few days. It takes a couple of tries to get it down, I'd never done any ballet before but it is definitely toning my legs. I wish it came with a mini workout option. It does take endurance to get through the entire workout. My daughter quit half way. I will continue to use it to change up my workouts. - posted by Arminda on 10/6/2011
Nice Change
I was happy to have found this video on recommendation from a friend. After working hard at many more intense cardiovascular workout routines, I was looking for a alternative way to tone and burn calories. I enjoy some yoga and some pilates, but this video is a great way to change things up a bit. It worked my body in ways that happily surprised me and I love the results. I incorporate this video into my routine about 3 times a week. My legs and abs have benefited the most and I enjoy the slower pace stretches throughout. I would definitely buy another video of Elise Gulan's if she were to come out with another! - posted by Emily on 9/1/2011
Good ballet
I've done dance for many years and this is a great workout to keep me in shape for dance. I really liked most of this DVD, except for a few moves. I would give this a try if you are looking for a lean, toned lower body. - posted by Aimee on 8/5/2011
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Reading a Time Graph
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Each workout shows a time graph of the workout sequence, from beginning to end. For example, this workout starts with a 10-minute warm-up and ends with a 10-minute stretch. In between, you'll do aerobics, then toning, then a cooldown.
sample time graph
Segments that include both aerobics & toning
Some workouts combine aerobics and toning. If the aerobics and toning are done at the same time, you'll see a "blended" graph. If the aerobics and toning are done in short, alternating intervals, you'll see an "interval" graph.
sample time graph
Chapter menus
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You can play only the individual workout segments you want by picking them off a chapter menu (one at a time).
Level
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Beginner: Just starting out, very overweight or haven't exercised in over six months.

Intermediate: Active in sports, dance or any regular exercise (2 to 3 times per week).

Advanced: Very active in sports or consistently work out four or more times per week.

Aerobics impact
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Lower Impact: Both feet never leave the ground at the same time. This minimizes stress on your knees.

Higher Impact: Includes movements like jumps, hops and skips. Very high-impact is called plyometrics.

Mixed Impact: This alternates or combines the above styles.

Aerobics choreography
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Basic: The easiest to follow. It ranges from simple walking-style marches to sports and athletic movements.

Complex: More intricate combinations and patterns. They're ideal for people who like to dance.

Moderate: More interesting than Basic, less dancy than Complex.

Toning emphasis
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Upper body: Arms, chest and back.

Lower Body: Legs, thighs, hips and buttocks.

Abs: Abdominals (stomach), core and sometimes lower back.

Total body: Tones all three of the above muscle groups.

Floor aerobics & toning
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Definition: Includes two workout activities. The aerobics segments are fast-paced standing movements like marching, dancing and jumping. These segments require no equipment. The toning sections are slow, controlled movements working against a resistance. These may include Pilates and weight training.

Benefits: The combination of both activities provides a balanced workout. The aerobics burns calories, strengthens your heart and increases stamina. The toning builds lean muscles, increases your metabolism and makes everyday activities easier.

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