Don't blame me, this was me wife's idea. In the deep distant past she had done ballet, and wanted to try this and see if she still had the knack. She also thought it would be a good idea to have a bit more of a work out…
After a short introduction by Sarah Jessica Parker (hit the skip or fast forward button), we come to the work outs themselves. They are presented here in all their pretentiousness along with my own common man's interpretation of what they actually are:
Work Out
1 - Warm-up 1 2 - Warm-up 2 3 - Warm-up 3 4 - Stretches 5 - Abdominals & Leg Darts 6 - Floor Barre exercise 1 7 - Floor Barre exercise 2 8 - Floor Barre exercise 3 (you don't need to have a barre - or bar if you wish to be less pretentious… to do these exercises… they're the exercixes that would normally
be done with one though) 9 - Pliés (like squats but more graceful!) 10 - Tendu (heel, toe, heel, toe…) 11 - Dégagé (elegant kicking…) 12 - Passé (knees up mother Brown…) 13 - Front attitude (er… kicking people in front of you and other things in front of you…) 14 - Grand Battement Front (more kicking) 15 - Arabesque Raises (pretending you're Superman, but without the actual flying…)
The problem with these work outs is that they assume a knowledge of ballet parlance. Off they go at a great speed doing all sorts of strange things to their feet with no real explanation as to what they actually are. After watching a few times you may be able to work it out, but I wouldn't have had any patience to do that - my wife provided some interpretation though so I was more-or-less okay (apart from our flat being far too small to go prancing around in). The exercises admittedly do test your muscles when you do them, though some of the fairy moves made me feel very much less than macho. The stretches were the best of the bunch, as there was no messing about trying to understand them telling you to plié and other such nonsense - you just did what they were doing. (Did I mention the pain though?) The voiceover is perfectly okay apart from the lingo used.
Really it's a case of being very specialised… they pretend that this is a good thing for everyone, but really it's only good for ballet dancers - though for them, I suspect it is very good. So whether to buy this or not is a clear-cut decision - yes if you're a ballet dancer (or actively interested in becoming one, I guess, though as far as I'm aware most ballet dancers start very young), and no if you're anyone else.
There are several other things on the DVD, which are:
Exercises
These are presented in sections - 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-17 - each focusing on a different muscle group. Basically just parts of the wok outs.
Features
Video Diaries Interviews Behind the Scenes Dance and the City Sports Options - this gives you sets of exercises for football, skiing, or racquet sports.
All of these would be of interest to people interested in ballet - as I'm not, I didn't find them particularly interesting, useful, or enlightening.
Interactive
Video Glossary Photo Gallery Credits Trailer Information Weblinks
These can only be accessed on computer directly from the disc - not on a DVD player of through the DVD player software of your computer. Same comment as for the Features really.
Audio Setup
You can choose between classical and contemporary music and turn the voiceover on or off. The music of either type is reasonably good though hardly inspiring.
Verdict
Though it might claim to be for everyone, this is a product for ballet dancers only. Not a bad product in itself, but The New York City Ballet Workout is of very limited value to someone like myself, hence the low rating.
If you still want to buy it after what I've said you're either a ballet dancer, insane, or simply don't believe me. If this is the sort of person you are, Amazon.co.uk have it for £11.89 *RRP £16.99).
NB - please ignore most of the ratings below as they are irrelevant... but Ciao still wants them filled out!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
sounds very intense. but good on you for trying, its more then ill do, ill stick to what i know. good review, did you wear the tutu?
Coloneljohn 15.01.2006 12:20
Good one, but this is not something that I will be trying. John
bingbong 11.01.2006 20:55
Ive got this one and find its a great work out but I do have previous ballet experience. Agree its tough for those who haven't done ballet before. anna x
![New York City Ballet - Complete Workout [Deluxe Edition]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/98687950.jpg "New York City Ballet - Complete Workout [Deluxe Edition]")
![Balanchine - New York City Ballet - Tzigane / Andante [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78504931.jpg "Balanchine - New York City Ballet - Tzigane / Andante [DVD]")
Jan 11th, 2006
very helpful by (100%):
