In this excellent, intermediate Pilates workout, you add muscular power and endurance to the core stability you've developed. Skillful instructor Moira Stott-Merrithew starts with a review of basic principles, demonstrated in the warm-up, before taking us through a nonstop workout. Many of the moves are the essential exercises taught in Essential Matwork but performed without rests in between (45 exercises in 49 minutes), building flow as well as adding endurance and intensity. Stott-Merrithew slows down when she introduces difficult new exercises, such as the rollover, which involves lying on the back, legs lifted off the floor (held up by the abdominals), then slowly bringing the legs up and over the head with control, touching the feet to the floor behind the head, opening the legs from that position, then flexing the feet and slowly bringing them back to the starting position, closing the legs, and doing it all over again. Whew. As always, Stott-Merrithew, calm and competent, instructs throughout, so we're learning as much technique as we can handle. Her form is impeccable and inspiring. --Joan Price

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great workout/Cheap videos
Comment: I actually own the basic, intermediate and advanced Stott Pilates videos. While I love the workout, I was highly disappointed that the tapes malfunctioned after a few months of use. Both the beginner and intermediate tapes I purchased wouldn't play - I had to open the case and manipulate the acetate to get the tapes going again. I thought this was odd since I still have tapes that I bought in the early 90s that work with no problem today. When I emailed the Merrithew Corporation - the Canadian company owned by Stott that makes the tapes - to complain, they promised to send me replacements, but never did. The sad part is that I also gave a Stott beginner tape to my mother as a gift and it malfunctioned as well after a few months.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great, well-instructed workout!
Comment: If you are somewhat new to Pilates, I would suggest you start with Stott-Merrithew's Essential Matwork video. She takes a lot more time there to explain how to do the exercises. In this video, she builds on that slow, deliberate instruction, so the exercises go by much more quickly here, with little pausing. Also, in this video, she has us doing more-advanced versions of the "preps" we did in the Essential video.

As in the Essential video, Stott-Merrithew instructs us in a no-nonsense yet encouraging and supportive manner. I like that she mixes abdominal exercises with back exercises and flexibility exercises, rather than lumping each type together. I found some of the exercises a bit complicated and difficult, and felt like she sped through some of the instruction, but the exercises seem like they'll be accessible to me in just a few more tries.

I'm not in horrible shape, but I'm no gym rat, either. I found this workout to be just challenging enough that I'll be able to benefit from it for a good little while to come. I can't emphasize enough, though, that you'll enjoy this tape much more if you begin with the Essential tape.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Not the greatest
Comment: I have taken Callanetics in a studio (similar in origin to Pilates, but not as focused on the core), so I felt I was prepared to try an intermediate level DVD.

I bought this dvd about a year ago and have probably used it three times. Some things are clearly explained, but some things are rushed over--like breathing.

The thing that killed it for me if the instructor's blase attitude. It's as if she's coming down from her high pedastal to teach us slobs intro pilates. Kinda like she's totally bored with these easy moves. While I do not like the cheerleader type instructor--at all--it is nice to have a friendly encouraging voice lead you through your exercises. You're not going to find that here.

This makes pilates seem completely tedious. (And it's not!)I could never made it to the end of the session, not b/c I was tired or in pain but b/c it felt like every minute was stretched into ten. And I like Callanetics--which most people consider the most boring form of matwork ever.

At the same time I purchased this item, I also purchased Portable Pilates by Alycea Ungaro. It is a CD and a book. There is no video portion, but if you're acquainted with basic pilates posture (abs in towards spine) you'll be fine.

It's actually much easier to follow a book and a CD while focusing on your posture than it is to follow a video. I use this book/CD several times a week and -highly- recommend it. And Alycea is a wonderful guide, knowing how and when to cue your movements and remind you to keep your form.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Challenging matwork sequence for the intermediate student
Comment: Stott's Intermediate Matwork video is designed for experienced Pilates students who have already mastered the beginning Pilates moves, either through use of the Stott Beginner's video or elsewhere. Instructor Moira Stott explains that in this new second edition, the sequencing of the exercises has been revised based on the latest research. Moira, a calm, competent instructor, works out alone here.

Moira begins with a 9-minute sequence of opening stretches which review the major Pilates principles, including breathing, imprinting, and articulation. This section also includes warm-up exercises for the hips and shoulders as well as prep moves for the abs and back. Although the warm-up moves at a slow, leisurely pace, once Moira begins the workout--starting with the classic hundred move--she picks up the pace, transitioning quickly between moves. In order to keep up, it is necessary for the viewer to have not only previous knowledge of the exercises themselves but also a basic understanding of Pilates sequencing. Furthermore, because this is an intermediate routine, some fairly challenging moves are added to the traditional Pilates matwork, including the rollover, the open leg rocker, the full teaser, the jack knife, hip twists, side bends, and Pilates push-ups. The 35-minute matwork section ends with a few simple stretches.

This is a nice routine for those Pilates students who are ready to advance beyond the beginner level. The fast pace intensifies the workout, and the intermediate movements are challenging yet doable for those who have built up some core strength. Although the total workout time is 44 minutes, the warm-up stretches could easily be skipped for a relatively quick and thorough 35-minute Pilates workout. Recommended for all intermediate students of Pilates.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Perfect BEGINNER video for intermediate/advanced folks
Comment: Since I'm pretty fit and used to learning new physical activities, this was a perfect Pilates beginner video for me. Moira Stott is an excellent instructor who teaches a proper exercising and breathing techniques. What I was looking for and have found in this video: detailed instructions, moderate speed (but not too slow, so it's challenging), no-fuss style (that is no cheerleading and annoying non-related talks/jokes you have to listen to every time you use the tape). I've learned the basics with this video in about 2 months and moving on to the Stott Advanced Matwork on VHS and the Classical Pilates Technique on DVD. However, I'm still going to use this great routine as my alternating workout on the days when I'm too tired/sore to do the advanced one.

---