I had been doing the am/pm pilates dvd off and on for about three years, and I borrowed this workout from the library when I started to want a slightly longer workout. I love the faster pace of this workout, and Ana Cabon does a great job of explaining the pilates theory behing each movement. I find that even when I go back to the am/pm dvd for a short 20 minute stretch, I get more out of it by incorporating the tips I got on the intermediate workout. I highly recommend this for anyone ready to move from a beginners to an intermediate pilates workout.

If you have done much of Ana Caban's videos, then this DVD will not be a shock to your system. I never did the "Pilates Beginners Workout" (my first Caban video was quick start pilates...), so I'm not sure how well this DVD works as a follow up to that beginner routine. However, as a stand alone workout it is very challenging.

I would compare it in difficulty to her Maintenance Pilates DVD (if you've done that). There are a few different exercises that I haven't seen in other Caban Videos (the swimming, for example), and she also does some of the commentary live (as opposed to via voice over), and explains a few things differently than in her other videos. Also, I'm not sure exactly when this was filmed, but it has a very 90s feel (especially some of the camera effects), so it's kind of amusing (in a nostalgic way), especially if you grew up on a steady diet of Saved By The Bell and M.C. Hammer pants like I did!

If you are already a Caban disciple and looking for something very different from her other tapes, this might disappoint you because it's mostly the same exercises from her other workouts (in which case I would recommend the Rael Pilates DVDs... the System 27 is AMAZING, and very different from Caban's approach). However, if like me, you do Caban videos frequently and are just looking for some variety (different audio/cueing/imagery, different pics to look at) this workout will certainly get the job done!

ENJOY!

classic pilates or not, I found the workout good. not very challenging and a bit short, that's true but then you have the extra bonus. i thought it was nice and smooth and very well explained. actually the movements go from one position to another in such a good order that it kind of comes naturally to follow without too much explanation. That of course, if one is a bit (just a bit :) in shape and has some basic knowledge of pilates.
i didn't find the shooting so disturbing nor the sound quality bad as other reviewers complained. very nice instructor. to the point and concise.

I only started doing yoga and pilates a couple months ago, and I got this video because I felt confident that I was intermediate enough to attempt it. I was nervous before I first did it because it kept warning that it was a lot harder than the beginner version that I hadn't done. After I did it though, it really was not the difficulty I expected. It is slower paced, and doesn't have as many repetitions as I expected. The intermediate work out is only about a half an hour long also and I was expecting an hour. It is not a bad work out though, but i consider it more as a warm up for me.

The bonus workout I think is reason enough to buy it however. The bonus workout is what i expected the main workout to be. And it has a really pretty setting. Its much faster, and you do not put your head down nearly as much as the main workout. It is much more difficult and works up a better sweat.

I really recommend Denise Austins Power Yoga and Pilates for a great yoga/pilates workout. Its fast and Denise is just so fun to work out with.

Great follow-up with clear directions and nice pace. Different levels provided. Poses challenging, just wish it was a little bit longer (I am used to doing an hour class).