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CallaneticsEvolution Editorial Review:
CallaneticsEvolution Body by Design Toning Program introduces new exercises and training techniques. This revolutionary fitness program features three different types of muscle pulsing and unique body alignment principles that work together allowing you to design the body you've always wanted. Also included in this DVD! Callanetics Concepts teaches you the principles of the Callanetics Method which include the pelvic floor muscles and body alignment. And, Callanetics To Go shows you how to incorporate Callanetics into your everyday life.
Customer Reviews:
The original is much better....
I happened to see this at the library.
Most of the exercises bear little resemblance to the original exercises--and for some reason the sitting hip/behind exercises here are performed in what used to be considered the "extreme beginner" position in the blue book/original video (although this DVD has you leaning on your forearm, rather than leaning over and hanging onto a barre or furniture). If you read the book, you'd find out that the "advanced" position was actually sitting up straight, without holding onto anything for support. Why the change?
Other things that I didn't care for were:
No set amount of repetitions/hold time for most exercises (and really miss the counter from the original)
Didn't care for the yoga additions--if I wanted yoga I'd get a yoga DVD. Same with the strength additions--I would get something more effective.
There was some stretching between exercises, but it did not seem geared towards increasing flexibility as in the original--instead it was geared more towards relaxing the muscles that were just worked.
The outfits were too dark to see what muscles you should be working. Say what you like about the outfits in the original, they were useful for being able to see exactly what Callan was talking about.
The instructor focused far too much on the beginner/intermediate positions, instead of focusing on the goal of working towards the advanced positions as Callan did (only as your body improves its ability to do so over time)
All the explanations were the same as on the CardioCallanetics DVD--these two DVDs could and should have been combined into one.
I understand the lack of barre/counter exercises, as most people don't have a barre, or their furniture is either not the correct height or not in the same room as the TV, but there are no real substitutes for those exercises on this DVD. You're almost better off looking for some ballet DVD with a good floor warmup. I happened to rent through Netflix a DVD called "The Ballet Workout II: Strength and Conditioning by Melissa Lowe, and that had some decent floor stretching exercises (can't comment on the actual ballet portions) that I can substitute.
Also, the "Callanetics on the Go" section was useful only to those unfamiliar with the original book, as the book outlined a 15-minute daily routine (that has never been out in VHS or DVD to my knowledge), that you could easily substitute. The closest thing would be the Callanetics AM/PM Workout, which has 2 approximately 20-minute workouts.
Bottom line:
This DVD is better than CardioCallanetics in that it is chaptered better (although you can't program the order to more follow the original, which started with abs right after the warm-up).
I found a few exercises to maybe add in to the original program for variety, but this is not as good as the original program, IMHO.
Borrow from your library or buy used.
The best for shaping the waistline!
This is definitely a 5 star dvd; if you want pounding, electronic music and an intense instructor, then this is not for you.
But if you want an intense workout that is also calming and somehow gentle, this is fantastic. I've done Lotte Berke, the Bar Method classes and dvd's, as well as studio Pilates, and I love all of those. However, nothing shapes my waist and abdominals like this CallaneticsEvolution work! It creates a lovely, feminine shape with really challenging abdominal work.
Has "the pretzel" exercise and uses the small, intense pulsing motions that keep the muscles engaged.
Also unique to Callanetics (compared to The Bar Method) are stretches for the neck and spinal rotation, which I find more and more important as I get older! This dvd is perfect to rotate with The Bar Method dvd's.
Quick results!
I've done the full workout under about 8 times in the three weeks I've had the DVD and I couldn't be happier. It's difficult but at the end you feel great! I've lost 1.5 inches on my waist already. I can really feel my ab muscles! And I've noticed definition lines on my forearms and thighs. My legs have definitely lost some fat (saddlebag and inner thigh area) that I thought would never come off. My butt is higher. And all through the day I feel myself sitting and standing straighter.
The only downside I've found is that because the instructor encourages you to take breathers and feel your own body sometimes I end up zoning out through an excersize when I take a break. But even with that, these results are ridiculous! I'll definetly be buying more from the Callanetics line after I can do the advanced level on Evolution (some of which are so tough I may not need another DVD for a few months!). I would recommend this program to anybody and everybody! =]
You'll feel it
I started Callanetics recently with the original 10/10 video. I then received Evolution, and I like it just as well as the first, if not better. I think it's a little easier on the knees than the first one, and it's nice that they show you 3 different kinds of pulses, as well as modifications for beginners or advanced students. Some of the stretches in the original video are not in this one, but they have been replaced by others that I think are very effective. I think many of the modifications that have been made over the years are superior to the original exercises. The instructor is very good, but as someone else said, she doesn't always tell you how many reps to do. You'll need to try and count yourself so you can do the same number on each side. She does tell you to relax certain parts of the body while working distinct areas (thus giving better muscle isolation for what you are trying to work), but there isn't as much emphasis on that as Callan's original video. Just try to remember to isolate those muscles you are working. I love the emphasis in Evolution on the pelvic floor. I hadn't previously realized how closely related your pelvic floor is to your lower abs. If you keep the pelvic floor engaged you will really feel it. I will probably use both this one and 10/10, but for people who like Callanetics, this is very good.
A Beautiful Spa-like Experience
I love this Callanetics Evolution dvd for the beautiful feeling of deep peace it gives me. To me, it is Serenity in a box. I'm in my late 40's and on the heavier side, but this dvd, although challenging, is doable, no-impact, and highly beneficial.
I truly believe that the exercises have been ingeniously pored over by teams of physiotherapists in order to get the maximum benefit out of each move. Not a single movement is wasted and I feel that the stretching and toning are extremely thorough. For example, Callan's neck stretches have been updated for safety and are now executed while doing a lower body yoga posture that opens the hips and stretches the thighs. Several of the moves 'multi-task' in this way and the extra benefits being packed into the 60 minutes really stack up. When you are finished, you definitely feel worked, but also refreshed and rejuvenated. Personally, I feel kind of floaty and definitely sleep much, much better.
For me, this dvd has almost as much emotional impact as physical. If I was a doctor I would prescribe it for depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. It's that good. ( And the side effects of toning, lifting, and smiling are wonderfully welcome as well!)
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