Possibly the last fitness-related DVD I’ll have to review for a while, this is one of the best that I’ve come across. Featuring a broad base of exercises that cover all fitness levels, Gaiam have yet again brought the fitness video into the modern world of DVD in awesome fashion.

Comprising two unique workouts, plus some exemplary bonus material, ongoing value for money is assured with the two fully recognised instructors of this doctrine. With the popularity of Pilates ever increasing, Gaiam have delivered top of the range visuals, audio, exercises and extras in this up market production with attention to detail paramount. There are no sweaty, breathless instructors delivering coaching between gasps for breath and no over the top workouts undoable by the beginners. Instead, this is a guided and calm workout that will have you feeling it, delivered in a relaxed atmosphere and simple manner. If you can’t look at the screen whilst working, it doesn’t matter too much as each exercise, once shown, is reciprocated by audio only, allowing the viewer to concentrate on what they’re doing.

This is what we get on this DVD:
The first workout is hosted by Jillian Hessel, a veteran of other Gaiam productions. She competently takes us through a series of exercises involving both a chair and mat for a total of 27:39. This has been shot on a volcanic beach in Maui, Hawaii, and looks visually calming as Ms Hessel does her thang. Four chapters make up this part; Intro, in which Ms Hessel describes what we are about to do, Breathing where we wake our bodies up fully from sleep, Mat Work where we get into the bones of the workout and Centering where we warm down. All are easily replicated and a great method of getting ready for the day (and I know this, because being the hardcore reviewer I am I tried it).

Following this is the PM Workout to prepare for sleep. Hosted this time by Ana Cabán, this bit runs for 29:11 and is a stronger workout, while also being a relaxing way to get ready for bed (again, your fearless DVDnet reviewer has tried this one).

As before, four chapters are granted us and these run as follows. Intro, in which Ms Cabán does the usual direct to camera spiel on what we are about to do for ourselves. Warm-Up is pretty self-explanatory, Mat Work sees us again hit the harder part of the show and with Calm and Relax we warm down and feel all loose and ready for naptime. This has been shot during the sunset off Maui, and it's interesting watching the sunlight fade away, rather than using the usual midday light.

Visually, the Gaiams put on a good show, choosing excellent locations for their progressive workouts. Shot entirely in Hawaii this time around, the backgrounds and such are magnificent. The picture quality is sharp and well resolved, with flesh tones being natural and colours rich. Tiny instances of aliasing turn up occasionally, but this doesn’t matter a great deal, as half the time we don’t even look at the screen.

The dialogue is delivered as a voiceover during workouts and sounds clear and well defined. There aren’t really any sound effects other than those of the waves on the rocks, but these are okay. Musically the DVD is great, with easy meditational music being used throughout to instill a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The disc is only delivered in English without subtitles, though it would be hard to read them anyway with your head at some weird angle.

There’s a bunch of extras, which includes another workout. This runs for 12:09 with Ana Cabán in a Japanese garden and has been designed for a quick energising hit through the day. Being so short in length, this can be done almost anytime and anywhere and really helps send fresh oxygen into the system. A nice inclusion that adds more value to this already excellent production. A couple or three text pages deliver instructor biographies which are short, but interesting nonetheless. Finally, a pair of instructor interviews with each of our ladies. Ms Hessel’s runs for 8:59 and is a sort of biography and description of how and why she got into Pilates. Ms Cabán’s, on the other hand, runs for only 6:51 and features live footage of her actual classes and instruction. This is delivered in the unseen interviewer format.

Overall this is another fine addition to the Gaiam catalogue of excellent DVDs. Following the usual pattern of magnificent visuals, clever voiceovers and well structured workouts, this two-fold DVD is an excellent product and one that will continue to deliver ongoing value for years to come.

Namaste.