vs. Iballet. For those of you who have used Fluidity and any of the other workouts I've mentioned how do they compare? I love the Callanetics and Iballet workouts and try to use them fairly regularly, but all this talk about Fluidity has me interested. I just don't want to spend that kind for money for something that really isn't that much different from what I'm already using. Thanks.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Fluidity vs. Callanaetics vs. Lotte Berk vs. Bar Method...
- Thread starter Ciddy
- Start date
lisellesmith
Cathlete
I own the fluidity bar and was interested mostly because I took 4 years of ballet when I was younger. I firmly believe, . . .and yes I know I was younger then, . . that ballet is one of the best forms of exercise out there. Ballet dancers have to have strength, flexibility, and endurance and they have to look like everything that they are doing on stages is effortless. I have never tried callanaetics, lotte, or the bar method but I can say that I actually enjoy my fluidity bar. The workouts (intermediate and advanced) are actually quite challenging and really work the core. I have gained my flexibility back to the point where I can put my chest flat to the ground with my leggs open and perform a split, . . and I'm in my 30's. My one issue is the workout DVD's are not challenging enough after a while and I don't like the music. The instructor kinda gets on my nerves a bit too. To me music is a big deal with work out DVD's that's why I love Cathe. If anything, . . I felt that the purchase was well worth it just to have a collapsable, height adjustable ballet bar. From what I've read the Bar method is much cheaper almost equivilent method. I also use my fluidity bar to do other ballet DVD's that I have.
RE: Fluidity vs. Callanaetics vs. Lotte Berk vs. Bar Me...
I can only compare Fluidity, Super Callanetics and The Bar Method. I've only had these dvds for a few weeks. I think Fitness Mom (Jennifer) has tried one of the Bar Method dvds and has one of the Lotte Berk dvds and Super Callanetics.
At this point, I like the Bar Method the best. The tempo is a perfect speed for me to get in position and maintain my form throughout the exercise. I feel that Leonard Burr (Bar Method) is great with cueing and giving form pointers. She has a calm voice. I do wonder if she's able to blink. (Oops! Did I say that out loud! LOL) The only problem I have with Burr is that she'll instruct you into the first position and go off on what feels like a long winded comment while you're holding that initial position. I credit my form improvement to these dvds. Beginner, intermediate and advanced moves are shown. I am able to do the intermediate and advanced moves on this dvd.
Fluidity's tempo is a bit faster. It was difficult at first for me to keep up with the tempo while maintaining correct form. Now that I've been using these for awhile, it's easier to maintain my form. Since I am able to maintain my form, I get a better workout. I can do most of the intermediate moves on this dvd. The ones that work your core and legs at the same time with your back against the (wall) mat, is one that I avoid since I don't want to work my over-developed quads that much. I'll do the one that has you point your toes outwards. However, both do work the core well. I'm really suprised that no one has mentioned how this instructor starts shouting out commands and yelling the countdown when the moves start to burn. It was funny at first. Now, it's really annoying. I find myself mimicking her voice when I see any difficult move on any exercise dvd, "Look at her, she's advanced." Fluidity users should know what I mean. LOL
I've only previewed Super Callanetics. I tried a couple of the moves. I must not be advanced enough because I can't hold my form for a minute without needing to reposition myself. And, it just seems boring and dated. Maybe when I'm better at the other dvds and need challenging, I'll try this again. I mentioned this before, but I find the production a bit freaky and the instructions a bit scattered. She does show you how to perform all the moves quickly at the beginning part of the dvd. However, she doesn't perform the moves during the workout. Instead, she watches two other people, and offers pointers and comments specific to them, not what to generally watch out for the the person at home. She does this with a soft, gentle voice while watching them intently. I find it really weird. Maybe, it's because I've never had a ballet teacher. Anyhow, when you go to do the workout, she doesn't offer much in the way of inital positioning or form instructions because you should already know it.
I hear the iballet's are similar to Fluidity as far as tempo. If you search Video Fitness's general board, someone posted a code for a free itrain download.
I can only compare Fluidity, Super Callanetics and The Bar Method. I've only had these dvds for a few weeks. I think Fitness Mom (Jennifer) has tried one of the Bar Method dvds and has one of the Lotte Berk dvds and Super Callanetics.
At this point, I like the Bar Method the best. The tempo is a perfect speed for me to get in position and maintain my form throughout the exercise. I feel that Leonard Burr (Bar Method) is great with cueing and giving form pointers. She has a calm voice. I do wonder if she's able to blink. (Oops! Did I say that out loud! LOL) The only problem I have with Burr is that she'll instruct you into the first position and go off on what feels like a long winded comment while you're holding that initial position. I credit my form improvement to these dvds. Beginner, intermediate and advanced moves are shown. I am able to do the intermediate and advanced moves on this dvd.
Fluidity's tempo is a bit faster. It was difficult at first for me to keep up with the tempo while maintaining correct form. Now that I've been using these for awhile, it's easier to maintain my form. Since I am able to maintain my form, I get a better workout. I can do most of the intermediate moves on this dvd. The ones that work your core and legs at the same time with your back against the (wall) mat, is one that I avoid since I don't want to work my over-developed quads that much. I'll do the one that has you point your toes outwards. However, both do work the core well. I'm really suprised that no one has mentioned how this instructor starts shouting out commands and yelling the countdown when the moves start to burn. It was funny at first. Now, it's really annoying. I find myself mimicking her voice when I see any difficult move on any exercise dvd, "Look at her, she's advanced." Fluidity users should know what I mean. LOL
I've only previewed Super Callanetics. I tried a couple of the moves. I must not be advanced enough because I can't hold my form for a minute without needing to reposition myself. And, it just seems boring and dated. Maybe when I'm better at the other dvds and need challenging, I'll try this again. I mentioned this before, but I find the production a bit freaky and the instructions a bit scattered. She does show you how to perform all the moves quickly at the beginning part of the dvd. However, she doesn't perform the moves during the workout. Instead, she watches two other people, and offers pointers and comments specific to them, not what to generally watch out for the the person at home. She does this with a soft, gentle voice while watching them intently. I find it really weird. Maybe, it's because I've never had a ballet teacher. Anyhow, when you go to do the workout, she doesn't offer much in the way of inital positioning or form instructions because you should already know it.
I hear the iballet's are similar to Fluidity as far as tempo. If you search Video Fitness's general board, someone posted a code for a free itrain download.
> I have gained my
>flexibility back to the point where I can put my chest flat to
>the ground with my leggs open and perform a split, . . and I'm
>in my 30's.
OK, I have managed to stay blissfully unaffected by all the talk of fluidity until the moment I read this. You have now officially peaked my interest. Doing the splits is this crazy dream I have, and I have never been able to do them (OK, I did ONCE, a side-split, when I'd been taking challenging 90 minute yoga classes three days a week for an entire summer. But that's it.)
Would you say that the fluidity method is better for flexibility than yoga?
>flexibility back to the point where I can put my chest flat to
>the ground with my leggs open and perform a split, . . and I'm
>in my 30's.
OK, I have managed to stay blissfully unaffected by all the talk of fluidity until the moment I read this. You have now officially peaked my interest. Doing the splits is this crazy dream I have, and I have never been able to do them (OK, I did ONCE, a side-split, when I'd been taking challenging 90 minute yoga classes three days a week for an entire summer. But that's it.)
Would you say that the fluidity method is better for flexibility than yoga?
lisellesmith
Cathlete
hi mocha, . . . i don't want to say that fluidity is better than yoga, . .i've tried yoga and i have to say that i'm not quite a fan. i think with yoga you need the right room, . .the right instructor and the right lighting. remember i took ballet when i was in my teenage years and doing the splits takes a lot of flexability training. like you mentioned you were able to do it after taking 90 minute yoga classes, . . this is because you were slowly training your body to do this. ballet is sorta the same thing. this is why i love ballet and wish that more gyms had adult ballet classes. there is cardio involved with jumping and kicking. then there is the stretching. i must admit the older i got and the more kids i had, . .i have two the harder is was to get to my split form, . . . but once you're there if you keep practicing it i don't think you loose it. my ballet teacher was 50 and she could split better than anyone!