Rating: 
Summary: Easy to do and pleasing results
Review: I am a ballet dancer going on 8 years, and I got this book as a little extra help. It did alot for me. I am stronger now, and doing so much better in my classes. This was an awesome book.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent book but takes a lot of time
Review: I really like the stretches and exercises I've done so far from this book. The thing is, if you want to do the number of repetitions and do enough exercises to get a total body workout, it will take a fair amount of time. You have to be committed and focussed to get the most out of these. I noticed a difference in the way I moved and felt after doing some of the workout the first time! I just got the book and have only been doing it for about a week, so I can't tell you about the long-term benefits, but so far, I feel great. I LOVE the pictures and all of the dancer's personal opinions at the start of the book. It's a really high quality book and it's dedicated to helping you acheive the look of a dancer!
Rating:
Summary: A Welcome Touch of Grace and Beauty!
Review: For many, the thought of "working out" throws into the mind a picture of treadmills, barbells, and aerobics 'till you drop tortures. Not being too fond of aerobics (and being afraid of looking ridiculous doing them) and not following the "Tae Bo" trend has made me a sort of vagabond when it comes to exercise. The result: I have turned to ballet, and strength training. (Not a very plausible combination, I know.) However, this is the book, filled with page after page of glorious dancers, and the wonderfuly artful input of the ballet master Peter Martins and the performers of the New York City Ballet has become one of the most popular (and rightfuly so) alternative exercise routines. "The New York City Ballet Workout" is the perfect way to add a bit of grace to your strength and rediscover abilities of the human body you may have forgoten about.The book was created by the world-famous New York City Ballet, and much of the routine was written by the talented artistic director of the company, Peter Martins. This is the company who have pioneered the works of George Balanchine, and continue to host productions, that are considered some of the best in the world. (Who has not seen Balanchine's "Nutcracker?") A videotape was created, basedon this book, and is equaly well-recieved. The itself book begins with the encouraging and eloquent voices of the New York City Ballet dancers and Peter Martins. Then, we get fifty of the most elite dance workout stretches and exercises available. The book also includes workout routines for those pushed for time, and those who want to improve their aptitudes in sports, such as football and golf. The routine, itself is divided into familiar dance class aspects. It includes a warm-up, stretches, floor barre, abdominal workout, and additional leg and stretch work. The warm-up ranges from simple things such as arm circles to the familiar dance class plie. It takes a bit of effort to get warmed-up properply, at first, when beginning as you must look back at the instructions over and over for each exercise. But, with time, one memorizes them. The stretches at ballet stretches. They can be quite jarring for the non-dancer, but get much easier with time. This is a lovely section that helped me work with muscles I forgot I could use! The floor barre is the more advanced workout, and it may take some time before a newbie can perform the exercises comfortably. But, it is a routine familiar to dance students who practice at home, without a barre at hand. The eg exercises ranges more towards bulkin the legs up than sculpting them. However, the bulking actualy defines the leg muscles a lot more, and legthens them after time. At the end of the book, there are routines for football players, golfers, and other athletes who want to improve their physical aptitude. Also included, is a very nice list of recomended music for your workout. (I, being a classical music fan found most of it to be well-known works which are available readily. However, the book lists specific recordings which are no longer in print, and hard to find, even on Amazon.com. I would suggest getting recordins of the work listed, but not stressing too much over getting the specific recordings.) The routine, surprisingly, contained very familiar yoga exercises also. Much of the section on stretching contain yoga asanas (positions or movements). I should not be so surprised, however, since, just like ballet, yoga requires strength, endurance, and above-all, balance and a sense of oneself in space. This book offers all of this, as well as much-improved posture. For a world obsessed with six-pack abs and overworked bulky grotesque muscles, this is a much healthier remedy and a much needed antidote. "I have heard many people say that ballet is unhealthy..." as Peter Martins says in his introduction. But, truly, it is society's obsession with an unnatural and unbalanced body that is unhealthy. Ballet is only considered "unhealthy" because it is a deviant in a world on conformity. This is a wonderful book, for both men and women, who want to acheive a healthier way of life. Ballet is often called ethereal, and celestial. The New York City Ballet has been called the foremost ballet company in the U.S. This book offers a very welcome taste of truth, in the dissilusioned world of physical health. The exercises are strenuous, but get simpler with time, and in the end, one acheives a great knowledge of the body, and of grace and beauty. I recomend it to all.
Rating:
Summary: What I wanted
Review: I was taking danse lessons until my 19 years old and then... stopped. Now, in my 33s and following a severe health problem, I wanted to re-start gaining that perfect sense of my body. I knew what I wanted: the ballet workout. I could not remember the exercises or how to do them. This book was a real help! I started exercising at home and now I am ready to join a class again.
Only two problems of this book : its pictures: they are not explicit enough and the video: I cannot find in european format (it is US and Canada only).
Rating:
Summary: Great Workout!
Review: I practice yoga and Pilates daily. I bought the New York City Ballet Workout to try something fun and different. I now wake up every day actually EXCITED to do this workout. The stretches are similar to yoga postures and the muscle groups worked on are the same as a classic Pilates syllabus. Although I haven't practiced ballet for over 20 years (since I stopped taking lessons at age 9!) the positions are easy to follow and replicate. There's even a bit of cardio in the Little Jumps section! I use this DVD three or four times a week and can not praise it enough; it's fun, challenging, and interesting. The only drawback is the running time....with two children under three, I really have to budget my time wisely in order to complete the workout. A must have for any "workout library"!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Loved It
Review: I was in ballet for nine years and had to drop out. I loved the feeling of being flexable and in shape. Three years later I was so out of shape I hated it. I found this book and loved it from the moment I opened it. It is so easy to use anyone can use it, and it works. I am feeling better about myself and along with my spirits being lifted my soul is lifted.
Rating:
Summary: Get the VHS/DVD!
Review: If you really want the true experience, GET THE VHS or DVD!! Read the reviews for this video workout - it is absolutely AMAZING (and a perfect supplement for the book). I think what the reveiws say about it will help your decision.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of filler, but a good workout nonetheless
Review: The first 66 pages are pictures of dancers and information about the New York City Ballet. The pages that include the actual workout have a lot of empty space and photos that don't pertain to the specific workout. If you are interested in ballet and dance photography, this is a nice bonus to a good workout.
The workout itself is simple, but challenging. It is helpful to have had a ballet background, so you now how to do the moves without just flopping your limbs around. If you don't know how to use resistance and move your body in slow, controlled movements, this workout will be too easy and not effective.
Rating:
Summary: It's Different--and fun!
Review: I got this book because I need to get in better shape for my Martial Arts class (IMHO Martial Arts and dance have a lot in common), and I love it. The exercises are intense but not necessarily strenuous, and they seem to have a certain meditative quality to them. Hey--if Ballet worked for NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swan(P.S. There's a workout for Football in this book), why can't it work for me!
Rating:
Summary: Best for those with some ballet experience
Review: This is a fantastic book, beautifully illustrated, and with 50 exercises you can tailor your own workout. The only flaw is that not enough time is spent on basic posture, which has a tremendous affect on the effect of the exercises. For this reason, I think the book is best for those who've taken some basic ballet classes.
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