Callanetics?
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free skin care · Mon May 08, 2006 12:31 pm

Just wondering if anyone has tried callanetics or the Lotte Berk series (as they are very similiar)... and if you'd had success? I'm very interested in trying callanetics from the reviews I've read on collage and amazon. For some reason I cannot find ANY info on what callanetics is like or exercise examples. I tried ehow and googling and the most I've gotten is that it's similiar to pilates. So what's the difference?

free skin care · Mon May 08, 2006 1:26 pm

Hi PhoebesMeow!

About 6 months ago I got 2 Callanetics DVDs from Amazon.com (Callanetics: 10 Years Younger in 10 Days and Super Callanetics), as well as several used books about it on half.com. As you can probably tell, when I get interested in something I go a little nuts with the purchases! Laughing

At any rate, I did like it and saw very fast tightening up of everything...particularly legs and butt area. I think it's a bit like Pilates in that there is a lot of muscle control and stretching involved...just my opinion. But unfortunately I fell off the map with it due to my other affliction: "Exercise ADD". I get bored of my workouts and always seem to be trying something new! But I would like to get back to this, because it really did produce results. To be honest, I didn't expect it to because it is a very gentle workout…and right or wrong, I have always been sort of the “no pain, no gain” type when it comes to exercise.

All that said, I’d be more than happy to give you one of my used Callanetics books…might be a nice way to learn more about it and see some of the exercises and how they work. PM me if you’re interested!

Mary Smile

free skin care · Mon May 08, 2006 2:11 pm

Back in the early 90s my mom and her best friend did Callanetics w/ the video all the time, and got great results.

I know it works... but I just can't seem to stick with it. Mary H--I love it! I totally have Exercise ADD.

It's frustrating... I know what works and I just can't find the motivation to do it, or stick with it. I think it definitely helps if you have someone keeping you accountable.

free skin care · Mon May 08, 2006 2:21 pm

Tularyn...good to know I'm not the only one! Laughing

I wish I could just pick one routine and stick with it...but probably much like I am with beauty products, the ever-present call of "something new and better" when it comes to workouts always beckons me! I think you're right...it definitely helps to have someone keep you accountable. And since I exercise by myself (too lazy to drive to a gym), I only have myself to answer to...not always a good thing!

Mary Smile

free skin care · Mon May 08, 2006 5:49 pm

Mary H. wrote:

...
At any rate, I did like it and saw very fast tightening up of everything...particularly legs and butt area. ...But I would like to get back to this, because it really did produce results. To be honest, I didn't expect it to because it is a very gentle workout…and right or wrong, I have always been sort of the “no pain, no gain” type when it comes to exercise...

Mary Smile

She took the words right outa my mouth! Laughing

free skin care · Mon May 08, 2006 5:54 pm

Callanetics does work, and FAST, IF you do it...LOL Just be aware that it focuses mostly on the lower body.. There's not a lot in it for the upper... It's very small movements that will give you a hard workout.. You'll feel rather jelly like when you're done and the next day you'll feel it!

I have all the tapes and the book.. Got them all of of ebay and Amazon...

I know a lot of women who are much better than I am at sticking to it and have had GREAT success in a very short time... Start with the 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours, and wait till you're really good with that before you advance to the Super Callanetics workout.. Trust me on that one! There is also an AM/PM one...

Tue May 09, 2006 2:13 am

This sounds promising. I like the concept of no pain but some gain Smile

Seeing as I have (rather quickly) fallen off the yoga bandwagon, maybe I should give this a try....

Looks like I have some more googling to do tonight Smile

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 2:17 am

Something more effective than pilates?! I have to try this..

I have found exercising on a mat for 20 mins to be more effective than running for an hour every day..

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 2:26 am

Mabsy wrote:

This sounds promising. I like the concept of no pain but some gain Smile

Seeing as I have (rather quickly) fallen off the yoga bandwagon, maybe I should give this a try....

Looks like I have some more googling to do tonight Smile

Err, I wouldn't exactly say there's no pain...the tummy exercises and the thigh buster ones are tough, too, they're a bit like learning ballet. But they work so who cares Laughing

Tue May 09, 2006 2:48 am

pumpingmummy wrote:

Err, I wouldn't exactly say there's no pain...the tummy exercises and the thigh buster ones are tough, too, they're a bit like learning ballet. But they work so who cares Laughing

Oh well, I guess I can live with some pain.... Laughing

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 4:14 am

Mmm, sounds lovely. I have just downloaded some workout thingy from a personal training website- sounds a bit similar to this. Tried it the other day and am still sore. I am not really into the gym, so being able to do 'personal' training at home has been great.

Good luck hunting. Am going to have a little look into this now.

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 7:26 am

It may take you some time to get thru the entire workout at first.. It's very small, pulsing movements, that you WILL feel...LOL Not a no pain thing.. But effective and fast... OF course that's IF you do them.. I keep trying to get back to it, but with all I have going on, I find it way to easy to just 'not' do it...LOL

I hope after my sons wedding on the 20th, I'll be in a much better frame of mind {not stressing}and be able to get my sad, put it off self, back to a good workout schedule...LOL

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 9:53 am

Yes, I've heard it's more effective than pilates, that's why I'm so interested in it. From what I've googled I've learned that the lady who invented Callantics, Callan Pinckney, actually picked up her techniques from Lotte Berk, she just modified them for people who have back or knee problems. The Lotte Berk series is shorter in time than Callanetics, but for some reason I am still more interested in Callanetics. I'm going to try to bid on some of these on ebay soon (watch we're all gonna be bidding against each other Laughing

)... I am so disgusted today because I have been working out sooo diligently EVERY SINGLE day, with videos and 45-60 minutes of cardio and when I measured myself today there was no difference. Granted I didn't measure myself when I FIRST started, I only did so about 3 weeks ago, so I definitely lost inches since the beginning but NO CHANGE in the last 3 weeks.. If anything I'm larger. I don't weigh myself, no clue what I weigh, I THOUGHT i'd be happier with the measuring process since that would tell if I was really getting smaller. UGH! I'm trying to convince myself that maybe the humidity is puffing up my body today as it does my hair... maybe that's why the measurements are off.

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 10:47 am

On another board I visit, there are MANY people who do Callan... We were all buying the tapes at the same time, and no one didn't get them...LOL Be sure to try amazon and half, too... I got better prices and there was no bidding, so no wait time on an auction to end and hten shipping... DVD's are available on the 10/10 I know for sure, not so sure about the other ones... You won't get those for such a LOW cost tho..

The 10/10 alot of instruction too and ends up to be about 50 minutes in actual time if you FF thru the pictures etc...

Warning, you're going to be quite amused by the attire.. After all, this is from the 80's...LOL

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 11:09 am

Kiki is SO right about the 80's look...I forgot to mention that!! We're talking leg warmers, leotards...and of course, plenty of bad perms and caked-on blush and eye shadow (always a great idea to exercise in full makeup!)! Laughing

But if you can get past feeling like you've just been sucked into a 1982 timewarp, it's a hugely effective workout!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to put on my Pat Benatar-style headband, electric blue eyeshadow and spray my head with an entire can of Aqua Net! Laughing

Yes, I did do all of the above back in the day... Embarassed

Mary

free skin care · Tue May 09, 2006 11:37 am

I did Callanetics in college, and they did work wonders. We had both the book and the video. I think that the book is better. It does tone you up fast, but we never saw results as great as the photos in the book. (It could have been the beer and pizza.) When doing them I could stand on the stairs and touch the step below the one I was on. I think I have to go home and see if I still have that book somewhere. After all, it's almost swimsuit season.

free skin care · Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:59 am

Thought I'd bump this as summer is coming!

I've just bought the 4dvd boxset of the lotte berk method. I did the beginner workout last night and the extra workout on the disc this morning. I DO like it, like others have said it is a bit like callentics - I never stuck with that, too slow for me!
As I've used weights for much of my training over the years I can look bulky especially if I'm carrying extra fat so I will be the test dummy. I'll stick at it for a month and see if go all streamlined dancer looking. Laughing

At first look I think if you liked the NY Ballet workout you'll be comfortable with the leg positions, although maintaining a knee bend, pelvic tilt, keeping you hips square whilst lifting your leg back is tricky you CAN feel the muscle working. See ya in 30 days Laughing

free skin care · Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:20 am

Good luck!!!

Can't wait to hear how it works for you.

free skin care · Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:15 pm

Hi, just thought I'd add my endorsement to this. I've been way lucky with the body genes and didn't notice any kind of slackening until I was nearly 40. I also really detest boring exercise. I just prefer walking actually, oh and ski-ing though I only discovered that once I was 39. I think I could have been in the olympics for both Laughing

(more self delusion). I like natural, outdoor activities, but anyway, I saw a bit of slackening and found a 1980s Callanetics book on one of my sisters shelves. Now my sisters are both really large and I was amazed when one of them told me she'd only done the exercises for a week and had managed to pull in her thighs (in the 80's - not sure it'd help now).

So, I'm babbling, but I did some, not all, of these exercises for about 4 months, two or three times a week and oh my, what a rejuvinator. I can't exercise too much because I get really muscular and there's not a scrap of fat on me to hide it, but since then I've just done the stretching exercises for maintenance and a few key ones - inner thigh and especially the abdominal one where you lie on your back and curl up - amazing! Pulls all the way from your thighs up to your jaw.

Really an amazing programme.

I'd like to get hold of it again and review the buttock area ! Confused

free skin care · Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:46 am

I hope so Molly.

So far I've done the basics, next day a mini basics workout, yesterday muscle eats fat and this morning I did the mini abs workout as I got up late so didn't have time for the full session. I know it does't seem like much when you watch and go through the workouts but my legs were aching as I went upstairs today and I've caught myself a couple of times standing taller, let's face it as soon as you walk tall you look and feel trimmer. So far so good.

and damn, who knew holding the plank was such hard work? Shock

free skin care · Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:34 am

That's the thing about it Eve. It does lift everything back, up and where it was originally - you really feel taller. If I don't do it for a few weeks I start shuffling around with my shoulders hunched like an old woman Laughing

Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:55 am

I tried to buy the callanetics beginners vhs from amazon but they said they don't deliver to Greece, can anyone help me please?
Linda

free skin care · Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:44 pm

Can anyone suggest what is the best DVD of Callanetics program I should buy (there are so many of them)? I started a protein diet and I am losing some weight, but at my age (50) I also need to tone my body and face in order to avoid the sagging issues. I am too lazy to exercise but now I really don't have a choice, and based on my research I believe that Callanetics will be the best program for me. I am also looking to start the FlexEffect program.

Thanks.

free skin care · Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:13 pm

Hi Doba,
I am 50 also. I did Callanetics back in the day and it works - also a lower impact way to go. the hard part is popping the tape in and doing it. Schedule it - It will work. It is how I got in shape after my two children in the late 80's.

Now I am into flex effect. There are many things out there to try - all take some time: the led lights, nuface, cupping etc. But as a person who has worked her body and seen the results all of life I am sold - and very much on Flex Effect. It makes sense and the proof is valid. For me that is all I need.

It all has to do with how much you really care about your goals.

I know that working on my body has been a life benefit for me and now I'm committed to my face the same way.

I believe without doubt that good nutrition, the right supplements, and excellent - appropriate skin care and flex effect and an led light are the surest and least invasive way to getting what you need.

Hope that hellps.

Oh yes, I love love love Callenitics.

Marie

free skin care · Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:36 am

Hi Doba,
I like Callanetics and use a lot of her work with myself and her clients. I think I have the original video hanging around here somewhere. It's very effective but the video is very dated. I've not read this entire thread and I've posted this elsewhere but Callan's work is based on Lotte Berk. However, Lotte Berk in the UK and the Lotte Berk US is a little different. That issue in itself is controversial. You can get similar type workouts with the Bar Method and most recently Physique 57, which is what Kelly Ripka is now into. Honestly, all the methods listed above work like nothing else for the lower body and quickly too. I have favorites from all the above and use them interchangeably. You can pm me if you'd like for more info.

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