Year: 1997/2002*

Distributor: PPI Entertainment/Current Wellness

Instuctor(s): Jennifer Kries, Lakey Evans, Alexandra McKechnie

*originally released by Parade Video in 1997

~Preface~

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the inactivity on my blog. My mental health was not in the best condition this month, and this post was originally for March 2024. Now that I am in the process of healing my state of mind, the next few posts will take some time. I will be posting infrequently in May 2024 because there will be times that I need to get some things off my plate. I just have to know my limits for things in my life that I can’t control.

Sincerely,

tf-gal

The Method is a well-known workout series dedicated to the many specialties of fitness. It was created by Jennifer Kries in 1996, which was originally released on VHS. After the success of her first two workout videos, she worked with many other master trainers to create the All-in-One Workout. 

Jennifer arrives on this beautiful studio inspired by a royal ballroom, as she introduces the All-in-One Workout. The workout itself combines the principles of Precision Toning and Sculpting with dance, yoga, and aerobics, and is inspired by the work of Joseph Pilates. You will rely on your center, which is where energy emanates from the body. This can create oppositional energy and a mind-body connection through movement.

It is divided into 3 main segments: Warm-Up Conditioning, Cross-Training, and Abdominal Centering. The last workout includes a cooldown (Lengthening) which features some techniques from yoga. 

The Method students are unlike any other, because they range from beginners to seasoned dancers alike. Anyone can do these workouts if they maintain proper form and master the principles of Pilates and dance.

Warm-Up Conditioning 

The workout begins with some talented drummers playing tribal music while instructor Lakey Evans starts warming up the body. Usually, I wouldn’t begin with a 15-minute warmup, but it’s going to help a lot with the next two segments. In this segment, she begins doing some rhythmic stretches and introduces the important fundamentals of the program- rhythm, coordination, balance, and core engagement. She features traditional stretches along with some graceful ballet movements, similar to how Mari Winsor starts the Accelerated Fat Burning workout.

On the description, it says that it also can be a workout of its own. In this case, I can see it being a warm-up to another Method program or for physically demanding Beachbody programs such as P90X, Insanity or ChaLEAN Extreme. Overall, Lakey Evans is a pretty neat instructor.

Cross-Training

This segment incorporates dance steps and weight training inspired by Jennifer’s Precision Sculpting workout. The torso helps fold, lengthen and expand the body while doing certain exercises, which helps awaken the regions of the body. The various weight training segments utilize three to five-pound weights to further engage the muscles.

First of all, you might need to view this segment at least once before trying it, because Alexandra McKechnie does a step pretty quickly before moving on to the next one. Also, prior dance experience is needed, as she doesn’t provide alternate steps for beginners. 

For the dance segments, she introduces a synchronized move and repeats it several times before moving on to the next one. You will learn 2-3 steps per segment and then repeat the combo before moving on the weight segments. The choreography makes use of all the major muscle groups, while making use of the core for folding and lengthening the body. I even saw some of the smoothest transitions in between moves, making the choreography graceful and elegant.

On the other hand, the weight training segments are good for toning the muscles without the fear of bulking up. However, for certain movements, you might want to keep a set of 3-5 pound weights if you feel that the weights are heavy. The Method students demonstrate some really creative moves such as the “Curly Q” and the “swimmer.” All the circuits that they demonstrate in these little segments match the rhythm of the drums while maintaining stability and using the force of gravity.

There were a few times that I felt some strain in the muscles and joints. An example of potential strain is while I was in a tricep kickback position while “supersetting” the weights in one hand (or holding both weights in one hand). In the final weight training segment, Alexandra leans back slightly while having the backs of the hands to face the body. The extension part of the move almost injured my wrists, so I slightly modified the move with the fingers facing the body.

Abdominal Centering

Jennifer Kries leads us through a series of exercises inspired by her Precision Sculpting video. The class starts out with becoming aware of the breath as it expands and contracts the abdomen. Then, she uses the metaphor of a balloon expanding and contracting as the abdominal muscles do the same.

The following exercises center the powerhouse (your core) and use oppositional energy. While laying down on the mat, she demonstrates some traditional Pilates exercises such as the single/double leg stretch, scissors, and the roll-up. Another student named Alexandra Torres demonstrates some modifications here.

Now, here’s the fun part: the class demonstrates the single and double leg teasers, which are some of the most challenging exercises in Pilates. 

Afterwards, they come into child’s pose before introducing a special piece of equipment: The Method toning bar. You could buy it on the Current Wellness website back in the day, but I used a medium resistance band instead. From this point, I modified most of the exercises so I can prevent the band from slipping. Jennifer and the class use the bar to further engage the abdominals and lengthen out the body. 

The usage of the bar helps control the spine as it assists with the alignment of the body in a series of deep stretches. Another Method instructor, Lisa Wheeler, demonstrates the beginner modifications for those who are less flexible. With the practice of classical Pilates exercises, you will become more flexible and agile overtime. 

This leads into the cooldown, which starts out with everyone in a straddle position. Jennifer teaches a technique called the potted palm, leading back to the roots*. The fingertips are touching the floor as the arms move up and down in a fluid movement, while the rhythm of the breath helps calm the body down. 

*The term roots refers to the stance in which the workout begins with.

Final Thoughts

This was a great total body conditioning workout, despite some movements being hard for me. With some adjustments, this is a perfect workout for an intermediate to advanced level of exercise. I will most likely get more of The Method DVDs very soon because I loved the positive, laid-back attitude of the master instructors. As for the special features, it only comes with the web link for the Current Wellness website. (the link doesn’t work unless you have a DVD-ROM drive on a vintage computer) 

Rating

Instructor(s): 10/10

Set: 10/10

Outfits: 9/10

Music: 10/10

Production Value: 9/10

Overall Benefits: 10/10

Exertion: 8/10

Ease of Movement: 8/10

Audio/Visual Modifications: 7/10

Special Features: 4/10

Use of Equipment: 6/10

Total Score: 91

Intensity Level: Moderate Intensity

Impact: Mixed Impact