Callanetics (Official DVD)

Have to add my kudos for Callanetics. First, though, some background. I'm 44 and have recently (in the last 3 months) lost about 25 pounds with a Paleo diet. I completely changed my eating habits and the weight slid off without really working out...no one was more surprised than me. I'm almost at my target weight, but definitely needed some firming up after not working out seriously for about 8 years. I used to do weights at the gym and lots of walking so I've been in good shape before, but after having my son 5 years ago I got lazy. Most of my weight went to my middle and gave me that lovely pear shape we all love to hate. I HATE the gym, and bouncing around sweating my rear off isn't really my thing. I've tried Hip Hop abs and just felt like a dork, really. Since I'm 5'10" tall, I really wanted a long, lean, toned look without a lot of manly bulk so I started searching for something that would give me that. I stumbled on this Callanetics DVD and vaguely recalled hearing about it in the 80's (ah the 80's...so many good things came from that decade). I liked that it worked fast, and got so many good reviews. Also, I've had back problems (2 herniated discs) so I needed something that would work around that yet strengthen my core. At the price, I figured it was worth a try. The first time I did the workout and finished up, I remember thinking, "I don't think that's really going to do much" because - despite the evil stomach workout that locked up all the muscles in my midsection - I didn't feel I had done anything. Three hours later every muscle in my body was screaming and the next day it felt like I had had another C-section. Seriously. If you're like me and aren't used to working out and you do this prepare to be sore. If you're not, you didn't do it right. The soreness showed up every time for about the first six workouts and now isn't so bad. Now, results...yes, you get them. Here's what I've noticed: After ONE workout (I kid you not) my husband saw me in my underwear and looked surprised. He asked how many workouts I'd done and didn't believe me when I said one. He said I looked different through the sides and hips. I had thought I looked a bit different but figured it was wishful thinking. I still am not sure if that's even possible, but thought I should mention it. Now on my 11th workout (or hour, as they call them), I see some big changes (and so does my husband, who feels he has to give me a daily update on what he sees :). Hips are disappearing, belly flat enough to wear snug t-shirts again, all back fat GONE, rear end greatly diminished (hubby doesn't like that part), legs slimmer and firmer, waist is nipping in, shoulders leaner looking, and posture better. I must say for me the biggest changes can be seen from behind, oddly enough. My back seems smaller and you can see and feel my ribs, plus my rump is smaller. When my husband puts his arms around me he says I feel tiny now. He's impressed enough that he says he's going to start doing it with me, and he has done P90X, Crossfit, and is currently doing a Navy Seals workout routine. But he's still impressed with how fast results came about. I'd also like to add that the dated look of the DVD doesn't turn me off, neither does Callan Pinckney. I find the routine rather relaxing and think that she is the right mix of encouraging without being too "rah-rah" about it. She reminds you again and again to do what you can and never pushes. The workout goes by quickly (I think), and can be lessened to probably 35 minutes or so once you memorize it and no longer need to follow along. This is the only workout DVD that I've ever actually enjoyed doing and will stick with indefinitely. If I start getting bored with it I plan to buy Super Callanetics and mix the two together. I also plan to add walking and hiking into my routine when it cools off here in Texas. With the results I'm getting from Callanetics, I see no need to ever do anything else to be firm and toned.

The teacher appears. So so glad to learn Callanetics. What a gift! I started with a copy of the book (from the library). The book has excellent instruction. I immersed myself in it immediately. It's exactly what my body needs & craves, plus I find it quite enjoyable. (For reference I enjoy hot yoga, running, jump roping, egoscue, somatics, weisberg, 5rites--a variety of forms of bodywork/movement). I decided to add 2 of Callan's books & 4 of her dvd's to my collection in order to learn all the nuances of the movements. I literally cannot wait to do this program every morning (once I learn it by heart I'll start rotating it--but right now my body craves it daily). It's important to know your own sensibilities, what you like. I get into the zone with quiet repetitive predictable movement sequences. I find them meditative, energizing & I can easily gauge my progress. I'm recovering from a sprained ankle which turned my workout routine on its head. This turned out to be a great thing! I discovered one thing after another (Tonique Mat & Buns of Steel (Greg Smithey version) of all things--both feature floor series which were no problem for my ankle--in fact they're adding to my resilience). These discoveries led me to Callanetics. If I had to choose one of the three, I'd choose Callanetics. It's been almost two weeks since my ankle injury & I feel like my body is way better than before. Callanetics is like a reboot! For reference, my priorities in exercise 1.) feeling good; 2.) pleasure of the exercise; 3.) muscle activation (especially deep core muscles); 4.) freedom of movement; 5.) body shape/weight; 6.) ease, convenience & sustainability of the program; 7.) potential for on-going improvement (no ceiling--sky's the limit) & perceived positive changes in all aspects of life. If I had to choose one item by Callan I'd go with the book (by the same name) it's very comprehensive. Her program is easy to follow. The dvd's are helpful in order to observe subtleties of form. Callan's teaching is impeccable. If you're on the fence, see if your library has a copy & go from there. Very best wishes to you on your journey :-) Update: I just received the Super Callanetics dvd. It's a must-have. While the original dvd is classic & helpful, the Super Callanetics dvd alongside the Callanetics book (10 years younger in 10 hours) are my go-to resources. They both cover what's in this dvd & more, allowing me to deepen my practice. I haven't looked at this Callanetics dvd since getting Super Callanetics.

This video at least 30 years old and the music is about as annoying as anything I can think of, but I keep going back because it works. This is the single best workout I have ever done. It leaves your body, not just stronger and toned, but more flexible and deeply relaxed. After a couple of weeks of doing this video not only did I drop at least a dress size but but my back has never been so relaxed and comfortable. I suffer back pain and headaches when under stress which have been particularly intense recently and these stretches are the only thing I've ever found that truly deal with the pain at its source on an ongoing basis. I might wish that there were an option that allowed a play through without all the filler crap about coins being carried in the knees etc or her explanations of how to do the individual exercises prior to actually starting the counter every single time - it might look like there is one but it just skips the intro as far as I can tell and leaves the explanations within the video intact even though it's a waste of time I prefer to use in other ways on a busy morning. However when I work up to it I tend to use that extra time for more repetitions and an increase in the level of the workout. I do have two pieces of advice though: 1) When she says things like "two inches more than you think you can" don't overdo it. She's also pretty clear you shouldn't hurt yourself in the process but while you're in the middle an exercise it can be easy to stop paying attention to the difference between muscle strain and damage. 2) She's always very very careful of the lower back, but she's not quite so careful of the knees. I think she tries to be but a couple of the exercises are really hard on the knees which was an issue as I injured my knee a while ago and it's not fully recovered yet. What I found was that I would (depending on how my knee was feeling) either skip one or two of the exercises in question or do it very gently and stop as soon as there seemed to be any pain. It did seem to help build the strength in the knee over time though, which I appreciated.

I had started Callanetics in the 90's but raising children and working outside the home I allowed myself to get distracted. I am now in my early 60's and am a Nanna to 3 grandbabies and a homemaker. From my neck to my calves I have about 53 inches I would like to loose between doing Callanetics and BodyFlex. Both of these programs are excellent exercise for the body with no stress on joints etc. With both of these exercise programs you stretch and elongate all areas of your body and improve your posture, strength muscles, burn fat and increase your oxygen intake through BodyFlex with keeps the whole body healthier. I am on a Self-Improvement Journey I thank God for these two women who dared to research and gain knowledge about the human bodyand searched out answers to overcame their health issues. These two women dared to think outside the box and through their unique ways of improving their body they then shared with us and made it possible financially for us do improve ourselves as well getting the same results that Callan Pinchney and Greer Childers did. Their bodies are true examples that their exercise works!!!! Remember this: The KEY to success IS CONSISTANCY AND PERSISTANCE. I am doing these two workouts for my body as part of my life-style until the Lord takes me home. I want to be at my best for God, myself and my family. Life is good! I am feeling a difference already doing Callanetics and BodyFlex. I cook healthy and I am not "dieting". I enjoy the occassional dessert on the weekends only and avoided processed food. Yes there is some effort in cooking however make it a family activity like you do playing a game or going for a bike ride. Eating is a time for family to get together from preping food, to cooking it, eating and the clean up... get the whole family involved because Eating is a Family-Affair. Make your kitchen attractive by just having it neat, clean and organized so that you enjoy too. May God Bless Your Self-Improvement Journey!

I bought the DVD last year in May on the strong recommendation of a good friend. She thought I'd like it because I like pilates. Background: I’m “naturally” thin, but soft, and not very shapely. Now that I’m in my 30s that softness has started to sag too - not a pretty picture. I dislike most forms of exercise (and have tried almost all) and also don’t like the “athletic” look for myself. Settled on pilates as a somewhat enjoyable way to keep my weight stable (also something that started to change in my thirties). Took classes 2-3x a week for a few months about 4-5 years ago and then moved over to a DVD at home since then. Enter Callanetics: Do the DVD 2-3 times (Summer 2015), but it’s just plain hard and hard to keep up and that’s demotivating, plus I was feeling super lazy at the time – let’s be honest. In early January (pants getting tighter by the day) I recall there was a book version of the Callanetics workout and feeling particularly demotivated to follow a DVD (any DVD) I pick up the book so I can try it out at my own pace and hopefully understand the movements a little better with more description. The book did the trick for me. I much preferred working at my own pace, the program in the book was harder and I skipped some of the stuff at first and did less than 100 reps of certain moves, but by session 8 I was doing the whole program in the book (I’ve now learned it’s like the DVD – Super Callanetics). After 10 sessions following the book, actually after 8 (so that's 4 weeks), my body had started to change so dramatically that even my husband made a comment about how it was working (and he never makes comments like that). Every part of me has firmed and shaped up (just finished session 13 yesterday). I not only see it, but feel it. This NEVER happened in YEARS of doing pilates! Only 13 sessions and I’m in better shape than I ever remember being in (even all the way back to high school when I wished I could reshape my legs to be more curvy and less straight and did all sorts of crazy calf exercises and lunges). It never happened till now. I’m sorta dumbfounded and really sorry I never heard of Callanetics till my 30s. I’ll admit that now I kinda look forward to the routine because I’m anxious to see how much more I progress after 2/3/4+ months of this. A few things worth noting: - Try really hard to position your body in the right way – it’s hard with some of these moves (they aren’t intuitive), but keep trying or you won’t work the right area and won’t get the results you want (I learned this with a couple of the butt exercises) - Get the book, it really helps explain stuff even if you follow the DVD - And try not to focus on other people’s before and afters, just commit to 10 sessions and make your own evaluation You won’t look perfect in 10 sessions, but 10 should change your body enough to prove this is like no other program out there. Best of luck.

Had my back pain get so bad just before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down everything. Luckily got a good massage and was told to get the DVD. It is from the early to mid 80's so looked hilarious. The instructor is on the "older side" but looks to be in shape. I sure was fooled as I couldn't keep up (you don't need to) with the program and had to take breaks which is encouraged. It was just my pride that took a beating. My back did feel much better after a couple of "workouts" with just the abs portion. I did do the entire program later. This is not a get sweaty HIIT workout that is for "fun". I however think progress is "fun" so when I was able to go through the same section without taking a break, that was progress....i.e. fun!

I'm benefiting from this workout for the second time in my life. In my early 20's I borrowed my mom's VHS and really felt myself get strong. Now I'm in my early 30's using it again (on DVD this time) after have a kid, joint and back problems, and a sedentary lifestyle for several years. I'm currently obese with no stamina and I can do these exercises. I also suspect I may have classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome like another family member. I started this routine about 2 weeks ago. At first I couldn't do some of the exercises, but after day 3 everything started working properly. My body, and most importantly my joints, are getting stronger already. I haven't rolled an ankle, had lower back pain, or gotten my right hip stuck in a week. I'm not saying this workout is a miracle worker, it's just been a miracle worker for me. And I love doing them. Eventually, it won't take me an hour to do the routine and I won't need the DVD. But for now, I'm still memorizing the correct procedures. Yes, it's old fashioned but I don't mind. I never want a thigh gap (because my husband and I agree that looks freakishly weird). The music isn't loud and in your face. The instructor isn't yelling at you "One, Two, Three" "keep it up" "feel the burn." I'm convinced most workouts say those things because they have nothing else to say to pass the time. Ms. Pinckney gives instruction THROUGHOUT the 1 hour workout and there's a counter on the screen that you can watch while you listen to her instruction. She tells you modifications to make the exercises easier or harder (if you're already super strong). She tells you what muscles should be working and which ones should be relaxed. Several of the exercises are stretches that may not be appropriate for some individuals with EDS, so I would consult with your PT. But the deep muscle exercises are great for me and are really helping to hold my joints together. My goal is to be lean, strong, and have a classical body and I'm certain these DVDs (the set) will help me reach my goal. I'm really looking forward to trying her other DVDs.

Fantastic and as others have agreed, works fast (or "fahst," to quote Ms. Pinkney's unusual faux Britishy accent; she was born in Alabama). I discovered this program 25 years ago when it was new on VHS. Of all the workouts I've tried, this is by far the quickest and most effective for tightening and toning the body. And the one I searched for in vain for years on DVD once we got rid of our VHS player. Finally it's here in all its 80s glory. Yes, the teacher (Callan Pinkney, whom dubs herself "an American original") can be unintentionally hilarious with her odd combination of haughtiness and sincerity, but that just adds to the fun. You WILL find yourself quoting her. But the bottom line (one of her favorite phrases) is that this program she invented DELIVERS. If you follow it (twice a week, three times max) and really master the moves, within a week or two you will feel as if your body is being sucked inward from within. All day long. You will be taut, toned and have much improved posture. The longer you do it, the more limber you'll become. She has advanced workouts, but I found this was all I ever needed. She spends a lot of time making sure you understand exactly how to do the exercises (as with all exercises proper form is crucial). They are all no-impact, deep muscle exercises. You won't get winded or break a sweat doing them, but that doesn't mean they aren't hard. Or effective. I'm a dude, by the way. Like most 14-year-old girls whose bodies have virtually changed overnight my daughter is always complaining about her thighs, butt, stomach, etc. I'm hoping she'll give this a shot. Would be fun to work out together.