Callanetics: 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours

There is a smoothness to the body toning. Think Cyd Charisse, not Martina Navratilova. If you want that "super athlete" look, Callanetics is not for you. There is no bulk in the results, no accentuated muscles...just a longer, leaner line.

The book takes you through the entire 1-hour program, demonstrated by Callan's students. Chapter 16 is "The 15 Minute Maintenance Plan", and there are chapters on "Taking Care of Your Back", "You're Never Too Old to Have a Fabulous Body", and more.
The final chapter is "The Advanced Program", and it's demonstrated by Callan, with her remarkable strength, flexibility, and grace. The woman is a marvel.

Callanetics has been around for 2 decades, but I just heard about it recently. I've been doing the "Quick Callanetics" for a week, and already feel taller, stronger, and more agile, after only 20 minutes a day. Also, though the exercises are very hard and "burn", one doesn't get muscle soreness afterwards, and more importantly, I haven't felt even a twinge of pain in my knees, which has always been a problem with other exercise programs...so Callanetics is (better late than never !) a thrilling find for me.


A Classic workout that is still incredibly effective.   January 17, 2002
Kyra Sedgwick (Fort Lauderdale, FL United States)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

Why more people don't do Callanetics I'll never know. I suppose it is the boredom factor. However, if you can hang in there for about 10 workouts or so, and see the phenomenol results that Callanetics will give you, suddenly the workout isn't so boring anymore! This book is really wonderful, well-written with great photo examples of every exercise. I would highly recommend the purchase of the Callanetics video workout and a tape measure along with this book. In my opinion, the book and video should always be sold together. The tape measure is so that you can take your measurements before and after to keep track of your progress-and believe me, you will progress rapidly with this workout. It is a wonderful regime for anyone who wants a long, lean "dancer" type body, and is especially wonderful for shrinking pear-shapes and for those who want to rid themselves of saddle-bags.


Inspirational   March 28, 2005
GW (Campbell, CA United States)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

As a long-time fan of Callanetics, I find this book tremendously inspiring. Whenever I get into a slump with my exercise routine, I pull it off the shelf and read it from cover to cover. Before I know it, I'm psyched up and ready to go again.

It opens with some background on Callan Pinckney and how she developed this form of "deep muscle" exercise. After that, you'll be shown some AMAZING before & after photos of real people. One woman appears to have shaved 20 years from her body in just 19 hours of work!

The chapters that follow describe each exercise from the "One-hour Program" in great detail, letting you know exactly what you should be feeling and what kind of results you can expect. Interestingly enough, the routine from the book contains five more exercises than the original one-hour video does. (Two more hip & behind exercises, two additional floor stretches and something called the "open & close" that works the entire body.)

Next up is Callan's "15-minute Maintenance Program", followed by several chapters that address many common physical conditions. If you have a bad back or delicate knees like I do, you'll really appreciate the modifications provided.

In the last chapter, we get to witness Callan personally demonstrating the "Advanced Program." While I may never achieve her strength and flexibility (at least not in this lifetime!), just seeing photos of her in action takes my breath away. At nearly 50 years of age when this book was produced, her athletic grace is astounding.

Still, while the book does contain some great pointers on technique, I must warn you it's no substitute for live instruction. You'd never guess how small and delicate most of these movements really are. They're almost *imperceptible.*

I would suggest picking up one of the Callanetics tapes (or DVD's) in addition to this book, just to make sure you get a feel for things. Once you have it down, and are willing to commit to 2 hours a week, the results will positively amaze you.


Simply the BEST - BUT ...   May 23, 2004
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

First of all, these exersizes are brilliant. I have tried all different kinds of (more modern) methods, but I keep coming back to Callanetics. If you want a leaner, more beautiful body, this is the book for you. Callanetics is simply the BEST workout program around and will probably last forever.

But! And here comes the big BUT. This book might be a tad misleading if you expect instant results. It promises 10 years younger in 10 days, well, probably that will work for some, but definitely not for the out-of-shape-not-in-the-early-twenties-anymore-type-of-person. When I started Callanetics, years ago now, I was quickly deterred by the slow results and quit the program after the promised 10 hours. I told every one the program didn't work.

Until I decided to start again, one step at the time now, and stick with it for a few months. Then, suddenly, the results came and I did indeed get a trim(mer), slim(mer), strong(er) body. No miracles mind you, but enough results to be noticeable.

So yes, get the book today, but make sure you stick with it for at least a few months before you render your judgement!


Callanetics ought to be around forever   October 6, 2004
seramadis
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

This workout is incredible a classic it ought to be around forever and never go out of fashion. I've tried many things including the famous Pilates which are so much in vogue nowadays and for me there is nothing like Callanetics. The workout is very difficult but you do get really really strong - proof of it is that I used to go to step and aerobic classes before discovering Callanetics and they were really hard, and after Callanetics they were a cinch. You notice the results really fast too, soon you will be gaping at the mirror and exclaiming: Is that really ME??! I know that because I did it. Although the workout is hard after doing it a few times it becomes easier, because you get stronger. Only two minor complaints about this workout, that as other people have mentioned it is quite boring, better to do it with a lively movie on TV to watch at the same time. And it has no aerobic content and I feel that aerobics are necessary to really be in shape. However that is easy to remedy by complementing Callanetics with any aerobic routines that you choose. If you want to look great fast and feel stronger this is the one workout to learn. I personally combine Callanetics with yoga and different aerobic routines (depending on the mood I'm in) and that is absolutely all I need to stay in great shape.