Some exercises are deceptively difficult. When I first saw The Bar Method Accelerated Workout DVD, I thought it would be a piece of cake. I did ballet when I was younger, and while that was many, many moons ago, I figured the moves in the DVD would feel familiar.

Let me now admit that I was wrong. Completely, totally wrong. This DVD was hard, even if everyone on the DVD looked pretty while they were doing it. (For the record, I think I looked considerably less pretty. I know for a fact my face didn't look anywhere near as serene as theirs.)

First, let me give you a brief description of what The Bar Method is. There are Bar Method studios located throughout the US, all of which teach this specific method of working out. The Bar Method workout "creates a uniquely lean, firm, sculpted body by combining the muscle-shaping principles of isometrics, the body-elongating practice of dance conditioning, the science of physical therapy and the intense pace of interval training."

For those of us who don't have a Bar Method studio nearby, there are two DVDs -- Change Your Body and Accelerated Workout, which is what I tried out. And, don't worry -- you don't need a ballet barre of your own. I used the back of my dining room chair, and it worked perfectly.

If you were to just watch the DVD, you probably wouldn't think the moves were all that hard, but I will admit that during a couple of moves, I actually had to take a break. And I never take a break. My legs simply wouldn't hold the pose any longer ... and it was awesome! Many of the movements are tiny and subtle, so while it doesn't look like you're doing a lot, trust me -- you are.

Likes:
It was shot really well, showing the moves from angles that really helped to ensure I was doing them correctly -- something that I've noticed isn't always the case in workout DVDs. Additionally, I enjoyed the pace. Even though it was nearly an hour long, it really went quickly. Other than, you know, the minute or two doing certain moves that turned my legs to jelly. Those minutes felt like an eternity.

Dislikes:
I don't have much to say in the way of criticism, to be honest. Some of the moves could be a little more challenging, I suppose, but even the parts of my body that didn't feel like they were working all that hard during the DVD felt tired later in the day.

Bottom line is that this DVD is definitely going to become part of my fitness rotation -- I was surprisingly sore the next day in areas that I definitely wanted to work, like my triceps and inner thighs. And, I'm excited to, someday, look as graceful, lean, and strong doing these moves as Burr Leonard, the founder of The Bar Method. I'm a fan, for sure (as is Drew Barrymore, by the way), and I think you would be too.

If you're not sure if The Bar Method is for you, the website has a number of answers to frequently asked questions -- check them out here!