How Has Pilates Changed Your Shape?

[mbschneider]

Hello,
I am 6 weeks post-partum and delivered by a c-section. Prior to pregnancy I was extremely fit - working out 6 days per week, consisting of cardio + weight training. Right now my core is in very rough shape due to the pregnancy and c-section. I was thinking about taking some private pilates sessions to focus on rehab of my core. I have seem women who do pilates regularly and I always think that their shapes are just beautiful. Does anyone have experience with pilates and whether you liked it or not? Thank you!!!

 

[Fit_mommy]

Hi. First let me say congrats on the birth of your child!

I did Winsor Pilates for a while and found that it helped tremendously to flatten out my belly! I didn't notice any other tremendous changes in my body from it aside from this but that doesn't mean it won't help other areas as well. I did find it quite challenging!

 

[pippa]

Hi,


Congratulations on your baby!

I am a HUGE Pilates enthusiast. I do Pilates about 3 times a week and I would say I have seen great results. First, it has to be one of the best abs/core workouts you will ever find. Even though it is low-repetition the movements are so precise and your muscles are so isolated that even doing 5 reps of something can be really challenging and give you good results. I have also noticed more lean, definition in my legs(think dancer's legs). I tend to build bulky, soccer-player muscles in my legs and I'm not comfortable with that look so Pilates really has helped me tone up without bulking up.
I really can't say enough good things about Pilates...can you tell?

Pippa

 

[twosquared]

I agree with what Pippa has said. I have been taking Pilates Mat classes approx 3x a week for about 4 - 5 months now, and yes I have seen a change in my body. My core is strong and if I leaned out a drop more with clean eating my abs would be where I want them to be. For me most important change was in the buttocks, hip and outer thigh area. I had very pronounced saddlebags and they are noticably smaller - I am much "straighter" in the outer thigh area. As Pippa said definition in my legs.

It is very important to find a good instructor - it will make all the difference. Before I started taking classes, I bought a dvd - Beginner Mat with Anna Caban by Giam. This is a wonderful introduction to pilates if you have never done it before. It is very slow paced and does get boring after awhile, but I was so glad I bought it. It gave me a frame of reference when I walked into my first mat class. I have also watched some Stott Pilates on cable and think they are very good as well. Now that I am more familiar with pilates, I notice that alot of Cathe's abs work is a form of pilates - and where I really had trouble keeping up with Cathe on abs, I have noticed a big improvement whenever I do abs with her now.

One other thing I will mention - if you are used to cardio and weights, you might find the pilates classes slow. I did not like them at first but hung in there and now get upset if I miss one. It took me about a month to start really enjoying it.

Good luck, and congratulations on becoming a mom!!!!

 

[rgi]

Pippa -

Just curious, do you attend a Pilates class or do you work out at home to DVDs? Pilates has always intrigued me, but I'm not sure where I'd fit it in without giving up something else that I love!

 

[pippa]

>Pippa -
>
>Just curious, do you attend a Pilates class or do you work out
>at home to DVDs? Pilates has always intrigued me, but I'm not
>sure where I'd fit it in without giving up something else that
>I love!


I've done both. Right now, I pretty much do DVDs at home. I really love MTV Pilates(they have 2--they are both good, but I think the 'Pilates' one is better than then the one entitled, 'Pilates Mix') and Shape Pilates. Stott is a good brand if you have NO experience because they really take the time to explain every part of the movement and how to make sure you have proper alignment. If you have some experience this can be a little frustrating since they move incredibly slow to make sure you know what you are doing. If you need something like that to get started you might try renting instead of buying since after a few times you will definitely be ready to move on.

As far as fitting it in, Pilates is really easy to add-on. A lot of videos are very short(20-25 minutes) and lots are also body part specific. So if you are doing a leg day with weights, etc. you could just add on Pilates legs, etc. Or you could do the opposite: on a leg weight day, do pilates arms or abs. HTH

Pippa

 

[lindzebird]

If this is a no-no I'm sorry, but I have both the MTV Pilates for sale on half.com. I'm selling some of the DVDs that I don't use so I can buy Cathe's new ones. I liked them, but I'm not a big lover of pilates so if your interested in them take a look.

lindzebird