Incorporating Pilates

sancho

sancho

Cathlete
I have just started doing Pilates at a studio and am loving it. In the past I have alternated weight training days and cardio days. I was bored of weight training and started pilates for variety. But now I am finding all I want to do is Pilates. My choice of classes are 1. Reformer class 2. Mat class 3. spinning. I have found that I can spin and do a mat or reformer class on the same day. But, I also want to get in my Cathe cardio and some running each week.

Those who do Pilates, how do you incorporate it during the week? Do some people do Pilates and weight training in the same week? In the same day? Any suggestions of rotations would be appreciated.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as to how to get it all in and do what is going to give the best results.

Advice??? Suggestions???
 
Sancho, I see you haven't had any responses yet, so I'll add a comment. I just ordered a pilates tape, and I was planning to use it instead of the ab and core work in my Cathe tapes. I tend to workout just one or two body parts per day, so I thought I would just do the pilates on the ab day instead of the Cathe ab segment of whatever workout I'm doing.

You say you're taking reformer classes? That sounds awesome. I would really like to do that too. Why not ask your instructor in the class what he/she thinks about incorporating other types of strength training? My guess is that the reformer work is more comprehensive than the mat pilates, so I would imagine that the instructor could be quite helpful on that topic.

Your routine sounds like lots of fun!!!
-Nancy
 
Anyone who has weight trained and begins Reformer and/or Mat Pilates training and “loves” it inevitably asks these same questions;)I did and also worried about overtraining. There are many people who do Reformer work don’t weight train because you can certainly get all the shaping you need through the Reformer, Mat and some sort of aerobics. Others, myself included, feel the need to do Pilates and traditional Weight training (and some cardio of course) and don’t find any major issues with overtraining.

If it is a light workout...like a TLT workout..I will sometimes tack a full reformer workout on at the end of it (Power Refomer) or at the end of the day. If it is a heavier day like a Cathe leg day (ie: Leaner Legs) I will just tack on some footwork on the reformer or do leg mat work.

Usually in any Cathe rotation I substitute a Power Reformer work for a circuit workout. I also occasionally substitute jumpboard work for cardio.

You don’t need to lift heavy to stay in beautiful shape….Ballet dancing, Reformer Training and even Tracie Long Training are all prime examples…….you just need to find a way to balance your workouts. I’m sure you will be able to find the right mixes and adjustments. I tend to adjust rotations on a weekly basis but on average get a minimum of 2 full reformer workouts and maybe 1 or 2 mat (give or take). I also make sure all areas of my body are somehow addressed. It seems to work out in the end.

I really hope this helps.
Robin:)
 
Thanks. That is helpful. Just knowing what someone else is doing gives me an idea of what is "normal".

Just curious, what is Power reformer and jumpboard? Today in a reformer class, we put the rebounder on the end of the machine instead of the foot rest. Is that a jump board? We did about 10 minutes of jumping. I loved it.

The thing I really like about Pilates is that I feel so energized when I am done. I love that it stretches the muscles while I am working them and that there are so many ingenious ways to work many muscle parts at the same time. Weight training has always bored me, but Cathe infused some new life into it for me. But, 6 years later, I am even bored of Cathe weight training. Right now, I feel like I'll never lift a weight again . . . but I'm sure that will change as the newness wears off (and Cathe's new videos are released).

Thanks for answering my questions !
 
I find it very difficult to fit in everything and I taught pilates up until this year......

I would usually do 3 pilates workouts a week, but not necessarily the full hour - sometimes a quick 20-30 mat workout was all I needed to stretch and lengthen my muscles back out. When I am really sore - I add more pilates in to stretch my muscles out. I never did or do pilates for the sole purpose to tone my body - I do it to get the kinks out and re-align and work the underlying muscles........and balance my body out...(it truly helps me lift traditional weights with proper form because I understand where my body should be positioned)

I think that pilates can be done everyday unlike lifting weights because you are not usually tearing the muscle and waiting for it to heal again........if that makes sense......

I will follow a Cathe rotation and add pilates onto days that I do cardio. Sometimes on OFF days - I do pilates. Pilates does NOT take the place of cardio for me though! They are completely different (IMO) I don't care what people claim - You usually cannot get your heart rate up high enough during a pilates workout to have it count as cardiovascular conditioning........

Weekly example:

Cardio (KPC/jog/swim) 40 mins plus 20-30 mins pilates matwork
Weights total body (MIS/PH/MM/ME/SS/PP)
Cardio 60 mins (run/cathe/ect)
Reformer Class Pilates
Cathe Circuit training
Cardio plus pilates

I am sure everyone just has to find the right mix.........it is hard to get it all in though - I listen to my body and some days it tells me to do yoga :)
 
>Just curious, what is Power reformer and jumpboard? Today in
>a reformer class, we put the rebounder on the end of the
>machine instead of the foot rest. Is that a jump board? We
>did about 10 minutes of jumping. I loved it.
>

Yes...a rebounder is just like a jumpboard. It depends on what Reformer you are using whether you have a rebounder or a jumpboard at the end of it. It is a great cardio workout if you can do it for more than 25 minutes. It can be made really tough by adding more springs!!!

"Power reformer" is just a term generally used when doing a fast paced reformer workout. Sometimes the movements are done in the low end or the high end range. (It depending on where the instructor was certified ....they may not use the term at all to describe this "type" of workout.)

HTH,
Robin
 
I do some sort of Pilates everyday! Sometimes I'll take an hour sometimes just 25 minutes. I love how it make me feel. I still do some weight training for upper body but now lower body. I tend to do my cardio ion the morning and my Pilates when I get home or late afternoon... I am glad to hear you like it so much! Stay strong- Susan
 
I have just finished my 3rd Reformer Class @ www.reformingny.com and I can't tell you how sore I was. In fact, I came home from class on Sunday morning, took 2 Advil and slept for 3 hours. What's interesting is that I don't sweat during the class, and I don't feel like I am working out, however, every muscle in my body was aching. Also, I have been lifting weights 2-3 times a week and I am surprised that my muscles ached that much. After 3 classes, I am definitely hooked! I would definitely recommend "reformer group classes" to everyone!!!

Elln
 
Today I did a reformer class follwed by a mat class. When I got home, everything on my todo list would take at least 2 hours and I only had 1 hour until the kids came home. SO, I was a very, very bad girl and took a nap. Well, I woke up SO SORE. That really wasn't very bright.
 
I don't go to a studio to do pilates but I have several tapes/dvd's at home. I haven't done them in awhile but since reading topics about pilates I decided I'd like to add it back in. I just purchased Pilates Body Band Challenge with Ana Caban. I like her style. I wanted to find reviews on this before I opened it but there are none to be found, even on the Gaiam website who is distributing it. It comes with a 6 foot medium resistance band so I figured I could use it with Cathe DVD's that I've yet to purchase. (Gotta think ahead to get the most out of your money, lol.) I'm sure I will try it with the next several days but I still have hopes of finding a review. :7

Bam
 
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