Pilates anyone??

Stevie

Member
Does anyone here do Pilates?? Do you do mat or machine?? do you use videos at all?
just curious. about to start a mat class
thanks
 
pilates

Have only been doing pilates abs for about the last 3 months. They are great! no way to miss the muscle you are working. All the ladies in my class say they feel like they are really targeting the intended muscle group as opposed to reg crunches. I think this is prob because many of us do these (crunches) incorrectly and once you have the posture in pilates down there is no way to miss! Would be interested to hear how the mat class is. Tried learning from a book but just could not get into it. Hear there are some new pilates type videos out there but haven't tried any yet. Anyone?
 
Pilates anyone

Hi Stevie! I started with a beginners class at the gym and it blew my mind! I found it be very difficult. However, after doing Pilates for 6 months now I'm at intermediate level. I do Moira Strott Advanced tape. You can pick any exercises that you wish and keep practising them until you've perfected them. She's a marvelous teacher. I benefited far more from her tape than the class at the gym. Example: proper breathing. I do only mat work. No machines. Although there's a ring that gets placed in between your legs when doing abdominal work. I plan on buying this. There are other props that you can buy to help you perform the exercises. Let me know how you made out. Best, Kathy
 
I must ask a dumb question

I have hear of Pilates and have no clue as to what they are. Could you explain? Thanks, Lora
 
Stott's Core Conditioning

I bought the advanced mat tape and have been using it for about 1 month. I have noticed a big difference in my posture and flattness of my abdominals. I've always done all the situps, crunches etc. and noticed that I had a nice muscular pooch--I mentioned this to a friend of mine who is a dancer (she has nice flat abs!) and she told me about Stott's Core Conditioning tapes. Now I still do all of Cathe's abdominal routines but I notice I do them with more concentration on my breathing and less jerking motions. I consider myself an advanced exerciserand I still can not execute every exercise on the Stott's tape with perfect form, but I get better each time. If flat abdominals, better posture and flexability are your goals then give Stott's a try-----Ranae.
 
Method Tapes

The Method tapes have a lot of Pilates in them - especially Method Precision Toning. Jennifer Kries and The Method are way less dry than the Stott tapes. The intermediate Stott tape doesn't use the ring at all and the advanced version only uses it for one short exercise, so it may be an item that will collect dust. Unfortunately mine just sits in the corner.
 
How do you fit Stott into your schedule?

I just received Advanced Matwork? I really like this tape, but I'm wondering how often I should do it. Is once a week enough? Do you still do traditional weight training or just Pilates? If you do do traditional weight training, how do you fit the Stott tape into your schedule? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. TIA
 
fitting stott's in

Hi jane---I usually do the Stott's tape 1-2- times a week. I will do it on a cardio day if my schedule permits and I will do it on my rest day. I would never replace regular weight training with the Stott's since they are totally different. Stott's does not use weight and is more yoga-ish in style. That is not to say it isn't challenging--it is. I think it works muscles that regular weight training ( except abs) does not seem to address. I like the stretched out tingling sensation I get when I'm done. I feel full of energy and very nimble. Hope this answers you question.----Have a good one! Ranae
 
Pilates

Hi Lora! Pilates was developed for professional dancers. It involves an awful lot of abdominal exercises for strength as well as a strong back. You have to ease yourself into doing these exercises because you have to roll a lot. By that I mean lying on your back, arms at your sides and drawing your knees into your chest straighten your legs all the way up and then roll the legs over your head. There are apparatus's to help you such as a half circle with arm grips on the side for your hands to slip into to keep the legs straight. Sorry this isn't very clear.
You'd have to see the tapes to know what I mean. Moira Stott is an excellent teacher. She has I believe either 3 or 4 tapes out and it's a matted workout. there's also a ring which gets placed in between your legs when you do one of the abdominal exercises. This is supposed to prep you for what's to come next in the tape. Some of the exercises believe me I just can't do. The ballet dancer on the tape is so rubbery that I don't even attempt some of the exercises. Pilates will make you become much more leaner and you'll feel taller. Also you'll have far more flexibility and your stretches will become deeper and longer. hope this explains it for you. Give it a try! Kathy
 
Not Yet, but it's my next fitness frontier

I haven't tried Pilates yet, but it's my next fitness frontier as soon as I have more time, i.e., I finish my dissertation and graduate!

I have heard that it's a great compliment to cardio and strength. It looks like it really targets muscle groups too!
 

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