pilates vs weights

B

BethRN

Active Member
I have been running for a couple of months now but need to add toning exercises. I have about 20 more pounds to lose before swimsuit season. So, what I was wondering is if running and pilates would give me the results I want or will I need to weight train also?
I run 4 days a week for 30min and was going to go to pilates for 1hour twice a week. I am not looking to be real muscular looking just lean and tight. I would love any advice please!
Also, I have done good with my eating (have already lost 15lbs.)
5'2" 140lbs. currently
Thanks,
Beth
 
Pilates did magic to my body. It really leaned me out more then anything else so far, including long distance running. I'm truly in love with it. I do pilates practically every day for 20-60 min depending on my time limit. I also do weights, one body part day in slow and heavy fashion.
So far this program worked very well for me. Hope this helps, Mari
 
Mari, when you do Pilates and one body part per day, what type of cardio do you do and how often? Also, what's your body type (e.g., ecto, meso, hard gainer, etc)?
 
Hi Soosan

I've cut back on cardio big time lately and do a lot more "functional training" type of stuff instead. I really don't need to lose weight and I don't want to build much more muscle either. But I want a lean, toned look, and I've found that this type of training with pilates is the way for me. I still do the one body part a day to maintain what I have.
For example today I did IM-X Pilates Advanced Floorwork with the ring and bodybar, plus EFM from TLT. No body part today, but I did 30 min elliptical in the afternoon -- only to watch Commander with my son who was running on the treadmill -- quality time!:) I haven't done any cardio since last Sunday. Cardios are back to about 2-3 times/week for 20-30 min max. Mari
 
I have found pilates to be great for my lower body and abs, but it really doesn't do much for my upper body. For that, I stick with Cathe.

Lori
 
I have to agree with the Pilates endorsements - BUT I use "toys" like the ring, bands and a stability ball. It's worked like nothing else for my lower body, and this is after YEARS of experimenting with every type of weight training, light, heavy, etc. I also use a lot of non-weighted ballet moves like they feature in "Shape" and "Fitness" magazines. There's a reason why ballet dancers and skaters have such good looking legs. I have football player legs and will NEVER look like a ballet dancer, but it still worked on me - enough to get into a tight pair of Lucky jeans!!!!!
Just Do It! :)
 
I guess I'm somewhat of an ecto. I'm 5'7 and 126 lb with a bodyfat of 14-17% depending of what measures it...:)
 
I'm interested in trying pilates again. I no longer belong to a gym (where I used to take classes), what dvds do you recommend?

TIA
Jessica
 
Beth,
I cannot say what would be right for you (because we are all built differently), but I do both Pilates (reformer primarily and some matwork) as well as weight training. I have a long torso and short legs so I tend to be more of an ectomorph on top and mesomorph on the bottom (although by anyones standards, I am not very large but I can get muscular legs). Pilates tends to keep me tight and defined while the weight training keeps me nicely shaped. I've found they work very well together along with cardio.

Robin :)
 
>I'm interested in trying pilates again. I no longer belong to
>a gym (where I used to take classes), what dvds do you
>recommend?
>
>TIA
>Jessica

my pilates expierences range from denise austins matwork pilates(with 2-20 min. workouts)caribbean pilates(i have 3 dvds with 3-4 20 min workouts)stott pilates and breakthru pilates(they have 3 different workouts). all of them pretty much stick with the traditional exercises but mix up the sequence of the exercises.

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 
My favorites are:

MTV Pilates Mix
Hilary Burnett Advanced Pilates
Im-X Pilates Advanced floor workout
Fit Chic
Breakthrou Pilates Sculpt
 
Can anyone recommend intermediate to advanced DVD's that use the "toys" (ring, ball, etc) that Honeybunch mentioned? I've gotten good results by adding weight to my ab routines and I'm sure using more resistance would take my Pilates routines up a notch. TIA!
 
Sooooooooooooosan

Breakthrou pilates sculpt uses weights, it is an excellent workout.
IM-X Advanced floor work uses the ring and the bodybar at the same time. Oh, boy. Another very good one is Classical pilates with the magic ring. Mari
 
I use all the Winsor Pilates tapes and really like the ones that use the band and ball! I have had much success with these. It really keeps me leaner in the lower half. Susan
 
kassia,

How do you like the Caibbean pilates? What are the titles for these dvds? Compared to Yoga, what pilates can accomplish while Yoga can not?

Thanks

WantFit

"Become the change you want to see in the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

http://spaces.msn.com/members/WantFit/
 
>kassia,
>
>How do you like the Caibbean pilates? What are the titles for
>these dvds? Compared to Yoga, what pilates can accomplish
>while Yoga can not?
>

i have pilates,pilates plus and core pilates. i haven't done core pilates yet but breifly viewed them. i have done pilates plus numerous times b/c it gives me the ability to do separate body parts(abs,legs,total body,back and core). i don't use the regular pilates one but they have segments for just abs,total body,focus in breathing,and stretching. they are not to hard but they are quick and the more i focus on it the better workout i get for my abs. i have longer pilates workouts for when i want to workout for 45-60mins.

as for difference between yoga and pilates. i find pilates to be about the body but using breathing technique to enhance the exercise. while yoga is meant to be a spirit,mind,body connection, focusing on breath to relax the mind while using the body to hold the pose. there is some toning benefits from yoga(especially if you use power yoga or vinyasa flows)but i use yoga more as a meditative thing to relax my mind and body. when i am stressed my body gets tight and that gives me the ability to properly relax myself.and i use pilates solely as a way to improve my core strength which helps me with my balance.yoga can help with core work but i find it better to use both,that is me personally.

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 
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