Pilates

[TeTe]

I'm sure it's been asked before, but do any of you do Pilates? Any results? Which instructer do you like best?

I'm trying to add some stretching/core/lie-on-the-floor exercises to my routine. I have a beginner one by Ana Caben, and I like it well enough, I just don't get real motivated to do it.

Thanks!

 

[marcy]

I just did Hilary Burnett's Advanced Pilates for the first time a few days ago and really enjoyed it. It was challenging but not too bad. It flowed really easily through all the poses and I really felt good when it was over. It was only 22 minutes so it was a nice add on. It really worked the core well. Hilary does the exercises but she does it was a voiceover.

Marcy

 

[LauraMax]

I like Ana Caban--I have her Pilates for Abs & I think it's a great workout.

MTV Mix is the best pilates workout I own. It's very creative & fun.

One thing you'll find about pilates routines is they're pretty much the same exercises, just in a different order. What you get out of the workouts depends mostly on your own form.

I shelled out the money to take 3 sessions at my gym just to get a feel for it & I think it helped a lot. Probably I'd still be doing everything wrong if I hadn't had those sessions. Even the breathing in pilates is different than traditional weight training.

 

[jamarba]

So far I've only done Winsor Pilates and Stotts. Didn't like Stotts. I think it's time for me to venture out into some others though.

 

[sahara]

I've got several Pilates workouts:

The Method-Precision Sculpting and Precision Toning: These two workouts are 30 and 45 minutes long. I prefer the Precision Toning to the Precision Sculpting though because it is a straight Pilates workout and the other one incorporates weights. I am one of those people that can't focus on too many things at once. Pilates requires more concentration than most workouts anyway and I find the weights distracting. The instructor Jennifer Kries is rather dry but gives good clear instruction. If you are looking to stay motivated though, these might not be the workouts for you. These workouts are great thinking time for me because if I don't occupy my mind with something I might fall asleep .

Gaiam Body Target Hips and Thighs: This is a short 20 minute workout instructed by Jillian Hessel. It's good workout and she is a great instructor. I just wish the workout was longer.

Ellen Barrett is my favorite Pilates instructor right now. I didn't even know she existed until I did her "Slowrobics" workout on FitTV. If you get Fit TV, I recommend that you check out both of her workouts on All Star Fitness. The other one is called Pilates Sculpt. I purchased her Fat Burning Pilates workout and I really like it. If you are looking for a more upbeat workout, this might be a good place to start. It is 40 minutes and the first 30 minutes or so is an upbeat combination of standing Pilates, and light low impact aerobics to get your heart rate up. There are lots of plie squats in this section. The last 10 minutes is Pilates floor exercises.

Tracey
"Where there's a will, there's a way."