Pilates

[jenwa]

Do you do pilates regularly? If so, what kind? I'm trying to do pilates more regularly, but I find many of the moves very difficult. How has pilates shaped your body?

 

[The_Ida]

I do pilates 2-3 times a week. After the first week I noticed a difference. My joints don't hurt nearly as much as they used to. Everything is much tighter than before It shapes the body very nicely - esp my thighs, my arms and my stumack look much better.

I don't think the moves are diffucult at all - maybe because I'm not doing it on a higher level, who knows. Besides that, my instructor is great - such a sweet and patient girl.

 

[LucindaMay]

I love Pilates. It makes your body very tonned and strong. It also really improves your posture.

You really must take a class, don't follow a DVD. There is proper breathing and posture's that you need to be taught by a certified teacher. I also think that the best classes are when you use a reformer (the pilates machine).
Mat classes are good also, but I really love using the reformer. After some classes, I guess you could follow a DVD if you wanted.

If you are already quite lean, then you will notice results very quickly. I think people seem to really notice results around the mid sections, especially at first.

I have been doing Pilates for about 8 years. (As a dancer, it was/is a requirement). At the moment I go to 3 classes per week. They combined mat work and the reformer. I also do a lot of yoga, and find that it helps me there as well.

 

[The_Ida]

I find the breathing difficult - as a singer you learn to use your diaphragm, and I have a hard time letting go of that.

I've never tried those reformers - what do they look like? Is there anything special that they do?

 

[LucindaMay]

^^ Wow that's so weird. I am a singer also, and have the exact same problem!

The reformer is kind of hard to explain. You can really do any exercise that you do on the floor on it, it is just a lot more challenging.

It uses a weight system also. So you change the weights demending on your strength or the exercise.

 

[gruveechik]

OMG i love Pilates
but only manage to do it 1x/week if i'm lucky.

i've got major back-ache every day
and my ribs dislocate due to spinal/muscular problems.

When i have a good instructor and i connect with my muscles - i feel a huge difference AND my ribs are in a better state. i also have far less pain.

i'm not a big workout fan at all - but Pilates i lurve.

 

[Irene_A]

A question about Pilates

I have postural kyphosis and I really want to do something about it so I've decided to try Pilates since I know it works. My question is (sorry if it's dumb is it true that real Pilates needs special machines?

I've been told so, but there are only two gyms in my city which offer that and they're rather expensive, not that I can't afford them but there are other cheaper options (personal Pilates trainer but in a normal gym) and I was wondering if they could do. Most gyms here offer the typical group sessions but I'm reluctant to do them since I believe they're too general and I have a specific problem. The main question is whether special machines are necessary or not, I was wondering if any Pilates trainer or someone who knows about it could help me. Thank you in advance!

 

[Hipkitten]

I just did my first personal training session at a local Pilates studio yesterday and I loved it! Boy am I sore today! And yesterday was just an introductory session! Does anyone do Pilates on a regular basis? And if so, do you do mat work or work on the Reformer (or both)? I'm going to continue with personal training sessions until I'm comfortable with the breathing and core positions. Also, how many days a week to you do Pilates?

Irene A I'm not familiar with your condition, but I think personal sessions are the way to go. I have special needs and at the moment cannot do any moves involving spinal flexion. Perhaps you do one training session so they can evaluate your needs. Sorry for the delayed reply, but I'm new at this too

 

[Whitelinen]

I used to do Pilates, but as always I get bored of the new things I start. It does make a difference in your body, and the exercises feel easier everytime. You can feel the progress, but I do not think I saw anything changing in my body. I did for about half a year though, which is not a long time.

 

[Irene_A]

That's what I'm doing Hipkitten, and it's really working. I do mat and Reformer twice a week and I'm really experiencing big changes.

 

[rainglow]

I do Stott pilates, but I only do matwork because Ireland is a complete backwater and God *forbid* we have any kind of specialist sports centres! I absolutely love it though, and I'm sure that if I ever got my *** in gear and shed some flab there would be some nice abs revealed

I'm moving to Toronto in August which is the home of Stott pilates, so I'm really excited about finally getting to use the reformer. They even have group classes!

 

[*k.a.t.e*]

I'm thinking about starting Pilates, I'm not a huge workout fan but this looks good

 

[Hipkitten]

I've been doing Pilates for a few weeks now and it's great. I'm doing personal training once a week which includes mat, Reformer, and Cadillac/Trapeze Table work, and mat classes twice a week. I'm noticing a difference already! I'm still not able to do any spinal flexion but everyone at the studio is very understanding and I'm learning to do everything with a neutral spine (hopefully I'll get my health in order so I can do spine work soon). Has anyone else noticed that they're more aware of their posture?

 

[Whitelinen]

I used to do pilates, and it definetily improved my posture. I felt a lot lighter, like a weight was lifted from my back.

 

[PinkAddiction]

i was wondering if i should start or not.... do you really notice changes?

 

[cheiby11]

I do Pilates regulary 3 times a week- mat work and also Ron Fletcher's Towelwork with instuctor in small group... here where I live there's no any special Pilates studio with all those machines like cadillac or so, anyway I felt diference even after my first class...

I Pilates

I have also Mary Winsor DVDs and some books. Now when I know the basics, I do Pilates also alone at home almost every day.

 

[rainglow]

i was wondering if i should start or not.... do you really notice changes?

If you do it 3+ times a week you should definitely see changes. The changes I saw were in my abdomen and waist - it was like my body started holding everything in a little tighter? And I used to have a slightly dodgy back, and now I rarely even notice my back at all.

I should stress that as with all abdominal exercises, if you're looking for the look of toned muscles, you're not going to achieve this unless you already have a suitably low body fat percentage. I'm definitely smaller since doing pilates, but I'm still far from having toned abs because my bf% isn't low enough.

 

[*mette-marit*]

I really love pilates! I've never felt so much benefit from any exercise in my life! I started out using only videos! Then I did classes which I really loved when I had gym membership.....I was very hapy with the teacher too. Anyway, I don't go to the gym anymore, but I still like to do pilates(and some yoga sometimes too!) at home in front of the tv with my videos and dvds! This seems to work ok for me, and I really like the idea of doing something that will tone you up in a very subtle way.....the last thing I want from exercise is to bulk up! I do it to get smaller

 

[Ianastar]

I did Mat Pilates twice now. Each time was a different instructor. The second instructor seemed to do more advanced movements using our bodies, and I was sore for two days afterwards.

I want to go tomorrow, if Im feeling better, as Im sick now.

 

[cheiby11]

I would love to try Pilates on those machines... but there´s no Pilates studio around