Pilates

[Natasha]

Just a general question: has anyone tried Pilates? Is it as great as people say?

[jan]

Originally posted by Natasha:
Just a general question: has anyone tried Pilates? Is it as great as people say?
I don't think I've ever tried it. Is it a side dish? Was it in a recent issue of CL?

[Natasha]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I wish it were something to eat! Maybe then I would have tried it by now!!! It's easier to try new foods than new forms of exercise ... ; )

Here's a description from Phys.com. I have heard that practising Pilates is really good for toning, but I know nothing about it.

Hope you have a good day.
___

Pilates has recently become trendy, but it's been around for 70 years. The technique, developed in Germany by Joseph Pilates, has long been embraced by dancers (both George Balanchine and Martha Graham gave it the nod of approval).

WHAT IT IS: Graceful, almost balletic motions executed either on the Reformer — an odd piece of equipment that looks like a stretching rack outfitted with pulleys and cables — or on a floormat. (Mat work is ideal for people who don't want to be dependent on a machine, but the Reformer — which offers extra resistance — is the traditional way to practice Pilates. Sessions are generally one-on-one.) The basic philosophy: The abdomen is the power center of the body; if it's used as a strong anchor, the rest of the body can be safely stretched and strengthened.

[Kerrils]

For about six months, I was doing piliates at my gym. It was a class without the machines (you use a mat and lay on the floor). Classes with the machines are very, very expensive. These classes that I did, were amazing and a great toning, strengthening workout, especially for the tummy. I enjoyed the classes a lot. I stopped only because they changed the class times and spinning fit my schedule better.

If you can try it, DO!!!

[Natasha]

Thank you! This sounds great. I would like to get started on this sometime this summer!

[Angelina]

I am going to try it too...do you know if you need any special clothing for it? Like, at my gym, everybody dresses lightly and no sneakers for the ballet and yoga classes..is this the same thing?
Originally posted by Kerrils:
For about six months, I was doing piliates at my gym. It was a class without the machines (you use a mat and lay on the floor). Classes with the machines are very, very expensive. These classes that I did, were amazing and a great toning, strengthening workout, especially for the tummy. I enjoyed the classes a lot. I stopped only because they changed the class times and spinning fit my schedule better.

If you can try it, DO!!!

[Kerrils]

Hello Again!
At my gym, I wear the same stuff for yoga as pilaites. The only difference is that the instructor lets us keep our socks on.

Originally posted by Angelina:
I am going to try it too...do you know if you need any special clothing for it? Like, at my gym, everybody dresses lightly and no sneakers for the ballet and yoga classes..is this the same thing?

[kgreenlee]

Originally posted by Natasha:
Just a general question: has anyone tried Pilates? Is it as great as people say?


I have been doing Pilates since April and love it. The idea is to center all of your movement through your core, your abdomen.

It takes a while to really get the jist of it. The first few sessions seem overwhelming because you have to think about so much, but don't let that discourage you at all. Just understand that it does take a while.

I've only done the mat work, because the one on one sessions on the machines are expensive. But if you can find mat classes with resistance bands, that's an awesome workout. Even without the bands, it's still a great workout. I love it.

[Kristilyn1]

Well, I feel pretty out of it. Never heard of this! But I am pretty out of the loop on any group activities.

Just had to say--Natasha will appreciate this--I ran 10 miles yesterday! Maybe you remember me saying that I was just starting to get back into running and that all I have ever done is 3 miles?! Well, not anymore. I feel like I have moved from a "Hacker" to a "Runner". I feel like I am on top of the world.

Kristi

[Natasha]

Hi guys,
Thanks for your help. I started Pilates on my own a few weeks ago and though I haven't done it that many times, I'm enjoying it and can really feel the burn in my abs!! (The main reason I'm doing this is to strengthen my abs and lower back for running, but if it does a wee bit of toning, I won't complain!)

Hey Kristi - that's awesome!! Sounds like your training is going really well as of late...I know you've gone past 10 miles now...keep it up!


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 09-06-2000).]