Pilates Anyone???

[jmarruda 22]

Just wondering if anyone else here did Pilates. I just bought an AeroPilates reformer and am in love with it. Before this I had never done pilates so I wasn't sure what to expect, but its sorta like yoga and weight lifting reproduced!:bolt:

[jensmallwood 0]

I am a Pilates teacher at my local Y, and just love it! I teach mat pilates with and without props (magic circle, flex band, mini and stability balls), but I also take classes on the reformer, wunda chair, etc. I also teach Pilates on a machine called "Gravity." It's basically a Total Gym-type piece, if you know what that is. I enjoy it a lot. I'll have to look up the piece of equipment you bought-- I'm not familiar with it specifically.

Did it come with a dvd or a book? Are you able to understand the nuances of pilates practice from the material that came with the machine (since there's no teacher present)? I wouldn't mind getting a home reformer if it's not too crazy expensive!

[jmarruda 22]

I'm so glad someone responded.. Thanx.

I've been working on the reformer for about a month now and I am loving it. My only concern is that I stopped losing weight, but inches are definately coming off. The reformer came with two DVD's and I just ordered 2 more. They are pretty easy to understand, even though my first workout I looked more like a wannabe contortionist! I'm getting much better now and much stronger, I just hope the scale starts moving in the right direction!

[jensmallwood 0]

Frankly, I wouldn't rely on pilates as a huge weight loss tool. As a form of exercise, it is great for correcting postural muscles and creating a lot of endurance for the core, as well as some limb strength.

Be sure that you are also getting some good, old-fashioned cardiovascular exercise (walking, dancing, swimming, etc). The rebounder move that is available on that machine will get your heart up (I watched a video of it), but lying down for your cardio is only going to take you so far. You need to be up on your feet to get the really good bang-for-your-buck fat burning that you want.

Good luck!

[jmarruda 22]

Frankly, I wouldn't rely on pilates as a huge weight loss tool. As a form of exercise, it is great for correcting postural muscles and creating a lot of endurance for the core, as well as some limb strength.

Be sure that you are also getting some good, old-fashioned cardiovascular exercise (walking, dancing, swimming, etc). The rebounder move that is available on that machine will get your heart up (I watched a video of it), but lying down for your cardio is only going to take you so far. You need to be up on your feet to get the really good bang-for-your-buck fat burning that you want.

Good luck!

I guess I forgot to mention that I bike 10 hours a week as well... scale is still not budging, thought pilates would help...

[jensmallwood 0]

My guess is that you are adding muscle! Since you said that you are also biking 10 hours a week, and you are losing inches- it seems that fat is coming off, and lean muscle is coming on. That equals the same number on the scale, but a leaner, slimmer body. That's a good thing-- AND the scale will start to move again.

I have to really watch when I exercise a lot that I don't overeat (because I have the exercise excuse.)