Pilates (Full Version)

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barelynangel -> Pilates (7/23/2009 3:55:31 AM)

Yeah talk about off topic lol.  I was wondering how many people utilize pilates in their fitness routines and if so, what benefits have you found from same, what's your experience and do you have recommendations of getting started (other than -- just do it lol),  Also, has anyone used same to help with weight loss and did it help or was it beneficial?

Thanks for any info, angel



CatdeMedici -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 3:58:02 AM)

ooohh  barley, I am so glad you asked this and if anyone could add how tp adress tummy bulge too that would be great! [:o]



barelynangel -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 4:00:30 AM)

cringes, if you can call me angel or barelynangel - even bna as Ron does - would be better , it would be appreciated -- barely is like nails on a chalkboard for me grins and barley wellll lol.   Thanks ---  as to your post lol i have heard pilates is good for that kind of thing, which is why i was also interested in it. 



Louve00 -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 4:48:11 AM)

I don't do them.  But if I did, I would probably save the $400 and start here.  I doubt pilates in ANY way is easy.  But this does look like the easiest way.  (to me)

http://www.malibupilates.com/

Here is a review of the machine.
http://www.exercise-equipment-review.com/malibu_pilates_review.html

Good Luck! 



barelynangel -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 5:04:05 AM)

Louve00 -- don't tempt me lol everytime i see that infomercial (infomercial junky unfortunately) i have to change it quickly because i do like what i see with that chair. But until i know i am dedicated to doing it, i am not investing that type of money and will start with the basics and see if i am committed as i want to be lol.

angel



lusciouslips19 -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 5:11:42 AM)

Pilates is great for your core muscles. Building these helps lower back pain. You dont need any fancy equipment to start. Go to Youtube and find some basic mat exercises. Or buy a DVD. Or if you are a member of a healthclub most have pilates mat classes. As far as fancy equipment known as a Pilates Reformer goes. You can pay to use one but it is costly. A cheaper alternative which utilizes many similar movements is Pilates On the Ball with a swissBall. There are 2 books on Amazon. Pilates on the Ball and Balance on the ball.



lazarus1983 -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 5:49:46 AM)

I do a lot of pilates-esque movements designed to exercise the core muscles. As a weightlifter they're invaluable in protecting your lower back and in helping you lift heavier weights. Imagine trying to squat 500lbs with a pillow for a core. Won't happen. Now imagine trying to squat 500lbs with a rock hard core. Much better.

A lot of the Strongman events are very demanding on your core.

It's a shame too many people only think of your abdominal muscles when thinking of your "core".



wandersalone -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 7:03:49 AM)

Pilates is excellent for increasing core stability however learning to identify and isolate the correct muscles was something I doubt I would have been able to do without the physiotherapist that I had in the group classes. 

If you are able to go to a few group classes initially I would definitely recommend that you do to ensure you learn to isolate the correct muscles.  I went to one run by a physio as I was recovering from surgery but most gyms have pilates classes as well.

The reformers and whiz bang machines are great but I just use a fitball and a mat for all of my exercises.  I definitely notice a difference in my posture, muscle tone around my tummy, and general achiness if I slack off on doing it.

In regards to weight loss you would need to do cardio exercise of some sort, walking, jogging, swimming etc whereas  pilates would be more about toning.





lazarus1983 -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 7:13:08 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: wandersalone

Pilates is excellent for increasing core stability however learning to identify and isolate the correct muscles was something I doubt I would have been able to do without the physiotherapist that I had in the group classes. 

If you are able to go to a few group classes initially I would definitely recommend that you do to ensure you learn to isolate the correct muscles.  I went to one run by a physio as I was recovering from surgery but most gyms have pilates classes as well.

The reformers and whiz bang machines are great but I just use a fitball and a mat for all of my exercises.  I definitely notice a difference in my posture, muscle tone around my tummy, and general achiness if I slack off on doing it.

In regards to weight loss you would need to do cardio exercise of some sort, walking, jogging, swimming etc whereas  pilates would be more about toning.





Piffle on the machines, they don't help you. A fitball and a mat is good, but if you're really stretched, all you really need is a floor.

Although if you want to lose weight and hit the core muscles, the world's best kept secret (not so much anymore) are kettlebells. They've been around in Russia since forever, and have only recently been creeping into the mainstream in the US in the past couple years. Aside from flipping tires, kettlebell swings are one of the most demanding movements I've ever done.



wandersalone -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 7:20:55 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lazarus1983


Piffle on the machines, they don't help you. A fitball and a mat is good, but if you're really stretched, all you really need is a floor.

Although if you want to lose weight and hit the core muscles, the world's best kept secret (not so much anymore) are kettlebells. They've been around in Russia since forever, and have only recently been creeping into the mainstream in the US in the past couple years. Aside from flipping tires, kettlebell swings are one of the most demanding movements I've ever done.


I tend to agree with you about the machines but I was being polite [:D].  I haven't ever used a kettlebell but medicine balls are also great to add to core stability training. Mind you, I always get scared that I am going to drop it on my head and kill myself (Laying on my back, my ankles balanced on a fitball, butt off the floor, muscles contacted, and I raise the ball up over my head and back down a number of times)



Aneirin -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 7:56:23 AM)

I use Pilates exercises, sometimes with a stability ball when I start getting the lower back troubles, as happens now and again. But when the troubles come, it is usually a result of me being lazy and not continuing with my exercises to build and maintain the core muscles that support the spine.

I have done, Iyengar Yoga and Pilates, it is the pilates I find the most useful, although the Iyengar comes a close second. But pilates only for back work, not the Iyengar, as that can go very wrong if you don't know what you are doing, not paying attention, or are weak to start with.

But day to day exercise, I use a dance warm up routine, as it is short and effective, good enough for meeting the usual strains of the day.



CatdeMedici -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 1:26:32 PM)

OOOHHH I am so sorry, please forgive.[:o]



allthatjaz -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 2:46:53 PM)

I started learning Pilate s when I reached a certain level of dressage and just couldn't get myself any further. Learning Pilate s helped me enormously and once you get into a good habit of breathing correctly you will find it helps your stomach to always remain firm, your posture to always be correct because your core muscles become stronger (you will learn to use muscles in your lower back that your body didn't even know you had!) and your pelvic floor strong enough to break a mans penis in half if you so wish [:D] I would highly recommend it to anyone but just make sure you get yourself a good teacher or you will just be wasting your time.



DesFIP -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 4:59:31 PM)

I used to. Stopped after an injury that took months to heal.

I will say that although my upper abs got much stronger, even two years in my lower abs didn't show much difference.
And the machines are very helpful if you're elderly, or in extremely poor shape. I never fell off of a machine and I started it because I had balance problems. Increasing core muscles helped me recover my balance as well as climbing stairs.



Irishknight -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 8:41:02 PM)

I thought the op said using pirates for exercise. I guess I'm out of this one.



cloudboy -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 9:19:48 PM)


I did Pilates for about three years doing a mat based workout. The workout would take about 22 minutes. I found Pilates to be a great, interesting, meditative, low impact workout that left me feeling refreshed and strong but never exhausted.

I've now switched over to doing perfect pull ups and perfect push ups -- what I would consider the opposite of Pilates -- an intense, exhausting, heavy, strength building regimen.

In sum, I think the most important thing about exercise is that you like doing it and keep it up. In this regard, you can do Pilates at home watching the instructor on DVD. After you get the movements down, you can than do the exercises watching TV, listening to music, or without any such distractions. All the movements are about 30-45 seconds in duration, after which you switch off to different routines -- and this makes the time fly by.



Esinn -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 11:09:15 PM)

http://www.powerpilates.com/articles/pilates/pilates-fact-or-fiction.html

The above article was the fist one I quickly ganked from the net.

You will never find any information on Pilates offered in any Weight Management & Theory class from an established university.  The same goes with Professional Application of Fitness Principals.

With the above thoughts the only information you will find about it in modern Health/Fitness/Strength Journals is they are fairly worthless.

Ya, it is better than sitting on your ass - what isn't though.

The only way to loose weight is to change eating habits and exercise.  To loose weight the best calisthenics or cardio.  Have you seen the biggest looser?  The transformations these people go through are truly amazing.  Have you ever seen Olympic body building, these folks at one time might have used steroids - I think the point still valid.

Both utilize the absolute best understanding, technology and science.  Both offer world class weight loss in a timely fashion or world class body builders drug free.

Oddly enough neither call upon Pilates - hollywood mumbo jumbo.  Again, this is more effective than doing nothing.  I would seriously suggest looking into the 3 ideas I mentioned above.

-E



Esinn -> RE: Pilates (7/23/2009 11:10:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

I used to. Stopped after an injury that took months to heal.

I will say that although my upper abs got much stronger, even two years in my lower abs didn't show much difference.
And the machines are very helpful if you're elderly, or in extremely poor shape. I never fell off of a machine and I started it because I had balance problems. Increasing core muscles helped me recover my balance as well as climbing stairs.


The vibrating machines?



barelynangel -> RE: Pilates (7/24/2009 2:55:12 AM)

Thanks everyone for your input on pilates, its always facinated me. I wasn't asking for advice on losing weight. I have that covered, thanks.

I will look more into pilates. My gym has cut so many of its classes that i am dropping them and rejoining the Y in a couple months which has more classes. So hopefully i can get involved with more classes they have with pilates.

angel



allthatjaz -> RE: Pilates (7/24/2009 3:44:26 AM)

One of the things I believe is really important with Pilates is the breathing technique. It helps you to not only use your full lung capacity but also makes your abdominal muscles very strong. It is one of the things that most beginners at Pilates find the most difficult, after all you have probably been breathing a different way all of your life! Don't just do the breathing whilst doing the exercise but practice it as many times as you can in a day. Eventually you will find that you breath this way all the time, even in your sleep.

Good luck with your class.





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