Pilates anyone?

[Goldiegirl]

I am getting ready for summer, and summer clothes and swimming suits, so I decided that along with walking and cycling I would start Pilates to tone up and strengthen my muscles. Well, actually what happened was I was watching late night television and in a sleep deprived stupor ordered a whole Pilates work-out package. It has this big ball for balancing on and some stretchy bands, two weighted balls for strengthening, a DVD, a mat and some other stuff. I am just curious if anyone follows a Pilates regimen and what do you think about it? I have really bad joints already, and this looked like it wouldn't hurt them like aerobics style exercises.

 

[Mars Man]

My first reaction when seeing the title, was that the OP had been a typo, where an 'r' should have replaced the 'l'. I have never heard of it at all, so I cannot help. My working out is usually in the summer months too...swingng a gasoline powered weed-eater, pushing a lawnmower, mixing up concrete by hand, and a few other things. The down side, I guess, is my elbow workouts...you know, the old bend the elbow (with the automatic mouth opening reaction) and I use beer cans for weight. Well, at least until it's somehow empty, but then I get another one and do another set.

Did the set come with someone to make sure you actually do the exercises? That would be my problem. I hope you use them and make some changes there. You can always do things in water too...it's easier on the joints--my knees are a bit weak too.

Good luck !! Don't put off ! Get out there and work out !!

 

[Goldiegirl]

This is what happens when you watch late night television. The trainer doesn't come with the set! You actually have to get up and put the DVD into the player and do the exercises. It just sounded so cool on TV and that ballet dancers use Pilates, all these athletes and super models do this routine. I haven't acutally done any of the exercises yet, just looked at the box!

Yeah, I love swimming and was going to join the local (well 17 miles away) YMCA. It's a beautiful brand new facility and they actually have trainers there to "encourage" you to work out. This is my problem, I don't want to drive 17 miles one way to exercise! Petrol/Gas is at $4 a gallon! I would feel like I am wasting fuel.

I wonder if anyone who is currently doing Pilates, see's all these changes in their bodies shape that they say happens. I certainly don't expect to look like a super model! I suppose most exercise is good for you in the long run. I think Wii has a workout or exercise game, I might look into that as well. I need variety.

Yard work is great exercise. It's good for the mind as well. I love to garden.

 

[nice gaijin]

Any exercise routine has a chance of success when you actually make a habit of being active, but it's important not to repeat the same exercises habitually, as your muscles will get used to the movement. This is why most of those video exercise programs include multiple videos to progress through as you work through the program. Pilates itself is pretty low-impact; I've never taken a class but I am familiar with some of the exercises, and they can be particularly good for core strengthening.

I read that Wii Fit is marginally more exercise than just playing a normal Wii game; Dance Dance Revolution was found to be good calisthenic exercise, but as the only source of exercise in the study group, it merely slowed down weight gain (albeit by a considerable amount). Either way, I wouldn't rely too heavily on such things to keep you in shape. I mix it up with a variety of exercises that concentrate on different muscle groups, but I never "work out," I play. Yoga, martial arts, rock climbing, cycling, and slackline form the core of my regimen.

 

[Goldiegirl]

I was hoping that the 2, 2 pound weights ( that came with the Pilates package) would help with making my muscles work more. I don't want to bulk up my muscles. I always shied away from lifting weights so as not to get big, bulging muscles. Since I started a few years ago to really exercise, and stay in shape, I lost weight, and I am not looking to loose weight, but make my muscles look defined, but not huge. I am only 5'3" inches or a smidgen taller. I was hoping to mix up all the cardio with core strength training and some how looking more crisp...for lack of a better word. Oh, and I thought balancing on that ball would help me get back into horseback riding. I am looking at buying a horse, I don't want to be all wobbly and fall off!

 

[nice gaijin]

pilates is a decent system, but from what I've seen it concentrates less on cardio, so you might need to incorporate something else into your routine.

In order to get big muscles you need to lift a considerable amount of weight. Smaller weights with more reps will result in more definition, 2 lbs is next to nothing in terms of weight, but programs like pilates tend to put them to good use. The balancing ball is great for core, I stand on them and do squats and jumps to improve my balance, which helps on the slackline.

If you really wish to give yourself some extra motivation (which always seems necessary when doing these sorts of things on your own), you should document your progress with photos and make note of the exercises you do outside of following the program. Having that documentation of continual improvement is a great way to keep in the game and keep up the desire to improve yourself.

 

[justin]

A friend of mine asked me to try pilates with her and it wasn't pretty. I'm a big guy, even when I'm not lifting weights, and my family doesn't call me 'grace' for my ballet skills. I fell off the big ball and landed on my face. Ten minutes later I was in the weight room while she did pilates. In-other-words, pilates is not for clumsy people!

 

[Goldiegirl]

Well, I wouldn't say I am graceful either. And as of yet I haven't started. Everything is still neatly packed in the original box. But, I have been reading the manual, trying to get an idea of what the different exercises are....it's hard to follow along to the DVD when you can't really keep up because I can't just flow from one movement to the next. I have been jumping rope. I forgot just how fun that is! I need a weighted rope though, my niece's pink one just doesn't work all that great! Thanks for sharing justin!