Anyone else here into Pilates?

[Enraged_Ape]

My wife and I just started doing the mat work a couple of weeks ago. As a physical therapist, I was familiar with the theory behind it (core strengthening and stabilization) but hadn't really explored it in its depth.

Well, after two weeks, my posture's improved, my shoulder pain is gone, my bench press has gone up 20 pounds, and I can hit the heavy bag a LOT harder. Even my persistent quadriceps tendinitis seems to be better, though I haven't quite figured that one out (it may be due to the reflexive inhibition and stretching involved in many of the movements, but I won't get into that).

Anyway, I LOVE it. If any of you have tried other types of exercise before and been bored with them, give this one a shot. If you're into aerobics, weight-lifting, or other regular exercise and have hit a plateau, give it a go as well. Although working with a qualified Pilates instructor is the best route, I highly recommend the "Pilates Workout for Dummies" DVD for those who don't have access.

Oh, and get an okay from your doctor first, particularly if you've been having odd aches or pains (like the painful squeezing that travels into my left arm and jaw after I eat a bag of pork rinds).

[Skittles]

1. I've been thinking about trying Pilates

I saw an ad on TV and the exercises looked interesting. I do workouts at home to video tapes and am looking to purchase a couple of Pilates tapes.

[Enraged_Ape]

5. I've seen a lot of ads for the Winsor Pilates system...

and it comes highly recommended, but for $40-$50 you get some other stuff (like a meal plan, an exercise log sheet, and helpful instructions to run/walk something like 3 miles a day) that you may not need.

The "Pilates Workout for Dummies" DVD I mentioned has two workouts--a beginner and intermediate--and the instructor on the DVD is the most laid-back, informative, and least obnoxious video workout coach I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot. Plus you can get this DVD for about $12-14 at your nearest book/DVD store, so it's especially good for those who are not sure whether they want to make the larger Winsor investment.

[molly]

2. I have the videos, the DVDs and some books

I made some phone calls for trainers and it is very expensive. I need to lose some weight and get myself organized. I just cannot do it alone.

[schrodinger_I]

3. My girlfriend teaches it

She does it at a Physical Therapist's office and has all of the machines.

[Enraged_Ape]

4. Instructors can be expensive, and they are worth it, but...

if you have books and videos, you may only need an instructor to go through the movements a couple of times with you to make sure you are doing them correctly. The whole deal with Pilates is that it works better the more precise you are in doing the movements. If you're really concentrating and focusing on what you should be doing, it can be one hell of a workout. And it's interesting and fun, so that helps with motivation, if you end up doing it on your own.

Good luck to you!

[molly]

8. Thankyou - the first things I need to do is

get myself organized. I worked for so many years and now being home alone, I don't have any kind of schedule. Each day, I tell myself that I'll start my diet, start my exercise, clean my house, etc, etc - tomorrow. Tomorrow just isn't getting it. I feel like a fish out of water - just flopping around trying to survive. I've pretty much made up my mind, at this point, that my career is over. I wish it weren't, but that's the sad reality.

[Enraged_Ape]

10. Exercise is nature's own antidepressant

Carve out even 20 minutes a day for it, and you will eventually find other things will fall into place for you. You will be able to think of things in a different way than you do now.

Take care, and talk to somebody. As long as we are alive, we have possibilities.

[Robb]

6. Only the Pilates of Penzance

...or, more recently, the Pilates of the Callibean...

(ducks)

:)

[Enraged_Ape]

7. I just knew someone was going to do that

:spank:

[quilp]

9. Bush was a "Pilate" in the National Guard wasn't he?

Sorry that was Pontius Pilate. But then the Bush pain is lower down. Forget this post.