Does anybody here do pilates as part of their workout? I need filling in on this subject.

I have to admit I don't know a whole lot about pilates but I always got the impression that it wasn't unlike yoga... is this right? It is this impression that has put me off.

Although some people swear by yoga, to keep a form of excercise up I have to feel like it's doing some good and I dont think sitting quietly breathing right etc would have that effect on me. For this reason I have never tried yoga but preferred to go for forms of excercise that I can really feel working right there and then.

For this reason yoga and pilates have never been of any interest to me... until now. I have recently read in several places that pilates really is the key to toning yourself up and an important part of any routine. If this is true perhaps I should be giving it a go.

So. What exactly is involved? I don't know a lot at all... but I believe it is to tone you up...?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can reply with a few words of wisdom.

sprite
i have been wondering the same thing
I saw an ad on TV for a tape (that one with daisy whats her name) and thought about ordering it so I hope we get some answers here, does it work for anyone??? Are the results as good as they say and what kinda exercise is it???? STAR

I have seen loads of different ones going at a good price on ebay so if I decide to get one I will read some user-reviews online and choose one on there I think.

...Nobody?

I've never done pilates, but I have done yoga and you have the wrong idea!

The sitting and breathing/meditating part of yoga is the cooldown part after they try to kill you with intense muscle workout. In yoga, I often find that my muscles are shaking because they're working so hard (those poses don't come easily!) and I sweat, which is unusual for me. I love yoga, it has improved my flexibility so much, and it's SUCH a good workout.

I haven't signed up for class since I gained weight, I tried curves instead to burn calories, but in January I plan on signing back up for my yoga classes AND continuing curves!

That said - I don't recommend starting it at home. The thing is, you can feel like you're in a pose, but you sometimes need an instructor to walk over and push your shoulderblades back or whatnot to make the pose what it should be. A lot of times in class I'd be in my pose thinking "this isn't so hard..." and my instructor would walk around and "fix me" and suddenly I'd be working every muscle just to stay where she put me!

I go to a local yoga center, and I'd really reccomend finding one near you, it's not cardio and you won't be huffing and puffing, but your muscles will scream in the morning and you'll know it's working!

Yes I agree here, I recently found Yoga as well and I love it...It gives me a sence of wellenss and calmness and makes me feel grounded and clears my head and you do feel it...it isnt really easy...I do the daily dozen and just started some intermediate stuff and the intermediate stuff isnt easy...

The idea behind Pilates and Yoga is to increase your flexabilty, elongate you and tone you up...if you do these regularly you tone your muscels and it does help and people do use it as a staple exercise...

I went out to Walmart and I bought a two set DVD...it was Yoga and Pilates for Dummies, I havent yet tried the Pilates but I have done the Yoga alot ... she explains everything to you about Yoga and how does improve your over all health and how it is beneficial and works as exercise...

Have you tried the Pilates yet? I just watched through my copies that I borrowed from the library, and will give them a try tomorrow. I talked to a friend at work who says that while they aren't technically a cardio workout, they do raise the heart rate.... something I am definitely looking for!!!

Holly

i live in BFE and there are no yoga trainers anywhere..........so has anyone tried thoes pilates tapes and can give me some advice on if they work or not........really want to know.......STAR

Hi all,

I have done pilates, and I love it, although it isn't really cardio, in my opinion. I did lessons for several months about 16 years ago until I had to stop due to change in circumstances, and still remember feeling physically the best I've ever felt. I restarted this spring, and really love it. I find it really challenging- even though many of the movements look really simple, the focus is on doing them very correctly, which is often quite hard- I am often quivering from exhaustion by the end of my lessons. I do recommend taking a class with a live instructor, or even private or small group lessons if you can to start, as form is so critical to get the most out of the exercises, and nothing beats a live expert to help you on that.

I had problems with my knees for more than 20 years- my doctor had basically just said there was little I could do other than build strength and stretch, avoid too much running or biking, etc. This spring, my pilates instructor showed me a muscle release I'd never done before, and amazingly, I do it when my knees hurt and almost every time, the pain goes away! I'm able to run regularly now for the 1st time in my life without notable pain (I'm in my 40's). I'm very loyal to my pilates teacher now, since she solved this seemingly unsolvable problem for me so simply!

Also, when I've been doing Pilates for a while, my feet actually seem to get less flat, which has been another chronic annoyance for me.

Anyway, I guess it is clear that I think it is a great thing!

I have tried pilates but i take it more as a recreation and not a serious exercise regime.

Nothing beats a good cardio workout if you want to lose weight.

I thought that pushing crap was'nt allowed here!!!!
I want feedback not the home shopping network bud!