is winsor pilates for me?

All of us want the best results from our investment. This principle applies even to health and fitness. So when I signed up for a Pilates fitness class early this year, I was set to get the most our of the Pilates workout.

Well, honestly, I didn’t sign up for my Pilates fitness classes due to weight loss reasons. All I knew was, I needed to improve my breathing patterns (being a sufferer of sinusitis) and I wanted to build and strengthen my back and core muscles

If you are new to Pilates, it is advisable to either purchase a Winsor Pilates or any Pilates fitness DVD/video or sign up for a Pilates fitness class. Though you can buy a book and learn some Pilates workouts, you may not know if you are doing the Pilates workouts correctly.

There are basically two types of Pilates workouts available – the Pilates Mat and the Pilates Reformer. While Pilates Mat refers to exercises and Pilates movements on a floor mat, the Pilates Reformer facilitates the toning and Pilates workouts using a series of exercises on the reformer bench.

Winsor Pilates can be learned via numerous DVDs  and from what I understand, the results from the workouts have been effective. Some have mistakenly think that Winsor Pilates is only for celebrities or for the glam and famous but this is not true at all.

Basically, Winsor Pilates can be practiced by anyone of any body shapes or fitness goals, unless you are very ill or expecting a child. The correct Pilates Fitness movements do not put strain or stress on the joints . Though the series of movements are slow, they help to focus on core muscles and strengthen the small muscle groups too.

Winsor Pilates became very popular among the weight watchers and those who are seeking healthier ways to lose weight. If you are planning to take up Pilates for weight loss reasons, be mindful that a healthy diet is necessary to help with achieving your fitness goals too.

what on earth is winsor pilates?

I’m sure you may be wondering what on earth is Winsor Pilates and how different is it from the traditional Pilates that Joseph Pilates more than 70 years ago. Very briefly, Winsor Pilates is a derivation of the Pilates designed by Mari Winsor.

Mari Winsor is no stranger in the Hollywood and celebrity circle. Owner of two successful Winsor Pilates Fitness studios, Mari Winsor has been featured in countless magazines including Allure, Glamour, InStyle, More, Shape, W, and Woman’s World. Her list of hollywood clients are Drew Barrymore, Daisy Fuentes, Jasmine Guy, Melanie Griffith, Samuel L. Jackson, Jewel, Madonna, Sharon Stone, Patrick Swayze, Marisa Tomei, and Courtney Thorne-Smith and the list goes on!

Upon the release of her first infomercial, Winsor Pilates made its name in the world of fitness and health in a dynamic way. Mari Winsor invented Winsor Pilates for the use of the masses. It makes use of the Pilates method, adapted into a low intensity exercise which as noted earlier can be done by most people, including grannies too. This makes it accessible as well as useful for anyone, even people of poor health, giving the opportunity to improve health without the stricter requirements of other exercise methods.

Having said that, Winsor Pilates method is not designed for pregnant women so care must be taken. During the third trimester, Pilates done lying down should be avoided; this could damage the blood flow to the baby.

Apart from pregnant women and those who are *very ill, Winsor Pilates is for everyone. It provides an exercise regime that is gentle on the joints muscles and bones. After the increased focus on abdominal muscles and all-in-one gyms Winsor is a definitely good addition to harder systems that are abandoned becasue they are too difficult or take too long to make improvements.

(*When in doubt of any exercise or fitness program, please consult your doctor)

let’s step into the world of pilates fitness

So let’s step into the world of pilates fitness! A fitness workout that has attracted millions of people, from Hollywood celebrities to a 60 year old granny.

Firstly, let’s have a brief understanding of pilates fitness. Mention pilates and the name, Joseph Pilates will surface. Known as the ‘father’ of pilates, Joseph Pilates suffered from asthma, rheumatic fever and rickets when he was a young boy. As a result of that, he began his fitness training to gain more physical strength. He was dedicated to study various sorts of exercise to improve his health and wellbeing.

Being a son of  a naturopath and his father, an award winning gymnast, Pilates soon became an expert in human anatomy and became a pro in yoga, skiing, wrestling, and gymnastics. Eventually he developed the Pilates method of exercise and today, the pilates fitness program continues to inspire and improve the lives of many around the world.

Today, there are many Pilates fitness exercise studios, staffed with certified Pilates instructors. Pilates is known to increase muscle tone, improve flexibility, better posture, and even helps to reduce stress. It is no wonder why hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Sharon Stone and Hugh Grant are pilates fitness devotees, to name a few.

But before you think that pilates fitness is a fad and lifestyle exercise program, think again. It is one exercise that can be carried out by most age groups, including pregnant women (always consult your doctor first and only selected pilates movement) and those living in twilight years.

More information and insights on pilates fitness in the next post.