Pilates For Better Fitness and A Beautiful Body

I spoke to an old friend in Australia few days ago and was thrilled to hear that she too had just returned home from a Pilates class. I couldn’t explained why but it made so excited to hear that more people are recognizing that Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise and fitness activity.

As we all know, Pilates is a popular fitness activity among the celebrities and the stars in Hollywood. It is inspiring to know that many celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Jessica Simpson and even the Domestic Goddess, Nigella Lawson work hard to gain that Pilates body despite their busy filming schedules. There is really no excuse to give your body a good workout at least once or twice a week. It’s not hard to convince any Pilates enthusiast what the exercise can do for them. It strengthens, tones and builds muscles and helps to align your posture on the overall.

Most of the celebrities have themselves a personal Pilates trainer or instructor to guide them in their workouts in proper Pilates studios. For a start, a private Pilates session can help you gain a clearer and better understanding of the workout. If your budget does not allow you to engage a personal Pilates trainer, a group class works too, but make sure it’s a class of not more than six. Once the class gets bigger, it’s hard to get the movements correct without close supervision. It’s hard for the instructor to guide each person individually in a group class.

I have attended group reformer (with Pilates machine) and group mat and each class is normally between 2-6 students, nothing more. I also work out on a duet session with another Pilates enthusiast on a separate day. Over the months, I have gained much understanding on Pilates but most of all, my arms and abs are stronger and my legs are toned. And my breathing has improved tremendously! Though it wasn’t for a Pilates body that led me to Pilates but I have gained more than just a more attractive physique. Do you know Pilates can also help kids in their mental and physical developments too?

If you want a better understanding of what Pilates exercise is all about before signing up for a class, there are heaps of Pilates videos, DVDs on the web or books to provide the information. It’s not too late to work on those flabby arms and abs for your summer vacation – you just need to work harder

Workout with a Pilates Video or DVD from Home

There are many ways to learn Pilates and if you can’t afford the time and money, one of the most effective ways is to buy a Pilates video. Personally, I have been watching some Pilates videos and they have acted as a refresher for me. Sometimes, I can easily forget those Pilates flow and moves after the class but watching a Pilates video can help to refresh my mind and help me remember what I learned and did. If you aren’t sure what’s the right video to get, watching a trailer will be a good start and YouTube.com is a good place to scout for good references too.

Many of these Pilates Dvds are affordable and can be ordered online. Once you have decided that this method is working for you, do invest in a good Pilates mat. Get one that is not too thin so that it can provide good support for your spine and back when you lie down. After all, the mat will last you for a long time. Eventually, you may want to get a Pilates fit ball. If you are small in stature, a 55cm ball is good and 65cm will be ideal for those who are taller and bigger build. These are just a few cheap and useful Pilates equipment you can buy to get started with Pilates from home.

Do you know you can also learn Pilates online via online streaming technology. The advantage of such a membership is that you don’t need to buy all the Pilates DVDs but instead, you can choose any sort of Pilates exercise in a given time, as long as your membership is still valid. With just $9.95 per month, you can learn Pilates anytime, anywhere, and you can choose from a host of different workouts from the library.

I am a strong believer of working out with a Pilates instructor if you have no basics in Pilates. The Pilates instructor will be able to show you the right way to breathe during the workout and explain a few basic lingo commonly used in Pilates. These ‘lingo’ will help you to engage the right muscles and make your Pilates exercise a more effective one. If you can, do a few private sessions to understand these simple steps before going on your own with your Pilates video. You can work towards a better body before the year end. Get started now.

Gaining Better Fitness with Pilates Equipment

How to Train the Core With Pilates

Who wouldn’t want a fitness program that is low impact yet produces high results?  Over the years, there had been a lot of highlight about Pilates which has been around for more than 70 years.  Pilates is a great fitness program that involves stretching with breathing techniques. It is becoming more and more popular globally as it is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels.  The program was designed to help improve the body’s core muscles, those in the abdomen, pelvis, back and shoulders.  Pilates as a fitness activity, practiced on a regular can help the participant to improve his or her posture, strength, flexibility, and mental focus.

Basically in Pilates, you can workout on the Mat and the various Pilates equipment and machines including the reformer, Arc Barrel, the Cadillac, the Wunda Chair and the Pilates fitness ball. These machines are designed to strengthen the muscles with workouts using the body’s own weight as resistance. Below are some of the more widely used and popular Pilates fitness equipment:

1) The Mat:  The Pilates mat is a must-have for the beginner when performing as floor exercises as it helps to protect the spine during floor exercises. It is also the cheapest piece of Pilates equipment. The mat however does not provide much strength resistance during the workout as compared to the reformer. Sometimes small props such as the flex band is used to create resistance.

2) The Reformer:  This happens to be my favourite and is also one of the most widely used and versatile Pilates fitness equipment.  The Reformer consists of a sliding carriage, with foot bars, jump boards, and arm and leg pulleys and straps, which can facilitate to an effective full body workout.

The most basic exercise on the reformer requires the participant to lie facing up on the carriage with the spine, hips, pelvis, and knees must all staying relaxed (neutral spine).  Balancing this way, the participant pushes his body along the carriage backwards and forwards or up and down.  The core muscles control the push, getting a deep workout as the participant focuses on the breathing too.

Because of its versatility, the reformer can be altered to accommodate advanced workouts.  It can be adjusted to give the participant a more intense workout by adjusting the springs.  In every movement , the participant must use his core to perform the Pilates exercises. It is important that every workout be guided by a trained or certified Pilates instructor who is able to assist the participant in mastering a new challenge and to advise on safety issues.

3) The Ring:  The Pilates Ring is a lightweight, portable piece of equipment that the participant can use in workouts done on the mat or reformer. The ring can be positioned anywhere on the body and it targets the leg, bicep, tricep, lats, and pectoral muscles.

4) The Cadillac:  This piece of Pilates fitness equipment is also called the trapeze table.  This piece of equipment is supported by a frame or posts.  There are bars at intervals with straps, springs and removable bars attached.  The participant can use this machine for various exercises by using the springs and his own body weight for resistance. (see picture above)

If you are planning to buy any of the above Pilates equipment for fitness, always seek the advice of a certified Pilates instructor on the proper techniques before starting to use any new Pilates machine.  If used properly, Pilates machines and equipment can be used to strengthen the core by using the body’s own weight as resistance, which will build muscle and increase flexibility while increasing the person’s fitness level.

Achieving The Pilates Body – Part Two

Couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Achieving The Pilates Body, here is the continuing post on how you can achieve this dream. Pilates is a continuing educational process. There is always something new to learn in every Pilates session and this makes the entire workout very exciting and inspiring.

Whether you decide to learn from your own home or get some instruction, keep your mind tuned to these three tips.

First, pay attention to correct form for every move that you learn. While form is always important in exercise, it is critical with this form. The long, lean muscles that Pilates is famous for creating depend on you working the right muscles in the right way.

If you are learning through a Pilates video or DVD then it is a good idea to watch it through at least once before you start. This will prevent you from straining to see the screen to check your form. If you are taking a class, then your instructor should keep an eye out to ensure you get proper form on each move.

Second, consistency is very important. You cannot do this type of exercise every once in awhile and get the body you desire. It takes consistent work to form a great body. Don’t expect results overnight, but give it all your effort at least three to four times a week and you will definitely start to see changes.

Third, progress is extremely important. The longer you do the same movements or the same combinations, the easier it will be for your body to perform them. This means your body will be more efficient and burn less calories while doing it, which ultimately means less change for you.

To prevent this from happening, change things up from time to time. If you are taking a class, try to attend a few sessions by a different instructor or look for more advanced sessions. If you are working with a DVD, then you should start attempting the harder move variations as soon as possible. You should also try to find new DVDs to get a variety.

Achieving the Pilates body of your dreams is entirely possible if you give it all your effort and pay attention to these three tips. For faster results, try to mix in as much cardio as possible and change your eating habits.

Achieving The Pilates Body – Part One

If you really want to make a hot Pilates body your reality rather than your dream, there are some very important steps that you must take to get there. Remember, nothing good ever comes for free!

First of all, there are quite a few ways to learn Pilates. If money and time are of issue you can purchase Pilates Video and DVDs and start learning the moves in your own home. This is a great idea for anyone who is overweight or otherwise very uncomfortable walking into a class with other people.

Pilates videos and DVDs will include versions of the exercises that can be done without equipment, but you can now also purchase real Pilates equipment that is compact enough to fit into your home. If you can afford to go this route it is the best way to get maximum results from home. But before you can purchase any Pilates equipment especially the reformer or the more expensive machines, it’s best to get some private Pilates training with a certified instructor. It’s no point buying a Pilates machine and realizing that you don’t even know how to use it.

If you live close to a Pilates studio then signing up for classes will definitely bring the results you want. This way allows you to gain the knowledge from skilled instructors who will ensure that you are meeting all three of the steps presented in the next post. There are also various types of Pilates fitness styles available and you may want to join one to experience more.

A local gym may also have classes and they may be cheaper than going through an actual studio. Next post, we’ll talk about the critical steps to acheiving a Pilates Body – Stay tuned!