Pilates

[SuzyQ]

Anybody know anything about Pilates? I was talking to someone today who mentioned that Piilates is really good for burning fat. I thought it was a pretty sedentary-type exercise (similar to yoga), but I honestly have no idea.

[redrocks]

I haven't ever done pilates, but a woman at the gym told me last weekend that I have "pilates abs." I think that's a good thing...LOL.

[SweatMachine]

I LOVE DRINKING THOSE THINGS!

[jaywooly]

My GF just bought Pilates for Dummies from Target yesterday. Funny you mention it. I'll ask her to post something on it, or perhaps just ask her and I'll post. I personally don't know a thing about it other than it being a very tasty beverage like SM says, lol.

[IM^]

What is the Pilates Method of body conditioning?

Imagine an exercise program that you look forward to, that engages you, and that leaves you refreshed and alert with a feeling of physical and mental well-being.The Pilates Method (pronounced puh-LAH-teez) of body conditioning will do all this...and more.

Developed in the 1920s by the legendary physical trainer and founder of the Pilates Studio™, Joseph H. Pilates, The Pilates Method is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. Not surprisingly, some of the first people to use the Pilates Method were dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine.

The Pilates Method is not just exercise, however. It is a series of controlled movements engaging your body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and supervised by extensively trained teachers.

Benefits of the Pilates Method

The Pilates Method of body conditioning promotes physical harmony and balance for people of all ages and physical conditions while providing a refreshing and energizing workout.

Because conditioning sessions are done one-to-one with a certified teacher or in closely supervised small groups, each session is tailored to your specific needs.

Regardless of your current level of fitness - from sedentary office worker to fitness enthusiast - the Pilates Method can be your primary mode of body conditioning and injury prevention.

Recently discovered by physical therapists, chiropractors and orthopedists, The Pilates Method of body conditioning can also be integrated into rehabilitative exercise and physical therapy programs designed to speed recovery of soft tissue injuries.

The Pilates Method can be safely used by pregnant women to learn proper breathing and body alignment, improve concentration, and recover body shape and tone after pregnancy.

What's Different about the Pilates Method?

Joseph H. Pilates designed more than 500 specific exercises using five major pieces of unique apparatus to develop the body uniformly.

Instead of performing many repetitions of each exercise, Joseph H. Pilates preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring proper control and form.

Because your mind is required to engage with your body to perform the movements correctly, you experience a new awareness of muscle function and control.

The "powerhouse" - abdomen, lower back, and buttocks - is supported and strengthened, enabling the rest of the body to move freely.

To provide safe and effective conditioning for our clients, instruction is given only by teachers who complete a rigorous certification program including seminar training and 600 apprenticeship hours. The certification program has been continued by Pilates Inc.'s Master Teachers, who follow the Authentic teachings of Joseph Pilates. The program also incorporates the most extensive archival material including 4 hours of film, over 1000 photographs, audio tape and original manuscripts as well as original equipment plans. These source material ensure that our traning program is the gold standard that all others have imitated

[GetnBigr]

I haven't read or seen any bad info on pilates, but then again I haven't really researched that much either. It is suppose to be really good though, and here's my opinion why it is: all the movements are VERY slow, which work your muscles in a toning fashion, and the movements are precise, meaning certain movements isolate certain areas, simple right. It all comes down to the same thing; maintain a proper diet for your goals, maintain proper training for your goals, whether it be weight training, cardio, pilates, yoga, whatever. Decide what you want for yourself, set your goals, make your plan, and STICK TO IT!!!

[slide]

Improving flexibility...sounds like that stuff would hurt. Im not a very flexible person at all..Mrs slide said something about this stuff a while back, but I didnt really know what it was...Ive seen some infomercials on it, but dats about all.

-slide

[jipped genes]

the only exercise my wife gets are those windsor pilates. she is thin and toned but dosnt have the definition of women who weight train. she swears by them as a remedy for a headache too.

[jaywooly]

A remidy for headaches? I could use all the help I can get.

Yeah, my GF tried it out last night for the first times. She said she sould really feel it working her muscles. And she weight trains too. So far, so good for her.

[da_Fonz]

My Ex is a yoga and pliates instructor. Dont waste your time. I took one of the classes and I wanted to commit suicide by the end of the class. Its boring and I dont see any benefit that I could gain from it. I can work on my flexibilty on my own with all the tree hugger hippie like shit that went on during the class.

[jipped genes]

Originally posted by da_Fonz
the tree hugger hippie like shit that went on during the class.

my wife does it at home. thank the LOrd she is not a tree hugger and you forgot "yuppie" it dosnt sound right with out it.

TRY:the yuppie tree hugger hippie like shit. now isnt that better!?

[Syn]

One of the gals I work out with loves taking Palate classes. She says her back hurts less.
I went to one class but the women just did yoga. So I guess it depends upon the teacher & her mood? LOL
I may take another class one day. I cannot do the same things all the time. I get bored easily.

[homonunculus]

Pilates is very similar to Yoga. Depending on the level of the class, it can build some muscle on previously untrained persons. I would say it does a better job at building muscle than most (not all) aerobics classes and keeps those yuppie / hippie / metrosexual / new age / save-the-whales / hug-a-tree / soccer-mom / I-don't-want-to-get-too-big people happy.



-Randy

[SuzyQ]

Do you use free weights with it? It sounds kind of like Tai Chi.

[da_Fonz]

NO you dont u just perform stupid stances that begin with you in a praying position and end in the same damn position. Its about becoming one with who the fuck knows.