Anyone have any experience with Pilates?

[Lavender Brown]

I'm thinking of signing up for a class for the first time, and there are mat-based classes and classes with the actual pilates equipment (which I really don't know about) available in my 'hood. I'm guessing I should start with the mat classes since I'm a beginner. Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you can fill me in on what to expect. Is it hard when you're first starting out? Once you've learned the basics, is it something you can keep up with at home or do you really need to be in a class to know that you're doing it right? And do you really feel a big difference in flexibility and muscle tone, etc.? I'm sure it's one of those things that's only worthwhile if you keep up with it, which I'm hoping to do.

Thoughts/advice/stories? Thanks in advance. :hi:

[Enraged_Ape]

1. Yes. It's great.

And this is coming from a physical therapist.

The whole Pilates philosophy springs from the idea that you have to strengthen your "core" muscles (primarily abs and low back) to have strength anywhere else in the body. There is a LOT of ab work, and although the techniques look simple (and technically they are simple to perform), I assure you, if you are doing the movements correctly, you will feel VERY worked out. It also requires enormous concentration, so the time flies and you feel relatively peaceful afterwards, since you haven't thought about your pile of bills or the Bush administration for a while.

The machines are really for more advanced work. You will want to work the mats for a while to develop the "powerhouse" first.

And yes, I believe a competent instructor is necessary to work with you, at least at first. You need to know when you're "cheating" or being lazy.

One of the greatest thing about Pilates: It gives you a great sense of your ab muscles. You will hold them in and tighten them a lot more, in effect giving you a flatter stomach from almost day one.

On edit: I've recommended Pilates for a lot of back pain patients, who have reported great results. It does wonders for posture and for overall flexibility and strength.

[Lavender Brown]

2. Thanks!

I do have back pain issues, actually that was one of the reasons I've been looking into Pilates (my doctor recommended either yoga or Pilates), in addition to just wanting to work out in a way that doesn't cause more pain than gain (like jogging).

[flamingyouth]

5. I wholeheartedly agree

I started getting back and neck pain when I was in my late teens due to some injuries, and both yoga and Pilates have helped tremendously. I'm glad you're recommending this work to your patients! :hi:

[RebelYell]

3. I had problems with Pilates

Inner ear disturbance made me dizzy and nauseous. I have a disk problem in my neck from a car accident that Pilates aggravated. I wish I could have continued with it.

[flamingyouth]

4. I do Pilates and I would agree with what you said here

The mat work, especially, can cause cervical strain, especially when you're first starting out and you have a preexisting neck condition. I would encourage you to try again, maybe with a different instructor, and be very forthright about your injury.

For instance, you can do the Hundred with your head on a bolster or on the floor - you're still engaging your core muscles and getting a good work out.

Plus, you might find that working on the Reformer machine causes less strain on your neck, like I have. I started taking private and semi-private lessons after a while. Now that I've been doing that, I can go into a mat class and know my own limitations and accommodate for them.

I started Pilates to deepen my yoga practice, and I've found it as satisfying and enriching as yoga. They have some similarities and many differences. I would recommend looking for a Stott-trained Pilates teacher; I've found that their modifications work really well for me. :hi:

[underpants]

6. Arrrrr be weary of them mate

[Lavender Brown]

7. Hehe. I am not wary of Johnny and Orlando

They can show up in my thread ANYTIME. :D

[Liberal Veteran]

8. Yes, I had a problem...

I kept referring to them as PIE-LATS until I finally figured out the correct pronounciation.