Pilates Workout Blog

Choosing the right pilates exercise equipment will help you achieve a better exercise program that will give you an amazing body.These items are available on the web and in sports shops. Using them will increase the results of your workout. Whether you are a just getting started or have been practising the pilates exercise equipment I describe in my article will be of great assistance to you.

The first piece of Pilates exercise equipment you want to get is a DVD that offers a viewing of a typical routine. You simply work out right with the people on the screen. While this is not the newest innovation in Pilates exercise equipment it is the most important item.

Following a good plan is simple if you have the instructor right there with you. Those of us who can’t afford a personal trainer opt to buy the DVD Pilates exercise equipment instead. Using a DVD will help you finish a complete routine without skimping. It also provides great motivation for the user.

The Pilates ball is a favorite among people of all abilities. This Pilates exercise equipment is just plain fun. You can accomplish a lot in a workout by balancing on one of these large bouncy balls without feeling a thing. The results are great and you barely break a sweat. This is among the most popular Pilates exercise equipment on the market.

One of the most important aspects of this type of workout program is its safety. This approach to fitness is very kind to the body. In fact, it is even used in some physical rehabilitation approaches. This is a very appealing feature that is the key to the pilates workout. People of all ages and abilities are able to use this program.

No matter how safe any workout is you really want to choose a mat when completing floor exercises. Pilates exercise equipment includes this necessity to floor workouts. I think that this is one of the most important pieces of Pilates exercise equipment, especially if you have hardwood floors.

Resistance bands are great for adding a little more challenge to the routine. While the resistance bands are not an absolute necessity to a successful workout they can really help to keep things interesting for the advanced client. This Pilates exercise equipment can be introduced at the intermediate level but I really wouldn’t recommend it for beginners.

One of the keys to achieving results with pilates exercise equipment is to focus on continuity of exercise. Be patient and stick with it. You will be amazed at your body’s transformation.For more information about pilates exercise equipment check out the net through your local
browser. There are also many new articles about pilates exercise on my website.

Ann Marier
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/choosing-the-right-pilates-exercise-equipment-101901.html

A concept developed by Joseph Pilates, based on the idea of physical-mind methodology, his system of non-impact exercises are meant to develop ones strength, balance, flexibility and self-consciousness.

It’s a great excersie for both you and old and is both enjoyable and healthy lets look at the basics of pilates.

The concept

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1880. He will very ill as a child, and wished to find a way to make himself physically fit. He tirelessly studied all systems of physical culture, and eventually became a real athlete.

Later as the First World War broke out, Pilates was restrained in England as he was German.

There he worked as a nurse and devised some contraptions to aid rehabilitation. This was later refined into his ‘method’, which trains the basic back and abdominal muscles to stabilize correctly the upper torso, and gives the whole body a freer more natural movement.

The Method and Benefits

Specifically the method is a specialized series of movements that can be used by anyone at any age and in any kind of physical condition, even for people who are in wheelchairs.

As his method promotes feelings of well-being, and self-consciousness, people who practice it find themselves improving at many levels.

The method acts to strengthen one’s muscles, and give them greater flexibility. It does so without adding muscle mass, and therefore its ideal for dancers.

Also a benefit of practicing the method is that by improving your posture, your flexibility and your sense of balance, you can prevent injury.

This is very important in older adults, dancers and actors. The method is also an excellent aid to rehabilitation.

Working With a Pilates Instructor

If you find a Pilates studio will first have an interview with an instructor. He or she will do a survey on your posture, and how you move.

Then a specially designed training program is developed specifically for you, using classic (or newly adapted) Pilate’s method movements.

Your program will usually begin with some active and passive stretching movements, and general mat work. Passive stretching means the instructor will manipulate your body to get the desired effects. Active stretching means you will perform the stretching exercises as you are monitored by the instructor.

Working on a Pilates Machine

There are two basic machines in the Pilates method. One is known as the Universal Reformer (UF) and one as the Cadillac.

The UF looks much like a bed without a mattress. It has a platform that slides back and forth, and many cables, springs and pulleys.

These are vestiges of the original Pilates machinery that he devised for patients in bed, and so exercises can be done to suit the patient’s movement capabilities. Your exercise session will last about 30 minutes, maybe a bit longer.

All movements are done very slowly, and there is a lot of commentary from the instructor regarding all the variables; breathing, posture alignment and the way the movements are performed.

There are now many books and home videos (and many can be found on the internet) that will allow a person to practice without an instructor. However, it is highly advised to at least learn the basics with an instructor first.

The Popularity of Pilates

The method can be said to be nearly universal now. Dancers love it, as it gives them the added benefit of strength without more muscle mass.

Also it give them a great deal of flexibility. Athletes love it as it helps them improve their sport, and also prevent injury. People who are confined to beds, wheelchairs or the home love it as it allows improvement no matter one’s condition.

Sacha Tarkovsky
http://www.articlesbase.com/yoga-articles/pilates-101-the-basics-100449.html

Yoga and Pilates are two of the most widely known and used methods of gaining physical strength, mental balance and other positive effects at the same time, by practicing some exercises in a correct manner, of course. Both of these techniques involve the control of mind over the body and also breathing control.

Yoga is a practice that originates in India. The practice implies a series of spiritual but also physical exercises supposed to attain the practitioner’s control over his mind and body. The procedure begins with the correct positioning of the body, that is, in a manner which must not obstruct in any way the person’s capacity of concentration. By controlling his breathing, the yogi begins his contemplation, which can offer him access to superconscious awareness and union with the Supreme Being. The purpose is that of achieving mental, spiritual and physical improvement.

The Pilates method was named after its inventor, Joseph Pilates, and it represents a special and original technique of fitness exercises which implies the control of the mind over the muscles. Breathing correctly is also very important because it contributes to the efficiency of the exercises.

Both of these methods have experienced a great success. People are interested in practicing them due to their proven efficiency not only in strengthening the mind and body, but even in what physical recovery and rehabilitation is concerned. Beside the positive physical effects they have (mobility, muscles flexibility), these methods also reduce the stress and bring along emotional balance. In a world that’s filled with constant worries and nervous tension, relaxation is sometimes avidly desired and Yoga or Pilates are miracle workers in this field.

For most people Yoga or Pilates are hobbies, but some take these techniques to a higher level. For them and for those who want to become instructors there are special training centers that offer the proper education. To have the right to teach others, a Yoga or Pilates instructor needs certification which can be obtained even by attending online courses. This may be more simple and pleasant for some.

Beginners should know that for their own comfort during the exercises, they need some special Pilates mats (yoga mats). These mats can be of different colors, materials and sizes. One can buy rubber Pilates mats, natural rubber Pilates mats, blue, yellow, green or pink, antibacterial Pilates mats, slim or thick Pilates mats or printed Pilates mats. Whatever their aspect may be, the purpose of these pilates mats is to make you reach harmony and best fulfill your exercise needs and preferences.

People are offered a great variety of models to choose from (long, short, colored or back mats) depending on every person’s taste and on the type of technique they practice, beginning with towels and ending with ecological, antibacterial or microfiber Pilates mats. For hatha yoga, for instance, it would be appropriate to use a mat with a very stable surface. You may also need fitness balls used in Pilates and yoga for strengthening the muscles or antibacterial yoga mat sprays which will keep your mats clean. In what the young yogis are concerned, yoga mats for kids are the perfect choice!

The good news is that Pilates mats, mat rolls and even traveling bags are available online, saving you a lot of time and stress. So, if you want to be a more relaxed person, more in touch with yourself and the Universe, you have everything you need to get started at the tip of your fingers. You just have to visit some websites and check out their products.

Amelie Mag
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/all-about-yoga-and-pilates-89169.html

More and more people have wondered whether Pilates is a form of exercise that can improve their muscle fitness and increase their strength. Experts believe that Pilates can indeed reduce a person’s stress levels while increasing his or her mental awareness and body’s flexibility. But, when people are asked if Pilates is a suitable form of exercise to increase fitness levels, responses vary greatly. Some think that probably is not the best type of exercise to do the job. But, those who have tried it assert that Pilates can definitely make your body feel stronger.

If you would like to really put your daily fitness routine in overdrive and get better results than you ever have in the past, you really should consider adding pilates exercises into your home fitness workouts. Unlike traditional weight building exercises, with Pilates your body is controlled by your breathing. Even if this sounds surprisingly simple, while you are not going to produce the bulked up muscles of some weight lifters, Pilates will certainly help you increase your muscles’ strength. In particular, some Pilates balance postures require enormous muscle control in order to prevent you from falling over. This muscle control actually helps you build and strengthen your whole body. Aerobic exercise is great for burning calories, while strength training works very well for strengthening your muscle groups, but Pilates goes far beyond either of those forms of exercise and can benefit you both physically and mentally.

In addition to all its other benefits, Pilates can help you improve muscle fitness and make you actually feel and be stronger. Whether you choose to use it as your primary means of strength training or you want it to supplement your other exercises, Pilates can help your muscles grow fit, balanced, and strong. In fact, many poses in Pilates are done very slowly or you are required to stay in a specific posture during several breaths. In fact, those who have experienced it, support that it is much more challenging to your muscles to hold a pose or repeat it slowly than it is to allow momentum to move you through an action. Particularly, by practicing Pilates you actually realign your muscles, so they become more balanced. You truly work your entire body when you practice Pilates as you do not focus on an isolated muscle or set, but actively recruit the smaller muscle groups as well. Finally, since you are not overworking any specific muscle group, you are less likely to get injured.

Concluding, Pilates is a type of exercise that has multiple benefits. Using the Pilates positions and breathing exercises one can focus inward rather than on the outward distractions of life. Pilates is considered a fitness program but also a mental exercise. Uniting mind and body through breathing, Pilates is destined to make people feel better about themselves and attain a better state of health overall.

Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/pilates-improves-your-fitness-level-66794.html

It is invariably undeniable that one of the most popular and sought-after exercises nowadays is Pilates. In fact, this exercise has become a common household name, pushing back to ten years ago. Before, it started as a routine mainly composed of body movements that promote agility, proper body coordination, leaner muscles, and flexibility, among others. Now, it has been almost like a fad as people from all walks of life from celebrities, sportsmen, socialites have joined the Pilates bandwagon and decided to hire personal trainers, buy videos, or enroll in a pilates program.

And with the increase of its popularity comes the demand for pilates equipment and accessories like Swiss balls and mats, as they become regular items in any gyms or even household. Nevertheless, the typical man has never actually stopped in its venture of continuously seeking better pilates technique that will further enhance its positive contribution to our body. He has conducted research, talked to people, and gathered vital information just to achieve his endeavor. He employs the help of scientific breakthroughs like spinal research studies and the application of the principles of biochemistry, as well as the latest state-of-the-art equipment. It is in his quest that he has developed another variety of pilates called metodo pilates.

Commonly known as contrology or simply the pilates method, metodo pilates was initiated by Joseph Pilates almost twenty years ago as a new fitness regimen. Its philosophy is simple. Joseph Pilates believed that in order to acquire peace of mind, he must also have a healthy body. And it was this belief that allowed the robust man to live his life in forced internment when he was captured in Germany in the middle of the First World War. His imprisonment, moreover, provided him an opportunity to share his techniques to the other inmates. Altogether, they were able to withstand all worst conditions in the concentration camp.

The routines of the traditional metodo pilates promote muscular strength as well as body flexibility. For convenience and for maximum results, these exercises are also performed together with some pilates equipment such as balls and mats, all designed by Joseph Pilates.

What sets metodo pilates apart from other exercises is the principles that govern each pilates movement. There are a total of 8 philosophies or foundations that technically govern Pilates. It is a mixture of both Western and Eastern traditions. These are (1) concentration, (2), alignment, (3) breathing, (4) precision and control, (5) centering, (6) integration, (7) relaxation, and (8) fluidity.

Before actually starting any pilates exercise, one must do breathing exercises one of the most important processes. Breathing permits you to remove all forms of tension as well as helps you to perform the exercises with optimum power and efficiency. Moreover, focus is achieved with proper breathing. In pilates, you need to imagine your movements to be interconnecting, producing perfect interrelationship and balance of your mind and your body. If you are not fully concentrating, you are practically vulnerable to probable join or muscular misalignment.

Contrary to other popular exercises that encourage repetition, pilates gives more emphasis on the techniques quality over quantity (repetition). Repetition of movements is not the technique encouraged in metodo pilates. Whats more important is the proper execution, which is usually characterized by the slow but accurate movements of the legs, body, and hands. It also emphasizes the need to use your bodys strong parts such as the abdomen, pelvic regions, and the spine. Overall, these slow-but-precise movements eventually aid your body to function with balance and efficiency. It is also necessary to properly perform Relaxation, after all, is what Joseph Pilates wants, not injuries.

Yet despite of the wide acclaim it has attained, the pilates method was never spared from the prying eyes of skeptics and critics. A couple of them thought that the whole regimen itself do not support exact discipline of physical fitness, because it doesnt put too much emphasis on cardiovascular endurance. It does not also help in promoting muscular strength, primarily because Pilates method produces low-power, low-impact output. Medical experts, meanwhile, are concerned of its impact to a persons health, since it is thought that it can contribute to the abnormal growth of an individuals organ.

Nevertheless, it is undaunted. After all, it has proven its worth to millions of people for such a long time.

Chris Kennelly
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/what-is-metodo-pilates-108676.html

I want to install a small home gym in a 9.5 x 11.5 room (8' ceiling) on my second floor. The purpose of this is two-fold: I need to lose weight, and I need to regain strength and flexibility.

I was thinking of installing a ballet bar or parallel bars and buying a new or used Total Gym (for pilates).

What do you all think? Anyone have experience with Total Gym? Any recommendations on an alternative piece of equipment?

I recently bought a home gym. It is made by PowerTech and called the 'workbench'. It is great!! It took a while to setup…the directions weren't great but the machine is!! I bought it at Dick's Sporting Goods. 8ft by 11ft. It was $1000 without the weights…so I guess it depends on how serious you are and how much you have to spend.
It would be a lot of money to spend if a month or two from now you aren't using it much.

I have heard several things.
I want to tone my arms, abs, but and thighs. I am not overweight, just a little "loose".
I am signing up for a Mat Pilates class – does it truly target these areas?

Well, Pilates is the most splendid whole body toner I've ever come across……

I practise Pilates for 5 years now and I can tell you the result – it's a real mean body workout program!

It tones, sculpts, strengthens and stretches all your muscle groups but particularly your core muscles (abs, butts, thighs, hips, back and spine), all at one go, in one exercise movement.

It also recruits the use of your arms, legs, chest and shoulders in many exercise movements.

And the sheer act of pulling-in navel back into your spine is enough to flatten your abs to sexier shape and the stretches and strenghtening are fabs in chiselling shapes into your muscles – you look leaner, taller, slimmer and elegant in your body shape.

Hey, try it! You'd be amazed at the transformation Pilates does to your body shape.

All the pilates exercises I've been doing are way too easy and offer no challenge for me whatsoever. I need more of a challenge in my workout routine. Can you all suggest some. You don't have to explain how to do them if you don't want, just tell me what the move is called and I'll google it

-Slow one-hundreds
-Teasers (slowly!)
-Bananas (These are killer.)

There are more, but I cannot seem to think of names! Have you tried Ashtanga yoga? It is a strengthening form of yoga that challenges in a similar way to pilates, only extending beyond the core. Poses like triangle and warrior, plank, chateranga, "dolphins", eagle pose, tree pose, balancing stick, scorpions, handstands, shoulderstands, and headstands as well as wheel pose, side plank, and slow reps of bridge pose are all very good and very strengthening! All of these poses are available if you google them, and are not complex to get in and out of. The challenge is in sustaining them and cocming out slowly and gracefully!

I have some cellulite on my legs, and I started doing this things called Pilates. Are they efficient against cellulite?

Yes, it is efficient against fighting cellulite.

Pilates is not an easy form of exercise. Nor is it an exercise that is for women, only. You must gain awareness of muscles and motor patterns of muscle movements that you may have never been aware of before. It takes practice and dedication to develop these skills. The more experience you gain with Pilates the more you will feel the most basic and essential level exercises. Pilates begins with some basic principles and builds from there into essential, intermediate, and advanced level exercises.

In the Pilates workout we are assuming that you have some knowledge of the mat Pilates exercises and how to engage the proper muscles. Due to the fact that Pilates can be a complicated form of exercise it is recommended to complete 10-20 private sessions before attempting to do the Pilates workout on your own. Now lets get started.

Warm Up to get connected with your core muscles with some deep breaths engaging the Transverse with each exhale and trying to hold it on with the inhale. Then with your breath move the pelvis from neutral to imprint focusing on staying engaged in the core.
Also draw awareness to your shoulder girdle by shrugging the shoulders up with the inhale and down into a stabile position with the exhale.

AB PREP 8 reps knees bent, arms at side, inhale to prepare then flex the spine into the ab prep position, inhale to hold and exhale to lower down. Repeat ab prep 8 times.

EXTENSION 5 reps lie prone, legs together, belly pulled up toward the spine, arms bent up with palms overlapping under the forehead, keep forehead on the hands and inhale to prepare, exhale to extend, lifting up slightly. Hover just above the surface with upper traps relaxed, inhale to hold, exhale to return.

HUNDREDS 10 sets of 10 lie supine with legs in a table top position, arms at side. Inhale to prepare, exhale to flex spine. Pumping the arms, inhale for 5 counts, exhale for 5 counts, repeat 10 times. Stay in the flexed position with the back imprinted.

SPINE TWIST 5 reps to each side seated with legs straight out and together. If you cannot sit upright with straight legs sit on a block to take the tension out of the hamstrings. Arms out to the side, inhale to prepare, exhale to twist, inhale to rotate. Repeat to the other side.

SHOULDER BRIDGE 10 reps each leg lie supine, knees bent, your feet lined up with sit bones and arms by the sides. Inhale to prepare, exhale to lift the hips up, inhale to lift one leg straight up, exhale to lower that leg down to the height of the bent leg, then lift it right back up. Do 10 reps each leg.

SIDE LYING LEG LIFT 10 reps each side lie on side, legs stacked on each other. Inhale to prepare, exhale to lift the legs together, inhale to lower. Keep legs together and straight. Repeat on other side 10 reps

SHELL STRETCH roll to a prone position and push back to sit back on heels with arms stretched out over head. This is similar to fetal position. If shoulders are tight you can keep your arms down at your sides.

This is just a simple pilates workout that can be done everyday. This Pilates workout is a balance of flexion, extension, rotation, hip extension, and side flexion. You can certainly add additional exercises to this Pilates workout to make it more challenging, but this is a good starting point. This workout can be done anywhere and can be really helpful if done in the middle of your work day to stretch muscles that routinely tighten up while seated at your desk.

http://www.fitnessdiet.info/pilatesworkout.php

http://tinyurl.com/5ajuew http://www.bpilatesstudio.com The Best pilates exercises For Toning Your Arms is a free online exercise and fitness workout video. Trim, tighten and tone your arms with this classical Pilates method fitness video. Lose inches all over with Pilates.

Duration : 10 min 49 sec

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