Cate in NZ Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Does anyone on the forum do Pilates? I've just, somewhat rashly signed myself up for a pilates class in september, (and sent off the cheque so there's no backing out now ) because I feel like I'm getter fatter and less toned by the minute, and my diet is generally very good, so I'm convinced that exercise is what I need. I walk a fair bit, but haven't done any formal exercise since my last gym membership expired, about 2 years ago Problem is I'm hopelessly unco-ordinated . I did an aerobics class once and when the instructor said move left I went right , I was continually several steps behind everyone else, and I swear I nearly had someones eye out when I had to stretch my arm out The longer it went on the worse I got and the more humiliated I felt.... and then I got even worse still . I still have nightmares about it Please tell me that Pilates is different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Pilates is great, used to do it but the times interfere with work now You will get the hang of it Kate and it's your core you use. So up through your bottom and pulled in abs . it does help posture and I still do the pulling in and use it on my ab ball, when I remember BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 'up through your bottom' That sounds painful Buffie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 Is that supposed to be reassuring Buffie, because I can tell you it's not reassuring me Thanks.... I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I've done loads in the past but like Buffie I can't make the class times at the mo. It's great and you feel all stretched and light after a class. It's very calming as well as good for the body. I'd heartly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 So would I. I used to go until I hurt my knee. I'm sure you'll be fine Kate - it is very different to what you've done before - more individual and not dependent on leaping around with others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Sorry KateA it isn't easy but once you get the hang of it you will see the difference and I am going to see if I can get into a class in Sept, it's made me think about it again. Just with work it can be hard if I am not flexible (in the work sense not the flexible sense ) You can do it BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I've done it in 2 different places, and each place was quite different. Neither was anything like aerobics though! I don't think co-ordination is an issue, as I'm terribly poorly co-ordinated with things like aerobics too. One place I went to had loads of machines, and everyone got individual attention on each machine. Very good but very expensive. The other place had no machines at all, just mats on the floor, and everyone had to do the same things at once. This one didn't suit me at all - had a headache by the end of the class as I'd over strained my neck muscles! I do think Pilates is good though and would think about finding another class, but make sure the class isnt so big you dont get any individual instruction: people's bodies arent all the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks I had forgotten to say there are two styles of Pilates, machine work, which I think is how it started and mat based work. The machine one tends to be expensive as they can't have as many people in at one time and it's often based in private gyms but you do get very good one to one attention. The mat based style is often easier to find and cheaper as there is less set up cost etc, but a good teacher should still give lots of individual attention and prevent you straining anything. You should never go away from Pilates with a strained anything, sorry you had a naff experience there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I've done pilates too. It's a great body toner Kate, the best bit was the relaxation at the end where you drift off into your own calm place! Hmmm...I ought to think about joining up too. My tummy muscles could do with some toning now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I'm going to take it up again but at home - I was trained how to do it properly by a very good teacher in the first place, I hasten to add. There's no point me joining a class as I can't kneel down - I can get down, onto one knee, but not elegantly, and won't be able to do the excersizes involving kneeling. Strengthening those core muscles will do me good - and help with the painful back I'm suffering from at the moment. Nearly 4 years of not walking properly have not done me any good. I've only done mat work - never the machines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I love Pilates, and it's nothing to worry about. I've done eight weeks of it, and I can see the difference and so can everyone else. And my slightly displaced hip loves me, as does my lower back. I can't recommend it highly enough. I only do mat work and my teacher only works with fifteen positions, and takes us to different levels as we become more able, but I have felt such a change in my body and posture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks for all the comments- it sounds quite promising and probably just what I need. I suspect that my posture has gone to pot as well as my general tone (& waistline) since I now have a predominantly desk bound job, and a lot of slouching over a computer. I'm looking forward to it now I'm pretty certain that I'll be doing mat work only, I doubt that the place I'm going to is set up for machines, but that could be an option to explore for the future if this goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Doesn't it involve walking the plank? . . . . . . . Or is that Pirates? Richard T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Where do you do your course Auntie e? I wonder if its somewhere I could get to - sounds very good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I have been doing Pilates for over 3 years. I have a teacher who sounds very like Aunty E's. She never has more than 8 in a class, and usually less. We get lots of individual attention and for each exercise she gives a few different levels so you can just take it to the level you want. I started due to severe problems with my back - it was recommended by my Osteopath as a way to get my back muscles sorted again. All other exercise was just too painful so I never got started. Pilates was completely different and I wouldn't be without it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
