Your Most Basic Piece of Equipment

If you buy nothing else, at least invest in a nice mat for your Pilates. I prefer to use a yoga mat because they are a little thinner. However, if you have a rug in your workout room you may not even need a mat. It’s up to you. Here’s the link for a good mat.

Invest in One Good Resource

The next thing you should do is invest in one really good resource. You can choose a Pilates DVD or a book such as the Pilates Body Book by Brook Siler which is the one I have at home. In addition, you can also find some decent videos on youtube which are free to watch. But you’d need to watch them from your computer. If you go into the post archives I’ve shared two videos so far from youtube that I liked.

Accessories and Equipment

There’s no secret that a piece of equipment like the Pilates Power Gymcan give you a great workout. However, it isn’t necessary to go all out unless you really want to. For example, if you are fond of taking lessons or getting one on one attention, you can purchase your own reformer or Power Gym once you get the hang of the moves ands top visiting the trainer. This will help you save money over the long term.

Pilates is an ideal at home workout because you can get the benefits just by doing some really simple mat routines. Or, you can purchase your own equipment and accessories and save money on classes and personal training. It’s up to you.

First of all,  I suggest taking a look at the Pilates site on About.com. It’s packed with excellent information about Pilates. Also, I found a Pilates video on youtube.  Now, I can tell she isn’t an instructor but she does explain things very well. Just make sure to use the advice about breathing that I talked about in a previous post.

Just remember that with Pilates it’s all about control and breathing. Concentrate on your movements and be consistent. You should start noticing a difference after about the 10th workout.

However, finding a class is one thing… finding a good class is quite another. We all know how to actually locate a class to take (look in the phone book, search online directories, look at the schedule at your local gym and show up…) But it could be a little bit more complicated actually finding a class where the instructor is properly trained, has the right certifications, and is someone whom you can easily learn from.

Proper Certification…

With that said, your number one concern is to check up on the instructor’s certifications. In my experience, I see a real difference between someone who is Stott certified and someone who isn’t. This may be changing as more and more people are available to teach the technique properly. However, Stott certification still reins as king of Pilates instruction.

That doesn’t mean that an instructor who isn’t Stott certified won’t be very good. Some people just have a natural instinct for learning a method and telling people how to execute it properly. And just because someone is Stott certified doesn’t automatically make them a better instructor. But it does help – trust me. The program is intensive (and expensive) so it helps whip the instructors into shape so they can teach Pilates properly.

Your Comfort Level

Your comfort level with your instructor is perhaps even more important than the actual certification. You need to feel at ease with the person who is teaching you Pilates and leading the class otherwise you won’t get much out of the workout. The Pilates method relies on proper technique and proper breathing and it is worth your while to find a good instructor with a nice personality who can teach you the proper way to do it.

So if you feel like you need extra instruction or you just want to do Pilates in a group setting, spend some time to find a class in your local area that you feel comfortable with.

I just did some hunting on youtube and found this video demonstrating some Pilates moves that you can use to help tone your abs. I suggest watching the video and trying some of the moves to see if you like it. Notice the way she’s demonstrating the breathing and make sure to keep that up for the whole workout.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you work through this video:

• Remember to breathe. Focus on each breath. This helps build your core even more.

• Concentrate. Concentration is key. Focus on each movement and you’ll work your muscles even harder.

• Keep proper form. Watch her form in the video and mimic it as best as you can.

• Allow the movements to flow. Each movement should flow easily from one to the next. The first few times may be a little choppy but you’ll get better as you gain more experience.

Learning How to Breathe

If you notice, every Pilates DVD, Pilates class, or Pilates instruction book tells you to make sure you breathe properly. But what does this really mean? Some of the better DVD’s and classes will explain to you exactly what this means. Each exercise requires a different way to concentrate on your breathing in order to utilize your muscles in the best way. In general, you’ll want to really fill up your diaphram with air and blow it out in a controlled manner.

Concentrate on the Movements

This is just as important as breathing properly. If you go to the gym, you may notice that there are a few different kinds of people who work out. There are those who look like they are zoning out into space when they’re working. You can tell they are thinking that they would rather be somewhere else. And there are those who are really concentrating on what they are doing. When you do Pilates, you need to be the one who is fully concentrating.

Next time you do Pilates try this out as an experiment. Do one of your favorite movements but turn on the TV or listen to your favorite song will you do it. How do you feel? Do your muscles feel like they just got worked? Now try the movement again and this time, eliminate any distractions and focus entirely on the movements. You should really notice a difference.

To get the most out of your Pilates workout, make sure you are breathing properly and you concentrate fully on your movements.

However, Pilates is an excellent addition to your weight loss routine. Here’s why you should consider using Pilates for weight loss:

• Pilates workouts are portable – you don’t need an expensive gym membership or pricey equipment.

• Create lean muscle and build a healthy core in the most efficient way possible.

• Burn calories and build your metabolism by performing the exercises on a weekly basis.

Just remember that Pilates isn’t a magic ingredient for weight loss. However, you WILL lose weight and inches if you pair Pilates with cardiovascular activity and healthy eating. Here’s the lowdown on what kinds of workouts you should do and when:

• Cardiovascular training – 3-6 times a week. You can choose any activity you like – running, walking, fitness classes, elliptical, etc. Shoot for a minimum of 30 minutes per session. I hike, walk, run, and ride the stationary bike as my main forms of activity.

• Pilates - 3-7 times a week. I find that Pilates is gentle enough to do every day but if you’re just getting started, don’t overdo it. Just do it three times a week. Start with a simple routine and gradually move on to the more challenging exercises. You can learn from DVD’s, take a class, etc.

For healthy eating, I recommend “clean eating”. Just focus on healthy, whole foods and getting the right amount of calories for your goals. Tosca Reno is my favorite Clean Eating proponant. Her story is inspiring and her book, The Eat-Clean Diet. It’s my go-to resource for healthy eating.

Each of the movements are designed to flow easily from one exercise to the next. There are three ways you can do these workouts.

• Pilates DVD’s – Yes, you can learn Pilates and get a great workout from a DVD. That’s exactly how I learned. The Mari Winsor: Pilates DVD is one of the best there is.

• Pilates books – After I learned the basics of Pilates  through DVD’s, I found that I could follow different routines that I got out of books and magazines. The The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler is the one I have on my shelf that I refer to often.

• Take a class. Another option is to take a class. There are plenty of Pilates studios that have sprung up all over the world. Or, check your local fitness gym for classes. My gym regularly offers Pilates.

• One on one. Your last option is to learn the best pilates mat workout for you by getting one on one instructions. Pilates trainers can tailor the mat routines to suit your fitness needs.

All you need after that is a mat – and even that’s optional. You can do Pilates right on the rug in your home or on a towel. If you want to buy a mat, you can just purchase any old yoga mat and it will do the job nicely.

I firmly believe that all those gadgets you see on TV or just icing on the cake. Yes, you can get a phenomenal Pilates workout with them. However, before you even start using those extra tools it is important to master the basics. For your Pilates workout, mat exercises are about as basic as you can get.

For example, the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that Pilates can be effective for lower back pain. They ran a study that split lower back pain sufferers into two groups – those who did Pilates for four weeks and those who used other treatment methods. The Pilates group experienced greater relief from their symptoms which could indicate that it is better for long term care.

Pilates isn’t just good for people who have lower back pain.  Other chronic pain sufferers, such as those with arthritis, can also benefit from doing these exercises. The reason for this is that Pilates builds strength in the muscles around your joints and also helps increase flexibility and range of motion. This is a winning prescription for arthritis and pain sufferers.

If you want to use Pilates for your aches and pains, it is important to make sure you are doing the movements correctly. For this, it may not be enough to use  Pilates DVD. You may want to visit a class or get some one on one instruction through a certified Pilates trainer. You can find them by calling your local gym or Pilates studio.

Once you feel as if you have the movements down pat you can then use a DVD or instruction book to help you learn new movements and exercises  and to introduce you to new routines. And as always, make sure you consult with your physician before you try anything new. Though Pilates is good for pain, your doctor may advise against it.

Here are some tips that will help you use Pilates for relaxation:

• Attend a class. This is a good tip especially if you’re a beginner. Trying to figure out the movements  on your own may be a little stressful at first.

• Have a private session. If you can afford it, personal Pilates sessions give you even more benefits. If you tell the trainer that you want to focus on relaxation they can tailor your workouts accordingly.

• Control your breathing. Breathing properly is essential to any Pilates workout. However, it’s even more crucial if you want to focus on relaxation.

• Include stretching. To relax even further, finish off your Pilates workout with some full-body stretching.

• Do it at night. Making Pilates a part of your evening routine each day can help you unwind after a busy and stressful day. Fifteen minutes is all you need to feel the benefits.

I use Pilates both for fitness and relaxation. It’s the perfect workout when I don’t feel like hitting the weight room because I know that the exercises will still tone my muscles even though the movements are relaxing. Even if you’re into body building and lifting weights, the relaxation benefits of the exercises make scheduling at least one workout per week worth the effort. This is something to keep in mind as you use Pilates for relaxation.

It can give you a toned core and a killer bikini body. It’s also a red carpet secret for getting slim and lean. That’s why I incorporate at least one Pilates session into my weekly workout routine. When paired with cardiovascular training and healthy eating, Pilates is something that can really get you into shape and keep you there.

How does it work?

So how does the Pilates workout system work? To get started, you may want to find a class in your local area to take a few times. There’s a specific technique to Pilates that needs to be mastered in order to get the most out of it. However, it is more than adequate to learn how to do it using a Pilates DVD. In fact, that’s how I got started. The method you choose will depend on your budget.

You can definitely change your body by doing it. However, I caution you into believing that this is a miracle cure. It isn’t. If your goal is to lose weight and change your physique you need to eat right, do cardio, and even hit the weight room in addition to the Pilates. However, it is a great way to enhance your existing workout plan and it is gentle enough to do every day.

Getting Started

If you want to get started I recommend purchasing a DVD. The Windsor Pilates method is good but there are other DVDs that are just as comprehensive. Choose one within your experience level and your budget. Remember as you go through the workout to breath properly, go slow, and make sure the right muscles are engaged. When you concentrate you’ll work your muscles a lot harder and give them a better workout.