Pilates DVD any good to beginner, or do I need an instructor?

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I really want to get fit/lose weight but DHs trainer won't take me on until I do a month of swimming and pilates (had a baby 8 weeks ago). Swimming I can probably juggle around feeds as pool is open from 7am - 10pm so when DS3 drops off for what I can only guess will be a deep sleep, I can whizz out (when DH is here), but pilates is at a set time one day a week and from what I can see it's a course of I think 7, so you can't just go to the odd one. Is a DVD any good, or will I be doing it all wrong and it be no use?

My osteo has recommended pilates to me and he said it's important to go to classes first so you know what you're doing aiming for - I would try to get to a really good one, have a good chat with instructor and then follow their recommendations re: types of pilates and a dvd etc. Good luck!

Congratulations on your new DS! I agree with titferbrains, go to classes if at all possible, because technique is really important with Pilates. Many of the exercises look deceptively effortless as they don't actually require a great deal of movement. However, unless you have a good teacher guiding you through all the things you're meant to be thinking about (pelvic floor, abdominals, which muscle groups should be relaxed, which being used, etc), you're unlikely to get the full benefit of it. The teacher can also advise you how to vary an exercise that you may find tricky if you have any niggling post-birth aches and pains.

Also, I've tried a couple of Pilates DVDs and they're really boring - the pace never seems to be quite right, and they usually err on the slow side...

I'm fanatical about Pilates - it's what keeps me walking with what has been a very bad back in the past. I'd say go to a class - it's very easy to have your body in the wrong position without realising it. Plus, I agree about the instructor being able to give you variations of exercises: my back was quite bad last week, and my instructor gave me one to one advice during the class on how best to avoid more pain, and what movements would help to improve the discomfort. It's not an exaggeration to say that I wouldn't be walking without my Pilates!!