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Original poster

PILATES - is it worth the money?

22 replies

sar123 · 25/03/2007 12:37

hi - seriously considering investing in some one-to-one pilates sessions to sort out core strength / post baby abs / lower back pain (due to picking up baby, carrying buggy up stairs etc). Keen to do something before ttc number 2.Would need to find an instructor who could come to my home and do the sessions while dd sleeps, so they would be mat / swiss ball / band based sessions. Could only afford one a week with instructor but motivated enough to do stuff on my own outside the sessions.
So what I want to know is - is it worth it? Does it REALLY work or would i be just as well off with conventional abdominal exercises, for eg???

OP posts:
Original poster
sar123 · 25/03/2007 14:42

bump

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 25/03/2007 14:45

Message withdrawn

mommaDroolingChocolatejools · 25/03/2007 15:00

have done a few classes recently and enjoy it - did feel pulled in on tummy area though have a long way to go to get rid of flab. the other older ladies - 50's / 60's who have been doingit a long time swear its great for flatting the tum and they all had good flat tums for their age so am inspired to keep at it

DimpledThighs · 25/03/2007 15:07

my dh notices too.

FluffyMummy123 · 25/03/2007 15:15

Message withdrawn

DimpledThighs · 25/03/2007 15:18

to spell it out the sex is better - muscles get toned.

Original poster
sar123 · 25/03/2007 17:13

in that case maybe cheaper to buy one of those pelvic toner thingys and eat baked beans!!! was hoping to get flat tummy back. back to the magic pants in that case.

OP posts:
3sEnough · 25/03/2007 17:16

Def worth it - yes, yes, yes on several physical levels(in no more back pain!)

Original poster
sar123 · 25/03/2007 19:43

3sEnough tell me more! did you have one to one sessions or go to a studio? how long did it take to make a difference???

OP posts:
Smee · 26/03/2007 14:16

Am just about to start on this too, so haven't a clue if it works, but wanted to warn you sar123. My DS is nearly three. I got lower back pain when he was little and it turned into a prolapsed disc because I ignored it and just kept going. IN other words, GO GET SOME BACK STRENGTH before you get worse. I've spent a year in pain and am only now well enough to try to regain core strength - ie do pilates. I so wish I'd listened to my body before..

Original poster
sar123 · 26/03/2007 18:12

thanks Smee for the warning and advice. I know i did it by carrying the buggy upstairs. We have no lift so i have no choice and don't see us moving in near future so v.v.v. likely to end up either doing it again or buggering back up long term if i don't do something!!!!! And dd won't get any lighter....

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recoveringmum · 26/03/2007 18:14

definately worth it. but i think you need to do it at least twice a week for a few months before results. my sister started and i was sooo skeptical about an exercise you dont sweat in. then 6 months later her body was completely different. all her muscles were 'in place' and she was the exact same weight but looked absolutely great. i tried it and same results.
wish i had the time to do it now.

littleEasterlapin · 26/03/2007 18:22

My cousins teaches Pilates and it is a fabulous thing. One on one is also a great idea, because it can be quite tricky getting the hang of the whole core strength, and pulling in towards your spine etc (well, it was for me ).

It is slow and doesn't stress your joints, gives you strong abdominals and makes you v flexible (my cousin was a professional dancer prior to become a trainer and a LOT of dancers do Pilates).

What part of the world do you live in?

Original poster
sar123 · 26/03/2007 18:52

thanks recoveringmum i too am a sweaty exercise fan hence my hesitation! Really good to hear positive stuff about it from people as i don't personally know anyone who's done any but you always read about how the celebs do it to get back in shape!!!

littleEasterlapin I live in central london - where is your cousin based?

OP posts:
drosophila · 26/03/2007 19:02

I slipped a disc about 3 years ago and was in a pretty bad way. The consultant suggested physio to try and avoid surgery. The physio mainly taught me Pilates exercises which I found difficult and strange but persisted. I was really trying to avoid surgery so I did everything she told me to do. A few months of it and I was ready to quit the sessions. It was not a cure but it did help me avoid surgery. She did at he end say to me that she thought I was a lost cause when she first met me.

I was told to find an instructor who was fully trained and to avoid a fitness instructor who was doing it without the full training (there are several who are). I have yet to find one who has the proper qualification. In fact I stopped looking.

Deffo worth doing I would say.

littleEasterlapin · 26/03/2007 19:52

sar123 - she teaches at The Life Centre and does private classes too

Original poster
sar123 · 26/03/2007 20:46

ooh thanks littleEasterlapin Life Centre is v. near me but i need to do sessions at home while dd sleeps. Guess if I ring the Centre i can't discuss booking private one to ones with the instructors?

OP posts:
filthymindedvixen · 26/03/2007 20:47

bollox, thought this was another pirates thread...[disappointed]

littleEasterlapin · 26/03/2007 20:47

No, ring the number on that page and they'll tell you which instructors do private tuition. My cousin's called George (but she's a girl )

littleEasterlapin · 26/03/2007 20:48

Bless. fmv, this is for you

Original poster
sar123 · 26/03/2007 20:51

ROFL at jack sparrow! thanks for the info i will ring them tomorrow.

OP posts:
littleEasterlapin · 26/03/2007 20:52

Glad to be of help

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