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Has anyone really changed their shape by doing Callanetics? Sounds too good to be true.

256 replies

naturelover · 12/03/2012 14:11

Because I've bought the DVD because I'm ever hopeful!

I can't complain about my weight, BMI is and has nearly always been 22 and although I'd like to be thinner I realise that with my big bone structure it's never really going to happen. But I reckon that with the right kind of exercise I might be able to change my shape a bit (thinner thighs and flatter tummy would be good).

My youngest is now old enough that I should have long ago done something about the tummy - it's not huge but as I'm flat chested I feel a flat tummy would enhance my whole figure.

So has anyone done Callanetics and is it as effective as it claims to be? Or can you recommend any other good exercise for reshaping?

Thanks

OP posts:
gentlegalaxy · 23/12/2022 03:06

I started again yesterday. I’m doing the 10/10. I remember when I’d done it before I felt so much more aware of my body in a good way. Now I’m way out of shape and at my heaviest at a size 16. I’m hoping to get down to a size 10 using callanetics, cardio, and a high protein, high fiber, low carb focused eating style. I should really take measurements as I have done one hour of 10/10 and one session of the AM workout from AM/PM. I’ll be going on a cruise next year and I want to feel physically good in my body without the extra aches and pains of having excess weight and being totally out of shape, inflexible, and feeling older than my years. Is anyone up for a New Years challenge?

gentlegalaxy · 27/12/2022 18:37

Okay so, I have officially done 2 full length 10/10 programs and 1 of the AM from AM/PM program. I pigged out over Christmas. It am not holding that against myself or waiting for the “perfect time” to start again as I realize so often there is not a “perfect time” to complete a task, as one just decides to do it, and then follows through. I’m glad I was able to keep going though as I often have struggled with beginning again after taking breaks. I didn’t do the program on Christmas Day, or the day after. Here I am 2 days after Christmas and completing the program for the day. 🙂

BalloonArch · 01/01/2023 00:39

gentlegalaxy · 27/12/2022 18:37

Okay so, I have officially done 2 full length 10/10 programs and 1 of the AM from AM/PM program. I pigged out over Christmas. It am not holding that against myself or waiting for the “perfect time” to start again as I realize so often there is not a “perfect time” to complete a task, as one just decides to do it, and then follows through. I’m glad I was able to keep going though as I often have struggled with beginning again after taking breaks. I didn’t do the program on Christmas Day, or the day after. Here I am 2 days after Christmas and completing the program for the day. 🙂

I'll join you! I've got the 30 days one.
I've never done it before. I used to do Barre and having watched a video I see it's just a complete rip off of Callanetics. I used to love Barre and had great results (10 years ago Sad )

BalloonArch · 01/01/2023 00:45

Well I didn't mean to put the bottle and I have the 10 day one, not the 30 day one.
I think it must be bedtime!

kajong · 24/01/2023 08:48

hi everyone, not a mum but been doing callanetics on and off and in dire need to shed 40 pounds so I wanted to join the discussion for some inspiration and accountability. I've completed 4 hours (30 minutes each session/day) and am noticably tighter, especially in my bum (though was targeting tummy), and for some reason thighs are a little bulkier. hopefully that's temporary...

mperry48 · 28/02/2023 00:02

I'm an old mum who is delighted to see a current thread on my all-time favorite workout, Callanetics. I just restarted the 10/10 this month and have already started to firm up after only 8 sessions, I hope more young mums are encouraged to give Callanetics a go to see how quickly it gets them fit and strong.

Birdie91 · 02/04/2023 01:55

Not a mum but I have to get on here and say…I just discovered Callenetics (randomly stumbled across it in a thrift shop) and I purchased the program on Apple TV. While skeptical, I figured it wouldn’t hurt, and it seemed like the perfect work out for me (30-years old but a damaged knee from a running injury, which has made me take a “break” from exercising, which turned into an extended break) 🙃 I’m about 10-15 lbs overweight, so not obese but definitely ready to shed a few pounds before summer. I have adjusted my diet this last week (nothing extreme, just consciously making better choices - one glass of wine instead of two, acknowledging when I have the urge to snack just because I’m bored, and little changes like baby carrots dipped in blended cottage cheese instead of ranch, etc). I didn’t weigh myself at the start of the week because I’ve been embarrassed. To be honest, I’m not passionate about working out I never have been, it’s very much a chore to me and not some thing I enjoy doing.

However, this last week with very reasonable adjustments to diet and a mere four hours of Callanetics…I’m astonished. I thought it was a total ruse when people said how quickly results happened. I was wrong. Honestly, after the second day of doing them (2 hours) I was standing at the sink doing a couple dishes, when DH playfully gives my bum a squeeze…his words “woah, firm!”. I thought he was just being sweet and didn’t really pay much attention. Two more workouts later, and it’s the strangest thing, and I’m not sure if it’s just in my head…but I was just preparing to have a tub to wind down and relax, and I caught a glimpse of my body in the mirror. Usually I grimace and chastise myself, but today I stopped dead in my tracks. Is it just me or…wait no it’s absolutely true, my stomach (while having a layer of fat to burn through), is absolutely pulled in and tight. Like. Significantly. And my hips…smoother? I turn around…oh wow. I’ve always had quite a peachy bum that hasn’t gotten saggy yet but I started to notice the tiniest droop at the bottom. Somehow, in 4 tiny hours, it is lifted?? This is the craziest thing I have ever experienced.

While not “difficult” in the sense that you’ll be sweating and crying, these tiny movement feel amazing and intense, and I have had to take several breaks during these workouts. I don’t fall down exhausted, but instead feel proud of myself and somehow relaxed? I’m going on a trip in 21 days and if I work out minimum 5 days a week, I’ll be able to get 15 more hours in at least. I can’t wait to see the results! After 4 hours I already feel more confident in my body, and that in and of itself is a massive gift! I think with my continued adjustments to diet and keeping this up, I’ll be feeling really good about myself!!

Birdie91 · 02/04/2023 02:05

Edit to say that over the years, I have been an avid pilates fan and even tried barre for quite a while. When I say I’ve consistently done these exercises for YEARS, and have never noticed a significant change to my body (I stopped barre because of the thigh bulking and I’ve done pilates since I was in high school and I noticed it gave me a great core strength/posture that I’ve been able to maintain even while taking breaks) I mean it. I had assumed that I had to run or do strenuous HIT programs to actually change my body, and with a bad knee those regimens have ground to a halt, and I’ve been feeling quite discouraged. Last year I started a program of many reps of light weights and noticed no change, I tried doing lots of squats but they made my thighs bulk quickly and hurt my knees, yoga is good for stretching but I never noticed a change in body. I’m absolutely stunned that after four hours I’m noticing this change! How is not everyone doing this?? It seems like magic?

GarlicGrace · 02/04/2023 03:27

Aaand the zombie thread is being joined by a zombie! I also used to do this decades ago (like before most MNers were born Shock) and continued with a pared-down version for years & years. Now I have ME-CFS and literally can't exercise, even a tiny walk flattens me for a week. Of course I'm a doughy blob. I'm quite upset about the loss of 'tone' - you know, that sense of your body working like the engineering miracle it is. And my poor old organs are not liking the lack of support.

Well, I'd forgotten the mysteries of strength through small, slow, focused movement! Since it does actually work muscles, I won't be able to safely do more than a few minutes - but those minutes will make a difference, I'm sure.

Feeling quite positive about this rediscovery! Thanks to whoever bumped the thread back into Active 🤗

superstar63 · 03/04/2023 10:04

I remember doing this years ago but gave up pretty quickly but am inspired to have another go, anyone else?

Applesinmyhouse · 03/04/2023 10:15

Try kettlebell workouts. Very good for the core.

FjordFancier · 03/04/2023 11:09

I loved Callanetics! Definitely up for having a go this week. Especially as we’re going to the spa this coming weekend

TheFabulist · 03/04/2023 13:17

Cannot believe this is an 11-year-old thread! Yes, I used to do this back in the 90s, because I am older than Moses. And it worked wonders.
Now, I am carrying about 25 excess kilos and it is very hard. I wish I could work up the motivation. Maybe I will if you all are.

GarlicGrace · 03/04/2023 13:31
Tell Go On GIF

@TheFabulist You know you can! Just a little bit ...

TheFabulist · 03/04/2023 13:34

Oh, alright then @GarlicGrace. I will! If you hear screaming ...

GarlicGrace · 03/04/2023 13:37

😂👍🏼

Fluffypuppy1 · 03/04/2023 14:00

superstar63 · 03/04/2023 10:04

I remember doing this years ago but gave up pretty quickly but am inspired to have another go, anyone else?

Yes. I started about two weeks ago ahead of a holiday. It was definitely really difficult at first, but seems easier now, and seems to be working. 🤞I did start slow with just the waist and arm exercises, and sometimes do one, then the other later in the day 😊

superstar63 · 03/04/2023 14:51

I need to find a you tube video, I have an old DVD but no DVD player any more lol. I remember thinking it was really hard to know if you are doing it right and as I am "skinny fat" AKA no muscle tone, saggy skin and over 70 and also with bad knees I wont be expecting much in the way of results lol!

valiumredhead · 03/04/2023 14:54

I can't find much on YouTube apart from small clips.

XingMing · 03/04/2023 15:54

I have a DVD player we don't use (actually, we probably have two). In a box. I could post it to you, if you would like? PM me, if you do. I did it so long ago, it was on VHS! But I always rated it highly, and only swapped to Pilates because I needed the motivation of other people.

ImAvingOops · 03/04/2023 16:40

You all need to buy the original Callander Pinckney one off Amazon

Peachlollipop · 05/04/2023 20:57

Is Quick Callanetics any good, does anyone know? It focuses on stomach, hips and legs. It’s been staring judgementally at me for 6 years and I think I should perhaps actually use it.

FjordFancier · 06/04/2023 10:51

Yes, it’s the same exercises but just targeted to the lower body. It’s a bit less daunting than the full one hour programme especially until you get used to the exercises

Peachlollipop · 06/04/2023 21:25

Thank you! I will give it a go. I’d like to feel in shape for once in my life.

Yorkshirelass04 · 06/04/2023 21:38

So are there no online resources at all?