Pilates

[Easy]

Right, does anyone know about this, can you recommend a good book / video for me.

My problem isn't so much fat as muscle tone (6 months immobility does terrible things to a dumpy little body like mine)

I can't do sit-ups, cycling, rowing type things cos of my new hip.

My physio suggests looking at pilates, but doesn't know much about it. She can't help with my tummy and bum, cos her job is just to get me walking again.

Advice ladies please

Nobody can help then

Hi Easy, Louise Solomon's Yogalates is fantastic. A really good video to follow - really great results and not even annoying at all. MUCH cheaper than a pricey class! Widely available from Woolies etc. HTH, Dinny

Hi Easy,

Sorry, I didn't see this when you first posted it. I was recommended videos like this one , and indeed it is quite good, but I found it quite difficult to do on my own. When I went to classes with a teacher correcting me and explaining a bit at a time it was much easier. If you feel able to motivate yourself with a video then I should think this would be fine. Ideally you should have at least a couple of sessions privately with a good Pilates teacher who could design exercises with your hip in mind, I'd have thought, but that wouldn't be cheap. I would be careful about it- it's a great form of exercise, but much more taxing and strenuous than it looks. If you do the exercises badly it can do more harm than good. If you do get a teacher try and get one who has qualified properly- a lot of people like aerobics instructors will only have done a weekend course. Good places to start looking are here and here . Good luck!

Cheers both,

Yes I think I would need a private session or two to get started.

Something to save up for then.

Hi Easy

I used to do a bit of Pilates and I think it is really good. I don't go to classes now but incorporate some of the exercises into my gym routine. Pilates is great for making you focus on keeping your ab muscles and pelvic floor muscles 'switched on' whilst doing the exercises, which is why it is so hard. I had a basic book which takes you through how to 'hold' yourself whilst doing the moves.

You may not need to have private lessons - why don't you contact a local sports centre? They should put you in touch with the person who takes the class who would be able to advise you.

I think with your problems you really do need private tuition. Pilates would be great for you though, and would really assist with your mobility and strengthening your hip as well as muscle tone generally. My dh does it because he broke his back/had it fused/etc etc about 15 years ago, and without the pilates he is noticeably stiffer and achey. With it he is completely fine. I also do it for the flab factor. We have a private teacher who comes to the house and it is £40 ph. Expensive, but certainly worth it.

I have used Mari Winsor Pilates and i can`t tell you how much I loved it. I found the exercises very difficult on the beginning, but with doing it every day, I was improving and so was my body. It became lean and strong.
I found a link Mari Winsor for you:
www.winsorpilates.co.uk/

cheers,

Arabela