Pilates...

I have a bad back and increasingly saggy skin....

Have been told a lot about pilates, but I can't commit to going to a class being a single mum with no access to childcare.

Was wondering of anyone has used the Pilates exercise stations such as this one: Enlarge

I do (or will ) have the room to leave it out as apparently it is quite big. But was wondering if anyone here has used it. It is an expensive bit of kit and would hate to save for it never to use it!

x

tillyfloss said:

I have a bad back and increasingly saggy skin....

Have been told a lot about pilates, but I can't commit to going to a class being a single mum with no access to childcare.

Was wondering of anyone has used the Pilates exercise stations such as this one: Enlarge

I do (or will ) have the room to leave it out as apparently it is quite big. But was wondering if anyone here has used it. It is an expensive bit of kit and would hate to save for it never to use it!

x

Click to expand...

I do pilate son a wed night and to be honest you could get the same workout using the bands and small hand weights..

Espec if you havn't done much pilates x

I would get a good DVD the stretch bands and small hand weights - you can get all 3 from Tesco.. Then if you take to it invest n the machine if you really want it x

I'd agree with Incognito. Pilates is brilliant for strengthening the core muscles and creating a longer, leaner shape rather than bulking up. I have used Pilates machines before, and quite honestly I had a better workout from using bands, hand weights and my own body weight. Invest in a good DVD, most of them will only use 'basic' equipment, and if you like it you can always get the machine later. Really though, Pilates demands concentration and control, so a seamless, 'smooth' workout on the floor is much better than stopping every few minutes to alter this or that on the machine.

Edit to add this, quoted from an article about the principals of Pilates:

6. Flow: Pilates exercise is done in a flowing manner. Fluidity, grace, and ease are goals applied to all exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way. Pilates equipment, like the reformer, are very good mirrors of one's flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite "machine-like" if one loses ones control and flow.

Full article found Here

Filly I'm with you with the saggy skin and the childcare issues which make it difficult to get out and go to classes I too would like to start doing simething but not sure what - will be interested in your replies to you thread

Just wanted to say your new picture is great you look fab