What about "Pilates"?

[His princess]

Does anyone have info on Pilates?
I heard something about it strengthens your core?
Need some help. Does it really work?

[livingatthetop]

Yes Palates really works. I use it and it really flattens your stomach. Good luck. :)

[LisaDS88]

Yes, it works! I love Pilates. I started out with Gaiam video with instructor Ana Caban ( you can get it at Barnes & Noble, health food stores, etc.) She has a beginner level that is really good and an intermediate level that works you much harder.

[mcasburn]

Yep, it works. I've done it off and on since January and I really like it.

The trick is to hone your technique so that you're isolating the muscles for each exercise and not "cheating" them. I found it quite easy at first...and then realized my technique was poor...and improved my technique...and then it got harder and more satisfying, so I knew I was doing something right. I think it took two weeks of 3x per week before I really felt things start to click. Like every other form of exercise, there will be inclines and plateaus in your ability.

I use the Winsor Pilates series, but there are many options. Maybe your library carries DVDs you can try, before you buy anything. I know you can get different discs on Netflix. Try several to see which instructors and methods work for you. There is a ton of info on the web to get you started understanding the basic concepts.

[James]

Pilates is fabulous. My wife and I have been doing it three times a week for almost three years now. I originally got turned on to it by my chiropractor. He thought it might help my sciatica. After two weeks, it CURED my sciatica. And it's done wonders for my posture and my breathing.

[spicyfull]

Yes it is great. I have a Pilates Machine. It does strengthen your core which leads to a flat stomache and thus burn calories. It also make you do deep breathing, which we do not do enough..........

[Sunshine9]

Pilates is great exercise. I think that it's best to take a mat class as a beginner... I hurt my neck a few times just doing the dvds solo. But it works the core like no other exercise program. Still need to supplement with some cardio though.