Does anyone here do Pilates?

[Firicia]

Hello all:D

Well I am wondering if I can do Pilates instead of my weights routine at the gym. Well actually I mean can I lower it. Like one day a week at the gym doing weights, and then like 3-4 days a week doing my pilates tape? I really like my pilates tape, it's 20 mins and not too stressful on my body and I actually feel good after I do it. At the gym I feel exausted, barely get through the small routine I have, and after I end up wanting comforting SAD foods, so I'm thinking that my body just isn't strong enough to do weights at the gym like they say I should(the personal trainers there). It's funny too becuz after my weights they say I should do 30-60 mins of cardio:eek: and I'm too exausted to do more than 20.

Anyone else switch over to Pilates until they were stronger? I tried yoga but it's not for me, Pilates is where it's at for me cuz I think it's fun. Plus after pilates I feel like dancing and going for long walks. Am I going to be bulding muscle though? That important to me, to be building healthy lean muscle and get my body fat down. Thanks:)

Sorry this feels a little spiratic with my questions. Have an awesome day everyone!

[dextera3]

What about just doing lower weights? There are exercises you can do with very light weights, even just the resistance of your own body. What about starting with one or two pound dumbells if you need to, and then working your way up?

I have heard that pilates is more challenging than yoga. And yoga sure is tough! I just very recently started it, and it's much harder than I expected it to be. I am, however, seeing improvements already!

[rande]

LOVE pilates! have no plans to switch over to weights...used to lift weights, like the way pilates makes me feel instead. loose instead of tight.

[Firicia]

rande how often do you do pilates in a week?

[carolg]

I used to do lots of pilates at gym. However, I don't think the weights replac the pilates. Just me perhaps. I even did pilates on the ball.

carolg

[rande]

rande how often do you do pilates in a week?

3-4 days a week usually.

[luvmangos]

Im new here, i love Pilates. I completely agree w/ wanting to dance after. I havent been doing my Pilates DVD like i would like too but I take a few gyms classes a week that are pretty hard core cardio and strength training and realized if i eat something like almond butter, "oatmeal", something hardy about an hour or so before i can make it through but i always drink a ton of water afterwards. I would like to find a drink besides water to use in place of Vitamin Water too.....

[lodestar]

i find that pilates is very effective at strengthening my core as well as toning all body parts...for cardio i try to walk 20 miles a week.

[Apasaraw]

I love Pilates! Been doing it since I was a Senior in highschool. (Contrology back then) No matter what else I have tried over the years...I keep coming back to these wonderful exercises. Very glad there are other folks out there who enjoy them as well! I also do alot of walking...weight training waxes and wanes...I don't really need it to gain strength if I'm doing Pilates 2-3x week. Seems to marry well with raw too...

[raw-a-go-go]

I started pilates in October '06 with a private trainer with the intention of getting buff and losing 30lbs for my wedding (April 07). Welllll, I can't say that I have lost more than 10 lbs, nor am I buff BUT what my body is doing is fantastic. And yes, I am in a super good mood everyday I do it - and I feel like singing and dancing too!
At 40 years old, with 2 previous injuries, I have a body that was really showing the signs of aging. I have been holding my body in poor form for so long that it took almost 2 months to reeducate my body to stand taller, shoulders roll back NOT forward, tail bone in (no sway back anymore!!!) and definitely feeling more solid. AND I have finally found my abs - granted you will not be able to see them under the weight I carry - But I know they are there.
I am waaaaay stronger and healthier than I have been in a long time, and now that I have switched to raw I feel like I can take on the world.
FYI, I do try to get cardio in (hiking for me) at least 4 times a week, minimum 1/2 hour.

[Morn]

I like pilates too. It is especially good because it is a no impact form of exercise but still very effective. Lately I have been mixing my workout up. Doing different things. For me I get bored easily so doing a variety keeps me interested.

[LTD11]

Pilates does build muscle. I am a Pilates instuctor. You need to more than likely do it for an hour though...not just 20 minutes a few times a week. I also teach on the Pilates machine which can be an awesome workout and help you to build even more muscle and burn more fat....

Well I am wondering if I can do Pilates instead of my weights routine at the gym. Well actually I mean can I lower it. Like one day a week at the gym doing weights, and then like 3-4 days a week doing my pilates tape? I really like my pilates tape, it's 20 mins and not too stressful on my body and I actually feel good after I do it. At the gym I feel exausted, barely get through the small routine I have, and after I end up wanting comforting SAD foods, so I'm thinking that my body just isn't strong enough to do weights at the gym like they say I should(the personal trainers there). It's funny too becuz after my weights they say I should do 30-60 mins of cardio:eek: and I'm too exausted to do more than 20.

Anyone else switch over to Pilates until they were stronger? I tried yoga but it's not for me, Pilates is where it's at for me cuz I think it's fun. Plus after pilates I feel like dancing and going for long walks. Am I going to be bulding muscle though? That important to me, to be building healthy lean muscle and get my body fat down. Thanks:)

Sorry this feels a little spiratic with my questions. Have an awesome day everyone![/QUOTE]

[LTD11]

Pilates does build muscle. I am a Pilates instuctor. You need to more than likely do it (3 times a week)for 45min-an hour though...not just 20 minutes. I also teach on the Pilates machine which can be an awesome workout and help you to build even more muscle and burn more fat....Overall it is a good way to tone your body and get a nice lean look. Check out my website: www.lisatdaniel.com :)

[elysen64]

If you're just beginning a fitness routine then I think just doing pilates to start out is fine. Remember to continue doing cardio though. Up the resistance on the treadmill/elliptical and that will help you get stronger as well. Then you can gradually add more of a weights routine.

[RawSinger]

What about just doing lower weights? There are exercises you can do with very light weights, even just the resistance of your own body. What about starting with one or two pound dumbells if you need to, and then working your way up?

Yeah, I agree with this, Firicia. Don't decrease your weight training to once per week. I'd say lift weights at least twice per week, and take dextera3's advice. Also, build your way up to 30 minutes of cardio if you need to. Your trainer probably recommends 30 minutes because our bodies don't start burning fat until we've been doing cardio for at least 20 minutes.



I have heard that pilates is more challenging than yoga. And yoga sure is tough! I just very recently started it, and it's much harder than I expected it to be. I am, however, seeing improvements already!

It depends on the type of Yoga you do, but I'd say that Pilates is harder than Yoga in some ways. Pilates may burn more calories per hour, but as far as the overall practice goes, Yoga is harder (all those balance and flexibility poses!!) I think it's harder to become really good at Yoga than Pilates. Just my personal opinion.