Pilates dummy

primrosecat · 09-03-11, 12:11 PM

Hi~I really want to know. There are so many Pilate workouts out there. They all look the same to me, I guess. What makes one any better than the others? Don't they all basicly do the same thing? How do you sift the really good from the so-so. I just want a few good ones. Thanks!

Mopsy · 09-03-11, 12:51 PM

The reason I have many Pilates dvd's is because they are so similar. While some instructors include or omit certain exercises, or modify them into their own fusion-type moves, they are basically the same. I just know that if I did the same dvd over and over, I'd really be bored. It's not the most exciting discipline, so even just changing up the instructors adds a little variety. And each instructor may add a different form pointer that someone else neglected, further adding to the instruction.

DejaDeb · 09-03-11, 03:40 PM

Pilates for Dummies is one of the better ones; Michelle Dozois leads you in doing several of the classic Pilates exercises.

PeakFitness · 09-03-11, 04:33 PM

There are some basics that are always the same, like the hundred. But workouts can be different because pilates has a variety of moves to choose from, so hopefully the instructor will include something new and intreesting. There's also just a difference in instructing style that makes one DVD different from another. I like anything from Ana Caban.

KarenJo · 09-03-11, 04:52 PM

Pilates mat work has a basic set of exercises with beginner modifications and progressions. Most DVDs will include a lot of the same moves since the less usual moves are mostly more advanced. It's difficult to really teach advanced Pilates on a DVD to someone who doesn't already know the basics and the form.

Hilary Burnett is the one I'd recomend for a first Pilates DVD. She has a beginner one that does the modified versions but shows the slightly more advanced form in an inset so even though she gives plenty of good instruction you don't feel like it slows things down too much. But Pilates is about slow and controlled with muscle engagement and a few good reps being better than a bunch of fast, sloppy reps. The beginner workouts from good Pilates instructors will not move fast, so if you can't handle slow you might find Pilates is not your style of workout. If you do it like you're doing jumping jacks or other calesthenics you'll probably wonder what the big deal is.

I also like Stott for beginner DVDs and some of the ones from Gaiam like Ana Caban. Those 3 instructors have different styles and come from different "schools" of Pilates that have evolved since Joe so they'd make a nice starter library with one from each.

Even once you've learned the more advanced versions of moves you can still do the beginner workouts just using the form you know.

deltoro · 09-03-11, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DejaDeb

Pilates for Dummies is one of the better ones; Michelle Dozois leads you in doing several of the classic Pilates exercises.

I agree, this is a great one.

primrosecat · 09-03-11, 08:14 PM

Thanks everyone. This is very interesting, and I will look into the instructors/workouts you all have mentioned. I guess it makes sense that Pilates may be Pilates, but each instructor adds her/his own flavor. I can see where that makes a difference. So, I'm off to see what I can find

Thanks!!!!!!

Mopsy · 09-04-11, 07:46 AM

As for suggestions: Pilates for Dummies. That was my first, and I still do it often. Ana Caban's is similar, I just didn't like her counting every single rep. I also have a couple of Stott and Winsor, but you may already need to know the basics for them (although they both should have a beginner workout with instruction).

superfit41 · 09-04-11, 08:19 AM

I prefer Windsor Pilates. I guess because the original set was the first pilates dvd's that I got. I have also had the Pilates for Dummies with Michelle. It is a good one, don't know why I got rid of that one

I also like the Crunch pilates workout with Ellen Barrett. I do that one quite often. I think it is mostly an instructor preference. There are a lot of good instructors.

Sherry

summer breeze · 09-04-11, 08:55 AM

I also enjoy many of the 10 Minute Solution pilates DVDs. Lara Hudson is a good instructor and Suzanne Bowen's Pilates Perfect Body is also good, though perhaps more of a fusion. They both give good form pointers, I feel. My favorite is Tracey Mallett's Pilates Super Sculpt, which uses the squishy ball.

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09-03-11, 12:11 PM
primrosecat Join Date: Sep 2008	Pilates dummy Hi~I really want to know. There are so many Pilate workouts out there. They all look the same to me, I guess. What makes one any better than the others? Don't they all basicly do the same thing? How do you sift the really good from the so-so. I just want a few good ones. Thanks!

09-03-11, 12:51 PM
Mopsy VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: central New York	The reason I have many Pilates dvd's is because they are so similar. While some instructors include or omit certain exercises, or modify them into their own fusion-type moves, they are basically the same. I just know that if I did the same dvd over and over, I'd really be bored. It's not the most exciting discipline, so even just changing up the instructors adds a little variety. And each instructor may add a different form pointer that someone else neglected, further adding to the instruction. __________________ Louise

09-03-11, 03:40 PM
DejaDeb Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sweet Home Alabama	Pilates for Dummies is one of the better ones; Michelle Dozois leads you in doing several of the classic Pilates exercises. __________________ Debbie Don't wish for it. Work for it.

09-03-11, 04:33 PM
PeakFitness Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern USA	There are some basics that are always the same, like the hundred. But workouts can be different because pilates has a variety of moves to choose from, so hopefully the instructor will include something new and intreesting. There's also just a difference in instructing style that makes one DVD different from another. I like anything from Ana Caban. __________________ I need a good signature line!

09-03-11, 04:52 PM
KarenJo VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Central Valley, California	Pilates mat work has a basic set of exercises with beginner modifications and progressions. Most DVDs will include a lot of the same moves since the less usual moves are mostly more advanced. It's difficult to really teach advanced Pilates on a DVD to someone who doesn't already know the basics and the form. Hilary Burnett is the one I'd recomend for a first Pilates DVD. She has a beginner one that does the modified versions but shows the slightly more advanced form in an inset so even though she gives plenty of good instruction you don't feel like it slows things down too much. But Pilates is about slow and controlled with muscle engagement and a few good reps being better than a bunch of fast, sloppy reps. The beginner workouts from good Pilates instructors will not move fast, so if you can't handle slow you might find Pilates is not your style of workout. If you do it like you're doing jumping jacks or other calesthenics you'll probably wonder what the big deal is. I also like Stott for beginner DVDs and some of the ones from Gaiam like Ana Caban. Those 3 instructors have different styles and come from different "schools" of Pilates that have evolved since Joe so they'd make a nice starter library with one from each. Even once you've learned the more advanced versions of moves you can still do the beginner workouts just using the form you know. __________________ Karen Jo I now have a doctor's order to never again do push ups (yippee!)

09-03-11, 08:14 PM
primrosecat Join Date: Sep 2008	Thanks everyone. This is very interesting, and I will look into the instructors/workouts you all have mentioned. I guess it makes sense that Pilates may be Pilates, but each instructor adds her/his own flavor. I can see where that makes a difference. So, I'm off to see what I can find Thanks!!!!!!

09-04-11, 07:46 AM
Mopsy VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: central New York	As for suggestions: Pilates for Dummies. That was my first, and I still do it often. Ana Caban's is similar, I just didn't like her counting every single rep. I also have a couple of Stott and Winsor, but you may already need to know the basics for them (although they both should have a beginner workout with instruction). __________________ Louise

09-04-11, 08:19 AM
superfit41 VF Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas, and Mississippi	I prefer Windsor Pilates. I guess because the original set was the first pilates dvd's that I got. I have also had the Pilates for Dummies with Michelle. It is a good one, don't know why I got rid of that one I also like the Crunch pilates workout with Ellen Barrett. I do that one quite often. I think it is mostly an instructor preference. There are a lot of good instructors. Sherry

09-04-11, 08:55 AM
summer breeze VF Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005	I also enjoy many of the 10 Minute Solution pilates DVDs. Lara Hudson is a good instructor and Suzanne Bowen's Pilates Perfect Body is also good, though perhaps more of a fusion. They both give good form pointers, I feel. My favorite is Tracey Mallett's Pilates Super Sculpt, which uses the squishy ball.