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Fit Tip: Try Pilates at Least Once

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

While I was doing bicep curls at the gym yesterday, I was reminded of how great Pilates is. Why, you may ask? Because so many Pilates fundamentals extend to other activities, so you can exercise better no matter what you're doing.

If you've never taken a Pilates class, I urge you to try it at least once so that you can apply the lessons to the rest of your fitness routine. For instance, Pilates focuses a great deal on breathing and control, both of which come in handy when strength training. The more you control your movements, the less prone you are to injury.

Even more useful is learning to suck in your abs (engage your deep abs), concentate on your core, and keep your spine neutral. This not only protects your back and improves posture but also helps build your ab muscles. After dabbling in Pilates, you'll learn that sucking in your abs during just about any activity - from weightlifting to canoing - can help you tighten your tummy and protect your back.

So give it a shot and see what you learn. Who knows? You may even find a new workout you love. Are you a Pilates fan? If so, tell me what it's taught you.

Fitness Switchup: Boot Camp Instead of Pilates

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Spring is a time of change, and I think it is a perfect time to switch up your fitness routine. If you're starting to dread your Pilates mat class, might I suggest experimenting with a boot camp of some sort?

Pilates is great for training the small muscles that support your skeleton, while boot camps (like TRX and CrossFit) target the larger muscles. You can put your well trained Pilates posture to work while doing squats and lunges, and challenge your well honed Pilates core in a whole new way. It is a good idea to train your body in a variety of ways to keep yourself injury-free and to prevent workout boredom. Not sure how to find a boot camp? Check out this list of CrossFit affiliates.

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Fit Gift Guide: Pilates Lover

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:15:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

Since Pilates is practically a household word these days, chances are high you have a Pilates lover in your life. It is a great form of exercise and I have found some great gifts to go along with it.

Pilates Deck in Motion: These cards are a great way to make a game of exercising. Pick a card, any card, and do that exercise. The cards include really great jargon-free descriptions of many popular Pilates exercises.
ExerSocks: These seem silly but are a great for keeping your tootsies warm and your moves skid free. Since they come in a three pack, your Pilates lover will always have a clean pair for class.
Body Bands: Adding body bands to a workout means adding extra resistance for a little more work. Light weight and good for travel, these bands are easy to store and use.
Bamboo Pilates Pants: Everyone loves fitness wear by lucy and these bamboo pants are no exception. Flattering, comfy, and body conscious, they're perfect for a Pilates session.
IQ Reformer: This mini Reformer may cost a pretty penny, but it is a fraction the cost of a studio Reformer and it can become a fraction of the size as well. It telescopes down in size to fit under a bed.

Pilates Body in Motion Deck ($13)	Non-Slip ExerSocks Value-Pack ($25)
Pilates BodyBand by Gaiam ($30)	Bamboo Pilates Pant lucy ($54)	Pilates IQ Reformer ($1500)

Class Act: Pilates Boot Camp

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Most people think of Pilates as a mind/body exercise, and they think Pilates is a slow, nit-picky form of exercise. Now that boot camps and circuit training are big trends in the fitness world, Pilates studios and gyms are creating boot camps of their own. I was lucky enough to participate in a Pilates-style boot camp yesterday morning sponsored by Balanced Body at the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association convention happening here in SF this week.

The class was super fun, quick paced, and worked me from the big toe to the top of my head. This class was broken into four 12-minute circuits, with each circuit utilizing a different piece of Pilates equipment: Cadillac wall unit, chair, Reformer, and the Arc. Pilates equipment is so versatile, so the variety of exercises you could do in a circuit-style class is endless. Plus it is easy to incorporate classic gym moves like squats and lunges using the Cadillac wall unit springs for added resistance and/or assistance, depending on the exercise. Alternating backward lunges holding onto arm springs is an excellent challenge.

To hear more about the class, just read more.

The class was fast-paced and my heart rate was highest for the standing leg section combining squats with arm exercises with springs. The most challenging section was on the chair, and if I didn't know Pilates this circuit might seem confusing. But chair work is great for the core since you have to support your torso no matter the position of your body. The Arc section was mostly abs and core work, while the Reformer section managed to work arms, abs, glutes, legs, and stability in 12 minutes. If you have a chance to try a Pilates boot camp, I think you should. While it helps to have Pilates experience, you could definitely follow along without any. Due to the fast-paced group situation, these classes are not about the precision often associated with the Pilates method. But a Pilates boot camp will get you strong, centered, and work your abs without you even knowing it - until the next day, of course.

Recession Proof Your Workout: Free Video Mat Classes From Ultimate Pilates

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

In tough financial times, we all start to trim the fat off our budgets. When the monetary trimming comes from your fitness life, be careful. Exercise helps relieve the stress that accompanies uncertain times. Pilates, a mind-body exercise, works as a great mental distraction while you're working out, but it can be expensive. That is why I was so excited when I found free workouts at Ultimate Pilates Workouts. The site offers much more in a tiered fee system, but their free workouts are 30 to 45 minutes long, informative, and challenging. You do have to register with their site, but opt for the free basic package to gain access to their video mat classes.

The site was create by twin sisters, both former Rockettes. Their studio Pilates on Fifth in NYC seems like a great place to work out, and with their videos you get mat class instruction that is certainly not over-produced. For more Pilates tips and in-depth explanations of Pilates exercises and concepts, check out their video podcasts.

To get a taste of the videos, just read more.

The Magic of the Magic Circle: Pilates Prop Explained

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

When you hear the words magic circle do you think fairies and goddesses? Well I am here to expand your horizons - the magic circle is also a great Pilates prop.

This versatile prop is also known as an: exercise circle, magic ring, or fitness circle. And as all those names accurately describe, it is a circle about 12 inches in diameter made of flexible metal or rubber with pads on either sides of the circle. You can squeeze it and it will bounce back into a circle. That's the magic.

The magic circle provides some moderate resistance for strength training as well as feedback as to where the body is in space. I like to use the magic circle to strengthen the inner thighs. Place the ring between your knees or ankles in a variety of exercises and positions and squeeze.

It is versatile and can be used to work just about anything and since it is so small you can store it just about anywhere. It is great for a home gym.

Want to see some magic circle exercises? Then read more

View 6 Photos ›

Buy an Ultra Fit Magic Circle from Ellie Herman Studios online store for $35. It comes with a 15 minute instructional DVD too.

You Asked: How Do Yoga and Pilates Differ?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering . . .

"Hey Fit,
I see that you teach both Pilates and yoga. People ask me what the difference is between the two and I don't really have a good answer. The only thing I do know is that you use machines in Pilates. Can you help me understand the differences and why people practice either?"
– TransformerYoga

Great question. People ask me the differences between these two practices all the time and to see my answer read more.

First let's review what yoga and Pilates have in common. Both are great forms of strength training, often strengthening muscles while they're lengthened in stretched position. Both practices will increase your flexibility, but yoga more so than Pilates. Breath and breathing patterns are central to both practices. Both are considered mind / body exercises since they both focus on that connection. However, yogic philosophy includes a strong spiritual aspect that is not present in the Pilates method at all.

Exercise wise, yoga is considerably more static than Pilates. In yoga, poses are generally held for a number of breaths, except the flowing vinyasa used to connect poses in Ashtanga as well as other forms of yoga too. Pilates focuses on torso stability, using the deep abs and pelvic floor – similar to the uddiyana and mula bandhas of yoga, while the limbs move three dimensionally in space. Pilates mat work requires no props or machinery, but a large repertory of exercises have been created for the Pilates machines, which are vastly more intricate than the props used in yoga. The machines use heavy springs to create resistance and are incredibly versatile; the machines take the mat work to different levels – providing support to make exercises easier or adding resistance to challenge the muscles more.

Yoga classes tend to be 90 minutes and Pilates mat classes are generally an hour and both are roughly the same price. I have found the two practices enrich each other greatly and the more anatomically specific elements taught in Pilates enhance the more abstract images used in yoga.

I sure do hope this helps. I think you should try a Pilates mat class to see what it is like and spring for a private Pilates session so you can check out the machines.

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Anna Paquin Shares Her Healthy Habits

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:30:08 -0700

With her fresh face and healthy physique, True Blood star Anna Paquin has made a graceful transition from child star to sexy vamp. In this week's issue of Us, the recently engaged, 27-year-old actress talks about the healthy habits that keep her feeling and looking great.

Paquin understands the importance of mixing up her fitness routine. "I'm obsessed with Pilates," says the star. But she also loves swimming in the ocean and recently took her first surf lesson.
A big fan of watching gymnastics on TV, Paquin once dabbled in trapeze arts: "I've always wanted to be a circus performer, so I took aerial silks classes at Trapeze School New York a few years ago."
Since staying healthy isn't just about exercising, Paquin gets plenty of rest and avoids unhealthy habits. She says she takes a lot of naps and that "Kombucha and coffee are my two biggest vices."

If those are here only vices, I can understand how she looks so good! Do you think she's a good role model?

Recession Proof Your Pilates

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

In tough financial times, we all start to trim the fat off our budget. When the monetary trimming comes from your fitness life, be careful. Exercise helps relieve the stress that accompanies uncertain times. Pilates, a mind body exercise, works as a great mental distraction while you're working out, but it can be expensive. Here are a few ideas on how to recession proof your commitment to Pilates.

There are so many great Pilates DVDs out there, and here are my reviews of some so you can read about them before you buy. NetFlix has almost 2,000 Pilates titles available for rental.
Speaking of free . . . you can check out my Pilates videos if you need a refresher on the basics.
Double up! If you have been taking private one-on-one sessions, ask your trainer if she has a client with similar ability who wants to share a session. Duets are generally 40 percent cheaper than privates. Who knows? You might make a permanent exercise buddy.

I have two other suggestions, so read more.

Group classes are a great way to do Pilates for the fraction of a cost of a private session. Rather than dropping in a class, buy a class card or a series. Purchasing a class package makes each class less expensive.
Create a home practice. Joseph Pilates said that 20 minutes of his method a day was enough to change your body and make you stronger. Invest in some small props like a magic circle or even some Therabands to create resistance for strength training.

If you have any suggestions on recession proofing your Pilates please share them below.

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Pilates For Cross Training

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

I firmly believe Pilates makes everything better. I have been selling the exercise method as a form of cross training to many of my endurance athlete friends - primarily because many endurance athletes skimp on strength training due to lack of time, lack of interest, or they just plain don't know that there are so many reasons do it.

Pilates is great for runners, swimmers, and cyclists because it works the core, and a strong stable core makes you more efficient and less prone to overuse injuries, which can plague endurance athletes. As a cross-training method, Pilates works flexibility training into the many multitasking moves that make up the exercise repertoire. Keeping muscles flexible protects your joints and helps prevent injury. Lastly, Pilates is a form of functional fitness, meaning many of the exercises translate directly into everyday actions, from lifting heavy objects to leaning forward over handle bars.

If you're training for a marathon or a long-distance swim, make sure to schedule time for cross training and be sure to check out Pilates.

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