I used to dance (ballet) but after the kids came 8 years ago there never seemed to be time. Since I’m in my 40’s, I’m not really interested in trying to get back into dance – it would likely have to be beginner because I’m out of shape, but since I know all the technique, well that would be boring. Plus most of the classes near me are packed with teens, which is not appealing.
So I’m thinking Pilates! My problem in the past with working out or aerobics was mind-numbing boredom. I just can’t motivate myself to do it. That’s why dance worked for me – it was interesting and a workout too.
But Pilates sounds a bit better than aerobics.
If anyone can tell me the straight dope, I’d appreciate.
PS – tried a yoga class but it was too new-agy for me.
They roam the high seas in search of plunder and booty. They frequently have parrots, peg-legs and hooks for hands. The best ones are known by reputation and often refered to with words like “Dread” or “Bloody”. Best not to cross these fellows, or “ye wind up in Davy Jones’ Locker”.
Pilates is like yoga, just faster and less meditating. I like it as far as work outs go- it doesn’t hurt TOO horribly at the time, but the next day you will wake up and realize your ass was roundly kicked. What kills me at the time are the ab pump things (power 100?) you do, but I also have a terribly jiggly core. . . so that might be a personal problem ;).
I would suggest maybe checking out some different yoga classes. Yeah, there are the meditation oriented ones, but there are also strictly fitness ones. I love me some yoga- that’s an exercise that feels SUPER relaxing at the time, but makes you want to die the next morning.
Well, I can tell you this–pilates is a kind of yoga. I tried it a few years (and about 65 pounds) ago and was discouraged by the pilates leader because I had too big a gut to do the core exercises properly. It was kind of hard work, I admit, but seemed pretty effective. Not too much different from aerobics, except you were mainly sitting or lying down as opposed to up and running. The toughest part was sitting on the floor with legs straight and my torso perpendicular for minutes at a stretch.
There are official training schools that offer teacher training certificates. I have a friend that did the NY course and it was fairly intensive with extensive supervised practical hours. USPA runs the NY School, I vaguely recall a schism resulting in an independent school in California.
Pilates began as a system for physical therapy for people who had sustained serious injuries. The goal is a musculature that is balanced left to right with particular emphasis on “core” muscles of the abs & back. It consists of mat work and in the more serious studios, exercises on “The Reformer” which is just a type of multipurpose resistance machine.
OP, have you thought about Tai Chi, or possibly karate or tae kwon do?
Pilates has historically been popular with dancers, so you might find it a good fit.
It’s one of those exercise styles where you really need to find a competent teacher, which may be difficult depending on your location. There have been any number of schisms and attempts to cash in over the years, so the landscape can be confusing. I think the Pilates Method Alliance is likely to be pretty reputable, so you might want to check their directories.
WRT your concern about boredom, that’s actually the main reason I do Pilates; it’s mentally-engaging enough to keep me interested.
There’s a significant emphasis on proper form and body mechanics, which means that you really need to start off with individualized instruction. Anybody who tells you that you can just join a mat class is to be avoided.
The focus in training is muscle/posture control, body mechanics, flexibility, and strength (in roughly that order). There’s much less emphasis on the aerobic side of things. All of the Pilates instructors I know also go to gyms to do complementary exercises.
The matwork is actually the advanced form of the exercises. The reason you see matwork offered more widely than equipment classes is because it’s cheaper for the studio.
ETA: Another possibility you might find interesting is Feldenkrais.
I’ve always been interested in Pilates but after attending a “Pilates mat class” at the gym and not being able to do anything, I realized you need a competent instructor. So I signed up for a small group class (6 people in the class, meets for 6 sessions). The instructor divides us into pairs, both on the mat and on the Reformer (as someone called it “the instrument of torture.”) and works with each pair and rotates us through the series she has chosen. I’m undecided if I will continue with lessons. First, they are expensive. Private sessions are around $80 an hour and I’m still convinced I need someone to watch me. Plus you can’t use the Reformer at the gym unless you have an instructor with you. And frankly I wouldn’t want to use it on my own but I get the most benefit from the Reformer. I’ve had 4 sessions, the 5th is tonight and at the end of the 6th I’ll see how my enthusiasm and pocketbook are. I do feel I have made advances in strengthening my abs. Not huge advances, but progress. I think the progress is slow, unlike using traditional machines or hand weights.
That said, I do believe it has helped with my assorted muscle problems, the most recent being weak shoulder muscles resulting in a painful levator scapula. Painful enough to take me into PT. Haven’t had the pain or even a twinge since doing Pilates.
So my advice is to take a private session and decide from there.
My physical therapist “prescribed” Pilates for my sacro-iliac issues. Basically, that joint has some permanent degeneration, and I have to strengthen my core muscles to act as an internal girdle to hold my pelvis together properly.
I completely agree that you need to start with individual instruction. You can go into a class, lie on your back, and wiggle one foot in a circle above you, and look basically like you’re doing what the instructor is. But the vital stuff is all happening on a level you probably won’t notice or be able to engage until someone with experience has their eyes and hands on you as you do the exercise. I do think once you get the feel for it, you can do big classes and do OK. Though my instructor says to make sure the teacher uses very thorough verbal instructions, since it’s all about alignment, and straining your head around to see what the teacher is doing all the time messes that up!
I actually prefer to use a DVD, since I’m still a beginner, and I have other physical limitations that require modification of techniques. I use this DVD, recommended by my one-on-one teacher. It has a “modified basic” workout that is great - no strain on my neck and upper back. Then it has “basic,” which involves lifting your head, but is still pretty gentle.
I too have had really great results. I can’t see my abs under all the padding I have, but I can sure as hell tell that my SI problems have almost completely disappeared.
Totally different dance skills, but in some ways, the same. And it’s great for strengthening core and upper body, improving flexibility, and for owning Teh Sexxxy.
I do both pilates and yoga. The hatha yoga class I take is very meditative and “easy”, the vinyasa yoga kicks my ass and is much less meditative and more focused on a workout. The pilates class is more like the vinyasa yoga, but focuses on the core. You definitely feel the muscles the next day.
Try a different instructor or a different yoga class. They list the hatha for all levels, but the vinyasa is listed for intermediates and above. The pilates is listed for all levels, but it also differs based on the instructor.
I do both pilates and yoga. The hatha yoga class I take is very meditative and “easy”, the vinyasa yoga kicks my ass and is much less meditative and more focused on a workout. The pilates class is more like the vinyasa yoga, but focuses on the core. You definitely feel the muscles the next day.
Try a different instructor or a different yoga class. They list the hatha for all levels, but the vinyasa is listed for intermediates and above. The pilates is listed for all levels, but it also differs based on the instructor.
I was a very serious dancer for years. After I stopped dancing, I quickly gained weight. After about 14 years of that, I went to a doctor and she suggested pilates.
To say it was life changing is an understatement. I’d recommend private instruction. Find a good teacher, regardless of the price. For me, it’s much more mental than yoga. I seem to get a much better workout. I feel like I just took a really really intense five hour master class. I couldn’t believe how fast my flexibility came back. I felt like my old dancer self.
I’ve taken mat classes and they just aren’t the same. I need the reformer and cadillac. Once I got pretty good at it my instructor would put on music and we’d hop on the reformers together. I haven’t been able to afford the private classes and I miss them so much. Let me know how it goes if you take a class. I’d love to hear your experience. Feel free to PM me.
I can tell you this much: these Toe Sox make life substancially better, because you won’t be slip-sliding around. Wipe your darn mat off beforehand so you don’t get MRSA, and try a different instructor if you go and don’t like it. I was turned off of yoga years ago, but changed gyms and my new instructor is great - not new agey at all, much more fast paced, much more workout-like. I like it very much, and my Pilates instructor just got hired as an instructor at the community college, so I hope they get someone good to replace her!
I used to dance too, and wanted something I could do at home without an instructor. A friend recommended the Bar Method. She takes the classes, but I bought both videos (a deal at 30 bucks) and have been doing it a few times a week since January. Some people describe it as Pilates/yoga/dance hybrid - I call them Guantanamo stress positions, ugh! It’s very effective, though - it really changed my body, I like it so much better and my posture is great.
Wow, I would think that if you were a dancer, you’d like cardio/aerobics. It’s the closest thing I can think of to dance. I’m a huge Zumba fan because I danced for so many years. I find Pilates boooring.
I go to the gym about 5+ times a week and taken every sort of class you can imagine (everything gets boring after time). I honestly don’t get Pilates. Never felt like it did a thing for me at all. It’s basically a lot of floor exercises. Maybe if you aren’t really fit it’s a good way to get back into exercise/working out? I know many people swear by it but I don’t feel like I get any sort of workout with Pilates. But give it a try. Or buy a tape and try it out. I might be missing something. Of course if I don’t leave the gym like a wet rag I feel like I didn’t get a good workout.
Try Zumba. That’s great fun, the time flies by, and it’s a good workout.
I go 5-6 times/week as well, and gone to 3 different gyms in the past 4 years (one closed, another got crowded and I left, and I’m at the ideal one now for the past 9 months). So in that time I’ve had a LOT of instructors, and I can wholeheartedly say that 50% of how much I enjoy a class depends on the instructor. My gym right now has GREAT Group Power (same as BodyPump, just different brand) instructors, so so Spinning instructors, and very good Pilates/Yoga instructors. I also enjoy Zumba because of a good instructor.
I HIGHLY recommend you not try Zumba if you’re just starting out after 8 years. It’s incredibly fast paced and I see newbies drop like flies; January was bad. Group Power, BodyPump, Pilates/Yoga, and Spinning you can all tailor to your fitness level
I did weight training for years, tried yoga, found it too focused on balance and then tried pilates, thinking that it would probably also be too ‘girly’ for me.
Turns out I was wrong. Assuming you do the workouts correctly, they can kick your ass. I found it especially useful for my hips, which used to really tighten up on me.
I definitely agree with you. The instructor makes all the difference. I imagine you’re right. Zumba is extremely fast paced. Maybe not the best class for someone starting out. I do love it though! Spinning- I don’t care who the instructor is, I’m not a fan. Although I take spin class once a week because it’s such a good workout.
I finally found the perfect gym too! Not too crowded, a pretty diverse group and great classes.
