I am very excited about giving Pilates a try. I have had a total knee replacement, and I really need something that does not require a lot of bouncing around. - 8/16/2012   11:23:44 AM

Pilates exercises keep your body LEAN! Pilates literally lengthens the muscle to the bone, which is why you never see a "bulky" Pilates trainer or client if they are keeping up with their workouts. Your body is letting go of all that tight muscle tension which is why it becomes leaner. It’s so important to keep up with these types of resistance-training workouts so you can stay fit and trim! For maximum results I always recommend switching up your workouts! (Confuse the muscles!) Try different classes, add an additional reformer session or Power Plate session in your routine....most important EAT CLEAN!
www.marinaj.net / - 7/14/2011   4:56:11 AM

Reformer, Tower, and Chair Pilates is my current favorite of exercises. I always swore I'd never take a mat class, but it was just as good as the equipment classes. - 7/10/2011   9:32:17 AM

I love yoga, so know I would love pilots. I have done a few of the poses over the yrs. I find it a bit more difficult than yoga, trying to hold the poses and moving your hands and legs at the same time. It is a challenge. - 4/29/2011   3:00:05 PM

I have gone to a couple of classes and just love pilates. I love the challenging moves - 4/29/2011   1:09:54 AM

I love the strength of Pilates but don't do it nearly as often as I should. I have only done it on the mat. I just wishI could do some of the poses! Anything where you have to sit on your rear and lean back while lifting up your feet I can't do because it makes my tailbone start to feel like it's going to push through my skin. Ouch! - 4/28/2011   9:59:40 AM

I've never taken a class, but I do a lot of these as my core exercises. - 4/28/2011   8:52:06 AM

I am a Pilate trainer,in my experience so many people have a geat benefits after the Pilate training. - 4/28/2011   6:05:32 AM

i love pilates, have been doing it once a week for almost 2 years now. it really helped me get in better shape post-baby. - 4/27/2011   11:51:57 PM

I love these exercises and will come back to this list! Thanks!! - 4/27/2011   3:08:05 PM

The pilates exercise, The Hundred, is simply the yoga pose Navasana with rapid Kapalabhati breathing for 100 counts, which amplifies the toning and purification [kriya] effects of the Navasana pose. After several years of practice, my Navasana with Kapalabhati breathing for 100 counts (no pilates arms) is still a killer ...
The Double-Leg raise (for slow, isokinetic counts each up and down) is simply the yoga pose Utthita Prasarita Padasana. But I now do it for two sets of 9 up/down. Another killer ... The Master Swami once told me that you are very advanced if you can do only 4 up/down in a minute's time ... not quite there yet; and I kinda lost my stopwatch for stretching a while back, so I couldn't tell how I'm doing anyway .... - 4/27/2011   11:19:30 AM

I love Pilates on the reformer! I seem to be able to exercise core muscles that I have not been able to reach any other way! I also do mat and pole Pilates occasionally, but the reformer is my fav. - 4/27/2011   9:29:04 AM

I've done pilates mat classes and I've had personal training sessions on a reformer. I do miss working on a reformer. that was a marvelous core workout.

- 4/27/2011   9:27:53 AM

I started doing a weekly course back in January - new year, new gym membership etc etc.. - and I love it. We only do mat work there but that means I can do it at home between classes. I'm also training for a 10k and have found the added strength is really helping my running. I feel strong and leaner than before. I used to get back pain from running but I haven't suffered from that recently (fingers crossed I haven't just jinxed myself!). The great thing about the classes is that they're mixed ability so everyone can work at their own pace/level. - 4/27/2011   7:34:08 AM

I did pilates many years ago. Saved this to my faves and will use the floor moves. - 4/27/2011   2:30:34 AM

I plan on trying this kind of exercise. I have rheumatoid arthritis and feel maybe this would give me strength and flexablility - 4/26/2011   11:40:30 PM

I trained on the reformer for about 2 years with an instructor and it is very good for flexibility. I've never experienced the mat work. I did buy an "at home" reformer but it doesn't compare to a real model and I don't really use it - it isn't challenging enought. - 4/26/2011   11:31:52 PM

I own a Pilates machine and love it! - 4/26/2011   11:30:18 PM

I've done the mat but haven't kept at it. Never done the reformer. - 4/26/2011   11:04:33 PM

No, not yet. - 4/26/2011   10:35:44 PM

I love the reformer, but can do with out the mat. Can't recommend just one exercise since they all work together to complete a workout. - 4/26/2011   10:04:41 PM

Thank you for posting these exercises - it's good to get useful ones from another runner too. Thanks again :) - 4/26/2011   9:48:17 PM

Pilates is a take off from YOGA which doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment. I realize when Joseph Pilates started his exercises for bedridden soldiers that he was doing physical therapy for them. All such exercise has benefit, especially as we get older. - 4/26/2011   9:14:21 PM

At least there isn't any thing in this article about pilates being relaxing. Also, a free site for pilates workouts: www.ultimatepilatesworkouts.com - 4/26/2011   5:07:49 PM

I love working out on the Reformer. I want to get one for home use. I do have some DVD mat exercises that I haven't made use of. This article has inspired me to get them out and try them. - 4/26/2011   5:04:21 PM

I love both kinds of pilates. I have been practicing mat pilates for years. I recently discovered reformer pilates and love the extra stretch and challenge it gives. I encourage others to try pilates....purchasing some discounted classes through Groupon, Living Social,etc. would be a great way for folks to try a few classes... - 4/26/2011   3:55:41 PM