Total Body Challenge: Pilates
Up your practice, get leaner, stronger and longer! Increase your flexibility and poise while revealing hidden muscles and building your core strength. Sculpt and redefine your entire body. By adding resistance to your Pilates practice, you'll isolate specific muscle groups to tone more efficiently.
You'll develop your shoulders, biceps, triceps, abs, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Your entire body is targeted. The neck pillow supports and keeps you aligned throughout the lower body, upper body and abs workouts.
Includes instructional (60 minute) DVD lead by leading Pilates instructor Linda Farrell, resistance band, neck support pillow and Premium Pilates Mat. Segmented DVD targets upper body, lower body and abs in 20-minute sessions. Mat: 68"L x 24"W x 1/4"D.
Pilates Reformer founded by Joseph Pilates is a machine that utilizes a platform that moves back and forth along a carriage. The user’s body weight acts as the resistance.
Pilates Chair also founded by Pilates is a box with one side that can be pressed down against the resistance of springs, like a large pedal. There is a modern version of the Pilates Chair known as the Malibu Pilates. This chair has become so popular because it is marketed for home use. There are other manufacturers such as Peak Pilates, Balanced Body and others that have introduced a more streamlined version of the Pilates Chair that is used in many health clubs.
Mats are used in Pilates. The difference between the mats used for Yoga is that the Pilates mat is thicker. If you are attending a Pilates class, chances are you will be provided with a mat. For your Pilates workout at home, you may want to invest in a Pilates Mat. They come in a range of sizes and colors.
Exercise or resistance bands can add light resistance to a Pilates workout.
Pilates has traditionally been performed using more modern versions of the Pilates Chairs or Reformers. However, many health clubs are beginning to use mats.
7 Benefits of Pilates
Gives women a nice lean look build without bulking up
Strengthens your core - the abdominal and back muscles
Improves your posture and blood circulation
Increases flexibility and decreases likelihood of muscle injury
Reduces stress by proper breathing
Helps reduce muscle stiffness by improving flexibility through deep stretching
Relieves back pain and joint stress.
Coming Soon! Information about the Malibu Pilates Chair...
You may have seen Susan Lucci of 'All My Children' promoting the Malibu Pilates Chair. I will be ordering this very soon. In the meantime, if you have any information that you would like to contribute - maybe you have used it, please feel free to share your experiences or write a review.
Many chiropractors recommend Pilates for the strengthening of the spine and back. In fact, you will find many chiropractic and Pilates centers throughout the United States. With chiropractic focusing on the treating and preventing of mechanical disorders of the muscles system, with emphasis on the spine, the two go hand in hand.
Dress comfortably during your Pilates workout and not wearing shoes is helpful also. Because Pilates involves deep stretching, do not force yourself into difficult positions to early.
You
will become more limber and flexible with continued workouts. As with
any exercise, you want to avoid injury.
Pilates is a great way become more limber and to develop a longer leaner
look. Because it is non-aerobic, you may want to also include adding a
cardio workout to your routine also for optimum results. Gaiam
is an excellent company that offers Pilates equipment and DVDs that can
provide helpful information about Pilates so that you will be able to
maximize your workout regime. Have fun!
