Spinoff: Any good Pilates DVDs?

[finewine83]

In the flat stomach thread most people suggested pilates for toning the core. Any recommendations for good pilates DVDs? I have one ( i think it's by Leslie Sansone) but it's too easy so i think i need something pretty advanced. I use the stability ball and gym machines for my abs, but i wanted to include pilates or yoga as well (to switch things up).

[LaNecia]

For pilates type workouts, I prefer: Karen Voight and the Lotte Berk dvds. The Windsor Pilates is my 3rd choice. Karen has been a long time inspiration for me.

This week I'll be evaluating the Stotte Method DVDs, I let ya know what I think.

Vixx

[Dare~to~Dream]

For pilates type workouts, I prefer: Karen Voight and the Lotte Berk dvds.

I already have The Lotte Berke DVDs (haven't used them in a while though :ohwell:)...until I can get the Fluidity barre...I want to try another program/routine...I'm going to check out Karen Voight's (http://www.amazon.com/Pilates-Core-Power-Abdominals-Back/dp/B00067HP0U/ref=pd_bbs_6/103-8159628-6845425?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1182315187&sr=8-6)DVD. Thanks!

[HoneyDew]

I prefer Windsor pilates - it seems to keep my attention. I LOVE the circle pilates workout - WAY better than the others she has.

I also do MTV pilates sometimes.

[LilMorenita]

i swear by windsor pilates; had very fast results

[lejardinier]

Mari Winsor, Alycea Ungaro or any of the teachers who studied with Romana.
She is one of three(?) people still alive who studied directly with Joseph Pilates. I always look for DVDs by people who got certified by her because I've taken classes where she teaches with her daughter and granddaughter.
It makes a difference whether or not the Pilates instructor was taught properly or not. Becoming an instructor in this discipline is a long process; and you can't become one in a month. Sometimes it helps to take a floor class for a month to insure that you have proper body alignment and placement before you try it at home. I use the ring and the reformer at home. There were reformers on sale on amazon.com last week. There is also a magazine called Pilates Style. It is a great help for people who want to practice Pilates at home.

[SplashAtl]

Mari Winsor, Alycea Ungaro or any of the teachers who studied with Romana.
She is one of three(?) people still alive who studied directly with Joseph Pilates. I always look for DVDs by people who got certified by her because I've taken classes where she teaches with her daughter and granddaughter.
It makes a difference whether or not the Pilates instructor was taught properly or not. Becoming an instructor in this discipline is a long process; and you can't become one in a month. Sometimes it helps to take a floor class for a month to insure that you have proper body alignment and placement before you try it at home. I use the ring and the reformer at home. There were reformers on sale on amazon.com last week. There is also a magazine called Pilates Style. It is a great help for people who want to practice Pilates at home.

Great info! Thanks.

[LaNecia]

I prefer Windsor pilates - it seems to keep my attention. I LOVE the circle pilates workout - WAY better than the others she has.

I also do MTV pilates sometimes.

HoneyDew, I can't say I've seen this one my Mari. I think that's what I like most about the slower paced workouts, it allows you to focus on the exercises at hand for better a mind to body connection and better workout in general.

[Dare~to~Dream]

Great info! Thanks.

It is great info...I've been researching "true pilates" every since I read that post...now if only I could find an instructor's DVD (without mixed reviews) other than Mari Winsor. :ohwell:

[LaNecia]

It is great info...I've been researching "true pilates" every since I read that post...now if only I could find an instructor's DVD (without mixed reviews) other than Mari Winsor. :ohwell:

I truly hope you don't get discouraged by reviews and not try something. Reviews are nothing more than opinions, like the ones we share here at the forum re: hair products. What works for some, doesn't work for others. It's trial and error to find the right fit for YOU. I've tried DVDs that got rave reviews...I was like "WHAT THE HECK"? And others that didn't get good so good a review that I loved. :ohwell:

I'm going to PM you.

Vixx.

[Dare~to~Dream]

I truly hope you don't get discouraged by reviews and not try something. Reviews are nothing more than opinions, like the ones we share here at the forum re: hair products. What works for some, doesn't work for others. It's trial and error to find the right fit for YOU. I've tried DVDs that got rave reviews...I was like "WHAT THE HECK"? And others that didn't get good so good a review that I loved. :ohwell:

I'm going to PM you.

Vixx.

Hi, I got your private message and responded. :) For some reason, Amazon.com reviews are the "gospel" for me (for the most part they haven't failed me...at the same time I'm mostly basing this on the book reviews so)...sometimes I do overlook them and make a purchase.

[LaNecia]

Hi, I got your private message and responded. :) For some reason, Amazon.com reviews are the "gospel" for me (for the most part they haven't failed me...at the same time I'm mostly basing this on the book reviews so)...sometimes I do overlook them and make a purchase.

Got it! Well, I hope you find your perfect fit! It's tough sometimes trying to find the right match but when you do it's well worth the effort!

Vixx

[finewine83]

thanks for the great info and amazon link. I found one that i'm interested in "Pilates: for Abs" by Ana Caban. It had mostly 5 stars on amazon and it seemed pretty advanced (maybe too advanced for me) but i wanted to try it. Has any one use this instructor before? I'm also considering the Winsor Pilates Accelerated Body Sculpting DVD, does it require any additional equipment?

[SvelteVelvet]

I've used Windsor Pilates in the past and while I feel it's a good one, I found one alot more challenging that I'm seeing unbelievably fast results from. Kathy Smith Pilates for ABs and Pilates for Lower Body DVD combo. I just started Sat. night and I did them last night too. Oh I also bought her Belly Dancing DVD which is fun to do after all the Pilates exercises. Anyway they were about 25 minutes long each. And I did them all back to back both days and finishing off with the Belly dancing. Now maybe it's just my body, I didn't need to lose weight, just tone what I have, firmer belly, smaller waist etc. but it's still unbelievable. I've already lost inches around my waist, the little pudge in my tummy when I sit has shrunk, my back feels smoother, it's like the little rolls disappeared overnight and my 'core' overall feels stronger. I'm sore as heck and I was cursing at the t.v. with some of the moves but OMG, they work! And fast if you put concentration on every move and do it correctly.

[Nightingale]

I've used Windsor Pilates in the past and while I feel it's a good one, I found one alot more challenging that I'm seeing unbelievably fast results from. Kathy Smith Pilates for ABs and Pilates for Lower Body DVD combo. I just started Sat. night and I did them last night too. Oh I also bought her Belly Dancing DVD which is fun to do after all the Pilates exercises. Anyway they were about 25 minutes long each. And I did them all back to back both days and finishing off with the Belly dancing. Now maybe it's just my body, I didn't need to lose weight, just tone what I have, firmer belly, smaller waist etc. but it's still unbelievable. I've already lost inches around my waist, the little pudge in my tummy when I sit has shrunk, my back feels smoother, it's like the little rolls disappeared overnight and my 'core' overall feels stronger. I'm sore as heck and I was cursing at the t.v. with some of the moves but OMG, they work! And fast if you put concentration on every move and do it correctly.

Thank you! I need to tone my abs.

[finewine83]

I've used Windsor Pilates in the past and while I feel it's a good one, I found one alot more challenging that I'm seeing unbelievably fast results from. Kathy Smith Pilates for ABs and Pilates for Lower Body DVD combo. I just started Sat. night and I did them last night too. Oh I also bought her Belly Dancing DVD which is fun to do after all the Pilates exercises. Anyway they were about 25 minutes long each. And I did them all back to back both days and finishing off with the Belly dancing. Now maybe it's just my body, I didn't need to lose weight, just tone what I have, firmer belly, smaller waist etc. but it's still unbelievable. I've already lost inches around my waist, the little pudge in my tummy when I sit has shrunk, my back feels smoother, it's like the little rolls disappeared overnight and my 'core' overall feels stronger. I'm sore as heck and I was cursing at the t.v. with some of the moves but OMG, they work! And fast if you put concentration on every move and do it correctly.

SvelteVelvet, thanks for the info

[LovetheLord]

what did you eventually go with I am in search for a video too!

I am going to a piltes studio in a couple of weeks for instruction that way I will know the right way to do the exercise and I can do it at home, but I want a dvd to help me through it while I am on my own. I can't afford to continue to go to the studio he costs $40 an hour!

[14got]

For pilates type workouts, I prefer: Karen Voight and the Lotte Berk dvds. The Windsor Pilates is my 3rd choice. Karen has been a long time inspiration for me.

This week I'll be evaluating the Stotte Method DVDs, I let ya know what I think.

Vixx

I got the stotte
I like lotte berk/bar better
I didn't realized lb was considered pilates

[tapioca_pudding]

I just got the Kathy Smith Abs dvd from ebay. Cant wait to try it. :) I bid for the lower body one too.

I would really like the try the Lotte Berk method but I dont have the money to invest in the barre, etc.