Anyone get results with doing Pilates

It's been a while, but I started off a few years ago with Pilates, and i really loved it. While it definitely worked well, I was truly surprised at my much thinner hips. Loved that!

I started off with pilates because I have a lot of chronic pain and it helped a lot with that (especially in my back). It will build up your strength and it's good for relaxation. The results from pilates were minimal compared to lifting though. What sort of results are you hoping for?

I started Pilates in January and I love it. I have found the stomach muscles I thought were lost forever. I go twice a week, once on the reformer and one matt class. I did matt yesterday and while I'm sitting here typing this the next morning, my muscles are telling me I did a good workout yesterday. When working on the Reformer, I would say that some of the exercises (not all) you do would be similar to doing weights, You use springs with different tensions instead of actual weights.

I have lower back and shoulder issues. I sit a lot as well so I'm tight in other spots as well. I'm finding that Pilates has helped me greatly as well when it comes to this.

That being said, I also think, if you go to a studio, you need to get a good instructor and have a class that is appropriate for you. I had to make up a class and went to a session where the students were fairly new and she didn't work us as hard.

It's not cheap if you go to a studio. I pay between $16 (matt) and $24 (Reformer) a class depending on what type of class it is. I am at the stage in my life when I need to do this. I have tried hot yoga and a gym and I have not kept up with it. This I have, so to me it is worth it and I feel better and I can get tell it is definitely toning things up, including my arms and legs. It may not be as fast as weights, but it does work for me.

I was doing pilates a few years back as a supplement to my boxing regimen. Boxing was leaving me with bulky muscles, not the look I was going for. Pilates helped me lengthen everything out. I found it terribly boring though. That being said, I think I built up the muscle through boxing and sculpted with pilates. So like one of the above posters said its a nice compliment to strength training. All depends on what results you're going for.

Well pilates is good exercise. Personally I think you'd get better results with lifting, but I get that it's not for everyone. I am eating practically at maintenance and lifting and I'm losing more inches than I was when eating at a bigger deficit with pilates.

Well if you're interested in learning most people here recommend Starting Strength, Stronglifts, or New Rules of Lifting for Women. I've heard the latter gets complicated.

But pilates is a good choice too. I get the Caribbean Workout pilates DVDs. They're 20 minutes and they allow for quite a bit of progression before you have to switch. The ones I have have 4 workouts each and they're pretty difficult, definitely something you can work up to.

Absolutely. I started in January. In Jan I lost no weight, however from photos there was a huge change in my abdomen. Last year I was diagnosed with hyper mobility and had to stop running, Pilates helps strengthen and stretch out my body. I do it alongside a marathon power walk programme and weights. Love it. Word of warning though...pick your trainer carefully. The first tutor I had was awful, didn't pay attention to movements, despite being accredited.

My new trainer is awesome and is aware of everyones needs in the class. Class size is 4-6 people. She regularly has ongoing training and is fully up to speed on medical aspects as well as fitness.

I used to do Pilates daily, I need to get back to it. Not for weight loss but I was really limber when I was doing them, not so much now.

Love, love, love Pilates. Been doing it for years. If you are in it just for the caloric burn, then you might want to look at other options. If you're looking for an exercise to strengthen core muscles, improve balance, give you long, lean muscles, and help with overall strength, then it is great. I always feel a foot taller after taking a Pilates class!

I love Pilates. My favorite tape was in VHS and an hour (Moira 'something') I have found others, but she was great and very good at making sure you understood breathing, form, etc. My stomach and back got very strong. The classic "100" is great and balance exercises.

I also bought a pilates gym from HSN (not my usual place to shop) and I admit I am surprised I still use it. It doesn't take up much space, it has pulleys that help with my back and squats. I don't know if it would be for everyone, but this is a link:

http://www.hsn.com/products/pilates-power-gym-3-elevation-exercise-machine/7119865?sz=3&sf=HF0183&ac=INCHF0183&cm_mmc=Shopping Engine-_-PLA-_-Health and Fitness-_-7119865&channel=Froogle&mr:referralID=344e0e4d-9f7b-11e2-9dea-001b2166becc

Their video is awful. They don't show how you can adjust it to many angles, you can use it for standing squats, etc. but other sites are better and youtube.

I stand it up when not using, because floor space is limited. Pilates is a great compliment to cardio.