Pilates

Hi

I'm also in the UK and have bought the Lynne Robinson core workout DVD. It's really good (my stomach muscles really ache after doing it!), especially as you don't need any equipment. It's also really good the first few times as she explains all the moves but this gets a bit irritating/slow once you know what you're doing. I've just bought a couple of her other DVDs as I like her style but I haven't tried them out yet.

I’ve also bought the pilates for dummies DVD which was ok although it didn’t really feel like a pilates DVD to me as it was move active (e.g. lots of squats rather than slow/progressive movements).

Sorry this isn't very helpful but I think it depends on what you’re trying to get out of the DVDs and the way you like to exercise

I like Lynne Robinson too and her pilates was recommended to me by a physio. I have her book Body Control manual which is helpful as it gives workouts/exercises for certain conditions and occupations. Also it says which exercises are dodgy if you have back or neck problems like me.

I found the DVD's easier than trying to figure out from the book though so use the book as a reference point.

I got a double DVD pack off Amazon which has Body Control and Weekly Workout. I can't find that for sale right now but there are a couple of double packs on there which are great value.

Body Control is a good introduction. It has a 25 min or so warm up (you can do more repetitions or skip some of the chat) but she explains about body position and breathing simply and clearly. You could soon learn the exercises and do the warm up in a shorter time to suit you better once you know what you're doing. Then there's a workout which is for the whole body - some standing, some lying down. Finally a short warm down/relax. You need a scarf and a pillow, possibly a pilates mat (I have hard floors and need one for sure). I skip some of the exercises not suitable for my back disc problem so can't say how long it is. Oh maybe a tennis ball at some point too. It does start to feel slow after you've mastered the exercises but that's what makes it so good as a beginner

The Weekly Workout has 3 workouts. You'll also need some light handweights (or bottles of water or tins of beans) and a pole or garden cane for some of the exercises in he workouts. Again she explains things very simply and how to get your body in the right position and breath control. There's a relaxation at the end. I tend to just use some of the exercises to add to the workout on Body Control as it doesn't have a specific warm up but you could easily add a warm up yourself once you know the exercises.

I plan to get a couple more because I like her style too and I know it's safe for my back.

You could look on you tube aswell as a try before you buy option too.

I wish you luck. I have balance issues so Pilates doesn't work for me.

Lynne Robinson's my favourite too - very British and very simple! If you have Sky TV also have a look on the fitness channels as sometimes they have Pilates on there. There was a good beginners' one with Lynne and Fern Britton on a while ago (before Fern lost all the weight!). Look at channels 281 and 282. There's one on as I type ('Do More Pilates') but it looks a little too advanced if you are new to it.

And remember - the trick to Pilates is to always, always 'zip up' before doing any of the exercises. This basically means pull your pelvic floor up (as if you were doing a pelvic floor exercise) throughout each move. This is why Pilates is so amazing (and more difficult than it looks!). I've been to countless Pilates classes where there has been no mention of this crucial fact.

Im in the UK to, if you have sky+, you should check out the 'Fitness TV and 'Active' Channel they have lots of Pilates workouts on most days, just record a few! xx