I am thinking of starting a Beiginners Pilates class soon.

For those of you who have tried it - what are the benefits?

o its great
its just great

it totally gives you a workout without actually even working up a sweat. it doestn feel like a workout cause its fun. and challengin. i have a pilates movie i do alot. i love it so much. i really reccommend it

Man, I must be sooooo fat and unfit!

I just borrowed my sis's copies of 'Marie Winsor Pilates', and did the 20 min workout! My bum muscles hurt!

But, I am sitting up straighter!

Hopefully it will help me get rid of my flabby belly!

Flat stomach, good posture, toned body ... ok those are the supposed benefits, not what I have achieved, but it is a great workout!

Sorry but i don't like it! I don't feel like i've achieved anything unless i've worked up a sweat so Pilates just doesn't do it for me!

I love Pilates, I always leave my class feeling renewed

great abs! I had better stomach muscles after DD1 than before thanks to doing heaps of pilates. Now afrer DD2 I am trying to do the same. I find it works a treat.

If you want to work up a sweat at Pilates you need to come to my class - brutal instructor!! I have graduated up to an "advanced" class now - and last night I was puffing while doing it!

I love it - I have found it great for helping the muscles that you use as a mum - when having babies on the hip constantly etc!!

If I could afford to, I would go twice a week which is when you would probably see physical improvements - rather that just feeling more flexible and strengthening muscles.

Have fun!

I just posted the same thread last night, still deciding whether to do Yoga or Pilates.... I'm leaning towards pilates now.

I absolutely love it! My abs are so strong (the flat stomach does require the layer of fat to disappear... ), I am a lot more flexible and the mental focus is great too.

I find it is a great counter and prep work for my rugby - improves balance and inner core strength, stretches out the muscles and stops me being too stiff and sharpens the mind.

I think pilates classes can take all different forms - but just to add a bit more info...

I do mat classes (no equipment - but only 5 people per class)with a pysiotherapist - the beauty is that I get to claim 3/4 of the cost of each class to private health insurance because it is preventative therapy. I think it would need to be done through a physio for this though - or at least someone who has a "claim number" for insurance purposes.

Anyway, just thought this may help?

So, can you really lose weight with pilates, or change your body shape?

I want to get rid of the 'layer' around my belly, and would love to lose a bit off my bum too!

I guess compared to doing nothing, it must do 'something' hey?

YES!! While you dont necessarily lose fat you will tone up incredibly fast. I was doing two lessons a week and did it for three months and saw an incredible difference. I haven't been for about 6 weeks due to other commitments and OMG I feel like a blob. My posture is bad again and all that tone is just gone.

My dh really noticed a difference and I lost a clothes size literally in that 3 months without any other diet or exercise.

my dh came running to tell me the news yday. PILATES makes you grow taller! yep, the tv lady said, her legs were leaner (can cope with that) AND LONGER!!!! woohooo tall long legs at last, pilates here i come!

huge Pilates fan here. My abs are soooo much better after 2 kids than they were before and I credit Pilates for this. I love my pilates

Oh gosh it has helped me so much. It was recommended by my osteopath to help with my chronic back pain and it has made such a difference. Until yesterday when I had a hideous back spasm, but then classes finished three weeks ago. Probably my body going into withdrawl.

It's really easy to do. I'm zipping it right now!!

I gotta tell you - it really hurts!!!!!!!

YOu find muscles you never thought you had!!!!!

It's fantastic for your core strength but to be honest I found it to be boring. I much prefer yoga