Pilates vs Bowflex

Avatar for laathompson
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Pilates vs Bowflex
7
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 8:34am
Hello ladies! I haven't posted here in a while. I have a question? What do you think would give me better results Pilates or Bowflex. I have recently joined Weight Watchers which is the only plan that has worked for me in the past. I'm 40 years old. I have around 45 lbs to loose. I am currently taking Estradiol because I had a complete hystorectomy last October. I know that building lean muscle tissure is the best thing to help in the weight loss effort. Currently I walk 30 minutes a day. I love doing Pilates but I'm wondering if I would have better luck using my bowflex?

Laurie





iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2001
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 10:47am
Laurie, I have never done pilates so can't tell you about that. I've been thinking about finding a beginners tape for it but haven't done that yet. I do have a bowflex, though, and I LOVE it! I've not done it a lot since summer hit and the outdoors is so great to walk in...but I use it all winter long and I have noticed a change in my body since I started using it. Maybe someone else has done both and can tell you what you want to know. Maybe you should try some of each. I know that I try to do a little bit of several things so that I don't get bored. Would that work for you?

Nancy

Nancy

"Make Choices that bring you joy"  cl-Patty


 


Avatar for laathompson
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 12:09pm
That sounds like a great idea!!

Maybe I'll try to do 2 days bowflex and 2-3 days Pilates. I just have to make the time!! I love Pilates. If you are the type of person that doesn't like to jump around like the Areobics style excerise this is for you. It's acutally quite relaxing. And boy do your muscles get a workout!!

Laurie





iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2001
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 4:33pm
I don't like the jumping around with aerobics so maybe that would be for me. Do you have a tape or what do you use? Is that how you learned? There's no place around here that I can go for classes so it will have to be a self taught type of thing.

Nancy

Nancy

"Make Choices that bring you joy"  cl-Patty


 


Avatar for bootywhompus
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-17-2003 - 6:02pm
IMHO...do what you like to do. You'll stick with it longer and have more fun which ultimately will do the most good in the long run. Try new things too. You never know what you will fall in love with. Who knew I'd stick with Jazzercise for almost a year already? WOW, can you believe that???

Good luck with what you decide to do.

Lori

Lori

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-18-2003 - 12:33am
Please get a good tape by a properly certified instructor. Of all the ones I've seen, I would highly recommend "The Classical Pilates Complete Mat Workout." It is available at www.classicalpilates.net and has the beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts all in one video. It's a good idea to have a companion book to explain the little technicalities that might be missed in a video. My two favorites are "Pilates Body in Motion" by Alycea Ungaro (She's on the Classical Pilates video) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0789484005/qid=1063859389/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-9253213-2972758?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 and "The Pilates Body" by Brooke Siler http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/076790396X/104-9253213-2972758?v=glance.

Rhonda

       ~~Rhonda~~


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Avatar for laathompson
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Thu, 09-18-2003 - 7:36am
Yes. I have a tape. It's Winsor Pilates. I just ordered another one that's supposed to be even better.

Laurie





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-18-2003 - 7:46am
Beware of the Winsor tapes. In my opinion, Mari rushes people into advanced moves way before they're ready. I've heard of more injuries using those tapes than all others combined. She was trained in Authentic Pilates (TM), but has made a few changes to the Method, such as the breathing, that I don't agree with. Also, the tapes are better suited for people who've had some previous Pilates training, because they aren't explained as thoroughly as they should be. The very important "Pilates Stance" isn't covered enough, and that is important for best results and to prevent injuries. That's where a good complementary book can help. Of course, a novice wouldn't know to look for that unless someone happened to point it out. Proper form and correct breathing are extremely important in Pilates, so mastering each level of the moves should be the goal rather than rushing to the next level, which seems to be most people's tendency.

Rhonda

       ~~Rhonda~~


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