CommunityBrowse groupsBlogEtiquetteInvite Your friendsSuccess Stories

Lounge
Community 


Pilates

After years of weight training I am considering switching to Pilates due to injuries. I am interested in hearing from people who use Pilates as their MAIN work out. Can you build/maintain muscle? Does it give you a cardio workout or must you do cardio in addition to Pilates? Any first hand experience would be appreciated, especially if you have used Pilates after a back injury. Thanks.

Tue. Nov 14, 7:46pm

Add comment  
I have taken Pilates mat classes and private Pilates lessons, though I would not consider them my main workout at all.

I never get a cardio workout from Pilates - I wear a heartrate monitor and it rarely goes above 100 bpm. My gym does have a class they call "Fat-burning Pilates", and while it is distinctly Pilates-based, the purists out there would lose their minds.

I took privates to deal with a physical problem I was having - the source was my femur/hip joint and the symptom was foot pain. After seven lessons where we focused on that for about half of the hour, my foot became fully functional and 90% of the pain went away. I do, however, need to get back to it every now and then to maintain this. I guess you could say I use Pilates privates as physical therapy, which I believe is how it was developed in the first place.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 8:01 PM

Add comment
I love Pilates. The good it really improves flexibility and is great for toning muscles. I cannot get a burn in my abs from anything (including weights) like I can from my Pilates DVD. With that said it does not raise your heartrate, because it doesn't raise your heartrate it doesn't burn a lot of calories. I really love the way my body looks when I do Pilates regularly but since I'm trying to lose weight at this time I don't do it as often as I'd like because for the time I have a feel I have to choose cardio or Pilates. My tummy may have a little more pouch without the Pilates but I know once I reach my goal weight I can focus hard on the Pilates and get rid of that while maintaining my weight, but to focus hard on the Pilates and loose weight just doesn't seem to go together for me.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 9:32 PM

Add comment
According to the activity calculator on www.self.com, a 180-lb person burns 255 calories an hour doing Pilates - which is the same # as moderate weight lifting. So it's not really an all-in-one form of exercise.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 9:58 PM

Add comment
OP Here..Thanks for all your coments, esp 10:58. I wear a heart monitor while working out and typically burn just over 400 calories in one hour of cardio and weight training. So far it seems that Pilates would be a great addition to a workout regimen but not meant (at least for my goals) to replace the gym.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 6:15 AM

Add comment
I use Pilates in addition to cardio classes. I've never worn a HR monitor during it though, I will have to try and see. It also helps with balance and posture.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 9:53 AM

Add comment








Related Content:

How To Lose Weight- The Basics
Weight Watchers Points System
The Fat Smash Diet
The Eat To Live Diet
The Beck Diet Solution
How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight

 

How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer

How To Burn Fat
Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works
Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight?
Tips On Using PEERtrainer
Visit The PEERtrainer Community
Diet and Fitness Resources

Fitness

Weight Watchers Meetings
Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are
Writing Down Your Daily Workouts
Spending Money On A Personal Trainer?
How I Became A Marathon Runner

 

Preventive Health

How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout
Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot?
Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer?
Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy
Reversing Disease Through Nutrition

New Diet and Fitness Articles:

Weight Watchers Points Plus
How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise
New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program
New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive
Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program
 

Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne:

Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough
How To Delay Short Term Gratification
How To Stay Motivated
How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule

Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions

Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight?
Are Protein Drinks Safe?
Nutrition As Medicine?
 

Everyday Weight Loss Tips

How To Eat Healthy At A Party
How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight
The Three Bite Rule
Tips On How To Stop A Binge