So last weekend I tried out my free Pilates session at Equinox. This was my first time on a Pilates machine so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve done Mat Pilates on occasion at Winsor Pilates on Wilshire but never did private training.
I was immediately intimidated by the machine — most people are. Now I know why most gyms have these locked up in a room. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there is a lot of potential to hurt yourself or snap something. We started with a lot of leg exercises; I was surprised to find that using just my own body’s resistance was enough to break a sweat.
I found that most of the core and upper body exercises were very similar to what I’ve done in Mat Pilates. The core concept is still the same: slow movements with an engaged core to lengthen muscles. With the machine though, the movements are smoother and more guided. There is more range of motion and I was extremely sore the next day.
All-in-all I think it was a great session, certainly a good alternative to traditional weight lifting. The pricing, however, is a lot more than most people can afford in this economy. Private sessions start at $85/hr and small groups were closer to $60-70. (Winsor Pilates is about the same) I think you could get the same results through regular mat classes, although it may take a little longer.
My recommendation: check out some local Mat Pilates classes and buy 10 sessions to get the movements down. Then purchase a complete Winsor Pilates DVD set to do the exercises regularly in your home. :)
Just started 2x’s a week and I like how it’s low impact but I definitely feel it the next day. The price is lower but still a bit painful (a monthly fee which comes out to $40/session).
Glad to hear it’s similar to mat Pilates (which I have yet to try).
No go try some Bikram! Went to my first session tonight and it kicked my a$$! :)
I love pilates, it’s amazingly efficient. I would recommend springing for at least one private session to make sure you’re doing the moves absolutely correctly.
pilates
I was scared at first to use the pilates machine, but it really isnt as intimidating as it looks. i have been going to the spectrum every friday morning and taking a jump pilates class. it is an extra 15 dollars but that is pretty cheap compared to 85 an hour. there are only 3-5 women taking the class at a time and it is in a private room. since its jump pilates we do a lot of cardio work using the machine. i never leave without breaking a sweat!
I have both the Windsor Pilates DVD set and the Denise Austin Pilates/Yoga DVD, and I have to say the Denise Austin is better. It’s two 20 minutes sessions that combine mat Pilates and yoga moves, its great. Also, I thnk mat Pilates is no where near the challenge of using a reformer, but it is a lot cheaper. Has anyone used one of those at-home pilate machines? I am always tempted but they look so cheap.
A friend of mine bought a studio-quality one for $2700 to use in her home. I think they run up to $5000 but she got the cheapest option out of the studio-quality ones that didn’t require drilling into her floor/wall.
It is amazing. Nothing else has toned me up in three weeks. I am doing two personal training sessions a week. Pairing it with yoga and cardio has resulted in 15lbs lost and a bikini body. Amazing abs and arms.
I love mat pilates. I have never tried a pilates machine session but it looks awesome!