Good Pilates DVD???

one_bill_at_a_time

Hiya - I'm hoping for some advice please!

My GP has just advised that I do some Pilates to try and increase the flexibility and strength in my back (very sore back :-( )

As I travel with work a lot classes are difficult so I need to find a good DVD that I can do. Does anyone have a recommendation?

I don't want to waste money on something that's too difficult / intense for me. I need something for very beginner type people please!

Thanking you

ellay864

I've had back and arm problems recently, all postural related. I have just started pilates on rcommendation of my physio but would say don't just try to do it with a DVD. I've done plenty of aerobics and other fitness classes, and used gyms so it's not like I'm unfamiliar with all the moves but the important thing is your core positions and a DVD won't help you there. A proper teacher will check you during the class and make sure you're in the right position; if not at best you won't benefit from the exercises, at worst you could make yourself worse. And you just shouldn't risk that with backs - I've had back problems since an accident 30 odd years ago so I speak from experience!
Body Control Pilates teachers are the best to go for, and most will offer private sessions (thought admitedly that does cost a bit!). At least try for a teacher for a while before you just attempt a DVD, or speak to a teacher, explain your situation and see what they recommend

one_bill_at_a_time

Hi thanks ellay864. My difficulty is that i'm away from home (in different places) Mon-Fri most weeks with work... there aren't many classes at the weekend near me which makes the DVD the best option really. I've previously done yoga and yogalates so am familiar with the positioning.

My ideal will be a weekend class with a good DVD for during the week so I'll keep looking.

So annoying that injuring myself (no idea how) just results in more expense :-(

elainem10

I have pilates weight loss for dummies which I really like. Its not too intense, in fact its much more gentle than the pilates class at my gym that I used to go to. I haven't tried any other dvd's to compare it with though. From what I remember it was only £3 or £4 on amazon so very MSE

one_bill_at_a_time

Thanks Elainem10 it's still cheap on amazon so I'll give it a try.

Also found someone who maybe does a sunday class in brighton but it's about £50 for 6 weeks eeeek!

clairibel

Hiya, did you not find yoga beneficial for your back as it works the same principles as pilates? Don't give up on yoga

I always go back to yoga for stretching out the muscles and strengthening...a brilliant take with you book for yoga is Raquel Welch total beauty and fitness book...i know it sounds fluffy but its the best body conditioning workout i've ever done...no dvd but once learned you can take it everywhere

http://www.amazon.com/Raquel-Welch-Beauty-Fitness-Program/dp/003069549X

I got my copy from ebay for £3. :T

one_bill_at_a_time

Yoga was a while ago - the back is a recent injury (I say injury but it pinged when I was taking gingerbread men out of the oven...). So far all i've done for my back is painkillers.

I think my GP recommended pilates because it's more focused on your core muscles than yoga is...?

He stretched me today to see how flexible i am and left me in more pain than I started with :-( ah well tis the road to good health.

Kitchenbunny

I keep going back to the original Body Control Pilates DVD presented by Lynne Robinson. I've tried others, but always return to this one as the results are good and it is non-strenuous. Here is the link to it. You can either do the warm up routine as a daily session (25 minutes) or the full workout 3 times a week. I try to squeeze the 25 minute warm up in when I can but that is quite comprehensive.

HTH

KB xx

tru

Another vote for Lynne Robinson I have THIS ONE

one_bill_at_a_time

My friend just gave me a copy of the Pilates for Dummies one (he tried it once and decided pilates wasn't for him). FREE!!! whoohoo


If I don't get on well with it I will try Lynne Robinson.