[Merged] Pilates

[Babe]

Anybody here take Pilates? I'm thinking about it. I hear it's very effective...

[nix]

What's that?

[astr0girl]

pilates (pronouced pi-la-tees) is a form of strecthing and strengthening muscles. You do a series of excerices and combinations to make you more supple and flexible.

I take pilates classes because I dance and it has helped me a lot in ballet and jazz to become more flexible and stronger. Even if you don't dance- it's a great way to get fit and toned at the same time- if you have to opportunity to take pilates classes go for it!

[astr0girl]

peps: you should try it out, even if it's just one class, just to see how it goes and if you like it or not...i'm not in manila, but if i was we could have taken classes together, hehe :p ...do you still do ballet?

[Ira]

Effective, but expensive..PhP750 a session. Ouch.

[AteRonee]

Ira,where's this place? Besides this place, is there anyone else who conducts pilates classes here in Manila?

[Ira]

Ate Ronee: I misplaced the contact number, although I know it's just in my room somewhere. I'll e-mail it to you na lang thru Kuya Danny if I find it.

[AteRonee]

Thanks, Ira, I hope you find it. :)

[juve_grrrl10]

I think that P750/session is the one with Cecile Sicangco. Last I heard mahaba na daw ang waiting list!
But there that's book available in Nat'l, "The Pilates Body" by Brooke Siler, ang nagpasimuno muli ng pilates. Maganda daw eh, so I might as well get me a copy.

[plumb]

Hi! Does anyone here know where I can take pilates sessions/classes? Or gyms with pilates equipment??

Thanks!

[tRiStAn]

You may also refer to this thread: pilates workout? (http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=55915&highlight=%2Apilate%2A)

[Invictus]

Pilates is very effective. Ang laki ng niliit (?) ng waist ko when I used to do Pilates, but then tinamad na akong magtrain. Can't wait to work out my midsection again this sem. :beam:

[Brandon96]

How many Pilates-certified instructors are there in Metro manila? I just signed up in my local gym and saw written in the brochure "WE OFFER PILATES GROUP CLASSES TOO" but I was not so sure about the quality or authenticity of the Pilates class (which BTW hasn't started yet--bago pa lang kasi ang gym nabuksan eh). BTW, are there different or rival Pilates groups out there? Which one, if there are different groups, is best?

i would like to learn and do Pilates to improve on my flexibility and power in my arnis/kali practice. I have to do lots of power strikes and slashes; besides, my arnis style emphasizes highly mobile footwork. I once got fractured last May 19th and had to be sidelined for 2-3 months. Just 2 weeks ago I got back to arnis. Will Pilates help me strengthen my bones or at least develop my ligaments' flexibility so that I won't have to suffer fractures due to sudden joint twists while sparring? What happend was that I was thrown to the ground and I think my fibula snapped because my left foot was twisted to the left while my body (and left leg) was still facing up, plus the sudden pull/twist thereof.

Please help me :P Call or text me 0917 817 0373.

[ninna__]

im taking classes with plinky recto at orient day spa at the corinthian plaza sa tapat ng greenbelt, tabi ng aim. yes, she is legit. one of the three lang yata dito sa philippines na certified.

there are two types, the mat class yung parang yoga... pero may strengthening exercises din especially for the back and the abs. it's PhP10,000 yata for 36 sessions. i'm not sure though if you can enroll for 12 for something like PhP 3,600.

then there's the solo session with plinky, where you use the machines. you use yung tension ng mga springs connected to the machine. ok talaga for strengthening and it really lengthens your muscles... total body workout talaga in one hour. it's PhP1000/session for a minimum of 15 sessions.

it's quite expensive nga pero i find it worth my money. and it's not boring cause unlike when you lift weights, you do less reps per exercise and then you move on na.

you can call orient day spa at 8134591.

(ok sa ad ah. they should pay me don't you think?
;) )

[Brandon96]

P1 000 a session? Nge ang mahal naman. Why can't we make stuff like quality workouts affordable to most people instead of keeping it the haunt of the few idle rich and the mostly health conscious yuppies?:)

Can't we come up with a sort of Pilates cooperative or what?

[ninna__]

mahal kasi yata ang equipment. and pati yung tuition para ma-certify ka sa states... takes a lot of hard work...

but hey, i agree with you... sana mas mura...

pero in the meantime, since kokonti sila, we have to put up

law of supply and demand dude...

[twixz]

Does anybody know where I can buy the Magic Circle or Big O here in the Philippines? How much?

http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server-smilies/kao/otn/kao3.gif

[Douglasmarcaida]

Why not order the books on Pilates or check more information on the net? it was created to rehab soldiers from world war 1 and it's focus is to elongate and strengthen muscles as opposed to lifting wiehgts which tighten muscles and make you succeptible to injuries. There are also videos out there that use elastic bands for the resistance when you do the stretching workouts. The machines are very unique but I guess if you want to save on money, do the mat work. I do Pilates and power (ashtanga) yoga, I do very little weights mostly high reps with light weights , This I find keeps me in good physical shape rather than pure aesthetics like lifting weights in the gym to bulk up and tighten my muscles.

[blakedaddy]

there are a lot of pilates books out there. Clark hatch, Gold's gym, the spa are but some gyms that offer pilates classes

[Brandon96]

Pilates is good, but I disagree with Douglas that weight training makes you prone to injuries. The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise have both determined that weight training makes one's bones stronger and the stronger, bigger muscle fibers function as a sort of "armor" for the bones. I believe if I were into weight training like my kali teacher was, my fracture of last year wouldn't have happened as I would be limber and faster.

Fitness First Gym offers some form of Pilates (mat version) as well as a curious oddity called Yogilates (blending Hatha yoga with Pilates).

[twixz]

Does anybody know where I can buy the Magic Circle or Big O here in the Philippines? How much?

blakedaddy: Where is Clark Hatch? Is the Pilates class in Gold's Gym open to non-members?

http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server-smilies/kao/otn/kao3.gif

[blakedaddy]

clark hatch is in hotel dusit in makati.

gold's gym classes are offered to members only as of now

[twixz]

blakedaddy: thanks for the info! :)

http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server-smilies/kao/otn/kao3.gif

[Bea19]

Pa post naman kung may alam kayong nag offer ng one on one na pilates or kahit class na din sa Alabang, Pque or Las Pinas. Puro makati lang kse alam ko e. thanks! ;)

[crybabymaki]

its a pilates exercise devised by mari winsor. i heard all the celebrities are doing it (kim catrall, daisy fuentes, halle barry, debra messing, madonna) so i bought the set of videos. ive been doing it for two weeks now and i like it. i can actually feel it working *okay*

anybody else here do palates aside from me???


:heart:

[spidervein]

hi! are you based in the US? i saw commercials for winsor pilates on tv when i was in the US, and even posted a thread asking about it in the lifestyle forum i think. where did you get your pilates tapes? what improvements have you noticed so far?

[crybabymaki]

question# 1: yes, i do live in the states :teehee:

question# 2: i got my tapes from a guthy-renker infomercial.

question# 3: ive barely been on the pilates excercise, so i cant really say any tangible improvements just yet. but its funny that at the end of the beginners tape, mari winsor says that "you should be feeling taller by now" and oddly enough, i do!!!

i definitely recommend the exercise. its pretty basic but challenging nonetheless :macho:


:heart:

[bluejeanbaby]

Is there a place that has cheap pilates classes within the Southern Part of Metro Manila (Makati to Alabang)?

[sophiegray]

does anybody know if there is pilates class in ortigas area, or somebody who can do home service (go to my house and teach). tnx

[^pusa^]

up ko lang yung thread. may alam pa ba kayo na nag ooffer ng pilates classes within makati area? thanks :D

[pacopaco]

try fitness first.. i just attended one by FHE yesterday... seems ok! cant wait for the mat pilates...

[stepehenyan@12]

hmmm mat ba? mukhang sa the block tinutukoy mo nasubukan ko na rin ng wala mat leche nagmumura na ko sa sarili ko sa sobrang sakit ng sahig. ngayon meron na matt kaso mas prefer ko yoga. pilates increase nya heart rate. ang kinaiinis ko lang sobrang lamig sa loob. mas maganda sa umaga kesa hapon dami babae siksikan kayo tuloy naamoy mo yung paa nasa harap mo.

[Bchemist]

I hate to break this to everyone, but here is the truth from the perspective of fitness professionals who have researched Pilates:

Both blakedaddy and myself have spoken to Pilates instructors who THEMSELVES consider Pilates to be a big SCAM and something to provoke a pseudo feeling of well-being for the unsophisticated general exercise population (about 95% of those who work out).

It doesn't make you "longer" or "taller".

If statements like this were true, then you'd have "slack" in your muscles which would give you a saggy effect unless you were flexing. Myth #1 debunked.

Pilates has been around for over 100 years. The originator of Pilates didn't invent or recommend the majority of Pilates movements that are being taught in Metro-Manila. In fact, Pilates is inferior (and more dangerous) in every way vs. strength training with barbells and dumbbells.

Most pilates instructors (one I know in fact) teaches pilates, but trains with free weights. His students ALL believe that he built his lean toned body doing Pilates, but he had it 5 YEARS from strength training before he decided to cash in on the Pilates craze. He said that most Pilates instructors are no different or are worse. At least he advocates more Yoga style movements and gives strength training programs to follow.

In other words, you are better off doing strength training with free weights and later doing some form of stretching like Yoga. Don't fall into the lies and misinformation that is the "Pilates Cult".

[stepehenyan@12]

yun nga ginagawa ko free weights and then yoga. flexibility talaga habol ko di ko naman gusto tumangkad. yun ba perception nila about pilates that will make them grow tall?! lagyan mo na lang star margarine sinaing mo para tumangkad ka hahaha joke! yun kasi sinasabi sa commercial.

[pacopaco]

haha..

pilates to make you taller? duh!

[Bchemist]

haha..

pilates to make you taller? duh!

Most people who rave about Pilates actually believe this...so "Duh" is right. And that is why Pilates is a "duh" form of exercise...ineffecient to say the least. There are many safer, faster, and much more effecient ways to achieve general fitness, strength, and balance. Pilates is a trendy fad with very slick marketing behind it.

[skibunny]

pilates to make you taller? duh!

I think when people say that pilates make you taller, they don't really mean that one increases in height.

Pilates supposedly strengthens your core which then encourages proper posture. A person with proper posture would look taller than the person (of the same height) who slouches.

By the way, pilates can be used for strength training.

[Bchemist]

I think when people say that pilates make you taller, they don't really mean that one increases in height.

Pilates supposedly strengthens your core which then encourages proper posture. A person with proper posture would look taller than the person (of the same height) who slouches.

By the way, pilates can be used for strength training.

The problem with pilates is that the "strength training" you gain is plateaued in a few weeks. What next? I am friends with a few Hollywood celebrity trainers. The celebrities do Pilates just to be "trendy", against their trainers recommendations/wishes. They build their bodies through strength training. Pilates is just to be "seen" and rub elbows with casting directors and their actor buddies. Those who take the classes go to do star-gazing.

Actual strength training strengthens your core. Again, pilates will cause a plateau within a few weeks that cannot be overcome.

Remember that fitness is not only my passion, but it is my profession. If I thought Pilates was useful and/or efficient, I'd recommend it just as I do other forms of exercise...yet I don't because it is marketing crap.

Strength training, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), and Yoga. That's all you need.

[skibunny]

^ You can avoid the plateau by increasing resistance or doing more advanced moves. There is a reason why there are different class levels...and it takes more than a few weeks to go from one level to the next. You are right, there are better (more efficient) forms of strength training out there but I won't discredit pilates as one of the good ones.

I know people who love and feel good doing it....and I think that's what's important. As for the star-gazing, I didn't even know that some people use that as an excuse to join the classes.....I don't live in Hollywood.

[ben cabigas]

I took up Pilates just fairly recently but I don't think it's a scam. Some of the points which are talked about here aren't even what Pilates is all about. Above everything else, it's about improving Core strength through a series of movements coupled with proper breathing techniques. If you feel that your training has reached a plateau, then it simply means you have to shift to more advanced movements.

I don't train in Manila since I'm based elsewhere but the trainers here seem to be incredibly legitimate. I'm thinking that Manila simply lacks a pool of good, certified Pilates instructors.

[sycamore]

pilates seems interesting after reading this thread. might as well drop by the bookstore to learm more about this ;)

[Bchemist]

I took up Pilates just fairly recently but I don't think it's a scam. Some of the points which are talked about here aren't even what Pilates is all about. Above everything else, it's about improving Core strength through a series of movements coupled with proper breathing techniques. If you feel that your training has reached a plateau, then it simply means you have to shift to more advanced movements.

I don't train in Manila since I'm based elsewhere but the trainers here seem to be incredibly legitimate. I'm thinking that Manila simply lacks a pool of good, certified Pilates instructors.

So what can Pilates do that Yoga plus 15 minutes of strength training cannot do faster and safer? Breathing and IAP I've witnessed during Pilates was dangerous to the participants. Exhaling while the core area of the body is under tension is why people get injured. Certification or no certification, some instructors are not teaching proper exercise protocol, and Pilates is no exception.

[ben cabigas]

So what can Pilates do that Yoga plus 15 minutes of strength training cannot do faster and safer? Breathing and IAP I've witnessed during Pilates was dangerous to the participants. Exhaling while the core area of the body is under tension is why people get injured. Certification or no certification, some instructors are not teaching proper exercise protocol, and Pilates is no exception.

Pilates is much more focused on one area (the Core) than yoga. Yoga is wholistic in its approach since it includes breathing, meditation, alignment, flexibility, strength, etc. In fact, all the yoga instructors here recommend a few sessions of pilates a week to complement your yoga practice because it trains the body to be more fluid and efficient in its movement, especially in relation to the Core, which includes the spine (which is a critical part of yoga practice).

Pilates isn't really all about just strength and strength training. Yes, muscles eventually become stronger and flexible and the body "becomes better toned and slimmer without superfluous bulk" but it is also a matter of the things that are gained when the Core is well-trained and aligned. It says in the website of the place where I practice: "You can tell a seasoned pilates practitioner apart by the way he or she moves: graceful, smooth, economic with a posture to die for"

Anyway...

I haven't been practicing pilates long enough to defend it. For all I know, it could also really be a scam.

One thing is for sure though, doing yoga and pilates has been much more interesting and fun than lifting weights.

[Bchemist]

Anyway...

I haven't been practicing pilates long enough to defend it. For all I know, it could also really be a scam.

One thing is for sure though, doing yoga and pilates has been much more interesting and fun than lifting weights.

Point #1: I'm glad you are thinking critically (instead of emotionally) and keeping an open mind to the alterative. Again, if I agreed with what was written, I'd be teaching Pilates myself. I know how, but I feel that I'd be wasting the time of my members when better (and effective) methods are available for maximum tone in minimum time.

Point #2: True, true, true. Very few local instructors know how to keep lifting weights productive and challenging (and result producing). I can guarantee you 3 weeks of strength training would produce both better posture and increased bone density....far superior to that of Pilates. I've never seen any studies that indicate that Pilates reverses osteoporosis like strength training will do.

[ben cabigas]

Point #2: True, true, true. Very few local instructors know how to keep lifting weights productive and challenging (and result producing). I can guarantee you 3 weeks of strength training would produce both better posture and increased bone density....far superior to that of Pilates. I've never seen any studies that indicate that Pilates reverses osteoporosis like strength training will do.

Yes. If you had bad experiences with pilates instructors, I had bad experiences with gym instructors (not so much, but still bad I guess). I used to lift weights too but I knew for a fact the instructor's program was a bit... uhh... so-so. Not very scientific nor efficient. I had to verify the information he gave me about lifting weights through other means to check if he was making sense or not. Haha.

Boxing was a way better workout than lifting weights.

[workin_gerl]

aside from fitness first in qc, does anyone know of any place teaching pilates in qc? thanks.

[starczamora]

I bought a set of Pilates-inspired workouts VCDs at Astroplus. So far, it's doing good.