I'm not very strong and in horrible shape. I found the Winsor Pilates WAY too hard. Is there something more geared to beginners?? Not a tape to necessarily burn fat, because I do another tape for that, but something to tone?

A lot of modern pilates tapes horrify me I must admit... ever since it became adopted as another kind of fad exercise, it seems to have travelled a long (and badly directed) way from its contemporary dance style roots.

I use a really lovely tape called Pilates: System 21 which was made using some Rambert dancers before the celebs started jumping on the bandwagon. Its a nice, soothing, relaxing routine which I personally found yields superb results... and with far more concern for posture, technique, and overall safety than I've seen on the more modern counterparts. Forgive me, I'm an ex dancer; these things matter to me!

Originally meant as a warm-up to a dance class, you can use it on its own for now, then as a precursor to exercise as and when you feel ready.

Hope that helps.

PS: If you did try to get that one, it would help you to know (because the instructor assumes you're used to dance classes!) that just about every exercise is done to a silent count of eight, with a couple of exceptions (you'll quickly figure out which!) to a count of six.

Once you learn the moves and have them in your "body memory" (as opposed to just your head!), its so easy to follow its almost like a meditation in motion.

I dont know how Winsor Pilates compares, but I have done Ana Caban beginners and advanced pilates and I found hers quite good.. very basic.

cheers,
j

For me, Pilates for Dummies was a good home workout to introduce me to a routine after I tasted of the lotus in a Pilates class. It's pretty quick between exercises, but not so quick that you can't follow it.

Best of luck!

Today I tried Pilates for weight lost by GAIAM. I know that I am out of shape, but I could do very few of the exercieses (beginner level). I am very upset with myself!!! I had trouble following it. My son (5) had a great time with it and was showing me how to do it.

I am not going to give up on it yet. Tommarrow is another day!!!!

I just received my winsor pilates and I haven't tried it yet either.... I am wayyy out of shape... is it really that difficult?

It's not hideously difficult, but you might want to start gradually. I started by just doing the workout on the Step by Step Basics tape for a few weeks before moving on to the Twenty Minute Workout. I've done that for about 4 months and I just tried the Accelerated Body Sculpting workout. There are several exercises on that tape I may never be flexible enough to do, but I try.

I don't know about the other Pilates tapes, but on the Winsor tapes there is one person demonstrating how to modify the basic exercise if you have a "delicate" back or neck. I used several of the modified exercises until I felt strong enough to do them the regular way. And I was not in terrific shape when I started, especially in the stomach, which was weak and very flabby. The results didn't take long to appear, which was great for me because I like that instant gratification thing.

Karla

My advice with the winsor pilates is to keep at it. I purchased pilates for dummies several months ago. I tried it once, thought it was too hard and gave up on it. I recently tried it again, and I was amazed at how fast I improved. There are still a couple of positions that are hard for me, but I can do most of the tape with no problem. I just purchased winsor pilates, which uses basically the same moves as pilates for dummies. Just keep at it. It does get easier the more you do it.

you need to watch it first before triing it. I kept straining my neck to follow it.

Good Luck - let me know what you think.

Fishburg, I've not tried the pilates one, but I did have big trouble with Gaiam's yoga tapes! If a trained dancer has trouble keeping up with a beginner's yoga tape, you've got to wonder what they're doing wrong in their presentation!

Definitely shouldn't be upset with yourself on that one!