So, last night I managed to leave work at five, and Torsten was cooking dinner, so I had a window of time to finally try out the Pilates DVD that I got from Netflix I don't even want to remember how long ago, on Swistle's recommendation. I got a different one from the same series that Swistle used--a cardio/Pilates blend. It was 25 minutes of what was basically an at-home aerobics class, followed by 15 minutes of Pilates, which I had never done before.
The cardio I was okay with, and will definitely get better at with time, and it was definitely a good workout--I was flushed and sweating at the end of the 25 minutes, and my heart rate had definitely increased. That's why I was relieved when the Pilates part started--I thought it would be more relaxing, sort of like the cool-down period in the step aerobics class I used to do.
Ha. I was wrong. It turns out? That Pilates is all about the "powerhouse"--basically, your abs. And what little musculature I have? Is in my legs. Who knew? Let's just say I DIDN'T.
Which is not to say that the video sucked. It was good. I definitely could not do all of the exercises, but like Swistle, I suspect that I'll be able to if I keep using the video regularly. The instructor was nice and not annoying, and it was only a little bit depressing to see all the toned women in bikini tops following along with her.
Know what position I suck at? The Plank. Remarkably, I don't suck at the Reverse Plank (minus the strap you see at the link). When she first did it on the screen, I actually thought that I would never even get myself into that position. But I did, and I HELD IT. It was amazing.
Know what else sucks? Trying to follow along to an exercise video that you're watching on a projector. You have to make the screen tiny and aim it to one side, and then make sure to stand on the other side, because otherwise you'll block the screen. Definitely an argument for owning a normal TV.
Anyway, I'm not going to make rash promises about sticking with this DVD on a regular basis, but I don't think I'll send it back to Netflix just yet. Maybe I'll even manage to get myself to do it again later this week. Once my muscles stop aching, that is.
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ReplyDeleteI remember I thought Pilates would be "relaxing" too. Um. Negatory.
Planks are HARD man. One time I went to a "core" class at the gym, and we were doing all these planks, and then for the next week no one was allowed to touch or come anywhere NEAR my Core due to the pain.
The plank sucks big time no matter how toned your abs are.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you're motivated enough to do the videos at home. I get distracted doing workout videos and usually stop them early to, you know, go eat or something.
LOL The plank is damn hard :p I haven't done pilates- just lots and lots of Yoga (although not recently- thus the flab) and the plank as well as the leg lifts were always the hardest. Hearing you doing this stuff really makes me want to start yoga again though. Maybe :p
ReplyDeletetres impressed m'lady.
ReplyDeletei keep wanting to try pilates because of my dance background...but somehow working on my puzzle with a glass of red wine is so much more enticing....
:)
oh man, after i did that yoga DVD i was sore for days. i should do it again, come to think of it. I'm so lame. Major issue of 2008 - stay committed!!
ReplyDeletePlanks totally suck ass. But I do love Pilates. Once you do it a few times, I think you'll grow to really enjoy it. At least I did. I feel so much more powerful after I do it. The ab strength will come in time. I'm so proud of your motivation!
ReplyDeleteBut it looks so simple in the picture. :)
ReplyDeletePilates are hard, man. I remember thinking it would be more like yoga and i was WRONG. WRONG!!
Good for you for keeping at it.
Pilates scares the hell out of me. I don't know what it is - I can do an intense hour of a hardcore cardio kickboxing class but I don't even want to go NEAR the pilates class.
ReplyDeleteProps to you for trying!
Pilates is a killer. It lulls you into a false sense sense of security, what with its lack of cardio-ness, but dear god, it's torture in a good way.
ReplyDeletei have yet to try pilates, but it sounds hard!
ReplyDeleteooooh yeah pilates. i think even super-buff people get their asses handed to them with pilates. my sister was a professional classical ballet dancer in hs, and fractured her spine (!!) from all the pressure/stress of that much dancing, and they basically prescribed her pilates to strengthen the muscles around the fractures so she could heal up. by the end of the summer she had an 8-pack.
ReplyDeleteI did Pilates the whole year leading up to my wedding and it got me so nicely toned. Then we moved and I didn't do it again for about a year and when I finally took another class I could barely make it through it! It is a hard workout!
ReplyDeleteThe plank is a freaking killer. I have a Pilates VHS tape (that's how long ago I bought AND used it) that I used to get back into shape after my second was born (along with walking and running). The tape was fairly easy up until the plank. I just could not hold the damn thing very long without a lot of yelling and cussing. Therefore, I still to this day, do not know what happens on the tape AFTER the plank.
ReplyDeleteI was SO SORE every time I did that Pilates thing! The one move I couldn't do was one with a wildly misleading name, something about heaven. Little slice of heaven? Something like that. LITTLE SLICE OF HELL, MORE LIKE.
ReplyDeleteOh my- pilates. First time I tried it ended in tears (as you may have read recently on my blog). But I am totally into it now. I wonder if it is possible to have long-distance pilates workout partners for motivation? Because I keep trying to get John to do it with me and he is so not interested.
ReplyDeleteI love Pilates but even when I do it regularly I can't do the plank. My bum shoulder is never strong enough. Good for you for being so motivated. Keep it up and you will be breezing through the plank in not time.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear reviews on exercise DVDs!
ReplyDeletePilates is hard fo reals. (perpare yourself for captain obvious) The more you do it the better you get - but the funny thing I've found is that my muscle memory is sooo strong with pilates. I did it a ton for a while and then got wildly out of shape. I put a DVD in a few months back expecting to be able to complete about 20% of the exercises and found that while they were harder on me than when I was doing it all the time, my body remembered how to get into and maintain almost all of the positions. ramble ramble ramble. ahem.
Flibberty--I'm still waiting for the "good way" to start kicking in.
ReplyDeletePseudostoops--I am ALL ABOUT the long distance workout partners. EVERYONE should join me!
Banana--That's true for aerobics too! I used to do step aerobics in high school and a lot of the moves in the cardio part of this video were the same. It made it a lot easier.
I've always intended to try pilates but never got around to it. I'll live it through you. :)
ReplyDeleteI took Pilates when I was in college for one of my PE classes...I can tell you that you're definitely not alone in it being really hard. I used to run half marathons and this class kicked my ass. It does get much better though, and once we got into the actual Pilates part of the class (past just fundamentals) I saw results in two weeks. Keep up the awesome work though!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I love that in addition to the workout, Pilates gives you great posture.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I may have to look into this Pilates thing.
ReplyDelete(Just to support you long-distance of course, because my abs are rockin'.)
Ha.
So you are living up to your resolution, isn't that wonderful. Don't over stretch yourself though. I find exercise videos very boring. Dance videos are more fun and you burn calories doing what you love to do. Dancing and kick boxing are the only two-forms of ass moving routine I can stick to.
ReplyDeleteand yes a "normal" TV might be a good idea...:)
Weird. I have few qualms with plank, but I hate, hate, HATE reverse plank. Funny how everyone's got their own workout nemesis...
ReplyDeleteHey Jess - I see you commenting on a bunch of blogs I also frequent, so I decided it's high time to check yours out. If you're doing it right, Pilates is really tough. Good for you for sticking with it for your first 15 minutes (of fame?!). Never knew you could rent workout videos from Netflix - sounds like a great idea for when I go on vacation and no longer have access to my gym!
ReplyDeleteI really like pilates... or at least the kind that I've tried. I have the winsor pilates and I stick to the 20-minute workout because I'm lazy and I get bored.
ReplyDeleteDepending on what Netflix plan you have, you should be able to stream stuff every month. I have the 4 at at time plan so I can stream 17 hours of "instant watch" videos per month.
They have TWENTY different pilates (and I'm sure hundreds of other workout videos) that you can stream right at your computer, as long as you have high-speed, that is. And that way you don't have to keep it at home and you can keep getting movies.
Good luck with finding one you like!
Oh Pilates! Suck! I have quite possible the weakest stomach ever and can't do any core stuff.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks for the help with Blogger! I added my blogroll! :)
pilates ahhh i love them, but they are killers. esp the advanced workout - mari windsor style!! i have the vhs...hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI love how everyone is submitting to Tessie's demands to tell health kick stories - she's an evil mastermind, heehe!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure you'll do great, once your poor muscles stop aching. PS: I loathe pilates. You're a brave woman.
Mmmmkay...I wanted to try Pilates but after reading your post and the majority of these comments I might chicken out. Does it get any better after a while???
ReplyDeletePilates? Pilates are hard. I remember being SHOCKED the first time I attended a Pilates class, right after a cardio-kick boxing class.
ReplyDeleteI almost died, probably.
In all seriousness, pilates and yoga alike can be hard as sh*t. What I loved about them, when I was still exercising regularly, was the very obvious change in my body. That, and after a week or so you'll be doing moves you couldn't before and THAT is the best feeling alive.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for not giving up on that DVD. It'll ease with time. Honestly.
I suck at the plank as well.
ReplyDelete