Winsor Pilates

Hi guys,

I received the entire Winsor Pilates DVD set as a present recently and having not done Pilates before I was wondering if it was any good. Is anybody here a fan of Pilates (Winsor Pilates in particular)? If so, how often do you do it and what kind of effects can you expect (i.e. toning)?

Many thanks

Windsor Pilates was my first introduction to this sensible toning method too.  In a matter of 3 months, my body went from mush to near perfection.  I didn't have much weight to lose, so I think that helped with the drastic results.  I was diligent about doing the tapes every morning.  Most times I'd do the full length one, but many times in a given week, I'd have to do the 20 minute one due to time.  The better I got at it, the more I wanted.  It does take some time to master all these wacky moves, but honestly, try each day....even if  you don't do it right...keep trying.  You'll get it soon.  It was a great sense of accomplishment for me, and I felt incredible.  They really do work.  The only downside to Mari Windsor are her cheesy comments and the delay from one move to the next.  Joseph Pilate actually designed a very brisk, flowing exercise routine that didn't have pauses or gaps between each move.  When you get to the advanced level of mat pilates, check out the Pilates Institute's video library.  That will rock your world....and your body.  Have fun with it.  But do give it a full 3 months before assessing the efficacy....it's almost a guaranteed strenthening and toning.  And remember, 20 minutes a day isn't much to ask for. 

I have the set - and have done it many times. I started doing it several times a week and felt like either I was doing it totally wrong or I was so out of shape nothing would make a dent. I never felt anything - no muscle soreness - no muscle anything. The 20-minute program is super easy to do in that it goes by very fast - her comments are really cheesy - but I just never felt as though I was doing it 'right' enough to make a difference compared to other classes I've taken where I did feel it right away.

Not sure what I was doing wrong - probably too impatient!

If you have the same set as me, it came with 3 DVDs and a blue resistance band, right? I agree with the above comments - I didn't like the drag between each move.  It could be challenging, but I really wanted to keep going.  I really love the resistance band though becausen it's easy to take anywhere and you can adjust your exercise to be hard or easy and it can work so many muscles.  I did the DVDs for a bit, but after a while the pausing got annoying.  Now I just use the resisitance band on my own and do the moves I felt worked best for me while watching other TV.  The moves they have are good, I just didn't like it as a whole routine because it moved too slow.  Any other questions, PM me!

I have the set that has the circle you put between your thighs or use with your arms. But I agree - the pausing can be a drag!

I personally couldn't stand Mari Winsor, so I just learned the moves and started doing them on my own. That way I can vary the moves and the intensity. I think I still have too much body fat to physically see a difference, but I definitely feel a difference. But keep in mind that pilates is for toning and stretching, not for losing weight (cardio is best for that).

I'm bumping this post up just because I don't feel like starting a new thread about it

but I did pilates religiously about 2 years ago.. i did the 50 minute DVD every day, didn't really change my eating habits and wasn't doing much cardio other than maybe 2 hours on the ice per week... in about 3 months after i started doing them i had a VERY flat stomach, it was amazing.. then i just let it go.. and was back to where i started from plus a few more pounds

 

what i found really helpful was to get familiar with the 20 minute workout and the moves.. then move on to the 50 minute and do that as much as possible...

 i recently started doing them again and now i'm eating healthy and doing cardio with them haven't seen the results yet but i'm sure that they'll come even sooner than last time. 

i agree with everyone that her voice is just so annoying.. so now i just mute the sound, play my own music and follow the DVD and keep the flow up.. i don't stop when they do.

 it's a really great program. relaxing and it makes you feel great!

good luck. 

I agree.Winsor Pilates is a staple for me.  I do a 20 minute video every morning (alternating between Bun & Thigh and Abs.  I have all of them.. originals, band and circle)Since I exercise in the morning, I can't just jump out of bed and start jumping around, so the pilates is enough to warm me up and yet gentle enough to do right out of bed.It can be very challenging if you make it.  Take pride in your form and practice until you can get it down perfectly!I, too, noticed a big change in my body when i first started.  It really helped to reshape my athletic frame.
I would like to try another pilates dvd, but i like these so much i just haven't tried any others yet.and, after all this time, i still find holding some of the moves a challenge.
for the person who said they didn't 'feel' it, they couldn't be doing it right.  if you focus on your moves, you WILL feel it!keep us posted!