Yoga Health and Fitness Notes

There is no question that a Pilates workout is one of the most effective low-impact exercise programs in existence.

Minor Muscle Groups

While aerobic exercise and traditional weight lifting exercises all the major muscle groups, Pilates workouts the smaller muscles that support the large ones. By moving your body with a very tiny, centered reach of motion using Pilates equipment as basic as a mat, your Pilates instructor will take you through a course of movements that will leave your muscles feeling good and sore for a day or two after.

A mat is the starting piece of equipment your Pilates studio should be furnished with. Using the mat, you can do a dozen or so awesome Pilates movements that will keep your muscles taut and shapely.

The Reformer - The Body Aligner

Joe Pilates designed the first Pilates Reformer. Pilates fans enjoy this Pilates equipment because it “reforms” or corrects, the body’s alignment. The Reformer is a reason Pilates exercisers swear by the long, lean look and feel that Pilates provides them. The Reformer combines a strength training workout that builds muscle mass, with a cardio workout, which is great for weight loss.

Pilates DVDs

One different way to make sure you get a total workout is to use a novel piece of Pilates equipment — an exercise DVD. Let a professional Pilates instructor, like Denise Austin, Ana Caban, Maggie Rhoades or Gaiam lead you through a world class workout that will leave you feeling lean and stretched tall. A DVD is a great starting point, if you are a beginner to Pilates and don’t have any fancy Pilates equipment. DVDs range in complexity from beginning mat workouts and workouts for people that are not flexible to Reformer advanced workouts that combine yoga and Pilates to give you the added benefits of both disciplines.

Stott Pilates Toning Ball

If you enjoy Stott Pilates, get a super powered workout with a toning ball that is weighted. Add to the intensity of your workout and feel your core turn into a toned mass of hard muscle. The Stott Pilates Toning Ball DVD includes an amazing 88 minute video. If you can get through this video, you will achieve maximum toning results in a minimal amount of time.

Spine Corrector Barrel For Pilates Equipment

If you have room for this item in you home Pilates studio, you will be astonished at the way it makes you feel. People with back problems will like the spine corrector barrel because it lifts out and stretches the individual vertebrae of the spine.

Now you should see that there are many different choices of Pilates Equipment for your household use. Find the right equipment for your available space and you will be on your way to a long, lean toned body.

Tags: yoga poses, yoga