I am going to say this on record - nothing beats going to an actual Pilates mat class. An hour long class works every bit of your body, while stretching and lengthening you as well. Plus there is an instructor there providing feedback and giving corrections, as well as discussing the subtleties of the Pilates method.
Now if you can't make it to a class, there are DVDs, but good Pilates DVDs are hard to find. If you are a Pilates regular and are familiar with the side lying mat series, then Winsor Pilates Bun & Thigh Sculpting DVD will be a great lower body workout for you. It runs a little over 20 minutes and targets the glutes, hamstrings and inner thighs. All the classic moves, from a traditional style Pilates mat class, are included. However, there is not a lot of instruction, which is great if you have done Pilates before, but I wouldn't recommend this DVD to a complete novice. Also included are exercises that work the back of the legs while lying on the stomach, or in a prone position if you want to get more technical.
I enjoyed the quick pace of the videos and appreciated not being bogged down by instructional interruptions, but as an instructor I do wish there was a little more specificity in the instructions given.
The Bun & Thigh DVD is included in the Targeted Training package (which also includes 6 DVDs, a sculpting circle, exercise planner and cookbook) on the Winsor Pilates website for $59.80. You can also find individual copies from Amazon for around $13.




Taschen
Lyie Van Rycke
Alexander Wang
I'm not sure if this is a myth, but I've heard that doing pilates will help you gain about 1 inch in height by slightly increasing the space between each vertabra. Does anyone know if this is true?
1I should've said between vertabrae, not between each vertabra. I didn't mean to infer that pilates makes your bones themselves grow.
2I just wanted to say that I highly recommend this dvd along with the ab dvd. I've been doing these for four years alternating with cardio and love them. My best friend did these one summer (alternating with weights) when she adopted a healthy diet and she lost significant weight. I've never been to a real pilates class and neither has she, but we both saw results.
Mollipop, I'm not sure about your vertabra question but I did become more conscious of my posture. The strength I gained in my lower back alleviated the pain of good posture.
3Hey Teenymeany, thanks for your answer
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4ooooh!!! i take pilates from pilatessugar otherwise i'd be all over this.
5This is a FANTASTIC dvd! Definitely the best lower body workout under 30 minutes!
6love windsor pilates, even though the instructor is a little annoying
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