FitSugar

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Circle Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

It is always fun to mix some accessories into a Pilates workout, and the magic circle is one of my favorite Pilates props. Marni Winsor (caution: The Winsor web site has automatic video/audio) has a 20 Minute Circle Workout DVD. This workout is short and to the point. Adding leg squeezes to ab work just seems to make the abs work more deeply. Plus it is nice to work lazy inner thighs! This DVD contains exercises that work all body parts, with an emphasis on the abs; it is Pilates after all.

In this DVD there are options for different levels of students. One of the three demonstrators does beginner versions of all the exercises. These variations would also work if you are dealing with a neck injury. One odd thing about the DVD is that the three demonstrators are all so well behaved, polished and choreographed there is an air of "finishing school" about the workout.

The DVD also includes a basic aerobic workout with Pilates lingo added into the mix. The aerobics or "Accelerated Fat Burning Workout" is fine, but I'll stick to Jamie King dance routines – thank you very much.

You can find the DVD on Amazon either used ($15) or new ($28). The DVD is available at the Winsor Pilates website but only in packages with other DVDs.

DVD Review: Hoopnotica - Hoopdance Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700

After seeing Marisa Tomei's outrageous hooping skills on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I was inspired to check out the level two Hoopnotica DVD, Hoopdance Workout ($20). Marisa made those sexy moves look so easy, and even though I'm no hooping master by any means, if she could learn them from this DVD, I thought I'd give it a shot.

This video begins with an eight-minute warmup of stretches using the hoop, and also includes some time to brush up on the skills you learned in the level one Hoopdance Basics DVD such as hip hooping, hooping in a circle, and corkscrews. Then it moves on to teaching you some new hoop skills that further challenge your upper body strength, coordination, balance, and creativity. I loved the instructor's detailed instructions on how to do moves such as the swoop, hand off corkscrews, chest hooping, and hooping in angles. At the end of each chapter, there is a troubleshooting section, to show you how to work through any problems you may be having. This DVD moves pretty quickly, so I found it helpful to pause after every move so I could practice.

I'm definitely not as smooth and sultry as Marisa or the instructor in the DVD, but trying out these new tricks made me feel like a kid. If you've never tried hooping, it really is a challenging and fun workout. You'll end up working muscles you don't normally work. Just make sure you're using an adult-sized weighted hoop.

To see a video clip of this level two Hoopnotica DVD, keep reading

Kim Kardashian Tones With a Toning Ring

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

We all have areas of our body that are weaker than others, and Kim Kardashian admits that just like a lot of us, "I don't have lots of upper body strength." Us Weekly says she's in the process of filming her own fitness video so she wants to tone up those arms. To do so, she's using a Toning Ring ($30). It's also called a magic circle, Pilates circle, or toning circle. She's hoping "to help build my muscle strength and tone my arms at the same time." There are a ton of resistance training exercises you can do using this flexible toning ring to not only target your upper body, but to also work your thighs, core, and glutes. It's a great tool to add to your home gym as a complement to your strength training routine.

Fit Tip: If you already have a ring and are looking for new exercises to learn, check out the Winsor Pilates 20 Minutes Circle Workout DVD ($15). It targets your entire body with an emphasis on toning your abs.

Source

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Back Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

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, the instructor is right 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. The Winsor Pilates DVDs are broken up into 20 minute targeted workouts, and The Back Workout is no exception. However, this DVD is different since it was created to alleviate back tightness and pain. Winsor even warns at the beginning of the workout that if you suffer from chronic back pain, you should consult with your physician first. This DVD is definitely meant to help folks with tight weak backs get stronger so they can take regular Pilates classes.

The series begins with stretches for hip and thigh muscles and a spine warm up. Classic Pilates exercises are taught in very modified variations that are perfect for beginners since they are accompanied by considerably more details than many of the workout videos by Winsor. However, if you are not dealing with a bad back, this is less of a workout and more like a warm up or cool down with gentle ab work. I feel following this DVD would be a great way to prepare for a long run, or help you chill out at the end of a long day. If you do have back problems this series could be very beneficial for you, but like Mari said, you should consult with your physician or physical therapist before trying the DVD.

The Back Workout DVD is included in the Best Value package (which also includes 8 DVDs, a sculpting circle, exercise planner and cookbook) on the Winsor Pilates website for $79.80. You can also find individual copies for as low as $7.50 on Amazon.

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Sometimes getting to the gym or a Pilates class is just impossible! It is those times that make us all thankful for DVD players. It can be almost as difficult to find a good exercise DVD, as it is to get to the gym. Well I am here to tell you, and so are my abs, that the Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting workout really packs a punch - in a good way.

The ab workout is about 20 minutes and includes all the classic Pilates abdominal exercises - like the 100s, single leg stretch and rolling like a ball. If you have never studied Pilates those names might be a little intriguing, and this DVD might not be the best place to learn the exercises so make sure to start with one of the beginner DVDs from Winsor included in the set with this one. You could also take a mat class or even better a Pilates private and the fundamentals of working your core and deep abs can be clarified for you. There are a few modifications offered in the DVD but not for every exercise.

On the other hand, if you have studied Pilates this is a great video leading you through the classic repertory without getting bogged down with too many of those fundamental details that can make exercising with a DVD frustrating. The pace is quick which is great, and this way you do quite a few different exercises in a short 20 minute workout. In fact one of my favorite elements of the routine is changing the tempo or pace of some of the exercises - starting with 10 slow repetitions followed by 10 or 20 quick reps. This would be a great routine to do 3 to 4 times a week.

The Ab Sculpting DVD is sold in a package with other Winsor Pilates DVDs. You can buy the package from Winsor Pilates directly for $59.80. The package includes 6 DVDs, and an exercise planner and a Sculpting Circle (similar to the Magic Circle).

Venus Williams Is in Shape

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

2008 Wimbledon champ, Venus Williams turned pro at age 14. She won her first grand slam title at 20. Now at 28, she is still winning and she shared some of her secrets of success with Shape and here are some highlights.

On Motivation: As far as motivation goes, Venus tells us who has inspired her the most. It's Serena, no question. "Without her, I couldn't have achieved anything. She's helped me believe in myself." Serena loves to give Venus little sayings to remember, such as, 'If you take your opportunities, more opportunities will come.' "That got me through one final at Wimbledon," recalls Venus. "It was a ridiculously difficult match and I was behind until the last three minutes. I kept saying that line over and over in my head: 'If I take the opportunities on the court, more will come.' I was also thinking, 'I want to be like Serena; I want to win like Serena.' And I did."

To see what Venus thinks is the key to confidence, read more.

On Practice: She recommends you practice and practice more! It’s the key to confidence, says Venus. “You have to practice to develop your talents - and learn to enjoy putting the effort in,” she explains. She doesn’t just practice on the court; her gym routine keeps her in the winner’s circle.
On Her Core: Her success on the court is not just her power serve, but a well conditioned core. "I dedicate one entire workout each week to it, but I also challenge it during other exercises – it's where so much of my power comes from."

Source

Move It At Home: Winsor Pilates Bun & Thigh Sculpting

FitSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

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.