FitSugar

Guess Which Celebrity Mom-to-Be Is Headed to Pilates?

Michele Foley — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:41:15 PDT

Can you guess which celebrity hid her baby bump on the way to Pilates?

Guess Which Celeb Is Leaving Pilates?

Michele Foley — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 04:41:09 PDT

Can you guess which celeb was leaving Winsor Pilates?

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Circle Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:00:00 PST

It is always fun to mix some accessories into a Pilates workout, and the magic circle is one of my favorite Pilates props. Mari 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.

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Back Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PDT

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 Bun & Thigh Sculpting

FitSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 11:00:00 PDT

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.

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 10:15:00 PDT

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).

Miley Cyrus Goes Pantless in a White Hot Blazer at Billboard Awards

Lauren Turner — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:07:29 PDT

Miley Cyrus hit the white carpet at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas this evening. Miley wore a sexy white Jean Paul Gaultier blazer with gold jewelry for the event at the MGM Grand Hotel. Miley's been keeping her look a little more casual lately and has been busy with her Winsor Pilates routine and her new puppy, Happy. Tonight's show is hosted by Modern Family's Julie Bowen and will feature performances by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, and more. Stay tuned for more coverage from the event!

Miley Cyrus Debuts Different Locks Ahead of Her Opening Weekend

Lauren Turner — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:33:45 PDT

Miley Cyrus threw on a Harley Davidson shirt as she left a Winsor Pilates class in LA yesterday. Miley showed off a new hairstyle after stopping by a salon with her dog Happy for a cut and color with stylist Glenn Nutley earlier in the day. Miley is gearing up for the release of LOL, which will be in limited US theaters tomorrow. Her boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth, is coming off his own movie success with The Hunger Games. The film is nominated for an MTV Movie Award and Liam is also up for breakthrough performance. The show airs in June, kicking off a busy few months for Liam, who also has The Expendables 2 coming out in August.

Miley Cyrus Sticks to a Smart Workout Routine

Katie Henry — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 09:55:13 PDT

Miley Cyrus left Winsor Pilates in LA yesterday following a workout. She carried a bottle of SmartWater and headed to her car in a tiny, tight dress. Miley flashed her abs earlier in the week showing off the results of all her labor in the gym. She's keeping up with her fit boyfriend Liam Hemsworth, who also showed off his sexy muscles in his box office smash The Hunger Games. Miley and Liam share a love for fitness and recently took a romantic walk with one of her pups, Floyd.

Miley Cyrus Preps For a Party as Liam Hemsworth Pampers His Pup

Katie Henry — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:39:14 PDT

Miley Cyrus left Winsor Pilates in West Hollywood yesterday, then hopped into her Mercedes. Across town her boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth, stocked up on dog food and picked up a cozy bed for a lucky pet. Miley surprised Liam with a dog, Ziggy, on his birthday earlier this year. Ziggy seems to fit right in with her pups, Lila and Floyd. Floyd, Miley's miniature Husky, turns 1 next week, and she's already tweeting her excitement about the major milestone. Their canine companions accompany Miley and Liam on walks around her LA neighborhood.

Liam and his box-office smash The Hunger Games will have some competition at the box office this weekend when Miley's comedy LOL debuts in limited release. The pair are also competing in the 2012 PopSugar 100, so be sure to vote for your favorite stars and enter for a chance to win $2,500!