| Pilates is an excellent way to trim down your body | | | | toimprove your body tone. |
| and strengthen core muscleswithout bulking up. This | | | | If you don't have much space, select the Pilates IQ |
| style of exercise will teach you how to control | | | | Reformer. It shortens foreasy storage in a closet or |
| yourbody's movements and increase your flexibility | | | | under a bed. Specific videos made for this type |
| and grace. This is the secret tomany top model's and | | | | ofmachine encourage consistent workouts that will |
| celebrity's beautiful physique. | | | | help you lose weight andincrease muscle tone. |
| This is one of the best ways to get a workout since | | | | The Allegro Reformer is great if several people in |
| it allows you to exercise athome whenever you have | | | | your family are planning touse Pilates as their |
| the time. It is recommended that you do it at least | | | | workout since it can adjust to accommodate various |
| threetimes a week. With no commuting to the gym, | | | | heights. |
| your time will be your own. | | | | It comes with a free DVD to show you how to use |
| There are two general types of Pilates: one requires | | | | the machine, plus a workout. |
| equipment, the other onlyrequires a mat. Previously, | | | | The highest quality Pilates equipment for home use is |
| equipment was too bulky for people to bring | | | | the Studio Reformer - itcan even match the furniture! |
| home,but now companies have begun to fill the | | | | It is for professionals or consumers who have |
| market niche for home workoutequipment. DVDs | | | | thebudget for luxury. Choose between cherry, |
| have been made to give you different choices for | | | | walnut, or mahogany, and upholsterycolors in 88 |
| workouts,either on a mat or with the special | | | | different shades. |
| equipment. | | | | Smaller (and cheaper!) pieces of equipment include |
| Before buying a DVD and starting the workout, it is | | | | circles or rings whichimprove balance and flexibility. |
| recommended that you take acouple of Pilates | | | | Two popular brand names are the Ultra Fit |
| classes at your local recreation center. This allows | | | | Circle and Flex Ring Toner. They are made of flexible |
| yourtechnique to be corrected to prevent injuries | | | | plastic with two paddedhandles on the inside and |
| later on. | | | | outside to allow for resistance as you stretch |
| DVDs and videos are made from beginner to | | | | variousmuscles. |
| advanced levels, and you will be ableto do most of | | | | Foam rollers, mats, fit balls, balance boards, rotator |
| the offered workouts in a small space. Consider | | | | discs, exercise bands,and reformer foot plates or |
| purchasing small,inexpensive rings and rollers that | | | | jumper boards, make up the rest of the equipment |
| allow for variations in the routine andensure it doesn't | | | | youcan purchase at minimal expense. Only the mat |
| get boring. | | | | and a DVD or video are necessaryfor Pilates, but the |
| Reformers are a popular Pilates workout machine as | | | | other equipment can improve your workout and |
| they assist in the workout,or add resistance when | | | | make it moreinteresting. |
| necessary. They use a series of springs and ropes | | | | |