Health And Fitness - Pilates (The Pilates Method Stretches, Straightens And Tones Up The Whole Body) DVD Reviews

Why this is not more widely knows surprises me greatly - quite simply put, it is the best form of exercise there is; it not only tones your body, it makes you walk taller and hold yourself better ie. improves posture.

YOU CAN ALSO LOSE WEIGHT IF you modify your diet a little!!

I had had a bad back for about thirty years and am not into taking tablets so there was very little I could do about it, I thought. I always had the feeling that I needed to stretch my back but did not know how to do it efficiently without making it worse.

Then I saw the Pilates machine on QVC and my daughter and I decided to buy it between us. Are we glad we did? WE CERTAINLY ARE! I no longer have back pain and I have got rid of an unsightly bulge around my middle and my arms, back and back-side are toned and firm.

The recommendation is that you do the 20 minute exercise, following the Video (DVD) THREE times a week only - believe me THIS DOES WORK! The machine has three resistance cords ( two black and one red, which is a power cord for stronger resistance) which can be easily taken off or added, as required for more or less resistance.

The actual use of the machine is VERY easy - by following the step-by-step videos (I think they are probably on DVD now as well) you are GENTLY brought into the Pilates exercises. Breathing correctly is part of the programme and explained also in the videos. (DVD's)

There are NO jerky, violent types of movements at all and the routine is SO easy and VERY enjoyable - there are rowing movements, leg and backstretching, bicep and tricep exercises, achilles tendon, etc., etc. It actually covers the whole body, which is the concept that Joseph Pilates first thought out in the 1920's.

After mastering the elementary exercises and becoming stronger you can then go onto the second video (DVD). You can also buy seperately a third viodeo (DVD) which deals with more advanced movement.

All of the exercises start with a 'warming up' and end with a 'cooling down' exercise, which is the correct way to ensure you are not left with aches and pains afterwards.

After you have used this machine, you feel infinitely better and even after the FIRST time you seem to walk taller.

THE CARDIOBOARD CAN BE PURCHASED TOGETHER WITH THE MACHINE FROM QVC, INCLUDING A DVD, BUT I PURCHASED IT SEPARATELY AFTER THE MACHINE. Mine has two adaptors that fit into the holes (where the exercise bar normally goes) to make the Cardioboard fit.

It's GREAT - makes you feel like you are 'flying' - after a while, I think it could become addictive - it's that good. It brings your body quickly into 'Aerobic' mode, ie. FAT-BURNING. Is it worth it, YES, it most certainly is!!!!

The machine IS a little weighty - it has to be to be stable and allow the movment needed, BUT, it does fold in half and has wheels for ease of movement and can be stored upright or under a bed for instance.

The initial monetary outlay (about £220 for the machine and two videos (DVD's) [ this is subjective as QVC does a lot of Special Offers, so it's well worth looking there, either on TV or at qvcuk.com] and about £80 for Cardioboard with a DVD) seems, on first sight quite a lot BUT, BELIEVE ME, IT IS WELL WORTH IT.

IT BEATS PAYING FOR A GYM SUBSCRIPTION BY A MILE, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN THOSE TERMS AND YOU HAVE THE ADDED BENFIT OF IT ALWAYS BEING ON HAND - ALSO THERE IS NO CHANCE OF INJURING YOURSELF WHILST DOING THE RECOMMENDED EXERCISES!

You can buy replacement cords - I haven't had to yet and have had it for two and a half years with two people using it at least three times a week