[Misc] Anyone tried Pilates?

[Grizz]

Regular Yoga do'er here for the last 4 years and it has really sorted out all the back problems I was having. My issues were due to a sedentary job and tension and I did a class for a couple of years, but they got too advanced for me, which was cool, but I just started doing my own routine at home. Doesn't have to be everyday, I maybe do an hour routine twice a week now and then just a ten minute stretch and back twist routine the days in between. Pilates is along the same lines, either or will help you out.

 

[South Stand Bonfire]

Strangely enough when the kids were younger i did a weight management program and Yoga on the Wii (fit) with the balance board i have to say YOGA was very good and helped my back a lot. I went from Phoenix fatty to phoenix Flatley very good indeed.

I did the Pilates programme using the wiifit and balance board a few years ago. Only problem was I had to keep turning myself to look up at the telly to see what I was supposed to be doing all the time, which kind of defeated the object for me.

 

[zefarelly]

I used to do a lot of heavy lifting and suffered from a sore back. . .pilates is brilliant, for core strength and posture. Even, dare I say it, helps one manage any over indulgence paunch, which has been known to affect those of us with an over active thirst Gland!

 

[chickens]

Thank you all so much for the responses, I had (just between us) put on the tin hat and ducked below the parapet after posting this one, but the number of people who’ve clearly been helped by it has given me confidence.

I’m going to try and find someone local who can give me a few one to one sessions to start with, as if I start wrong, I find it really difficult to retrain myself.

After that, either YouTube videos or remote sessions will probably work fine for me. Thanks all!

 

[raymondo]

Strangely enough when the kids were younger i did a weight management program and Yoga on the Wii (fit) with the balance board i have to say YOGA was very good and helped my back a lot. I went from Phoenix fatty to phoenix Flatley very good indeed.

How's the Irish dancing coming along?

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

My wife has done Pilates for years. About 5 or 6 years ago I was feeling particularly inflexible (I’m 70now.) and she discovered the husband of one of her other customers wanted to start as well, so we did a 2:1. I didn’t know him, but it went well. Ended up going with Mrs DiS for 2:1 and it worked well. Started with mat Pilates and moved on to reformer (machines).
teacher moved a couple of years ago….. to about 10 miles from John O’Groats and we really miss it. Need to find another teacher. So yes, it does make a difference.

 

[Weststander]

Regular Yoga do'er here for the last 4 years and it has really sorted out all the back problems I was having. My issues were due to a sedentary job and tension and I did a class for a couple of years, but they got too advanced for me, which was cool, but I just started doing my own routine at home. Doesn't have to be everyday, I maybe do an hour routine twice a week now and then just a ten minute stretch and back twist routine the days in between. Pilates is along the same lines, either or will help you out.

I’m a fairly regular yoga go’er, both classes and I dabble in the same routines at home. Having a desk job for decades, my back and neck inevitably stiffens, sometimes with pain. Yoga’s a game-changer. I’ve haven’t had back pain in years and feel a different person after a class. It gets all the joints working and over time breathing improves.

Most classes just get on with the physical aspects, meditation/relaxing an optional short period at the end.

Everyone should give it a go.

 

[Grizz]

Aye the only back pain I get are tension headaches now, the mechanics of my back are great. I'll be honest, I don't get all the spiritual side of things, it does nothing for me. I even tried mindfulness three times and just didn't get it. Yoga just chills me, feel good about doing it and I agree, everyone should give it a go.

 

[king Wombat]

Do it twice a week. It's great for mobility and flexibility.

Find a men's only class if you can cos you feel less of a dick as no doubt they'll all be similar ability.

 

[WATFORD zero]

I'm always a great believer in never knock anything until you've tried it

Although, from past experience, I tend to be a little wary of things that are illegal, immoral or make your eyes water

 

[m20gull]

I adore yoga (I ignore the mystic bits) and took some persuading to try Pilates. But once I tried it I realised exactly how good it is, and different from yoga. So I would happily recommend either or both.

What I would recommend is paying a trainer, and if you don't get on with the first one try another one. Form is so critical in both that you will definitely benefit from the feedback. Even with 15+ years experience of yoga I still get regularly corrected in my postures. I do online classes too but it is not the same. And I get fed up with trying to crane my neck at the screen to see what we're supposed to be doing!

 

[METALMICKY]

Excellent thread. Been plagued by lower back pain for about 6 years now. Bizarrely brought on by a single incident with one of my young twins who I had late in life. Bent down to pick up out of carry cot and back just went. Later that night woke up in agony as back went into spasms. Never been the same since and have had 4 more instances of going into spasm whilst the rest to the time I get painful tweaks often with the most ridiculously innocuous movement. Now in my late 50's shocked at how stiff and inflexible I am generally.

Will definitely look into Pilates based on people's comments. Thus far physio only helped in the short term and internet is just awash with too many lower back pain videos and difficult to filter out the rubbish.

 

[um bongo molongo]

I just want to say, I do think NSC is at its very best with threads like this. I felt like I was only bloke I’ve ever met who does Pilates!

 

[Weststander]

I just want to say, I do think NSC is at its very best with threads like this. I felt like I was only bloke I’ve ever met who does Pilates!

I was the only male at yoga classes in the mid 90’s, perhaps it’s just me but I didn’t mind that!

A different story now ….. male builders, taxi drivers and hipsters … trying to get rid of back/neck pain.

 

[WATFORD zero]

I was the only male at yoga classes in the mid 90’s, perhaps it’s just me but I didn’t mind that!

I assume the leotard and leg warmers didn't chafe

 

[Weststander]

I assume the leotard and leg warmers didn't chafe

That was so 80’s, shuffling across the studio doing Grapevine.

 

[zefarelly]

My wife has done Pilates for years. About 5 or 6 years ago I was feeling particularly inflexible (I’m 70now.) and she discovered the husband of one of her other customers wanted to start as well, so we did a 2:1. I didn’t know him, but it went well. Ended up going with Mrs DiS for 2:1 and it worked well. Started with mat Pilates and moved on to reformer (machines).
teacher moved a couple of years ago….. to about 10 miles from John O’Groats and we really miss it. Need to find another teacher. So yes, it does make a difference.

A good teacher makes all the difference, we have a great ladsy in BN43, even does a class just for blokes with bad backs! She's a trained physiothrerapist and very good at spotting poor stance, tense shoulders and all the wobbly bits we slide into . . .then straightening you out.

After an hour session you really do feel like a new person, and taller!.

 

[BrightonCottager]

I don't go to Pilates classes any more, but I do do back stretching & core strengthening exercises at home that the osteopath gave me after I slipped a disk and got sciatica. They've really helped. Give it a try.

 

[Flagship]

My wife spent two months in hospital with a really bad back. She started pilates and her back is cured with no operation or any drugs. She still does it and as well as the exercise, it has led to many friendships.

 

[Fungus]

Excellent thread. Been plagued by lower back pain for about 6 years now. Bizarrely brought on by a single incident with one of my young twins who I had late in life. Bent down to pick up out of carry cot and back just went. Later that night woke up in agony as back went into spasms. Never been the same since and have had 4 more instances of going into spasm whilst the rest to the time I get painful tweaks often with the most ridiculously innocuous movement. Now in my late 50's shocked at how stiff and inflexible I am generally.

Will definitely look into Pilates based on people's comments. Thus far physio only helped in the short term and internet is just awash with too many lower back pain videos and difficult to filter out the rubbish.

Your “single incident“ may rather have been the “final straw”, as my physio described it!