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How to Vary Your Pilates Workouts

10 Ways to Keep your Pilates Workouts Interesting

By Marguerite Ogle, About.com

Updated: November 22, 2006

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Here are some ideas for varying your Pilates workouts so that they remain safe, balanced, effective and interesting:
  1. Mix it up – go to classes, but add in working out at home with DVDs or Books.
    See DVD and Book Reviews

  2. Do both reformer and mat work.
    See Pilates Mat Exercises

  3. Make up a new home workout for yourself.
    Include a warm up, build up and cool down. Also, be aware of counter balancing your exercises. Example: balance forward flexion with back extension exercises.
    Quick Pilates Workout 1 is a good example of a balanced workout you can do at home.
    Examples of forward flexion exercises:
    Examples of extension exercises:


  4. Do a day of focus on breath, awareness and control.
    See the Pilates Principles.

  5. Follow #4 with a day of pulling those principles into creating more flow in a challenging workout.

  6. Do a workout of all warm up exercises.
    Sample warm ups:


  7. Try working out with a magic circle(exercise ring, fitness circle).
    Read There are many varieties of these. Magic Circles often come with a DVD of sample exercises. Find some Magic Circles:
    Compare Prices

  8. Workout with a friend. Workout at home, or many studios offer an expanded version of a private, called a "duet". Don't be afraid to ask - duet workouts are quite common in Pilates.

  9. Sign up for private instruction. Privates are a bit more money but very worthwhile. I highly recommend them.

  10. Try out a new studio or style of Pilates.
More Pilates Quick Tips
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