Anybody have positive experience with Pilates? Specifically a professional type atmosphere with all the different cool toys?

Backstory: mid forties lifter who prefers compound movements (dead’s, cleans, swings, etc) along with some body weight stuff. Have had “minor” low back issues. Currently nothing to keep me out of the gym, but have mostly been doing body weight/movement type of work. Biggest problem is alignment - hip elevation/rotation, functional leg length discrepancy, elevated shoulder, over probation on one foot, (apparent) hamstring tightness, etc. Really just want to be able to lift and run relatively pain free. Have tried some online/DIY fixes, but nothing seems to have any permanent effects. Pilates is one thing I haven’t tried, and it seems geared toward body alignment. Any suggestions? Or other ideas?

This post was edited on 11/12/20 at 11:44 am

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Posted by Jim Rockford

Member since May 2011

105194 posts

Posted on 11/12/20 at 7:36 pm to omarlittle

My wife swears by it although she doesn't use the machines. It was specifically designed for injury rehab. Although it can be strenuous it's all very gentle movements.

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Posted by tigergirl10

Member since Jul 2019

10729 posts

Posted on 11/13/20 at 11:57 pm to omarlittle

I prefer yoga.

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Posted by specchaser

lafayette

Member since Feb 2008

2730 posts

Posted on 11/14/20 at 8:16 am to omarlittle

It’s helped with a herniated disc. A big focus on core work. I’d prefer some slow yoga but Pilates is also helpful and not hard on the body at all.

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Posted by Cdawg

TigerFred's Living Room

Member since Sep 2003

61977 posts

Posted on 11/15/20 at 8:02 am to omarlittle

Yes. I did it 2/3 days a week for about a year to help with my core. A physical therapist recommended it after a bad case of patellar tendinitis. She point blank said, your core sucks and is weak. Your core is the basis of all movements and needs to be stronger. Add some Pilates to your workouts.

That was 2008. I’ve been serious injury free since then. I might get some minor tweaks but nothing sidelining me. I still do some of those core workouts still to this day. It was a good mix of core workout with stretching. I preferred it over yoga. I had a good instructor. She had 4 levels of progression for each routine.

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Posted by mceuph

New Orleans, LA

Member since Dec 2005

832 posts

Posted on 11/15/20 at 8:01 pm to omarlittle

Been doing it for over a year now and has changed my life. Girlfriend is a lifelong Pilates pro (she learned from a student of Joseph Pilates) and we have a reformer at home. She also recently began teaching at Club Pilates. It’s fantastic for keeping your full body in balance and physically supported and preventing pain. Sounds like it would be extremely helpful in your particular situation. If you can find a good classically trained Pilates instructor that’s the way to go. Club Pilates is also a good choice, sort of a watered down, accessible version of the method, but the quality of classes varies a lot from teacher to teacher. If taught well it’s safe and low impact. If you’re interested I would give Club Pilates a shot if there’s one in your area.

This post was edited on 11/15/20 at 8:02 pm

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