What are /r/pilates' favorite Products & Services?

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I got this reformer on Amazon. When I bought it it was on sale for $550 but i haven't seen it go that low again since before the holidays. Might be a good place to start, it's not foldable but it can be placed upright to save space. If you get it on sale, you can use the rest of your budget to get some add ons. I have the box, pole, pull up bar, and some red cords for when I need more resistance.

Here’s a link to the electrolyte mix I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Electrolytes-Electrolyte-Replacement-Supplement-Hydration/dp/B0867X9C7H/ref=pd_bap_m_csi_pd_ys_c_rfy_rp_crs_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=QlWaI&pf_rd_p=9ac6cc26-c474-44d5-bbf8-fa96b06e33ac&pf_rd_r=073MWMZ150YHBWY3P8MS...

Sadly, amazon says it’s unavailable, but maybe try searching the brand, Polyfit.

I believe AeroPilates has tower add-ons sold separately, but I think they’re designed for another model than the one I got. I’m not sure if they’re interchangeable. here’s the amazon link https://www.amazon.com/AeroPilates-Precision-Series-Cadillac-Silver/dp/B07F7JG8F1

Looks cool, you could literally do the cue to 'push the carriage away'.

I found some reviews on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pilates-Wheel-DLX/dp/B0784HF59H#customerReviews I'm not sure if that's the 1.0 or 2.0 version, the latter having ball-bearings so it's smoother and quieter.

we fleece High Waist Ultra Soft... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083LKW4WK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I got these off of Amazon and love them! 2 pair for under $20. They don’t have any pockets and they’re high waisted (you can fold the waist band down easily if you prefer). They say they’re made of fleece but it’s more like a jersey knit. Buttery soft and very comfortable to practice in and lounge in afterwards! Good to wear in winter and summer months.

My wife uses this mat, it's about as thick as a yoga mat and it is shaped to fit the reformer. Pretty cool designs too. Hope this helps!

Hi! I get this too! I use a ball roller that suctions to my wall and lean back against it on the “crunchy” spots in my traps.

This is the one I have: https://www.amazon.ca/Vertiball-Mountable-Massage-Trigger-Massager/dp/B07RYWJLJJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=3KXHBT07WVYNM&keywords=wall+mount+ball+roller&qid=1652699685&sprefix=wall+mount+ball+roller%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1...

Pilates Anatomy Second edition by Rael Isacowitz and Karen Klippinger. This book goes into detail on every Classical and BASI Pilates exercise including modifications. It has a section to make your own routines where you pick exercises from the different categories to stretch and strengthen the whole body.

Oh ok! Awesome! Between your yoga experience and physical therapist sister you guys should be a ok! I believe this is the original contrology book and sequence You could also check with different trainings like stott or polestar and see if you can purchase manuals through them. Just a thought!

Funnily enough, I was just looking this up the other day to help further my education, and ended up ordering the DVD below off Amazon, which looks to be the the complete classics reformer series. It features master instructor Bob Liekens and commentator Alycea Ungaro. Haven’t received it yet, so can’t comment, but looks solid.

Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Universal Reformer Series + Archival English & Spanish (2 DVD Set: Introductory Basic; Basic; Intermediate; Advanced; Super Advanced; Archival)

Description: Classical Pilates technique videos feature two of the most renowned Pilates professionals in the world, master instructor Bob Liekens and commentator Alycea Ungaro, who uphold the tradition and high ideals of Joseph Pilates original New York City Studio, which began during the 1920s. The virtue of this DVD is that it demonstrates the full-range of workout levels, far beyond intermediate, and even beyond the advanced level. The Reformer super advanced workout shown here is one for the history books; it is totally inspiring.

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Mobile users, download any podcast app (CASTBOX is a good one) and search for 'Thinking Pilates Podcast'.
IOS users have the 'Podcast' app automatically installed so you can search for it there instead.

Not sure ‘recommended’ ;) If you mean wrt imprint - I bought a copy of Peter Fiasca’s book which I thought might have something on the flat back/imprint/neutral stuff, and it kinda does, but it wasn’t very helpful ! - it really needs a proper anatomical description. The book is mostly a rail against contemporary Pilates, tho to be fair his reference to classical isn’t - as far as I could tell - a direct reference to romana (who he studied under) but Joe took - ‘traditional’ and ‘classical’ seem to be pretty much interchangeable terms. OTOH his mat/magic circle/ equipment dvds are interesting and might be worth buying , tho you’ll also see a surprising amount of trunk movement in some things (g side lying front-back) vs a more contemporary keeping everything but the leg still. Similarly hanging out on locked arms in some cases (iirc).

The other is the Friedman/Eisen book - talks about imprint BUT from the various discussion I’ve seen elsewhere their description isn’t correct, and isn’t my experience with a friend who’s doing her trying to be a 3rd gen teacher in the Romana style of teaching. Plus as a reprint it seems rather expensive, isn’t comprehensive wrt the mat, and there’s probably better books. I picked up one of the originals (I think) rather than the 2000s reprint, dunno if there’s a difference but it wasn’t expensive, not sure I’d be in a hurry to pay the current price on Amazon Friedman/Eisen

(I’ll edit in a few more later when I come back to this !)

I use these from Amazon. They stay on great. I do wear a size 8 shoe for reference LA Active Grip Socks - Cozy Warm Non Slip Casual Socks - for Home, Indoor Yoga, and Hospital - Men and Women https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PL9SP5J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZNAKK9SVHBWDV1B16PNS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Check out pages 3-8 of Pilates Anatomy by Rael Isacowitz & Karen Clippinger.

(You can view these pages for free using the "Look Inside!" feature on the Amazon listing for the book, it starts under the "Foundation Principles of Pilates" heading)

If you do amazon, I got a pair of leggings off there a few years ago that I wear ALL the time and they still look brand new.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q5VW5FP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_P4VYFbDBCCTAH

Pilates Anatomy book is a good reference for every exercise, Rael Isacowitz goes into a lot of detail though I'm not sure he mentions imprint in every exercise. I've linked to the book on Amazon but there's a free PDF floating around online.

There's only one book about Pilates in this book bundle, it has 4.5 out of 5 on Goodreads and the kindle addition is FREE on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilates-Beginners-Exercises-Sequences-Practice-ebook/dp/B07K2JJKRF

Hi there! Did you find there was any "bump" or issues with a track that slides into itself? I purchased the AeroPilates Reformer Plus 379 and immediately had to return it because the track didn't slide properly! I would hit a bump every time I would slide up and down (irritating + could possibly cause injury?)

That I get, and you really can't beat instructor courses if that's your goal.

I echo the suggestion to get your hands on Stott's mat manual, and offer this cheaper supplemental read for mat technique: Pilates Anatomy by Rael Isacowitz and Karen Clippinger.

I was able to find the "top end" Aeropilates reformer on eBay for $300. It has been great reformer. But it certainly isn't as nice as a Balanced Body. I was able to find a Balanced Body reformer on Amazon for just under $2,000. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XVQK9Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wwesFbAP8VC4A

That's the next step I would personally take to upgrade my reformer.

You can also purchase directly through Balanced Body and they have a plethora of options you can customize. Stott and Merrithew reformer are also solid and reputable builders. I have no experience with them but have seen them in multiple upper level pilates studios.

Best of luck with your search. Hope you can find something that you can continue your practice with at home.

I got them on Amazon: Utopia Bedding Adjustable Bed Furniture Risers. I don't use them when I do the jumpboard, just in case, but everything else works great! https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Bedding-Premium-Adjustable-Furniture/dp/B073WFCV1L/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=bed+riser&dchild=1&keywords=bed+riser&pd_rd_i=B073WFCV1L&pd_rd_r=1aa9674e-dc9c-4bd7-8aed-2b265f3271bc&pd_rd_w=M6qvS&pd_rd_wg=gbqFn&pf_rd_p=13bf9bc7-d68d-44c3-9d2e-647020f56802&pf_rd_r=Q69K031TSQMX2M57FD06&psc=1&qid=1596479749&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f

I think you might be breathing with your upper chest, which heightens your stress levels and can make you dizzy when exercising. How are you stress levels? Have you noticed you deperatley need to pee?

It's possible you've been a chest breather for a long time and your body is so used to breathing this way. Tight rib cage muscles, overworked neck and shoulder muscles, weak diapgrahm and pelvic floor.

I remember I used to chest breathe when I started Pilates and it made every practice a chore, I came away feeling more stressed than when I started.

Book a one-on-one session with a professional Pilates instuctor if you can, you need to be seen in the flesh before anyone can say exactly what's wrong.

Pilates without tears might be worth you reading. It encorporates the mind and body throughout all the exercises, it has a great routine at the end to practice daily.

Mind and body are inexorably linked and both are equally important in Pilates. If they weren't Pilates would be just another exercise routine. Stick at it, it will be worth it :).

Buying apparatus and heading out on your own could be counterproductive and possibly dangerous. There are reasons why there are so many junk reformers on Craigslist. Maybe you could start with a $25 magic circle and pay close attention to Alisa on Pilatesology.

I recommend https://www.alotofpilates.com

or you can buy an /r/AmazonEcho and take it with you on your trips. https://www.amazon.com/A-Lot-Of-Pilates-ALOP-Pilates-Class-Skill/dp/B01DKH76EC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I would avoid Bloglates, I don't see how beginners can learn Pilates from it.

These vids are free and teaches you more about Pilates: http://www.howcast.com/guides/906-how-to-do-pilates/

Learning how the anatomy works in Pilates might be useful to you: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilates-Anatomy-Rael-Isacowitz/dp/0736083863/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1471649643&sr=8-13&keywords=pilates

I wouldn't go that firm. Especially with an older person. There's a lot of discussion if something that firm is beneficial to facia. I would get her this one.

http://www.amazon.com/OPTP-Pro-Foam-Rollers-Marble/dp/B002C9EX14

You can do a lot of exercises on the mat, but you can also kick it up a notch by getting a set of fitness bands with which you can emulate straps for some exercises. If you can afford a private session with your favorite trainer from the place you took classes, bring the bands with you and have her/him set you up with a routine you can do with the bands that includes a good range of exercises for different body parts.

Yeah. It's a bit weird. Most companies I looked into don't ship to Australia, or the stories I've read from people who tried to arrange shipping made me think it wasn't worth it (extra freight charges, and things). I ended up getting one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Stamina-AeroPilates-Reformer-Free-Form-Rebounder/dp/B000AMRN12

(At least, I think it's that one). Where i live, they sell for about $1500 new, but I got one from gum tree for $850. I'm actually pretty happy with that.