Winsor Pilates - does it work?

I bought my Winsor Pilates tapes a couple of years ago and have used them occasionally but never as a real exercise plan. I do notice the wonderful benifits of being flexible (I can actually grab my toes when I bend over!), and I swear it makes me more relaxed. I'm thinking on using the tapes for a real exercise plan because I'm burnt out on the gym right now.

Here's my question: Has anyone tried the weight loss plan that is suggested with the Winsor Pilates series? They suggest:
Pilates - 3 days a week for 20min. each session.
Cardio - either everyday or everyother day, specifically they suggest walking 3-5 miles which should take between 30-60min.

I'm just very curious to see if anyone has had success on this program.

Tue. Oct 25, 10:51am

My personal trainer suggested something pretty similar so I assume it would work. (3 times a week, hour workout with her, mostly machines with a 10 minute cardo workout and body weight exercises) and 2 days of cardio on my own)

Tuesday, October 25, 2005, 10:59 AM

Anyone else know?

Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 6:07 PM

Okay, I'm going to renew this and throw it out there? I was just hooked by the informorcial, and order this morning....

Is anyone using these tapes or had success with them with other activity? Any tips or ideas would be great.... Thanks.

Friday, September 1, 2006, 10:14 AM

I am a pilates instructor, and so my opinon might be biase but Yes pilates works. Pilates is wonderful for flattening out the tummy. What women does not want a flat belly. Pilates also uses your own reistance to strengthen your body. As a result of pilates you it may seem as if you grew, but proper alignment of the spine and posture and key to pilates so when you perform movements the right way you are decompompressing your spine.

I gained alot of weight when I was expecting my son, after his birth I did pilates every other day, and walked around the neighboorhood daily. That is all I did to loose the baby fat, it worked out great for me, so great that I looked into becoming a pilates teacher after that.

Pilates can be done daily. Walking/running as a form of cardio is great to combine with pilates.

Good luck let us know how it goes!

Friday, September 1, 2006, 10:45 AM

I love Pilates. I have the Widsor dvds, just be carful because I ordered a set for my mom, different than the set I have and it was like aerobics, she hated it. I think it was called fat blasting, or something similar. There was not much Pilates in it. The ones I have are what I think to be the original dvd set. Hope this helps.

Friday, September 1, 2006, 11:13 AM

I have the wp DVD and I haven't used it regularly even though I really like it and it's so short. Thank you for your post, one of my goals upon starting pt was to do pilates at least three days a week(which I haven't started yet) I am going to start it! You should too!

Friday, September 1, 2006, 8:30 PM

I tried to order them too. When I called no one picked up the line. Where can I get these?

Sunday, September 3, 2006, 11:28 AM

To 11:28,
If you have a Target where you live I have seen WP there before, I don't know if they carry it regularly or not, but it's worth a try.

Sunday, September 3, 2006, 7:51 PM

there is a google link directly to the right of this thread- my guess is that if you want to buy wp, the ad might help you!

Sunday, September 3, 2006, 8:22 PM

Pilates is Pilates

Pilates works -- whether you call it Winsor or Spencer, or something else. Pilates and diets work.

The plan is good.

Sunday, September 3, 2006, 9:28 PM

Yes WP works. I followed the plan and did it every other day along with cardio and some weights. I have been doing the WP dvd's since Jan and I have lost 38 pounds and my body is totally reshaped. I still need to lose 12 pounds but I honestly can't believe they way my body looks.

Monday, September 4, 2006, 11:30 AM

I've had my Windsor Pilates for years,but never really stuck to it. We should all try it and see where all of our results take us. Any one want to try, let me know. Thanks!
Margo

Tuesday, September 5, 2006, 6:23 AM

I have a different Pilates tape but when I started dieting in February I would ride my elliptical on days that shows I liked were on TV and do Pilates DVD on the other days and was seeing great results. Then when summer came I started doing the Pilates more and more cause I enjoyed them more than the elliptical and ended up getting to were that was really all I was doing by abs looked great and I was so excited but I couldn't get that scale to move so I did some research and found Pilates is great at toning muscles (especially abs), relaxation, and increasing flexibility, but it doesn't really burn a lot of calories. So I qutie the Pilates and hit the elliptical hard core and the weight started to come off again but after a couple weeks I noticed my abs didn't look as great and was like hey wait what happend I lose 5lbs and my abs look worse :( So I switched again and now I do either 30 minutes on my elliptical followed by 20 minutes of Pilates... or if I don't have that much energy then I do the elliptical day one, Pilates day two, alternating between. I'm still experimenting but Pilates doesn't burn enough to lose but defiantely makes my abs look better than they ever have and I'm almost able to do the splits something I've never been able to do.

Tuesday, September 5, 2006, 8:39 AM

Margo, The secondary reposter here on this topic... I'm in on your research, whenever they get here.....
to the person looking yes that link is there, and this is the number that was on my cc... 800-747-3503 - Good luck... Sounds like it will be a nice addition to weight training, cardio...... I need some good floor work and this sound like it could help... I have alot of weight to loose and have back and neck problems, so I'll be sure to mention to my chiropractor before I start them to make sure it would be good, but I can't imagine stretching and toning anything but good for me....

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 1:12 AM

The number on their site to order is:

WLSCA - Winsor Pilates Basic Sculpting Circle Series on DVD - only $9.95 plus $6.95 S&H. By ordering now you’ll enjoy the hassle-free convenience of receiving 2 new Winsor programs about every other month, your credit card will be billed $19.95 for each program (plus $6.95 S&H) for each shipment. If you wish to order this product by telephone, call...
1 800 395-6384

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 1:14 AM

Thanks everyone for the info. I bought my set yesterday and should be getting it in 5 days!! Totally excited to begin.

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 3:07 PM

BEFORE YOU BUY A DVD OVER THE INTERNET, CHECK OUT THE AMAZON SITE! oops, sorry to shout. i have bought many dvd's from amazon at considerable discounts. all i have bought have been in terrific shape!

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 3:11 PM

here's a link to amazon

Link

Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 3:12 PM

Hi Margo, I'm in!
-Chandra

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 2:08 AM

Pilates 30 day challenge

I started the Pilates 30 day challenge group for anyone who's interested.
Margo

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 1:21 PM

Winsor Pilates

I started 2yrs ago when I was and I got results before the year finished. I loved the tapes so much that I brought more. The fault that I don't appreciate is that if your physical challenged like myself you can't do the new Winsor Pilates tapes that are fat burning or standing up. But otherwise try them and see. If you don't like the tapes there's other Pilates tapes waiting to be tried.

Sunday, October 22, 2006, 4:14 PM

Winsor Pilates - does it work?

It is an awesome workout for your abds for sure. I have that series. Yes it works. I would recommend using the accelerated body sculpting program by Winsor pilates as well. That one is quite a workout as well. Pilates is a powerful total body sculpting system for losing weight, sculpting lean, long muscles and reshaping your body from head-to-toe.

Link

Monday, April 9, 2007, 2:14 PM

I'm in!!!

Monday, April 9, 2007, 7:45 PM

Stott Pilates

I have worked out for years, cardio and weight training. I started working with a Stott Pilates instructor in Jan as rehab for a back injury. In addition to my back improving, I have lost about an inch from my waist, improved my posture and appear slimmer in my torso.

Monday, April 9, 2007, 8:41 PM

I am a Pilates Instructor and have been teaching for two years. Winsor Pilates will help you but beware. Form is very important and not having anyone check your form - say when you are doing a video - can lead to back and neck problems. You may think you are doing the exercises exactly like the video but an inch in one direction and you can lose neutral spin leading to you using your muscles in you lower back instead of your core to control you. Also the initial Winsor pilates videos the women doing the exercises are not even in neutral spine.

I would highly suggest that you get instructions first from a pilates instructor who talks about neutral spin, breathing, alignment, shoulders down (using your lats), pronation and back extention before doing Winsor Pilates. Once you get proper instruction then go for it.

You will need to add some cardio- walking, jogging, spin, elliptical, etc.
It is a great combination- my abs are flatter now than they were before I had my 2 kids. I also feel stronger and encorporate pilates into my strength training and other activities.
Good Luck-

Monday, April 9, 2007, 8:56 PM

neck problems from pilates

i second this caution. i started with winsor pilates being very careful and doing less than prescribed numbers on the tape. i thought my neck soreness was muscles getting stronger. but i now have a more serious neck condition and don't do any pilates neck stuff at all.

i read someone else saying that winsor pilates in particular made her neck hurt so i've gotten a more conservative and posturally careful pilates tape that helps, not hurts, my body.

we each have unique needs.

Thursday, May 10, 2007, 12:50 AM

30 Day Challenge

Hello Margo,

I'm in. I use to do Winsor Pilates and it really changed my body but you know how it goes. I saw results and got complacent and slacked off. And when I moved I lost my dvd's so I just ordered a new set and it should be here in 5 days. I'm ready to go. Hope you guys can keep me on track.

Toya

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 10:56 PM

Toya

think where a bit late for Margo's challenged (posted 2006)

like you started saw great results and stopped :-( (dont know why)

I am going to go for it now........ and would love you to join me for a 30 day challenge

It is my intention to start today but we can do a start date that we agree on if you want

I am going to incorporate spin/rpm classes as my cardio

good luck wheter you join me or not.... and role on the summer, flat absi and firm bum!

Angel

Saturday, March 29, 2008, 2:38 AM

Angel, do you mind if I join you and Toya?

Butrsoft

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 12:45 AM

Hi Angel, Toya, and Butrsoft -

I'd love to join three of you. I've got 30 days before I go out of the country for a while, and it's my goal to do one of the 20 minute DVDs every day. Granted this has been my goal for a while, so I think I need a little extra motivation to get it going.

I've never really used the peertrainer site, so if you're willing to bear with a new kid, I'd love to join you.

Thanks,

Lizzie

Monday, March 31, 2008, 7:46 AM

It may be a good work out but definately isn't for everyone. I bought the DVD's about 4 years ago, couldn't wait to get started then I was bored to DEATH! UGH!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 1:51 PM

Pilates

Was wondering if the pilates would flatten a belly after having 2 c-sections and a hysterectomy? i have a bad back and also was wondering if this type of exercise would be hard on the back? thanks in advance for your information.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 2:33 PM

Winsor Pilates

I have taken on the 30 day challenge but want to see results so I am doing it everyday. I do the fat burning session every day along with the circle workout 3 times a week. It's been 14 days now. While I haven't lost any weight, I have lost 5cm off my arms, stomach, waist, hips and thighs. I personally think it does work if you do it regularly.

I too bought it after seeing the ad on tv but now... I love the workouts and have fun and enjoy doing it. Plus I am seeing results for my hard work.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 4:49 AM

windsor pilates

I am seriously thinking of buying the windsor pilates set but I am nervous for trying it out. Previously I have fractured my lumber spine and am scared to try incase I do more damage to my back. Has anyone got any suggestions?

Monday, May 5, 2008, 9:42 AM

windsor pilates

I just pulled out the dusty pilates dvd set I used a couple of years ago. Is anyone doing the 30day challenge? And did anyone on here get results?
A few years ago I did pilates 3x wkly for about 7 months and the results were really good, I combined it with walking daily. I dropped 3 sizes but then I got a boyfriend and packed it all back on so I'm keen to start using it again.
I've been doing pilates a week now and feel slightly more energetic.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 10:09 AM

Hello, all! I just started a "30 Days Pilates Challenge" group. Feel free to join.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 8:44 PM

Has anyone heard of Pilates for Dummies?

-iluvfoo

Thursday, August 21, 2008, 2:26 PM

I did Pilates for Dummies a few years back and it was great. I actually found it abit more intense than the basic Windsor Pilates but I can't remember why now :)
I know I'm a few months behind the last post but is anyone else doing the "30 Day Pilates Challenge"??
I was doing WP regularly but we ripped our lounge to pieces and I kinda lost my stride. I've just ordered the ball workout and it should be arriving soon so I want to do the fatburning session & 20 minute workout 3x a week and the ball session the other 3 days. I also eat 6 small meals a day to help with general health and keeping the weight off and I've found in the past that its a great combination!

Monday, November 24, 2008, 5:45 PM

Pilates

pilates also can help in those cases, i made it last year and had succes...

Link

Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 10:24 AM

I can't wait to try this!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 10:09 PM

I hate pilates

Sunday, March 16, 2014, 10:32 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge