Winsor Pilates, developed by Mari Winsor, is an exercise program based on the Pilates method. Winsor has trained numerous celebrities and sells DVDs based on her modified Pilates routine. Pilates may benefit you in several ways, from sculpting the body lean to attaining better posture.
Winsor Pilates vs Regular Pilates
J. Allen and Patsy S. Queen write in their book "The Frazzled Principal's Wellness Plan," that Winsor Pilates is basically the same as regular Pilates, just simplified a bit and without the use of equipment. The exercise routine includes the basic movements such as double rollup, rollover, single and double leg stretch. The authors claim that doing 20 to 30 minutes a day of Winsor Pilates helped them to burn calories along with reducing stress. At first the training may feel difficult, but within a few weeks you may see stronger muscle tone, relief from stress related pain and a stronger core.
About Winsor
Mari Winsor opened her first studio in Los Angeles in 1990. As of 2011, she has created 30 workout videos that have been sold to millions of people worldwide. She created her routine based on the work of Joseph Pilates, a German athlete who helped war veterans rehabilitate their bodies in the early 1900s. Winsor now has two studios in the Los Angeles area, where 30 certified instructors teach classes and give private lessons.
How it Works
In the "The Pilates Workout Journal, Mari Winsor and Mark Laska write that the more you focus on getting all your body parts working together, the straighter your spine will become. Pilates can bring immediate mental clarity after a workout, since it requires precise concentration to perform the exercises. A premise of Pilates is to strengthen smaller muscle group so they can support the larger ones. The Winsor routine links breathing with stretching to each movement and oxygenates the blood. Consistent practice and dedication are needed to see results and each person will have results based on their physicality and skill. Pilates does not claim to help you lose weight, but help build and sculpt a leaner body.
Claims
Pilates can provide an intense workout for those looking for an alternative to lifting weights. It may also improve flexibility and mobility of the limbs, and can complement many other workout routines. However, there is no supporting evidence that Pilates helps with weight loss, although you can burn calories during a workout. More calories will be burned in an advanced class compared to a beginner class. The amount of calories burned during Pilates depends on the movements and routines made as well as the skill level and intensity of the workout.
References
- "The Frazzled Principal's Wellness Plan"; J. Allen Queen, Patsy S. Queen; 2004
- Winsor Pilates: About Mari Windor
- The Pilates Workout Journal"; Mari Winsor, Mark Laska; 2001
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