How To Choose a Pilates DVD

Many pilates beginners are not sure what it takes to start doing pilates. It really takes nothing more than your body and a little bit of space. As a pilates instructor, I often get asked about pilates DVDs and got a few specific questions over the weekend about choosing a pilates home workout. What are some good pilates DVDs I can use at home? And how do I know if they are good DVDs?First of all, here's what I look for in a pilates DVD:pilates dvds1. Reputable Pilates Company: I'm not putting down workouts by top fitness professionals, but when I choose a pilates DVD, I want to make sure it's not just a workout that they happened to put out in addition to their salsa routine. I want to make sure that the person on the video actually teaches pilates. A good way to find this out is to ask your pilates instructor for a recommendation, which brings me to another point — take a pilates group class first to make sure you know what the pilates moves look & feel like. Get corrected by a pilates instructor before you go it alone.2. Good Reviews: Read reviews on Amazon.com and other Web sites. All you have to do is search for "DVD title review". There are a ton of places to find reviews. Often, pilates instructors will go in and review DVDs as they try them out themselves. This is the next best thing to having a pilates instructor. Again, you can also ask a pilates instructor you trust.3. Room To Improve: Make sure the DVD has different levels that allow you to progress and improve your pilates moves — and also to give you a little bit of variety. I have a few DVDs that have two or three workouts on them. Those are the ones I go back to over and over again, because I get variety in my workout or might need to go back some pilates principles. When you are at home, it's easy to get bored, so having room to grow is a big benefit.Now that you know how I choose my pilates DVDs, here are my top three picks for pilates DVDs that I do myself when I'm at home. The instruction in these DVDs is amazing and easy to follow. I could have listed a few more, but these companies or actual pilates DVD titles are ones I revisit regularly.1. Pilates for Dummies with Michelle Dozois. This one of the first pilates DVDs I purchased, even though I had been using pilates books for a few years prior.

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Article Author: asamoilov

Anne is a pilates instructor, health/wellness writer, and mother of one living in Los Angeles. She spends her time teaching, reading, writing, and looking for new resources to keep herself and her family healthy.

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  • 1 - naomi

    Nov 28, 2010 at 7:22 am

    hi,
    I have 2 slipped discs and wondered if you could recommend a DVD for rehab please? I have attended 2 rehab courses but am unable to continue due to the cost. I feel I have a good idea of my limitations but need some inspiration for positions,
    thanks very much

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