When searching for Pilates clothing, there’s a plethora of choices in both pants and tops that are perfect for the Pilates devotee.

Girls, you can check out the tops with halter tops, spaghetti straps, long-to-short sleeves and cross-over fronts. But there are two things ladies that you must remember when shopping for a top and that is to find one that allows you to really move and to find one that provides adequate coverage. No need to flash too much flesh at the studio.

There are also a wide range of choices when shopping for pants. You can purchase boot-cut, flare or straight-leg full length, capri-length or even shorts. If you really want to get just the right ones, look for Yoga or Pilates capris and pants with roll-tops that can be adjusted high on your waist or lower based on your comfort and based on how the pants respond to movements such as roll-ups and leg-lifts.

For the waist band in Pilates pants make sure to avoid belts, buttons, draw strings and elastics, all of which restrict movement. The goal of the perfect pair of Pilates pants is to find a pair that stays put, that doesn’t slide around and that doesn’t bunch up. Many people love the Capri and shorts.

So we figured out that there are lots of choices for the gals out there but what about the guys?

Yes, as you might have guessed, there are not as many styles for men in either the pants or the tops.

But not all is lost! You can find plenty of t-shirt style tops with long-to-short sleeves or even a sleeveless tanks. Same as with the ladies, men you must find a style that is fitted and not too baggy or too loose.

You want to be able to see your positioning and your muscles throughout your workout. If you are looking for shorts to wear when you do Pilates clothes then be sure to shop for shorts that are relaxed in the waist and don’t have any of that binding elastic or drawstring.

Stay with the lightweight pants instead of the heavier sweat pants. Why do we wear those things anyway! The goal is to find clothes that will move with you and not bunch up, slide around or embarrass you in any way.

Some people decide to wear shoes when doing a Pilates workout; however, the majority of exercisers use just go barefoot.

This is a personal decision. Some folks feel that shoes give them more stability while others feel that being without shoes doe the same thing. Talk with your trainer to decide what is best for you. But if you are going to wear shoes but sure to select a pair that is very comfortable, very lightweight and is completely flexible to allow freedom of movement for your feet and ankles.

Pilates shoes should not be too tight and not too loose. They must fit very well or they will cause more problems. In fact you should look for the pair of Pilates shoes that you can forget you are even wearing.

Pilates is an exciting and invigorating method of exercising. You owe it to yourself if you are going to follow the Pilates method that you will also take the time to select appropriate Pilates clothes to best benefit your workout. Yes indeed, Joseph Pilates would be very pleased.

Of course, at first when our instructor led us through The Hundred it was a joke! I was immediately convinced there was no way my arms would ever “pump” up and down 100 times while my lungs were breathing in and out at the correct moment in time. But that was then… and this is twelve months later… and I have learned so much about the Pilates basics and I have gotten so much better at the core Pilates exercises… that these days, I feel pretty good about myself!

Joseph H. Pilates served as a nurse during World War I and while working in England he developed a series of exercises to help bed-bound patients regain their strength. Joseph attached springs to the mattresses of bed-bound patients and designed exercises in which the patients would either push or pull against the springs to create resistance. While utilizing spring resistance, the patients were able to move in a controlled and safe fashion.

This allowed the muscles to work in such a manner that they were toned and lengthened at the same time. Even Joseph’s earliest method was based on the quality of the movement and not the quantity. In 1926, Joseph Pilates moved to New York City and introduced his method of conditioning to the United States. Dancers and athletes caught on immediately as they quickly developed an appreciation for the Pilates method.

When arriving here in the United States, Pilates used the Reformer for his clients. This piece of exercise equipment was designed like the hospital beds to which he attached springs in England. Complete with a sliding board and springs, Pilates could adjust the tension on the springs to create more or less tension based on the needs his exercise client.

A few decades later, Joseph decided to improve his method of Pilates. Previously a client had to utilize exercise equipment such as the Reformer to perform Pilates but with the development of a new exercise program, Joseph’s clients were able to perform the Pilates movements on mats without the use of any machines. This one change caused his following to increase even more.

Man, woman, boy, girl, in shape or out of shape… almost anyone can do Pilates. Many mothers-to-be even practice Pilates during pregnancy. Many report that the gentle movements of Pilates are easy on the body, especially joints during pregnancy.

One of the true current day pioneers of Pilates is Mari Winsor, the creator of Winsor Pilates. Mari Winsor created what she calls “dynamic sequencing”. Based on the original teachings of Joseph H. Pilates, Winsor’s theory is that exercises performed in a specific order and rhythm are more effective. Winsor Pilates has a strong and passionate following.

Pilates is a safe and purposeful exercise designed to improve your strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Thank you Joseph H. Pilates… your vision has served us well. If you have never tried Pilates, perhaps with just a few minutes each week, you too might find a new exercise that will benefit you for years to come.

Mothers everywhere are always concerned about safety during pregnancy.

For those who either continue to exercise or who begin to exercise during pregnancy, safety is always of the utmost concern. It is important to always work with a Pilates instructor who has been trained specifically in prenatal exercises.

There is little research done specifically on the benefits of Pilates during pregnancy.

However, there is a significant amount of research done on the benefits of exercise in pregnancy in general to support its practice.

Pilates is a gentle form of exercise. It does not place undue stress on the joints.

Because it focuses on the “powerhouse’ or the core of the body, it works to improve balance, coordination and strength even during pregnancy. Pilates during pregnancy can be especially beneficial since it works to strengthen the abdominal core and spine which are the primary muscles supporting the expanding pregnancy belly.

The abdominal muscles work with the back muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor to support the weight of the pregnancy and these same muscles are also the focus of Pilates…the “powerhouse”.

There are several good Pilates books and Pilates videos, specifically Pilates pregnancy videos, to guide you through the months of pregnancy.

Denise Austin is an expert in the field of health and exercise. She has several powerful exercise videos that are easy to follow and that are designed to provide you with easy exercises which target the core abdominal muscles.

My favorite Denise Austin book is Pilates for Every Body.

This book is designed to provide you with the guidance to strengthen, lengthen and tone your body through a complete body makeover. Denise is a wonderful teacher and I particularly love her very practical tips called “Denise-eology” that she shares throughout the book.

Another well respected teacher, Mari Winsor, is the author of The Pilates Pregnancy. Mari developed the Winsor Pilates method based on the fundamentals of Joseph H. Pilates. She is a sought after trainer for A-list celebrities.

It is important to listen to your body, especially during pregnancy. If certain movements are painful for you then work with your Pilates instructor to either modify those movements or eliminate them from your Pilates routine during pregnancy.

Is Pilates safe during pregnancy?

Yes, it is safe if you do your part to listen to your body and make adjustments as your pregnancy progresses.

So pick out some fabulous and comfy Pilates clothing, put on some soothing music, clear your mind and work with your beautiful body.

Enjoy your pregnancy! Here’s to a happy, healthy and safe pregnancy.

Mari Winsor developed her specific brand of Pilates, called Winsor Pilates, over two decades ago. Mari’s business model is based on the traditional work of Joseph H. Pilates.

Winsor is a respected professional dancer, a certified trainer, teacher and business woman. She operates two Winsor Pilates studios in the Los Angeles area.

Winsor Pilates is based on a technique called “dynamic sequencing”. To put it simply, “dynamic sequencing” is set of exercises done in a specific order and rhythm.

The thought is that exercises done in a specific order and with a specific rhythm produce the most results. Winsor Pilates requires no equipment and can easily be done at home by following the certified instructors on the Winsor Pilates videos and DVDs.

When I first started learning Pilates I took classes at my local health club. But then I wanted to exercise outside of the Pilates classes offered at the gym. So that led me to the Winsor Pilates website…which is fabulous! My first purchase was the Basic Pilates.

Wow!

Even though I thought I was getting a good workout at my gym, when I first tried the Basic Pilates I was shocked! I was working muscles that I wasn’t even sure really existed. The initial package included a 20-minute circle workout, an accelerated fat-burning workout, a 10-minute sculpting blast workout, a fat-burning cookbook, an exercise planner and a Winsor Pilates Sculpting Circle.

The intensity of the exercises in this offer was impressive. I appreciated the ease of instructions and the way the videos kept things interesting and motivating.

The other thing I really liked about this package was that every other month two new workout videos were automatically delivered to my mailbox. I love the convenience of the automatic delivery and the variety of the Pilates videos. Mari Winsor is definitely on to something. Her program is phenomenal.

My friend, who is in her third month of pregnancy, also found that the Winsor Pilates program was enjoyable for her. Of course, “Is Pilates safe during pregnancy?” was the question foremost on her mind, but after checking it out with her doctor she was good to go and we were well on our way to enjoying not only the classes we started at our local gym but our newfound Winsor Pilates videos and DVDs as well, including Pilates During Pregnancy !

Winsor Pilates Basic is simply one of the best programs I have ever seen. The dynamic sequencing really seems to work. I am stronger, leaner and more flexible than ever. Even after taking classes at my local gym, I found that the Winsor Pilates videos and DVDs are an excellent addition to my overall workout plan.

I will definitely keep adding to my Winsor Pilates library. With results like mine, I can’t imagine stopping now!

The basics of Pilates include exercises designed to help you improve balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. Mental concentration on the exercises and mental concentration on specific breathing sequences combine to create this beneficial exercise.

The secret to Pilates is in the “powerhouse”. In Pilates basics you quickly learn that the core of the body, the abdomen, is called the “powerhouse”. All movements are designed to work your body as an entire unit, a whole, in order to provide an exercise program that works the muscles through their full range of motion.

It is the muscles of the abdomen and the spine that are the focus of “powerhouse” in Pilates. The abdominal muscles are made up of the rectus abdominis, the transverse abdominis, and the internal and external obliques. Pilates basics focuses on creating strong abdominal and spinal muscles which work together to improve strength, coordination, flexibility and balance.

While Pilates is a kinder and gentler exercise, similar to yoga, it should not be mistaken for a “wimpy” exercise. Ask devotees of Winsor Pilates and they will be the first to tell you that Mari Winsor has created a Pilates exercise designed around “dynamic sequencing”. With “dynamic sequencing” Winsor Pilates aggressively works the core of to create a longer and leaner body.

Because Pilates is not a joint-jarring exercise, it can be practiced by people at varying fitness levels. But make no mistake, this is indeed a workout. However, this exercise workout will leave you feeling invigorated and strong. Pilates will leave you feeling taller, leaner, energized and confident. The breathing exercises that accompany all Pilates movements will help you to feel calmer and more centered.

Why not give it a try? Pilates basics is simply a group of exercises accompanied by specific breathing routines designed to help strengthen, tone and lengthen your muscles…especially those of the “powerhouse”. More energy, confidence, strength…yes, that makes Pilates basics sound like a plan for me!