Malibu Pilates Chair and More
The Malibu Pilates Chair is a recent invention by renowned California Pilates instructor, Caroll Krieff, adopting the basic principles of the original Pilates chair. The Malibu Pilates Chair is similar to the techniques of the Wunda Chair, created by Pilates founder, Joseph Pilates. The Malibu Pilates Chair is like a staking pommel and consists of a small bench-like platform with a pedal or step attached with springs to the chair for various resistance levels.
The Malibu Pilates Chair works well to strengthen, stretch and sculp the leg muscles, arms, bottom and thighs, and firms up the abdominal muscles.
Joseph Pilates - History of the Founder of Pilates
Who Was He?
Joseph Pilates was a German born in Dusseldorf in 1880. He suffered from asthma and rickets as a child and was determined to strengthen his sickly body. He began developing his exercise system in the early 1900s where he first called his method as "The Art of Contrology". His method highlighted the unique approach of using the mind to control the muscles.In 1912, Pilates moved to England. During the First World War, when he was interned at a camp, he taught this 'muscle control' to his fellow internees and helped them maintain their health through the deadly epidemic in 1918. In the latter part of the war, he discovered a method that tied springs to hospital beds to support the patients' ailing limbs which brought about successful results. Based on this idea, Joseph Pilates developed the Pilates Reformer and following that, many other Pilates equipment. His teachings and workout principles are today famously called the Pilates method.
Joseph Pilates was also renowned for saying this about the Pilates method: "After 10 sessions you'll notice a difference, after 20 sessions other people will notice a difference, and after 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body".
Visit Pilates-Exercise-Guide.com to learn more on the Pilates method and Pilates equipment.
Joseph Pilates Book
Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 01/03/2010)
List Price: $29.95
This book is a must-read for fans of Pilates. His insight, techniques and principles are written in great detail to give you a better understanding of the Pilates method.
Features of Malibu Pilates Chair
The Malibu Pilates Chair comprises of a custom split-step pedal system for your arms and legs, with adjustable spring resistance system. It comes complete with 3 DVDs on step-by-step instructions and various workouts totalling 115 minutes, a 10-day eating right guide and an exercise chart to track your progress.The arm handles, foot pedals and seat are all padded for added comfort and grip. For your safety, there is a locking pin device to secure the pedals when they are not in use. The Malibu Pilates Chair is made of metal, steel and vinyl.
Order your Malibu Pilates Chair by clicking here.
Malibu Pilates Chair - Great Buys
Our Recommendations
What We Say About Malibu Pilates Chair
- It gives a balanced whole body workout - stretching, toning and strengthening the muscles in the legs, arms, thighs and abdominal muscles.
- It gives a low impact exercise, in line with core principles of the Pilates method.
- It is easy to use. Suitable even for Pilates beginners.
- By following a specific routine in a 20 to 45 minute daily workout session, you can sculpt your body effectively, tailoring to your target areas.
- The Malibu Pilates Chair is inexpensive and mobile, making it convenient to carry anywhere.
Order your Malibu Pilates Chair by clicking here.
Top Selling Pilates Books
#1 on Our List
Pilates for Every Body: Strengthen, Lengthen, and Tone-- With This Complete 3-Week Body Makeover
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $18.95
This book is written by Denise Austin, the bestselling author in the US who has her own TV fitness program. Pilates is today's fastest growing exercise method as exponents are openly embracing its unique technique of body conditioning, shaping, sculpting, lengthening and balancing, without the end result of building bulky muscles.
Denise shows us her complete Pilates program where you will see and feel the results in just 10 sessions. Pilates focuses on the whole mind and body (the abs and back), the upper body (arms and shoulders) plus the lower body (hips, buttocks and legs).
The secret to the success of Pilates does not lie in the actual Pilates moves but rather in the 'powerhouse' or the core of your body. Denise teaches you how to work the deepest layer of your abdominal muscles to completely realign and reshape your body, starting with your core, and lengthening upward and outward.
Numerous Pilates routines are illustrated throughout the next three parts of this book. In some of these routines, Denise has added a touch of yoga, ballet and strength training - all with a Pilates emphasis.
Her approach is more than just a series of body moves - it can be customized to individual needs. Some of the routines shown in the book will help you to target particular trouble spots, such as the hips, thighs and buttocks. Others will help you address particular health concerns, such as a bad back. Some are designed for on-the-go people with little time to exercise, whereas others offer a more complete, rigorous workout. Several variations on the exercises - from beginner to more challenging levels, are also included.
In the final part of the book, Denise shares with you her 3-week total body makeover for complete mind-body fitness. She gives you a healthy eating plan to follow, various workout exercises, a cardio program and a positive thinking program. Find out how you can have a lean, toned and balanced body in just 21 days!
From here, Denise shows you how to make this program part of your total body-maintenance plan to stay young, fit and healthy. And this is the exact same maintenance plan that Denise personally uses to stay in shape!
#2 on Our List
The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $18.95
This book reaffirms that Pilates is not just a fad but is here to stay with almost a century of history and its theories and applications still very relevant today. While other conventional exercises tend to build bulky and stiff muscles, read how the Pilates method of exercise is different by building a lean and toned body without the bulk.
This book offers a powerful and informative insight into Pilates from the author known as the "Trainer to the Stars" by Vogue and Entertainment Tonight.
Personally trained under Joseph Pilates protege, the grand dame of Pilates, Romana Kryzanowska, the author brings to you the secrets to mastering Pilates matwork and easy-to-follow matwork exercises. You will have a whole new body in 30 sessions.
The Pilates Body is a "must-have" book for the new and old Pilates enthusiasts alike.
#3 on Our List
The Complete Book of Pilates for Men: The Lifetime Plan for Strength, Power & Peak Performance
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $19.99
This Pilates book is specially written with the man in mind. It seeks to break the preconception that Pilates only benefits and appeals to women. As the founder Joseph Pilates was a cigar-smoking boxer, acrobat and gymnast, he actually developed his exercise program from that background for men first.
Due to the limited number of Pilates books catering to the male mass market, top Pilates instructor, Daniel Lyon has written this book to meet the demand of nearly three million male Pilates practitioners today.
Practical and easily adoptable, Lyon walks you through 40 "traditional mat" exercises and more than 60 "reformer on the mat" exercises that adapts to all experience levels and requires nothing more than floor space, an exercise mat and the desire to look and feel your best.
Men and women were made differently with respect to their physical bodies. Men tend to have more body strength but not necessarily integrated strength, whereas women usually demonstrate more flexibility. Men tend to be tighter in the shoulders, back, legs and the hips whereas women tend to have better ranges in motion.
With this in mind, Lyon's book targets men's bodies and what they require within the Pilates method. His program also highlights trouble spots for men which will help them to achieve strong, lean and masculine physiques.
This book has received excellent reviews from several well-known Pilates figures and will surely inspire you as well!
#4 on Our List
Pilates: Body in Motion
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $15.00
The author is a licensed physical therapist and founder and director of the Pilates Center in New York - Tribeca Bodyworks. As a certified Pilates instructor taught by Romana Kryzanowska, she has personally trained celebrities like Madonna, Uma Thurman, Matthew Modine and many others.
This book is written as a guide and reference to facilitate individual mastery of the Pilates exercise method at your own pace and in your own time. The act of breathing is an understated but crucial technique to ensure you reap the maximum benefit from the exercises. Alycea gives you a detailed guide to develop correct breathing techniques.
Before you begin, you need to undertake good preparation exercise in four steps. As you embark on the introductory program, you will find your body easily adapting to the different movements.
The second chapter focuses on the beginner's program which assumes a working knowledge of the basic principles of centering and control. The aim is to increase strength and speed within a framework of familiar exercises.
The third chapter introduces several new exercises where precision is the focal point. The aim is to fine-tune the existing movements you already know and practice what you find challenging.
The next chapter involves more complex exercises where you should choose only one at a time and in the order given. The focus is on the flow of the movements.
So what are you waiting for? Let Alycea's expert guidance help you shape and redefine your body to longer lasting youth!
#5 on Our List
Pilates Over 50: Longer, Leaner, Stronger, Younger
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
List Price: $15.95
Lesley Ackland is the founder of the highly acclaimed Pilates Body Maintenance studio in London's Covent Garden. With more than 20 years experience and now in her early fifties, Lesley shares with you her personal exercise and nutrition secrets that make her look and feel 20 years younger.
She has specially designed a 45 to 60-minute daily maintenance routine aimed to defeat the ageing process. People in their 50s and 60s can use this Pilates manual to stay fit and healthy. This book will also benefit people who are in their mid 40s approaching 50, to mobilize their joints to avoid tight hamstrings, bent knees, round shoulders and a forward-pointing neck later in life.
By keeping to her body maintenance program, Lesley shows you how to prevent bad posture, alleviate a stiff neck and headaches, breathing problems, aching joints and other health problems related to ageing.
Her book also focuses on proper nutrition, delaying ageing through a correct diet, what to eat and what not to eat, how to cope with a slower metabolic rate and when to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals.
The Pilates exercises featured are simple and carefully designed for the older adult group to protect themselves against the physical effects of ageing. They cover all areas of the body including the foot, neck, shoulders and back.
In addition to Pilates exercises, Lesley also touches on other cardio and weight-bearing exercises useful to prevent common age-related illnesses.
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