Picture this situation: you’re browsing thru magazines when you see your favorite actress looking like a total knockout with only her simple t-shirt and jeans. You wish you could have a body like hers, right? Well here’s the good news. You don’t have to be a millionaire to have that physique. The secret behind it is simple: a strict exercise routine, a healthy diet and pilates.

Pilates is a type of exercise which coordinates both mind and body. It focuses on flexibility, posture, agility and strength without bulking up. This is perfect for those who wish to have a stronger resistance and endurance without looking like a bodybuilder. It’s also an ideal form of exercise to relieve backaches and certain muscular pains. It improves your posture and tightens your abs. Hollywood celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, Liz Hurley and Madonna swear by the wonder of doing pilates. It’s obvious by the bodies of these stars that there are definitely benefits to concentrating on pilates instead of other forms of workouts that may be more difficult, even somewhat stressful, like exercising on multigym or boring whereas training on ellipticals.

Pilates can be done even without any pilates machines, similar to yoga, but  the machines simplify the techniques, aid in stretching and toning and offer an easier means to achieve the flexibility that is desirable when practicing either yoga or pilates or other eastern inspired exercise forms. There are some very complex machines and some that are really simple, just aids, not actual machines per say. Pilates magic circle, exercise balls, pilates chair, barrel, tower, reformer and the cadillac will give you a body that’s fit if you use them regularly. Naturally choose one or two you enjoy. You don’t need a whole series. In general, pilates or yoga type positions will help to tone your body and provide strength. If you want, start off with just a pilates mat, like the ones that give you a little extra support while doing your workout routine.

You can also wear pilates clothes that are designed especially for those who want loose comfort. It’s not about tight fitting spandex but about soft fluid clothing that doesn’t get in the way but allows the body to breathe.

One last note: don’t forget to warm before jumping into your pilates machines. All forms of western or eastern exercise or body movements will require a short period where you stretch, warm-up the muscles and tendons and get yourself ready to do the more strenuous positions once your body and mind are warm, open, and flexible.

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