Winsor Pilates - does this work?

My wife is interested in getting this series. I'm a little put off by the fact that it's an infomercial. She has just had her first baby (5 months ago) and doesn't want to do anything to stressful. Any advice would be helpful.

I started a Pilates program at the local YMCA about a year ago and a few weeks back I borrowed the Winsor Pilates DVD's to see how the instruction I received in person compared to the exercises in the videos.

Most of the exercises were done in the same way and with the same form as I was shown by my instructor. I had a big problem though with things that weren't explained on the DVDs.

In order to properly perform Pilates exercises, your back and shoulders must carefully positioned. For example, when you're feet are off the floor, your back should be in an "imprint" position - flat against the floor with little or no curve. Other exercises require that you maintain a small curve under your lower back which must not change position during the execution of the exercise. Ad well with all Pilates exercises you must keep your abs engaged.

None of these very important fine points were discussed in the DVD. I'm sure you'd get a workout regardless, but you're not getting the best workout possible by following the tape step by step.

My advice would be to take a beginners Pilates class from an instructor, then use the DVD's after you're comfortable with how to properly execute the fine points of the Pilates method.

If your wife wants to get in shape, I would advise that she try out The FIRM series of workouts, which incorporate light weights for effective sculpting.
If she doesn't want to workout with any weights, then she should try the
Lotte Berk Method workouts (they have a good one for abs and also a good one for buns/thighs) - you can get them on Amazon.

Pilates will not transform the body overnight - it is good for core strength so there will be improvement in the abs. I've got the winsor series on dvd, however I also have the Hilary Burnett series and I think they are much better and more relaxing. I

've been doing pilates several times a week for a couple of months now - my stomach is flatter, but that is it.

Also, your wife will not lose weight with pilates - on the winsor informercial, what they fail to inform you is that as well as doing the workouts several times a week, you need to do some cardio and follow a calorie controlled diet (you get this in the leaflets that come with the dvds).

Just to also add that the Lotte Berk Method workouts are not stressful on the body - they incorporate small movements to lift and tighten muscles, similar to Callanetics.