Mari Winsor’s method of Pilates instruction involves what she calls “dynamic sequencing,” an arrangement of Pilates exercises in an easy-to-follow cycle intended to produce maximum strength and flexibility gains with a low-intensity workout. The exercises Winsor teachers target the muscle groups known in Pilates as the “powerhouse”: the large muscle groups of the abdominals, back, and buttocks. Winsor Pilates routines do not use any equipment more complicated than a mat, so her instructional videos can easily be followed at home without a significant equipment investment.

For beginners, the Mari Winsor: Pilates program demonstrates proper form for each exercise and provides a good workout series, including modifications for those unable to perform the advanced version of a movement. However, once you’ve learned the basic moves, the amount of explanation included in this DVD may seem to eat into your workout time too much, so you should move on to a more advanced program to get the most out of your workout time. If you want to stick with Winsor as an instructor, her Accelerated Body Sculpting provides a faster-paced workout, but without any of the principles of the exercises explained. If you want both a good pace and some discussion of the exercise principles in a single program, consider one of the top three Pilates DVDs recommended by Think Pilates.

One of the major criticisms made by personal trainers and other fitness experts about Winsor Pilates relates to the claims that Winsor Pilates will help users to loose weight. Pilates exercises alone are primarily strength training and flexibility training exercises, rather than aerobic exercise, which is an important part of an effective weight loss exercise program. If you are interested in using Pilates to achieve weight loss, make sure your overall exercise routine includes daily aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or anything that gets your heart rate up. Some Pilates videos incorporate dance movement or other high-intensity aerobic exercise with Pilates matwork for users interested in weight loss.

Another thing to keep in mind before beginning a Winsor Pilates program is that, depending on your current fitness level and experience, you may find Pilates exercises too challenging to perform without assistance. In this case, you should consider taking a few instructor-lead Pilates classes before moving on to solo work with DVDs. A certified Pilates instructor can help you work on your exercise form and make sure you don’t injure yourself during your workouts, and for many the added motivation of an in-person instructor or the other members of a workout class can be a great way to stick to a new fitness routine.

Before starting any new work out program, talk to your doctor to make sure the exercise you’re considering is safe for you and will help you achieve your specific fitness goals. Though Pilates exercises may be used safely by some pregnant women during some stages of pregnancy, check with your doctor if you’re pregnant and interested in starting a Winsor Pilates routine or any exercise program. Those who are substantially overweight should follow the same advice.

If you find it easier to stay motivated and focused during your workouts when you’re with a group or a live instructor, check out the class offerings at your local health and fitness club or look for a Pilates studio in your neighborhood. Most clubs will offer one or more weekly Pilates classes, with traditional classes focusing on matwork or exercises that use a piece of equipment called the Pilates reformer. If Pilates will be your primary form of exercise, you should try to attend a class that meets at least three times a week, or else supplement your in-person workouts with practice at home. If you live in a major US city, Yelp is a great place to find a Pilates studio and read what current and former students say about the facilities and instructors. Another good place to locate instructors is using the instructor search tool on Romana Kryzanowski’s website.

If you need to exercise at odd hours or just need the keep flexibility in your schedule, practicing Pilates at home with the aid of a Pilates DVD or video is a great option. There are a number of great video workouts available, from videos that teach individual exercises to complete workouts that guide you through a series of exercises for a complete body workout. Choosing a video or a collection of videos that you find challenging and motivating is the key to successfully working out with Pilates at home. This thorough review of twelve popular Pilates DVDs is a good place to start if you’re trying to pick a good video. If you get bored of using the same videos repeatedly or just don’t want to buy another workout video, you could try checking out the sports and fitness selection available on Netflix streaming, which has a nice selection of full-length Pilates workout videos led by several popular fitness instructors. For some detailed instructions on how to perform the basic Pilates exercises, check out this free guide to Pilates exercises.

One of the most popular Pilates instructors in the US is Mari Winsor. To get a taste of the Winsor Pilates method, check out this full-length workout video available online:

Although some Pilates instructors teach the exercises using a variety of specialized Pilates equipment, you don’t need to buy such equipment up front (or, indeed, ever) to get the vast majority of the benefits of the exercise. At a fundamental level, Pilates exercises use your own body weight and the force of gravity to provide the needed resistance for each exercise, and if you’re in reasonably good health, you will probably be able to perform most Pilates exercises safely and with proper form without the aid of any of the more specialized Pilates machines like the reformer, trapeze, or chair. You might find a basic yoga mat and an exercise ball to be helpful whether you’re planning to take class or start using a video, but even these types of equipment aren’t necessary to get started. Don’t get caught up in purchasing equipment and forget that the most important thing is just to get started!

If you’re looking for a fun, challenging, graceful form of exercise to incorporate into your workout routine, you should definitely give Pilates a try. No special equipment is required, and you can begin safely whatever your current fitness level may be. You might find that Pilates is all you need to stay in shape, or that it injects a nice change of pace into your established workout routine.