I strongly encourage you to have at minimum some private Pilates reformer instruction before purchasing one. They’re very large and fairly expensive, and the exercises have to be done a certain controlled way to benefit fully from them. If you aren’t ready for private instruction on the reformer, then try doing Pilates May classes via video until you’re ready for some hands on instruction. I have a reformer at home, and have several years of private instruction— and even then, I’m not sure I really needed one. I enjoy it, but I could have just done Mat at home and been fine.

Anonymous wrote:If I buy a pilates reformer and do not have any experience with Pilates how do i use it? Are there videos? I do not think I want to pay DMV rates for an in home instructor. Could I get a zoom instructor?

why would you buy a reformer if you have no idea how to use it or if you will even enjoy using it?

If I buy a pilates reformer and do not have any experience with Pilates how do i use it? Are there videos? I do not think I want to pay DMV rates for an in home instructor. Could I get a zoom instructor?

You all are full of cute little aphorisms from your trainers and fitness magazines and it's dull as hell. There is no one-size-fits-all here. When I eat the same and I start running, I lose weight. My abs aren't "made in the kitchen" or whatever because when I just cut calories, I still have a soft stomach. Exercise makes you burn more calories throughout the day. Finding something you like, whether it's treadmill, weight lifting, pilates, walking, yoga, whatever, is the best thing because you will actually keep it up.

Anonymous wrote:I am 43 years old and I have 15-20 pounds COVID weight to lose. I’m starting to eat better and treadmill/elliptical daily. Thinking about adding pilates reformer to the weekly calendar just to mix it up. Can I lose weight by doing the reformer 2-3x a week and the other days treadmill/elliptical?

How long does it take to see the difference from the reformer? Thanks!

You can lose weight by changing your diet. THere are tons of scientific articles on this and how exercise doesn't impact weight loss.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weight is lost through diet. Repeat after me, weight is lost through diet.

Exercise is for your health and to get stronger.

This black and white thinking is annoying and misguided.

OP, if you like pilates, do it.

No it really isn't. I am not saying don't do Pilates. I am all for exercise, but so many have the idea that they need to add in more exercise to lose weight or choose exercise they don't enjoy because they think it will burn more calories. When in reality weight loss is 95% diet.

Not to mention OP's question was all about losing weight and how fast she can see results. In the fat loss car, Nutrition is the driver of fat loss, exercise is the passenger.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weight is lost through diet. Repeat after me, weight is lost through diet.

Exercise is for your health and to get stronger.

This black and white thinking is annoying and misguided.

OP, if you like pilates, do it.

No it really isn't. I am not saying don't do Pilates. I am all for exercise, but so many have the idea that they need to add in more exercise to lose weight or choose exercise they don't enjoy because they think it will burn more calories. When in reality weight loss is 95% diet.

Anonymous wrote:Weight is lost through diet. Repeat after me, weight is lost through diet.

Exercise is for your health and to get stronger.

This black and white thinking is annoying and misguided.

OP, if you like pilates, do it.

Weight is lost through diet. Repeat after me, weight is lost through diet.

Exercise is for your health and to get stronger.

Just echoing what the other PP's have said. Pilates, yoga and the like are not geared toward weight loss rather the focus is on building core strength and balance, with some overall toning. In order to see improvement you will need to do it minimum 3x's a week, but 4 would obviously be better.

To really lose weight you need to change your diet and the quantity of what you're eating. No getting around it.

PP here. Pilates won’t help you lose weight. Abs are made in the kitchen.

Pilates instructor here. You can do Pilates every day if you want. It’s a low impact workout. If you want to see results I’d do at least 3x a week.

Thank you for the info. When you are in good Pilates shape how many times a week are you doing Pilates?

I don’t think Pilates helps with weight loss, but does a lot for toning and strengthening — both of which seem to give the appearance of a lower weight. I also hold myself better and have a smoother, more confident walk when I’m in good Pilates-shape (which I am not right now!)

I am 43 years old and I have 15-20 pounds COVID weight to lose. I’m starting to eat better and treadmill/elliptical daily. Thinking about adding pilates reformer to the weekly calendar just to mix it up. Can I lose weight by doing the reformer 2-3x a week and the other days treadmill/elliptical?

How long does it take to see the difference from the reformer? Thanks!