Pilates equipment is a popular searched for item within this blog, so I guess people are looking for reviews and general information on the aero pilates machine. The aero pilates machine is certainly a "different" form of exercise.

One thing to take note is that no Aero Pilates Machine with Cardio Jump Board is "foldable for easy storage" as some claim to be. Even if it actually was, you'd not want to be using an item that may perhaps collapse under you!

The ones I've seen and used claim to be "foldable for easy storage" but are very heavy and not the type of thing you can simply get out, use and pack away quickly.

So... what can an aero pilates machine do for your home gym fitness workout?

A good Aero Pilates machine and trampoline will allow you to perform a variety of exercises without placing sever strain on the body or your joints, this allows anyone that uses it to exercise at their own levels to gain fitness and flexibility. Most aero pilates machines come with a DVD showing you various exercise routines you can complete when using the machine from beginner to advanced exercise routines.

There is more information on aero pilates machines and their training affects and benefits in the "free fitness resource" on the right side in this blog.

Well so far this week I've managed to do my sit up and press up routine twice this week and also go for a 30 minute run so I'm on target to meet my 1st weeks goals and move into week two of my fitness programme.

I've found it much easier to meet my targets as I've written them out and know what I want to achieve, little and often is the key to getting back on track, and not try to achieve all I want to do in the first week.

For next weeks fitness plan I hope to include some pilates work. I'm looking forward to getting the option of joining a gym when gain some fitness and I get the company benefit after 3 months. I look forward to seeing if they have an Aero Pilates machine as I like the idea of working with pilates equipment as I feel it gives superb core fitness.

I don't use fitness equipment at the moment, but I do have a fitness mat which I would fully recommend as it will stop you from injuring your back and it also makes exercising much more comfortable for you to achieve a good solid sit up routine.

It's vital to get fit and get the exercise to give results technique and quality need to be done over quantity. Take it slowly, don't rush and make sure you can feel the correct muscles working out.

My sit up & press up fitness routine:

30 x Crunches (hands on head focusing on stomach as sitting up)

30 x Rowing crunches - Pulling legs towards body as the same time as sitting up

25 x incline press ups

30 x Sit ups each side

25 x incline press ups

30 x Rowing crunches - Pulling legs towards body as the same time as sitting up

30 x Crunches (hands on head focusing on stomach as sitting up)

50 x incline press ups

Good posture is important in both every day living and exercise. Often overlooked but a very important part of looking good, and staying fit and healthy! (clearly).

A good posture will:

Help to keep to keep bones and joints in correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly and to full affect.

Help to decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces.

Decrease the stress on ligaments on joints and on the spine.

Prevent the spine getting into fixed abnormal positions.

Prevent fatigue, as your muscles are being used more affectively, in turn using the body more efficiently.

Prevent overuse or strain problems, backache and muscular pain.

Contribute to a good appearance.

Good posture is NOT about tightening your body to sit or stand up straight. Good posture is all about getting into a position your body, muscles and ligaments are put under the least strain.

A great way to improve posture is to participate in Yoga or Pilates. These are both a great foundation for exercise and fitness.

Here are some quick and easy ways to check your posture at home, stand facing a full length mirror and check the following:

1) Your shoulders are level.

2) Your head is straight, not tilted to the side.

3) The spaces between your arms and your sides seem equal on both sides.

4) Your hips are level, not sloped to one side.

5) Your ankles are straight and not turned in or out.

You can also have someone look at you from the side and check the following:

1) Your head is stacked over your body, not jutting forward or pulled back

2) Your chin is parallel to the floor, not tilting up or down

3) Shoulders are in line with ears, not drooping forward or pulled back too far

4) Your hands are in line with hips, not forward or back

5) Your knees are straight, not bent or hyper-extended

6) Your lower back is slightly curved forward, not too flat or curved too much, (creating a swayback).

Do your best to practice these points of posture everyday, and before you know it, you will notice a difference.

Many think that Pilates, like yoga, is just series of stretches, not requiring any particular equipment. Nothing further from the truth. Original Pilates equipment consist of a combination of springs and high tension elastic cords. This type of gear was so efficient that it became the model for many Pilates machines today.
Aero Piltes is one of them; many people swears that it's the best. It combines the qualities of Pilates workout (involving different muscle groups, while promoting balance and stabilising your body) with cardio!
Workout programs and techniques encourage a heavy workout of the cardio-vascular system that is more advanced and efficient then traditional cardio machines. At the same time you are not putting any stress on your joints/ligaments.
The machine even comes with four levels of elastic cords to promote varying workout levels. You can workout according to your fitness and strength abilities at four different levels instead of being limited to only one or two levels of training.
How does that sound? This piece of equipment should be available new from under £200. But if you are not a fitness-freak, you might be better off with good old Pilates ring...

I always had bad posture: I never seat straight, I slouch badly...All that caused some severe back and shoulder pain. I sought advice of my fitness trainer - she suggested Pilates.
Pilates is all moving efficiently. What makes Pilates so important with respect to posture is that Pilates trains us to develop and use core strength, rather than holding our position with superficial musculature.
Using the deep core muscles of the powerhouse - the abdominals, back, and pelvic floor - to support our posture allows the shoulders to relax, the neck and head to move freely, and relieves stress on the hips, legs, and feet.
Most of us know good posture when we see it, and we are inspired by how free and strong it makes a person look, but there are so many reasons to attend to ones posture:
• pain relief throughout the body, including back and neck pain, hip pain, leg and foot pain.
• allows us to move efficiently
• improves muscle function
• increases range of motion
• takes pressure off of compressed organs
• improves circulation
• creates a trimmer appearance
• radiates an attitude of confidence.

Here is the alignment check list I have to follow now, to work on my posture. Best is to repeat these moves as many times during the day as possible, especially after worm up or even after workout.

1. Begin standing. Stand with your feet and legs directly under your hips, with your feet parallel, pointing forward. Knees are straight but not locked.
2. Balance Your Weight. Adjust your body so that your weight feels like it is falling directly through the middle of the foot. A good way to do this is to rock slightly forward and back on your feet, making the movement smaller and smaller until you feel your weight is balanced over the center of your foot.

3. Activate your core muscles. Lightly pull your abdominal muscles in and up. As you do so you engage the pelvic floor as well. You are going for a feeling of aliveness in the core. Just this move is usually enough to improve one's posture significantly.
4. Drop the tail bone. Activating the core will allow you to drop your tail bone directly down toward the floor. This is a neutral spine position, where the natural curves of the spine are present without tucking or hyper-extending(sway back) the pelvis. A popular image is that the pelvis is a bowl of water and you don't want the water to spill out to the front or the back.
5. Relax and open your chest. The chest is not caved in and not thrust out, just resting easily. There is a small point at the bottom of your sternum, and that, like the tail bone, should be pointing straight down.
6. Shoulders down, broad back. Allow your chest to drop and open as your back expands. As this happens, your shoulders drop away from your ears and your shoulder blades slide down your back. Cultivate a posture whereby the your core is holding you up, not your shoulders!
7. Ears reach for the sky. The head and neck are now completely supported by the core and easily float above the shoulders. Imagine that the tops of your ears are reaching for the sky. Your gaze is straight forward, with the throat open and the chin resting naturally.
8. Review the line up. If you were seen from the side your body part line up will look like this:

•ankles
•knees
•hips
•shoulders
•ears

I hope to see the results in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile I work on developing the core muscles and general awareness by...sitting on Pilates boll at work ;)
I'll be reporting on my progress shortly.