I've had saddlebags since??? I can't remember how long? Most of my life? And nothing this side of starvation has made them go away. Until Pilates Plus Silverlake. Now it's more like, "WHAT saddlebags?"
Furthermore, my mom AND my (gay) chiropractor randomly smack my butt as I walk by and say "Damn, nice ass honey!". For me? That's all the incentive I need to keep on going. I've never had a perky butt. Cute, yes, but perky enough to put a plate of mixed greens on? No. Now, it's just a whole new view back there. :)
But wait, there's more. My back has soft tissue damage from two car accidents involving whiplash, plus an old dance injury. I'd been in $1000's of dollars of therapy for years with rolfing, feldencrais, hanna somatic movement AND chiropractic. I still see my amazing chiropractor once a month but I'd have to say, going to PP Silverlake 3-4 times a week is the kicker. (It took some time to be able to say this. I had to start slow and work my strength up for months, just so you know)
My back has not spasmed-out in a YEAR! (IT used to pop out - slipped disc- about once every two months. Now? Not at all for a year!) I used to miss work, my life, my friends, my happiness once a month for up to 5 days (not to mention the excruciating pain). Now, no more pain, no more loss of mobility, no more loss of wages. So, yeah, I'm goin'!
My favorite instructors are Danna (she'll be back in a month and well worth the wait), Brandon and Chava. Brandon and Danna have the best music but all have a fantastic repertoire of movements, pacing, encouragement and coaching right when you need it.
I especially like how Chava said the other day that, depending on how rigorous you decide to make your work out (all may work out at own level, which is so liberating! Not all days are 100% days, right? but some are 125%, so there you go), if you really kick it up? You can continue to burn calories AFTER your workout. I am told that each session can burn about 500 calories pretty easily.
I also like the freedom of choice in the classes. You can adjust your weights with each move, yes, but I sometimes switch a move here and there that might be more back-friendly for me on certain days I'm not 100% for example, and I never get flack for it. There is no ego here, as far as I can tell. We're all sweating and wobbling and shaking and workin' it!
BTW I don't go to the gym at all. And I look amazing (depending on what types of food I'm consuming in general). I get all my muscle building and cardio plus flexibility work right in one place.
I budget for this and find it to be, for me, in no way frivolous. For me it is necessary and I don't bat an eye at the cost even though my income is modest.
I like that you sign up for classes on line. It's very easy and user friendly.
So there you have it. Oh, I also wish they offered more than one stretch class. I've not been able to go in months because it's always full waaaay ahead of time. read more