Bowflex: The Pilates Revolution

Using a specially-designed gym mat and other equipment along with a Bowflex total fitness gym, Bowflex Pilates helps you improve your core strength, flexibility, agility and coordination. Even back pain, that cause of most pain-related doctor visits, may be alleviated with regular use of this training program.

June Kahn is a certified Pilates instructor/trainer through the Physical Mind Institute and one of Self Magazine's "Top 20 Personal Trainers." She developed the Bowflex Pilates training program to focus on building strength and flexibility, while simultaneously providing a fun work out.

A set of dumbbells or a gym mat you pick up at WalMart is a relatively easy way to get yourself started with an exercise regime. But you don't get a complete and total workout that way. Using dumbbells alone won't tone and strengthen your muscles along with the cardiovascular (read that as heart) conditioning you need. Working out with a dumbbell may help you build muscle size, it doesn't give you the total body re-conditioning possible through this system.

The Bowflex Pilates kit works with machines that are bench based. By combining the Bowflex workout bench with a specially-designed Pilates gym mat, the bench converts into a non-skid surface - the set up you need for your Pilates workout.

Extension cables connect to the existing rods and foot straps are added to the Bowflex, providing you with additional work out options. Once connected, the rods are used to to help strengthen your core muscles without dumbells. And it does it without the extra storage and exercise space needed for a full set of dumbbells.

With the included Pilates stability ball (and instructional video), you can do exercises that will help with the abdominal connection, back and core strengthening, leg/spine mobility, and back and leg extensions. Fitness trainers know that you can't take care of back pain without toning up the abdominals and strenghtening the lower legs. Bowflex Pilates covers both those areas.

The DVD gives step-by-step instructions on how to use each of Bowflex Pilates kit items, including the gym mat and stability ball. Initially, balancing on that ball is a trick in itself. But continued use develops great abdominal strength and overall coordination. If you can't walk and chew gum, this is one to help you.

Not just for beginners or neophytes, with Bowflex, Pilates and June Kahn, you can move on to an intermediate or advanced workout. Each kit contains the Pilates gym mat, workout video, cable extensions, stability ball and foot harness. Fortunately, instructions are easy to follow and comprehensive. And you won't need a lot of additional space for the kit; the gym mat and stability ball take up far less space than a set of dumbbells.

With regular and targeted exercise and commitment to continue, you will be able to work toward conditioning your body. You'll find that with the physical conditioning comes enhanced physical and mental well-being as your overall health improves. Good physical and mental health are factors in a happier and more fulfilling lifestyle.