Crunch Fat Burning Pilates - Discussion

Crunch Fat Burning Pilates, a popular exercise program developed by fitness instructor Ellen Barrett, combines elements of Pilates and dance aerobics into a high intensity fat burning workout.

She has also developed companion DVDs, including Crunch - SuperSlim Down, and Crunch - Burn and Firm Pilates, which utilize elements of yoga as well, in addition to "calorie burning cardio plus Pilates-based toning".

Kathy Smith, a recognized fitness expert, has also developed a fat burning Pilates system available on DVD, entitled appropriately enough, Fat Burning Pilates. The program promises to be impact safe yet effective in weight management through intense calorie burning.

Classical Pilates, as developed by Joseph Pilates, also burns calories and reduces fat by toning and exercising the muscles of the body in a series of concentrated movements. Crunch Fat Burning Pilates thus embraces these elements.

Pilates exercises that have been shown to be especially effective in targeting body fat include those in the core series, which vigorously work the abdominal muscles. Pilates called the core the “powerhouse” and felt that a strong mid section played a vital role in good health, body alignment and endurance.

Core strength serves as the foundation of all Pilates exercises. All exercise focus on six essentials that should be in mind throughout the routine - breathing, control, centering, flow, precision, and coordination. To develop an effective fat burning routine, experts recommend a certain sequence of exercises and movements.

Generally, pelvic and abdominal exercises open the practice, followed by back exercises, leg exercises and stretches, finishing with upper body and arm exercises. Abdominal fat burning exercises condition, strengthen and tone the core region.

Most exercise should be done for ten repetitions, though beginners can work up to a number that challenges them. Stretches should be completed in sets of four. To be most effective, the muscles of the body should be worked daily, in shorter increments, as muscle memory has been shown to be quite short.

Pilates abdominal exercises include pelvic tilts, basic abdominal curls, single leg stretches, basic sit ups, and side stretches. Many of the initial stretches bear resemblance to certain yogic postures, and have the same benefits.

When opening the practice, gentle controlled movements will be more beneficial than jerky rapid ones. Practice feeling the adjustment of muscles throughout the pose and focus on the movement of breath which guides the pose. Modifications to each pose should be taken as necessary to eliminate possible injuries or strain.

Also, if you suffer from back pain, use props or stabilization techniques to make the practice risk free and equally effective. After a few months of consistent practice, you will notice a marked difference not only in energy levels, but in muscle tone a difference dress size. Flexibility and endurance will also increase.

If you have personal experience with the Crunch Fat Burning Pilates program, do let us know. We can then share that useful information on Crunch Fat Burning Pilates with our other readers.

You may wish to learn more about how the Pilates Power System can improve your health and fitness, and about how to use pilates to provide relief from back and joint pain.

Click here for more pages and articles on Pilates.

Some Related Pilates Pages
What are Pilates? - Overview
Pilates Positions - Discussion
Pilates Breathing - Discussion
Pilates Reformer Exercises - Discussion
Crunch Fat Burning Pilates - Discussion