Pop Pilates

While training for my last marathon I wanted to do yoga or pilates twice a week. I have a couple of videos but for the most part I was relying on youtube. I looked at a LOT of videos...too long, too short, too hard, too easy. One video didn't even have sound. You were supposed to watch the instructor, but when you are laying on the ground that's hard to do.  I gave up on yoga/pilates after 11 weeks. I like a variety and searching youtube for a new video (that was at the level and time I wanted) twice a week was taking too long.

But while looking at all the youtube videos I found Pop Pilates by Cassey Ho. Her videos are very short (most are like 10 minutes), so I only watched a couple of her longer ones that were 30 minutes before I quit trying to do pilates twice a week. After my marathon was over I went back to her youtube channel and to her website. She posts a monthly calendar of videos for you to follow.  Her youtube site has a playlist that has that day's videos listed. It's incredibly convenient.

Each day focuses on a different body part or cardio, and is made up of 5 to 6 short videos. All of the videos for the day combined add up to about 50 - 60 minutes, but if you cut out her talking it is about 45 minutes of exercise. You get 1 rest day a week. From reading comments on her videos, I would say most people doing these videos are between 16-22. I'm pretty sure I'm the oldest person doing them. I've even seen comments from 11 year-olds.

My goal was to follow the December Pop Pilates calendar and run 4 times a week (just 3 or 4 miles each time).The good news is I completed the Pop Pilates calendar. The bad news is I didn't run and I ate a lot of sweets this month. So I didn't notice any changes in my body or weight. I do feel a tad more flexible and stronger.

I'm really excited that I finished the whole calendar. I have a tendency to quit things when I get close to finishing them. I did skip days and double up on other days. But I did all the videos (except the one where she wanted me to dance, I switched that out for another cardio video).

Completed work out calendar!

Pros: I love being told exactly what to do;  I love that Cassey does all the moves with you; I think she sends a good message to young girls; there's so many different videos you don't repeat the same ones over and over; I love that the videos are short...it's easy to make time for a 10 minute video; some of her videos are really challenging; she shows you advanced and beginner options for a lot of the moves; her videos are free

Cons: She is geared towards younger people, so sometimes I find her overly peppy; sometimes she screams and if my volume is turned up it's really loud; if you don't like Pop music these may not be the videos for you; some of the videos are really challenging

Overall I like Pop Pilates and will continue doing them. I'd like to keep doing the strength workouts, and replace the cardio days with running. 4 days of Pop Pilates and 5 days of running would be great.

24 Hour Fitness is going to start offering Pop Pilates classes. Though I think I'll always prefer Body Pump, I would go to these classes as well. Well unless they are filled with teeny boppers. Following the youtube videos are worth a go if you need to do an at home workout. They are free, so you have nothing to loose.

Tucker working on his downward dog