Pilates Power: Workouts Online with Pilatesology

Super advanced Pilates? Eh…I’m working up to it…

My Pilates addiction took a hit when Baby 2 started resisting gym daycare. Just when my daughter was going gangbusters with the gym daycare, my son got old enough to start caring that I was leaving him. So instead of doing many classes lately, I’ve used my trip up to the gym this summer to hit the pool with the kids rather than drop them at daycare while this phase passes. But even though my Pilates teacher was a bit of a drill sergeant, I find myself missing those morning classes.

But no matter what your kid/gym situation, there is a way to get instructed by the best Pilates pros from the comfort of your own home without paying a fortune for a personal trainer. Unlike Gymagogo, which connects you to a live class via webcam, Pilatesology brings pre-recorded workout videos to your computer, iPad, smartphone or HDTV so you can work out in the comfort of your own home or anywhere else you have a connection. While you don’t get the live feedback that a service like Gymagogo provides, you can choose workouts from any and all levels, from beginner to super advanced. And super-advanced, wow — I had no idea that Pilates could be so vigorous (see picture above).

Pilatesology gave me a complimentary log-in so that I could test out their classes, and what I loved about the online program is that there are more than 230 classes with new offerings weekly. If you’re a Pilates fan, you won’t get bored any time soon. Users can filter classes in any number of ways, from beginner to super-advanced or by a favorite instructor that you find. Have a Reformer, Wunda chair or other Pilates apparatus? Filter classes by equipment, too. For me in my limited time with kids napping, I found that filtering my duration was my best bet; there are 10- to 90-minute options that fit into anyone’s schedule. Want to focus on your arms? Have bad knees? Pregnant? Speak French? They’ve got you covered, covered, covered and covered.

Saying goodbye to the postpartum belly with Elvy Perez Zorich.

Whether you’re a newbie to Pilates or a very seasoned Pilates exerciser (again, you should see the super-advanced stuff!), you can find workouts that work for you. Instruction is really good across the board. Elvy Perez Zorich, pictured above, leads a Bye Bye Belly Postnatal Mat class, and she modifies moves to suit the mom getting back to fitness after growing a baby. It’s also reassuring that at 15 months postpartum herself, she’s still working to recover her former strength. Love that kind of honesty in my instructors! I also love that you can save favorite workouts, sort by popularity, and read other users’ comments on classes before you take the class.

You can get access to Pilatesology for $19 a month or $150 for an annual membership, which is pretty affordable when you think about the expense of a gym membership or what it would cost to stay stocked in Pilates DVDs. Interested? The site offers a free 10-day trial so that you can test it out before you bust out your credit card.

Have a favorite Pilates move? Let’s hear it! —Erin