Finally, Pilates Lightens Up in Style & Cost

For years, I’ve been reticent about diving fully into a regular Pilates regimen. Mainly because A) Pilates workouts can break the bank, and B) it gets a little too darn serious for my liking. With deep roots as a form of rehabilitation for professional ballet dancers, it’s no wonder this graceful form of movement can be somewhat stringent. It’s important to focus. I get it. However, is it possible to strengthen my core and stretch my body without feeling like I need a Ph.D. in orthopedic surgery? Finally, the answer is a resounding YES!

Queue in Pilates Plus. With multiple locations in LA, Pilates Plus offers fun, upbeat group classes using a system and style developed by long-time Pilates expert Sebastien Lagree of SPX Fitness in LA. In class, you'll be guided through a challenging Pilates sequence on the reformer machines. If you’re not familiar, this classic horizontal bed-like instrument has straps to hold onto and several springs that alter resistance levels. At first glance, these bad boys can be a bit intimidating. The cost for a one-on-one private session can also be scary – ranging from $50-$100+ per session (who wouldn’t feel that straight in the gut after a while?). However, sign up for a group reformer class with 10 or so people and reap the benefits for as little as $22-$39 per session!

Many Pilates studios today offer small group reformer classes, but what makes Pilates Plus unique is the upbeat music, relaxed and inviting true group fitness atmosphere. This place makes Pilates accessible to everyone. No need to be perfect, rich or famous. After easing your way through a simple machine overview, you can dive into a super-challenging workout that, I must say, out of any exercise, strengthens the midsection in a way you can feel almost immediately (this translates into less back pain, better posture and a feeling of “slim-ness”, folks). Bring on the boys too… this is a far cry from some sissy ballerina workout.

If you can’t try Pilates Plus, look for other group reformer classes across the southland (and nationally and internationally) that are licensed by SPX/System Dynamique, the same system used at Pilates Plus. There are MANY in front and behind the “OC curtain.”

Why Pilates Plus deserves that big ol’ plus…

*First class is FREE!

*An effective workout that goes deep into your core (abs, back, glutes, hips) and inner and outer thighs.

*Excellent for simply mixing things up and pushing through plateaus.

*Sculpts a long, lean body, improves posture, reduces back pain.

*The more classes you purchase in advance, the more you save.

*Parking varies per location (I had a great experience in downtown LA for 3 bucks).

*Fun and informative teachers (check out my friend Diana’s class).

*There are MULTIPLE locations across LA, Orange County and growing on a national and international level. Click here to see all: http://www.spxfitness.com/index.php?mod=studios

Remember When Water Was Just 2 Parts Hydrogen & 1 Part Oxygen???

Just when you think you’re FINALLY safe drinking triple-purified, reverse osmosis, distilled tap water with naturally-occurring fluoride that’s piped straight from the Arctic glaciers into your backyard well, out comes another water claiming to be the holy grail. This time, the new twist is found right in the cap. It’s called Activate and according to the package claim, “Vitamins and other healthy ingredients deteriorate sitting in water. So we keep ours separate in the cap for maximum potency and freshness.”

I had the pleasure of sampling Activate this past weekend after a 4^th of July morning run on the beach. Weaving my way through a sea of beach cruisers and bikini-clad drunks along the Manhattan Beach Strand, I bumped into Activate’s street team who explained the benefits of Activate to a curious crowd. Home to AVP tournaments, Manhattan Beach is THE place to pedal novel nutrition and fitness product innovations. We’re quite accustomed to being guinea pigs around here and with the heat of the sun beating down, I was eager to drink just about anything.

Why I’m Thirsty For More:

*Imagine a cold bottle of water giving Emergen-C or an Airborne tablet a piggyback ride. Talk about convenience. All you do is twist the cap and out falls the vitamin mix down into your water. Shake it up and you’ve got “fresh” vitamin water on tap.

*It’s sweetened with all natural stevia. Approved by the FDA for use in food applications earlier this year, stevia is excellent for achieving sweet flavor without the artificial chemicals or a caloric load from all natural sugar.

*Only 5 calories per serving. No preservatives.

*Depending on the flavor, you’ll get a healthy dose of vitamin C, B, Catechins (antioxidants) or electrolytes.

*Variety of flavors including Fruit Punch, Orange, Lemon-Lime, Berry, Grape, Passion Fruit, Lime and Grapefruit.

*A fresh concept with a clean, bright brand look-and-feel (Let’s face it… I’m a sucker for this stuff.)

Things I’m Having Trouble Swallowing:

*The research behind the claims stating vitamins that sit in water beyond 30 days lose anywhere from 22%-88% of their potency (depending on the vitamin). This is where valuable shelf-life testing comes in handy and I’m sure the big boy brands like Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, SoBe Life Water and newbies like Joint Juice Water and Skinny Water might have something to say about this. Stay tuned….

*I’m all over the use of stevia, however, I would say the flavor might be somewhat alienating to the mainstreamers. Properly masking the bitter aftertaste commonly associated with stevia is a food technology art that’s still evolving. I only tried the Lemon-Lime flavor, so I’m eager to check out the others.

*A pack of 4 bottles will cost you $9.00. I may have to save this one for my post-recession party and stick with my Brita and daily vitamin tablet for now.

Check it out and tell me what YOU think!

www.activatedrinks.com