Plus-Size Pilates: The Hot New Workout That Gets Results

Jun 25, 2009

For a lot of people trying to start a workout routine for the first time, going to the gym can be an intimidating experience. The standard booming techno music and mirror-covered walls and spandex-clad regulars at the typical gym may cause more anxiety than weight-loss for beginners. Lucky for us, Mary M. Gordon has created a safe haven for curvy individuals with her innovative Plus-Size Pilates ® program. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mary to find out more about how her plus-sized fitness journey began. After working as a nurse for more than 30 years, Mary, herself a runner and triathalete in her spare time, decided to enter the fitness field and see if her passion for fitness could translate into helping people reach their goals.

Mary's first training clients at her gym had hopped on the wagon of many failed fitness and diet trends and convinced themselves losing weight was impossible. They all had one thing in common; they were all overweight. While other trainers were preaching heavy weights and cardio, Mary decided to try a new approach: a modified version of Pilates.“These individuals were adding bulky muscle, but had no core strength”, she says. Mary believes that fitness has to start with the core. Lifting weights without proper core strength and alignment is like building a house on a weak foundation; it only escalates the problem. With the knowledge she gained in human anatomy and breathing as a nurse, Mary perfected the 10 basic poses in Pilates producing the ultimate program for her overweight clients. In no time at all, clients who had tried every workout and diet plan were seeing surprising results including an increase in strength, flexibility, posture, and balance. Her clients noticed they had perkier booties, firmer breasts, and a reduction in everyone’s enemy--the turkey neck.

For those of us who don’t reside in Arizona, where Mary currently teaches, and desire a perkier butt, the first ever “Introduction to Plus Size Pilates® Matwork” is due out next fall. What can you expect to be the toughest move? “The first one”, Mary replies jokingly. What’s next on Mary’s list? Face Lift Pilates®. You heard right! A Pilates workout focused on the face and neck muscles to produce needle-free wrinkle relief. Even I thought she was pulling my leg, until she unveiled her age and my jaw dropped!

Comments

From: Dr. Karen E
Date: 07/14/2009 - 11:01 pm

As longtime hater (tedious, useless, or harmful) of any exercise, but as a health-conscious former chiropractor, I feel that I must contribute to this page.
The program Mary teaches (I take Pilates with her) is by far the most do-able, yet challenging program I've ever done. In the first four weeks, I've attained a level of balance (ABSOLUTELY necessary for good overall health) and alignment that years of massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, and Rolfing have not been able to provide.
Mary's classes are fun, FLEXIBLE (she does not follow a rigid plan, her class is a living breathing response to the needs of her students), safe, and effective. I am very pleased with my results and see that others are doing very well, too. I am thankful that she is sharing her expertise and joy with us. If you've been reluctant or been turned off "formal" Pilates, or you haven't enjoyed nor benefited from other exercise programs, PLEASE give it a try. Happier, healthier individuals make for a happier, healthy planet!

From: Anonymous.Poster
Date: 07/13/2009 - 10:50 am

I have been a student of Mary's for 4 years. My body has really become stronger, more flexible and more shapely. I am still overweight but for a variety of reasons am not working to lose weight. Still the differences in my confidence level, feeling sexy, and proud are enormous. I have learned to compete with myself for fitness and not anybody else. I am strong. Before Mary's classes I would power through moves to keep up. That is not Pilates. I couldn't do Pilates correctly because of my size. Now I do moves that I though were impossible because Mary helped me accept where I was and move from there.

From: bobdenver
Date: 07/06/2009 - 07:27 am

This concept sounds great. Finally someone has decided to help those of us that can't keep up with the dance routines so often used in exercise groups. It's especially nice to know someone recognizes that special exercizing is needed to reach a goal that many others probably begin with. Where in Arizona can we find more information? Are the exercizes available through a regular Pilates class? Is this a new style of Pilates that not many people know about? You mention a video is about to come out this fall. Do you have any more details so I can ask reasonable questions when I contact Mary at the web site mentioned in the article?

From: csrdrunner
Date: 07/01/2009 - 02:18 pm

Fantastic, love it, keep up the good work!!

From: Anonymous.Poster
Date: 07/01/2009 - 01:07 pm

Great article! I think programs like Mary's needs to get a lot more coverage. This is truly an innovative program for people who struggle with their weight.

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