reformers

Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Universal Reformer Series + Archival English & Spanish (2 DVD Set: Introductory Basic; Basic; Intermediate; Advanced; Super Advanced; Archival)
$29.99
I love this dvd. I'm not a Pilates expert, and I'm lazy, so the fact that the beginner routine is 7 minutes long (yes, 7 whole minutes!) and very thorough is fantastic. It doesn't suck up 45 minutes of my day, and the instruction is easy to follow.

Basically, I come back from a run and pop this disc in and before I know it the workout is done. I've done the intermediate routine a few times, but I mostly stick with the beginner because it gives me the workout I need. I feel the difference in my posture immediately, and I can see the difference in my core within a week. And did I mention that it only takes 7 minutes?

Stamina Pilates Premier XP Reformer
$500.00
I am very happy with this pilates reformer and it is a great value for the money. I have been taking pilates classes with the very expensive spring reformers.
I decided to order this because I wanted to do pilates more often and am very pleased with the bungee cords; and in fact, prefer this workout to the springs. The one downside is that when I am laying down on the platform doing leg exercises, I cannot do them as well on this reformer because the cords will rub against my neck if I try to pull my legs straight down. However, I find that a minor inconvenience.

Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices Against Oppression
$27.98
While I applaud any literature that recognizes the struggles of women in the Muslim world, I had trouble with this book. I was excited about the title and reviews and book premise when I looked over the book. I ordered it and began to read, what I found disturbed me.

As an American Feminist who used to live in Saudi Arabia I can say without a doubt that the country's treatment of women is deplorable. That the religious police have way to much power and the separation and restrictions placed on women can be downright soul crushing at times. I fully believe this country and many others need change and that there are women and men working to make this happen.

However as a former resident of Saudi I also spotted the exaggerations and inaccuracies in this book. Starting with the declaration that all women are required to wear Niqab, this is simply not true. As an American I wore conservative loose clothing and occasionally an abbaya but I was not required to cover either my hair or face. Some Saudi women wore niqab, some covered even their eyes others were bare faced (though their hair was covered). Also the claims that women are relegated to poorer quality eating areas is also false. Women and families (this included young men and men married to the adult women with them) were required to sit in the "family" section, while single adult men were required to sit in the "mens" section. The family sections were significantly nicer than the "men's" section. I know because I peeked.

I recognize that the conditions described may be true in some areas of the country but they certainly are not universal or really even that common (I've been to several parts of the country and have friends in many others).

So this misrepresentation in this book causes me to ask where the author got her information. I'm not sure how I can read this book with any degree of faith, given what I already know to be untrue. Do these countries need change? Absolutely. But misrepresenting the situation is not the best way to start. No one in these countries will take the need for change seriously if they see straight away that those making the arguments are basing their claims on false information. This may do even more harm than good.

I also had an American friend who lived in Yemen check the Yemen section. She found the same thing to be true as I did for the Saudi section. For the record, she absolutely hated living in Yemen as a woman and was thrilled when it was finally time to leave.

This book has a nice premise, but it's exaggerations and inaccuracies make it impossible to read with any degree of faith that other claims are accurately represented.

Stott Pilates At Home SPX Reformer
$2,995.00
I bought one of these and took lessons on a Balanced Body Allegro. The Allegro costs about the same but doesn't come with any extras like a box, etc. (You can order them separately if you really have a use for them).

I gave this one 2 stars only because it comes with so much stuff for the price.

On the other hand there are BIG differences between this and the Allegro:

"Ride:" The Allegro carriage is completely smooth and silent, the Stott feels and sounds like a Nordic Track.

Padding: The Stott hurts my knees because the padding is so thin, no such problem with the Allegro's memory foam padding.

Rope/Pulley noise: much, much more on the Stott.

Footbar: The Allegro has 4 vertical and four horizontal positions, it's wider, has better (removable) padding and doesn't stink of rubber like the Stott.

Springs: The Allegro has a better variety of springs and thus tension settings, and the springs don't keep going "sproing" like the Stott's.

Standing Platform: The Allegro's is made of curved metal and is very comfortable to hold with the hands when doing exercises. The Stott is a sharp-edged 1x4 and even with a towel folded several times over it, it bites into your hands.

You're spending a lot of money on this piece of equipment because you presumably intend to use for a long time. The Balanced Body machines are a class or two above for a similar price, so why not get the best?

No I don't work for Balanced Body, I'm just trying to help other people avoid the mistake I made.