Pilates to the Rescue!

I even had an MRI to make sure the muscle was not torn. It was not. I am a very injury-prone runner/weight lifter and it's very frustrating to feel this pain every time I work out. When I heard about Pilates while living in Nashville in 2000, in addition to the cross training aspect, I thought that it would be something very beneficial for my hamstring. I started taking mat classes. I was right, it did help, but not quite to the extent that I had hoped.

My theory was that in order to heal, not only did I need the stretching, but at the same time I also needed the strengthening and resistance - but a different type that weight lifting could not offer. I now live in a very rural part of Iowa where the closest thing to Pilates is three hours away - but for the past few months, I've been working in Florida temporarily. I finally have access to a Pilates studio with a reformer. I wanted to really test my theory and get on a machine. Very happily, I was right again! I have taken only THREE, mind you three classes, and I am ecsatic to report that my chronic hamstring pain, the pain that rehab. technicians said I would just have to live with, is a solid 80% better! I am amazed! I still have soreness and I'm sure I will for at least a while. Afterall, it took many years to build up this pain and scar tissue, so I would imagine it will take a while to completely go away. But now I know I am finally on the right track!

When I return home in a few months there's no way I'm going to go without being on a Pilates machine. I began researching machines I could buy. I had it narrowed down to one I really wanted - and then this past weekend I saw Marjolein on QVC. What a blessing that was - I mean, how could that happen? I didn't hesitate - the AeroPilates Anniversary Performer seemed like a great value and I could get everything I needed for a great price. In addition to all the goodies that come with it, I love the aspect of adding gentle plyometric exercises with the cardio rebounder (I always get hurt even if I do plyometrics on the grass - and it hurts!). I wanted to thank Marjolein for offering this product. I won't actually be able to use it until I get home in a few months, but boy is it a comfort knowing that it will be waiting for me and that I can use it anytime I want. Thank you so much - thank you, thank you, thank you!

All good wishes and warmest regards,

Gayle Kellon Christensen

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