Anyone tried Callanetics???

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

Hi Kate,

Well I have the orginal Callenetics video presented by Callen Pinkney (spelling?) herself. It's very thorough, and you feel very stretched and relaxed afterwards, but it really is hard work. It's minute movements (no more than an inch) of pulsing various parts of the body. As an example, the first time I did the video, I got to the tricep exercise and I had to wind the vid back when I thought I'd heard her say, "We'll do 200..." Wound it back and yes, it was 200 repetitions.

You can't trim fat unless you're getting your heart rate up to your aerobic zone (60%+ of your maximum - google it to find out more) - but it's certainly very toning.

Good luck with it.

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

My mother did it religiously when i was a kid and she had a fantastic figure as a result.
It really changed her shape and tackled her tummy,hips and thighs.

Have you tried yoga?
Yoga is often the missing link for a lot of people when it comes to problem areas.

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

I did Callenetics for a few years during the 80's and it was brilliant. It is very precise. My husband, who was quite fit at the time, tried a class, but overdid it ('bull at a gate' kind of thing!) to such an extent he was forced to take time off work to recover!
Try a class and see what you think.

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

Before I became a sports massage therapist, I was a fitness instructor. I trained a few years after the callanetics videos came out and all the experts (sports scientists, fitness instructors) agreed that it had set the fitness industry back years.

Callanetics is based on small isometric contractions which means that themuscles will, in a very short space of time be working anaerobically(without air). The consequence of this is that they start producing waste (lactic acid) which makes that "burn" sensation. This in turnfools you into thinking you are working really hard - when, actually, youaren't. The best workout you can give muscles is to get full range of movement and adding some resistance (weights or dynabands, that sort of thing)....couple that with some cardio vascular exercise and you will, I promise you, lose weight and tone up.

Callanetics is also I believe the same as the Lotte Berk method.

Hope that helps,

Helen

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I am still in two minds wether to try this or not, but obviously i will have to see what costs are involved first.

Thanks again for your advice.

kate x

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

I used to do callanetics years ago and found it really good for toning and mobility. I seem to remember that Callan Pinkney had some spinal problem and developed the exercises to strengthen and stretchher back.

I always feel peaceful and stretched when I finish a session (but absolutelyworn out!) but it does improve your posture.

x

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

Hi
I have the original Callanetics video from the 80's. Never really got into then.
However, since a back injury, dusted it off & popped it in the video.
Initially found some movements were impossible to do - too painful for my back.
With patience & persistance I can do it all.

I found you feel as though you haven't done a workout, but the following day you feel
it deep inside.

Definitely worth a try - and yes it works.

Jane

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

Speaking as a fitness instructor, Pilates Instructor and someone who used to do Callenetics from the books and videos before I was either of these, I would like to say that Callanetics does trim you up. Butsome of the exercises put you right outsidenormal range of movements for your joints, and that is whythey are inadvisable. You could easily wreck your knees, and other exercises are just unsafe in other ways.
Sharon.

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

I think we should all try to remember the obvious when dealing with exercise regimens, systems, styles, programs and routines. One of the reasons there are so many different kinds available, is because no one routine is comfortable or effective for every single person out there. Our bodies havedifferent requirements andlevels of comfort whenapplying anysort of exertion. To make the statement that one kind of activity is better than another, for any reason other than personal preference and personal experience is both unfair and unrealistic.

That said, Idon't believe it is necessary to sweat like a hog, or tojump around like a banshee to achieve weight loss or fitness goals. Isometrics, the basic principle upon which Callanetics was founded by Callan Pinckney, has been around for decades. It has been usedquite successfully by multitudes of people seeking a satisfactory body shape and atoned, muscular frame. Used properly, I feel it is every bit as effective in body-sculpting as even the most aggressive cardio-aerobic workout, without the miseryand definitely in a lot less time.

You can utilizeaerobic exercisefor the sake of your cardio health, but you need not wear yourself out running and jogging and jumping around to get a handle onweight loss. To throw around statements that suggest or implythat is the only way, is both irresponsible and misleading.

Callan Pinckney designed programs that are now availableon DVD from such places as Amazon, for about as much as any other fitness programs on DVD.Callanetics is seeing a resurgence. And I believe it is a smart and effectiveway to get yourself in shape.

RE: Anyone tried Callanetics???

And actually, my comments were directed more at Helen Meyers and Spinal Musics' posts than to Only Jane. I simply found the word 'reply' and posted my thoughts. It just so happened that I was in Only Janes post when I did that. My apologies for any confusion.

mistymeaner say's yay! to callenetics

I did callenetics back in the 80's! i was introduced to it by my sister and i think its fantastic. Yes its hard work, but as with many exercise regimes, its what You put in,,and no, its not for everyone. The reason i even sent this post, is because i was looking for another copy of it, as i've just been given a place at Moulton College, to do my Sports Therapy degree and i wanted to get my body, strong and conditioned from the offset. In doing callenetics, i shed a lot of excess weight,,firmed and shaped my body and loved the way it looked and felt. i know its not for everyone and yes to swim or do some other sort of training is also very beneficial to any exercise plan. but i think the proof is in the pudding. it does say to seek medical advice before starting,,sound advice again for any type of training. But all said and done,,it educated my stomach, it sculpted my body, hey and ladies,,it does raise your sex drive quite a bit lol! It does work splendidly! and to only have to do a few extra repetitions each session, it does not ask to much. It really can change your shape in 10hrs, along with healthy eating, i truly have done it. i started at an non-toned 13 stone beauty,then blossomed into a 9st 10lb shapely toned goddess. If there is anyone out there that knows, how or where i can obtain a copy, please could you fill me in i cant wait to get started. I'm 42yrs now,,but gosh to all those that have done the VHS early version,,isn't it encouraging to see her mum of 76yrs (at the time) joining in with her daughters class.
Thanks for taking time to read my post. Mistymeaner.:)

Hi Mistymeaner

I COMPLETELY agree with you. CALLANETICS IS THE BEST!! It has toned me up no end and it really is true that you do lose 2 dress sizes. I hate excercising but don't feel that callanetics is excercise at all. I have bought most of the videos, am/pm, thighs, waist...I've also bought in this last week a second hand copy of her hard back book which includes Super Callanetics - it cost me £6.00 and was in mint condition!! Last night, couldn't resist getting another copy of the original book without Super Callanetcis (which I can lend out to friends) at a steal for £3.50 incl. p& p. My source?? - EBAY. Currently there are quite a few vids, dvd's and books of Callentics being sold on EBAY. So go there now and good luck!!!

hi...
well its been a while since ive heard someone mention callenetics,callen pickney who was the original founder needed to find a gentle yet effective form of exercise as she suffered back problems and she came up with callenetics,as a former fitness instructor myself i can highly recomend this as it delivers very quick results,with gentle slow but powerful movements that target your muscle groups , oh those were the days when i had thighs that didnt jiggle and didnt even know what a pair of hips were hahaha:rolleyes: its amazing,if you can get the book from a libery it shows you how the body changes shape after each excercise session,go for it and remember as easy as it looks it may be a bit difficult at first but your body(muscle) will gain strength after each session,and it will get easier
newbeginnings;)

Omg

Oh my god....I have been hoping that someone got around to bringing this back! I did it back in the late 80's and it worked wonders for my body. I remember I was working for weight watchers at the time and was very slim but started to put weight on and got "rested" from my job as you were not allowed to take a class if you were more that 5 pounds over your goal weight! Anyway by the time I got kicked out of weight watchers I was 10 stone which was a stone and 3 pounds over my goal, but I was actually smaller and slimmer visually than I had been at 8 stone 11.

I live in Colchester and I would love to find a class to go to, or maybe just a group of ladies who would like to get together to do the video together.

Callanetics

Hi Guys - I've just ordered the beginners VHS from Amazon and can't wait to get stuck in! I will be doing this in the comfort of my own home so it won't be through an instructor. I just have a question for those of you that are either doing this excercise programme or have done it in the past.............

How do you now that you're doing the moves correctly without the help of an instructor?

I'm hoping to receive the video sometime next week and intend to start immediately. I'd really appreciate some tips etc from those that are already, or are about to start it too.

Many thanks for reading.......

W

I have the book version, and Callanetics helped me 2 years ago to get rid of 15 kg of overweight in 2 months, after unsuccessful tries of weight loss prior.
I was very fat on ab area, with very uneven figure, and ended up with a well-toned, healthy shape. Since the "big weight loss", I manage to keep "weight swings" within +/- 1 kg.

It is not easy to do the exercises on the right way, and really needs some "self-observation", and yes, they may be very unpleasant INITIALLY.
However, if you do it right, it lessens considerably after about the 4th-5th occasion - the "burn feeling" is there initially, but later, you will mainly feel only how your muscles work (contraction, flexing, stretching...but not as much pain anymore).

It develops your posture, very good against Upper Cross Syndrome - however, may cause some headache (in a literal sense!) initially, when the very weak neck/shoulder/upper back muscles get forced to "work". But these shall not stop you, as the result is worth.
I even believe that the effectiveness lies to a great extent in posture correction - as the balance of the muscle tone changes, different areas, previously neglected ones are forced to work, not only when doing the exercise but after, all through the day, and this is what helps the previous "problem areas".

Before callanetics, I tried cycling, but lost only 1 kg in 3 months, and put back 5 instead

Theoretically, cycling should have worked, practically, it did not; theoretically, Callanetics may not work, but practically, it did. I think there are so many little things involved in weight loss that no "this works for all cases" theories can be made. Otherise there won't be so many people with vain weight loss tries, ehh?

I combined Callanetics with a diet abolishing wheat flour and heavily sugared things from my diet, and taking walking to places instead of driving/public transport. Just walking, at a comfortable pace.

Theoretically, me, with a recent normal weight of 54 Kg and starting weight of 70 (for 160 cm), it would have been physically impossible to lose 0,8-0,3 kg on a single day. Practically that was what happened. I measured my weight and sizes with a tape daily. 1 kg loss equaled usually 1 cm on each areas. The weight loss happened in "waves" - usually it was exactly 0,3 according to my digital scale, ocasionally 0,8 even - or, if "something went wrong", then nothing at all. Was strangely "regular", but, at least happened. I kept record of everything during my "weight loss program" - initial "weight of the day", sizes of body parts (that was measured only every third day...), exercises and walked distances.

Did Callanetics every second day, left one day for recovery.

As a summary, I can recommend Callanetics, but also change some "bad habits" if you recognise some in your everyday, and it can lead to a durable result. And do not eat heaps after exercising

Callanetics

Hi, my name is Karen and I am based in the Essex area. I am a qualified Callanetics instructor (there are only 14 in the whole of the UK!!) will be holding classes shortly in my area, anyone interested give me an e mail.

Message for Wootoyou

Hi. I'm a fitness instructor/aerobics instructor. According to the way i was trained, using the full range of motion is ideal, and no one even mentioned Callanetics. According to my practical experience however, Callanetics is brilliant and it works fast. It also gives you the urge to do more aerobic excercise...as it makes you feel all springy and energised. As her program was recorded in the eighties, there are a couple of things to bear in mind that we know now.

A. Don't bounce when you do the stretching as it actually causes your muscles to contract more. (look up Golgi Tendon on google).and be kind to yourself. Consistency is the key.

B. The aching muscles can be counteracted alot by stretching immediately after each excercise for instance after under arm tightener, put your arms up in the air and bend them so your hands touch the back of your shoulders to strectch the under arm muscles. This re aligns the muscle fibres and...well, it works as i don't ache at all if i do this and if i don't, i am sore all over.

After the behind excercises, lie on your back and bend both knees, then put one foot over one bent knee and lift up the bent knee...feel the stretch in the buttocks. For tummy, lie on your front and raise your self onto your elbows to strecth your tummy muscles. Also, if you have high blood pressure, isometric excercises in general aren't great . Regarding doing them correctly, you won't do them right for a while anyway when you first start as your body will try to find a position where you can actually physically do it at all. As you get stronger, you will gradually be able to do them correctly and it'll be fine.

I worked in a gym and wanted to tell all these women with personal trainers desparate for a slim tight body that they'd be better off doing Callanetics at home, financially and in terms of results. God knows why it works so well, and also why it never took off in gyms either. It works and if you eat a balanced protein rich diet but make it about seventy percent raw food i.e. salads, avocados, fruit along with it...you'll feel like and look like superwoman...no you will probably BE superwoman!

I have to say that i too did callenetics in the 80's with my sister,we also jogged around the house,i had children and didnt leave them but was able to warm up that way.I am going to start them again too,along with speed walking in the park and using my push bike in the park with the dog.There are some movements which at first are difficult and it says in the video to do 75 - 100.i can only manage 10 at first but thats fine because im working at my own rate and dont have to keep up with a group.if done mega slow which is what callan advises and keeping the back straight i dont think any one would have a problem with it.I found that it did work and i didnt havent any after effects except a good bod! cant think why i stopped.Rightly so its not for every one but then neither is jogging for everyone ,i find it very painfull in all ways.i think that most exercises have to be tried to see what suites the individual.but would try and do varying ones that exercise everything ,ie cardio stretching etc.xxxxjust my thoughts.:)

callanetics

Hi wootoyou,
if your doing the fist video she has an instructor showing you how to do the moves and then correcting the class,if it hurts look at the vid again,do it very slowly,so you can barely see the movement bend your knees and keep your back straight,i watched the vid loads of times before i actually started doing it and you dont have to include all the moves ,but do make sure youve done a proper warm up.i didnt do any pre execise stretches because it already involves lots of stretching.hope that helps.xx

Ooh! i didn't know they did classes in Callanetics. I used to love it, its very effective. Where are the classes held Kate?

Hi Mistymeaner

I COMPLETELY agree with you. CALLANETICS IS THE BEST!! It has toned me up no end and it really is true that you do lose 2 dress sizes. I hate excercising but don't feel that callanetics is excercise at all. I have bought most of the videos, am/pm, thighs, waist...I've also bought in this last week a second hand copy of her hard back book which includes Super Callanetics - it cost me £6.00 and was in mint condition!! Last night, couldn't resist getting another copy of the original book without Super Callanetcis (which I can lend out to friends) at a steal for £3.50 incl. p& p. My source?? - EBAY. Currently there are quite a few vids, dvd's and books of Callentics being sold on EBAY. So go there now and good luck!!!

hi
have u lost 2 dress sizes in just 10 sessions?
thankx

callanetics for 'pears'?

hi there,
I own the original callanetics dvd by callan pinckney, but never really tried it. I am not too big, however my figure is very unbalanced - big hips and heavy thighs agains washboard stomach. Tried to target these areas with all kinds of excercise plans, but nothing really worked for me. I wear tops size 8 and am 12 in lower areas:S do u think I can drop 2 sizes with callanetics? It's hard to believe that it actually burns fat, and my legs are full of it LOL Please reply anyone with similiar body type who has got sum experience.

xxx

I am also wondering about trying this

there are some classes here in London, but they involve a tube ride to get there.
I really need something closer, preferably within walking distance.

TIGRESS

callanetics

Hi Tigress, i used to do this in 1988 religiously, it does work but you have to do it every day for 6 weeks and then twice a week,when you start it does take a while about an hour i used to do then after the 6 weeks it only takes twenty ,get yourself the dvd and invite some friends round or get partners and kids involved. you wont regret it,the thing i regret about it,not continuing to do it!.It can be done by any aged person and any step of health and it is not restricted by a bad back either.hope you go for it.x:D