Callanetics - the recipe for a fit, beautiful body

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uli, Dec 17, 10:11pm
After much interest in the low carb thread here is the recipe to astrong, fit, beautiful body - Callanetics exercises.

Some of us are doing them since a while, others have just started, so this is a support thread for all Callanetics users - and yes it is a recipe for success - so it is in the recipe section :)

This program is so remarkably effective that just one hour of Callanetics exercises has the tightening and lifting value of 20 hours of aerobics. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the exercises. They are really hard to do properly.

So if you are keen google, buy a book or watch a video (there are lots of them online from the 1980's and 1990's) and then try for yourself. Go slow, get the postures absolutely right, even if you can only do 3 or 5 repeats, then work on the number of repeats.

Now let us hear your stories :)

http://www.callanetics.com/method. php
craytail, Dec 17, 10:24pm
Thanks uli. Well I did my first session last night. And I found that the one hour session was taking closer to one and a half as I had to keep checking the book for posture and what to do next etc.

Today I seem to be walking taller/straighter. My back (have scoli) feels better and the muscles seem to be 'awake'. I also seem to feel a bit more limber (yay).

I had also been a little shocked at how much flexibility Ive lost over the last few years but that will be coming back! ! !

I am having trouble with using the kitchen table as a barre, as some of the exercises (espec the one where you stick your bum out like you are waterskiing) need you to be able to grip the barre to hold on (if you get me).

What else - Im having major difficulties with the pelvic exercises (LMAO) but that will come with practice - I just don't seem to quite have the strength/coordination to 'stir my soup'.

But Im really liking it so far. I've done pilates videos etc in the past and just find that you end up using your skeletal system rather than muscles to do the exercises as you try to keep up with the video.

So hows everyone else going? ? ? ?

(edited for a few more details)
kristy21, Dec 17, 10:32pm
Thanks Uli and Craytail for starting the thread. Will be great to hear how everyone is doing.
I'm still waiting for the book, anxiously checking the mail daily! Hopefully it comes before I go away because I would love to be doing it while away.
I have been only doing the arm exercises as Im focusing on toning my chicken wings, and I do weights for this area daily - butthe callanetic exercises have a much larger impact than weights, in terms of feeling it afterwards.
I am going to start a weekly photo log when I return to see if I can see the toning changes. I'm very excited.
I will continue with walking and pilates too, as I enjoy pilates as I do it with a swiss ball and find it effective also. Although my ball just got a hole in it yesterday so will have to get a new one over the holidays! Merry Christmas and good luck to everyone.
uli, Dec 17, 11:45pm
Craytail I was the same - took me ages to do my first few sessions.
I started with the "Callanetics Countdown" which is a book that gives you easier versions of the exercises, so you work your way from 30 repeats (I could do 5 of some and none of most LOL) up to 70 repeats - then go to phase two, do the same - then to phase 3. Each phase showing you a version that is a bit more difficult - until in phase 4 you are doing the "proper" exercise and work your way up to 100 repeats.

I am still a long way away from phase 4, not to mention 100 repeats. But it has made quite a difference in my rehab. As the exercises are low impact anyone can do it, you just do as much as you can and listen to your body.
craytail, Dec 18, 12:14am
Uli any suggestions regarding the exercise where you poke your bum out like a waterskiier? ? You have to hold on to the barre to take your weight, which of course is very difficult to do while trying to hold onto the kitchen table. I bought the Ten Years Younger in Ten Hours book.

And I must say Im certainly not getting to the number of reps that Callan says to do - but Ill be working on it thats for sure.

Have noticed that while walking around today, doing my usual 'at home jobs' my back isnt hurting like it normally would, I can certainly feel muscles working... correctly... in my legs etc but I can safely say I DONT FEEL SORE. Stretched yes, sore no. And Im certainly sitting more upright when in a chair (like now for instance).

I think Im definately onto something here lmao - mind you I wonder how Im going to feel tomorrow after tonights effort haha.

Anyway enough about me, join in others! ! !
uli, Dec 18, 5:22am
I am not sure at which exercise you "poke your bum out like a waterskiier"? ? If the kitchen table doesn't work use the backrest of your chair (in case you really have to hold on you might want to have someone sitting on the chair lol) - tell me how the exercise is called or on what page of the book and I think of some other ideas. I just went through the house and looked at the furniture for good ideas :)
I too have found the back problems being the first that seemed to get better, it must be that nice mix of stretching and strengthening that does it.
craytail, Dec 18, 6:26am
Yeah must be the strengthening/stretching etc.

Its page 83 of the Look 10 years younger book "for the legs #4".

Its referred to the "waterskiing" comment on page 93 which talks about changing the exercise for beginners and what it should feel like etc.

Thought about using a chair but I don't have anyone at home to sit on it for me - hubby works a lot and two toddlers aren't that helpful either lmao.
bedazzledjewels, Dec 18, 6:58am
Like Kristy, I'm waiting on the book, but from the library. An hour and a half! Cripes, that doesn't sound like me Uli! Lol!
Do you do these exercises quickly or slowly?
craytail, Dec 18, 7:04am
You sorta go at your own pace. Some of them you do quite slowly as its about contracting the muscle and holding it.

You dont get puffed or anything although I did feel very warm through my own body (top to toe) as the blood was probably circulating very well, that sort of thing.

And I fully expect, that once I get better at this (Ive only done one session) and stronger etc that it will shorten in time.
uli, Dec 18, 9:01am
You do them in "triple slow motion", the idea is to get the muscle working. And yes you feel quite good afterwards.

If you use a nice calming slow music and really concentrate on what you are doing (which is what Callan strongly recommends) it is actually almost like meditation. In a way it is much less exhausting to do 90 minutes of Callanetics than to do 30 minutes in the gym although the exercises are tough.

Will have a look in my book craytail and report back how I do it (if I do it LOL).
uli, Dec 18, 11:25pm
I have only just tried doing that exercise - my legs are not good enough for those kinds of exercises yet. And as I would lose balance at that height anyway I tried it out with a heavy armchair. I put the foot onto the chair and grabbed the armrests - that worked ok (at my low level exercise).
I guess once I get my leg high enough I would use the sink, as that has a narrow edge (where the basin is cut out) where I can hang onto. I use it for some other exercises I do where its important that the thing doesn't move.
Just scoot around the house and see what you've got that would work. There is bound to be something :)
craytail, Dec 19, 12:02am
Yeah bound to be - I mean the towel rail would be good but of course it is NOT going to take the weight of child hanging off it, let alone a fully grown adult.

I'm remodeling my body, NOT the bathroom lmao.

I'm also in the process of sourcing somewhere to do the first warm up exercise - where you hang off a door or similar. I hurt my hands doing it the first time :(

Had thought that the clothesline would suffice BUT we have a hide away line and the supporting post for the 'latching' end is not a T bar *sigh*.

Are there any alternatives for this one in your other book uli?
uli, Dec 21, 9:23pm
No there is no alternative to hanging. She says that it is not essential though, as most people haven't got a bar fixed to the ceiling anyway ...

So she reckons once you know you are going to do the exercises for longer (past the initial excitement) to then think about a room in the house to have a couple of bars permanently affixed in a strong enough manner to take the weight. One bar for hanging and one or two along the walls for the other exercises.

If you have a covered deck you could affix a bar between two of the posts holding the roof up maybe? Or have a look in the shed or carport?
uli, Jan 4, 3:36am
In case someone wants to buy a book:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing. aspx? id=263376294
kate777, Jan 6, 6:57am
Hi there,
Has anyone tried the videos? I have just received one from Australia that has South African chicks in it. I tried it yesterday and it seemed like it would work (I found it hard and I'm fairly active! )
Just a bit confused because the exercises that you have been talking about like hanging and the water ski one using a barre were not in the video...
craytail, Jan 6, 7:05am
Hi Kate
We are referring to books (of course lol) and Im quite sure that the videos are a more aerobic? The link that uli posted in post one is the official site and I remember seeing the videos on there too.

Callan brought out the videos after the popularity of the books took off.

I *think* that since the videos came out due to a boom in popularity, they are slightly more targeted/altered for more use in the home environment - after all not everyone has a barre installed in their living room etc.

Hope that helps and enjoy your Callanetics
maxwell.inc, Jan 6, 8:21am
And it does depend on if your talking about CALLENetics or Calisthenics.
kate777, Jan 6, 11:25pm
Thanks Craytail. The video that I have is a secondary level one, I thought the beginners one might be a bit tame but I think maybe I would have benefitted from starting easier! Having said that they do go into the correct positions and what to tighten and when but no cardio or anything remotely aerobic, it's all stretchy positions and pulsing your muscles, sometimes with light weights so I guess at the very least I will give it an honest crack and if it doesn't work I'll hunt down the book that you guys have. Cheers for your answer ;)

Maxwell I think it's CALLANetics. Not that I'm a spelling guru or nazi but you seem the type that likes to make sure we're all on the same page, so now you are. ;p
maxwell.inc, Jan 6, 11:34pm
Kate what I mean by that is there is calisthenics and then there is Callan Pinckney's version which is Callenetics... nothing to do with spelling nazis. . most ppl muddle the two up thats all. So thats fine I will but out now.

edit - if your program uses light weights then it cant be Callenetics, shes strictly against the use of weights.
kate777, Jan 6, 11:43pm
Hey Maxwell, yep, I know what you meant by pointing out the difference in the two exercise regimes, but if someone is called 'callan' she probably named it after herself and spelled in 'callAnetics'. Not callEnetics. I only pointed it out because if someone were to google your spelling there's no saying where they might end up ;)

I got my video from http://www.callanetics.com. au/ so I assume it's still callanetics. Otherwise they're opening themselves up for a whole mess of false advertising claims...
parryduck, Jan 6, 11:51pm
I am amazed at how well, and how incredibly FAST Callenetics works. I bought the DVD off Tracey at the above site, and noticed a difference in 3 days. It was wonderful to feel so tight, stretchy and flexible. Great rehab after an accident too. When I'm doing the exercises right, there is lactic acid muscle burn within minutes - really surprising, since the movements are minuscle
I stopped doing them a few months ago, and just yesterday decided to get back into it - so finding this thread is a motivational bonus.
uli, Jan 6, 11:53pm
Yep - some of the newer videos seem quite different - I have only seen clips on the net. Not sure why they did that thing with weights, because Callan herself is strict against weights - while doing her exercises.
Maybe these weight exercises are new ones, not to be confused with the 20 odd original ones she started with?
maxwell.inc, Jan 6, 11:55pm
Google corrects you kate. . callen would have bought up callan. . sorry, I've explained my transposing in my spelling many times... not that you would know that if ur not a reg. . but still. . google would have fixed my spelling error for you.
uli, Jan 6, 11:55pm
My physio told me that Callanetics was used a lot in the 80's in rehab, but then Pilates started taking over.

He said with a grin that there are only about 200 exercises you can do which will give results - so they get "recycled" every 10 years or so into a new "system" :)
craytail, Jan 6, 11:57pm
I think whats happening as that as Callan is getting older (bless her) she is taking on a more consulting type role - if you read uli's link in post one, they have brought out CardioCallanetics due to requests. Callan, with other collaborators, has brought one out.

I can see as newer and newer videos and books come out, it will become more commercialised and less true to her original objective.