Exercise

Pilates

How quickly will it make a difference? After five to six weeks of thrice-weekly sessions.

How many calories does it burn? 170-237 per hour.

Will it keep me motivated? Once you start noticing positive changes in the way you move and hold your body, Pilates is hard to give up.

Specific benefits Widely used by dancers and top athletes, it improves postural awareness and strength. Studies at Queensland University in Australia have shown that Pilates exercises can develop the deeply embedded traversus abdominal muscles which support the trunk.

Risk factors Another study by Ace last year found the cardiovascular benefits of Pilates to be limited. Even an advanced 55-minute session raised participants' heart rates to a maximum of only 62% (below the recommended 64-94% said to constitute an aerobic workout) and was deemed the energy equivalent of walking 3.5 miles an hour. If you have back pain, make sure you see a teacher who is also a physiotherapist, as poor technique can make matters worse.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/mar/06/healthandwellbeing.health