Tag Archives: famous

Denise Richards: Celebrity Pilates for the over 40’s

Denise Richards Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Celebrity posts always get a huge reaction in my blogs. Clearly some people feel strongly that celebrities do not warrant any web-space, so this is my compromise. Friday is now my day for celebrity Pilates posts. #pilatescelebfriday.

I have explained before, I am not obsessed with celebrity. I have never bought Hello Magazine. What I am obsessed with is Pilates. And whilst not every one agrees with me, it’s my opinion that if someone starts Pilates because their friend, neighbour, sporting hero or favourite celebrity does Pilates, then why not? It’s our job as teachers to use that enthusiasm people have and turn it into reality.

I’ve had all the comments about glamorising Pilates, about how privileged celebrities are, about creating false hope, about living on a different planet from “real life”. Whilst I respect the opinion of everyone, it is my humble opinion that these people are missing the point of my posts and they are taking everything way to seriously in an insular way. All I am doing is raising the awareness of Pilates. Plain and simple. And if you do not or can not understand that, then I am sorry for wasting your time and please do not read my blog on a Friday! 🙂

This week, Denise Richards, the 43-year-old actress, showed off her figure whilst shopping in Beverly Hills. The mother-of-three looked busy as she padded down the street with her hands full with shopping bags on Monday.

Denise is a devout Pilates practitioner, and the reports of her clearly felt that her “fitness regimen had been paying off, as her toned arms and pins were put on full display”.

She was with her daughters, who were fathered by ex-husband Charlie Sheen.

I think it is useful that people realise Pilates brings benefits to people of all ages. Whilst Denise probably falls into the demographic that a lot of people associate with Pilates, as teachers we have seen the benefits that Pilates can bring to all ages from children to pensioners.

So that was celebrity Friday. Thank you Denise for your dedication to Pilates.

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway?

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Rebecca Judd: Skinny on Pilates


Rebecca Judd Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

So this is the picture of Rebecca Judd that caused controversy last week among her Instagram fans.

Do you think she looks attractive?

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway?

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Madonna’s Crotch and Pilates! It must be Friday


Madonna: Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Celebrity posts always get a huge reaction in my blogs, usually negative in comments but very positive in the number of hits! So clearly some people feel strongly that I am wasting their time with such posts, but numbers never lie… 🙂

So this is my compromise. Friday is now my day for celebrity Pilates posts. #pilatescelebfriday As I have explained before, I am not obsessed with celebrity. I have never bought Hello Magazine. What I am obsessed with is Pilates. And whilst not every one agrees with me, it’s my opinion that if someone starts Pilates because their favourite celebrity does Pilates, then why not? If a celebrity tries to grab a few headlines by attributing his or her shape/success/abs to Pilates and a few million people read that article, what harm can that possibly do to Pilates? I think no harm at all because it’s our job as teachers to use that enthusiasm people have and turn it into reality.

I’ve had all the comments about glamorising Pilates, about how privileged celebrities are, about creating false hope, about living on a different planet from “real life”. Whilst I respect the opinion of everyone, it is my humble opinion that these people are missing the point of my posts and they are taking everything way to seriously. All I am doing is raising the awareness of Pilates. Plain and simple. And if you do not understand that, then I am sorry for wasting your time and please do not read my blog on a Friday! 🙂

Today I talk again about the Queen of Pilates, Madonna. It’s her56th birthday next week and still there is an obsession with her in the world’s media. This week she was pictured on a yacht with her family enjoying a summer holiday. Of course she is still the Queen of manipulating the media as well, as this week she posted on her Instagram account a picture of her crotch. To see the picture  and what all the fuss is about, click here.

She will be releasing her 13th studio album soon, which as one of her lifelong fans (I’ve seen her perform love a few times, the high-light was live at Wembley Stadium) I am looking forward to see and hear how she has reinvented herself again.

But of course, the thing I love most about Madonna is her Pilates practise. She has been a loyal Pilates fan for so many years now and her condition show’s that her commitment has been well worth it!

Madonna is a very worthy Friday Pilates Celebrity! Enjoy your day and your weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with a more serious article about Pilates, healthy and wellness. Until then….

Chris is an international Pilates and functional training presenter and educator based in London and Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also created Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. He organises fitness holidays and sports holidays in Barcelona, as well as retreats. For more information about training with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Pilates Celebrity Friday: Gisele Bundchen

Chris Hunt Pilates Gisele-Bundchen

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Celebrity posts always get a huge reaction in my blogs, usually negative in comments but very positive in the number of hits! So clearly some people feel strongly that I am wasting their time with such posts, but the numbers never lie… 🙂

So this is my compromise. Friday is now my day for celebrity Pilates posts. #pilatescelebfriday As I have explained before, I am not obsessed with celebrity. I have never bought Hello Magazine. What  I am obsessed with is Pilates. And whilst not every one agrees with me, it’s my opinion that if someone starts Pilates because their favourite celebrity dose Pilates, then why the hell not? If a celebrity tries to grab a few headlines by attributing his or  her shape/success to Pilates and a few million people read that article, what harm does that possibly do to Pilates? Of course no harm at all because it’s our job as teachers to use that enthusiasm people have and turn it into reality.

I’ve had all the comments about glamorising Pilates, about how privileged celebrities are, about creating false hope, about living on a different planet from “real life”. Whilst I respect the opinion of everyone, it is my humble opinion that these people are missing the point of my posts and they are taking everything way to seriously. All I am doing is raising the awareness of Pilates. Plain and simple. And if you do not understand that, then I am sorry for wasting your time and please do not read my blog on a Friday! 🙂

So, my first Friday Pilates celeb is supermodel Gisele Bundchen. She is now 33 and she is in great shape which she attributes to her workout routine which naturally includes Pilates.

Have a great day!

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway?

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

Iconic Barcelona: Casa Batlló

 

Casa Bacelona Chris Hunt Blog

www.chrishuntwellness.com

“Casa Batlló is a masterpiece of shape, colour and light. In this work, Gaudí is pre-empting the theory of rationalism, which would come 30 years later, with its modern notion of ventilation.”

Such an amazing building, much photographed but still looking amazing tonight.

In Gaudi’s own words, “There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners”.

It’s hard to argue with that logic.

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway?

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

Bikini Body using Pilates? Jennifer Hawkins knows better

778202-jen-hawkins-cozi

www.chrishuntwellness.com

‘Tis the season for Pilates for Bikinis posts and articles. I cannot seem to open my inbox or look at the net without seeing yet another “5 Pilates exercises to get you into bikini shape” article.

I wrote previous about the claims that Pilates claim give you a flat stomach (see Does Pilates create a flat stomach?) and if you read that post you will know how I feel about people who make such claims. So is “bikini Pilates” any different?

Let’s use Jennifer Hawkins as our example today. She has never been shy about her love of working out, and at the weekend she posted on her Instagram account some nice pictures of her doing Pilates with the comment “Fave toy. Ohhh, lil bit of luv/hate for sure!! #caddy #workout.”

Jen

The 30 year-old is an Australian beauty queen, model and television presenter best known for being crowned Miss Universe Australia and later the same year Miss Universe 2004 in Quito, Ecuador. She is currently the host of Australia’s Next Top Model. She previously told Vogue that early mornings were her favourite time to exercise in between her hectic schedule. ‘I’m definitely a schedule person so I’ll get up really early and do a Pilates class or go for a run. Pilates I love. If I could do that three times a week I would but I just don’t have the time.’

So back to Pilates for bikinis articles. Of course such an evocative claim is not far from the truth. We all know the benefits of a regular Pilates exercise regime. Such benefits can and will be increased by integrating other exercise systems (including cardio) into a weekly practice, and by eating a healthy diet. For sure the body will respond over time and for sure you will look better in a bikini. What gets my goat is the headlines about “5 Pilates exercises to get in shape”. This for me categorically goes against the principle that Pilates is a holistic practice, especially as typically those “5 exercises” will focus on abs and butt. Such headlines and articles are simply trying to grab attention, and as is typical in today’s culture, give the impression that you are only 5 exercises away from the body you want.  Jennifer Hawkins has achieved her body thanks no doubt with a little help from genetics, but also hard work over a sustained period of time.

The other dangerous thing is that it is now, in spring/early summer that these same old articles and miracle cures do the rounds, clearly suggesting that you only need a matter of a few weeks to achieve that wonder-bod for the summer. Such claims, in keeping with other “New Year” diet nonsense (see my blog “Another Year, another new diet….) only serve to fuel the misconception that there is a quick fix, and of course this only leads to failed diets/exercise regimes and ultimately disappointment.

The simple truth is that there is no quick fix. Any lasting changes we seek to achieve in life usually take time and lot of dedication and sometimes sacrifice. Whilst “Get a bikini shape in 12 months” might not get me many clicks, it’s a far better target to be aiming for next summer and be able to maintain a body shape change than it is to con people into thinking change is easy.

And as a final point, why do I never see “exercises to get fit for your swimming trunks” articles?!?! I can feel another blog coming on….

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnivals, Pilates conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. Read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? for more.

Beyonce & Paul McCartney are Pilates buddies!

B&P

www.chrishuntwellness.com

It doesn’t get any more celebrity than this, Beyoncé and Sir Paul McCartney doing Pilates together!

Regular readers of my blog will know that as well as more serious articles about Pilates, I also write about famous Pilatistas. My opinion is that anything that raises awareness of Pilates can only be a good thing. In today’s culture, it’s a fact that many people associate themselves with celebrities. It’s not my place to argue the rights of wrongs of this, I just accept it as a fact, and if just one person tries Pilates because of one of my blogs, then I consider this to be a success. If you want a technical Pilates discussion then please click on the link above to my website or my Facebook link below and let’s chat…

So back to Beyoncé and Sir Paul McCartney. The two music legends were staying in the same hotel, the Four Seasons, during the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in California.

The famous pair were seen going through their paces at an LA gym, according to the UK press. It’s reported that they hit the treadmills and after some cardio, Macca, 71, and Beyonce, 32, did some Pilates before heading off for a run.

Celebrity gossip aside, this Pilates pairing shows the world exactly how great Pilates can be. Yes, men and women do it! Yes, old and young do it! Yes, you can do Pilates with a friend because it can be done at many different levels as it is possible to modify the movements to make them appropriate for all levels of ability.

It is clear to the world what amazing condition Beyoncé is in, and it is a good job Sir Paul is staying in good physical shape at his age after he added six more dates to the North American leg of his Out There Tour.

Celebrities, love them or hate them, they do sometimes show the world the possibilities when it comes to using Pilates. For that, I thank them.

www.facebook.com/thechrishunt

 

Pilates EVO: The Past is Dead

The Past is Dead

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Since its birth around 100 years ago, the Pilates method has been modified and arguably made more effective by some distinguished presenters, but diluted and the basic principles largely ignored by less scrupulous teachers.

Pilates EVO© (EVO is an abbreviation of evolution) is like no other Pilates class you have ever been to. Developed by Chris Hunt Pilates in London, it takes Pilates in a new and exciting direction incorporating more functional training methods and movement patterns, whilst staying true to traditional Pilates principles.

Pilates EVO© expands the mind and body element of Pilates by incorporating Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Mindfulness Meditation techniques to maximise the psychological and physical benefits, improving concentration and making clients emotionally, mentally and spiritually fitter. It improves motor fitness such as agility, balance, speed, co-ordination, reaction time and power. Pilates EVO© also draws on the thousands of years of teachings from Kundalini yoga and meridian stretches to enhance the overall experience.

It has more flow and movement with sequences of moves made up from the sacred numbers 3, 7 and 21, and it uses unique, uplifting soundtracks mixed in London by DJ Shameless to enable clients to really connect with how their body is moving and working, giving a far deeper and rewarding experience. Most moves have different levels progressing muscular fitness using repetitions, range of motion, rate and resistance. This creates a system that will remain challenging to a wide range of training goals from elite athletes, people seeking everyday fitness, to clients rehabilitating following accident or injury.

This system increases muscular strength and endurance as well as flexibility, and helps prevent injury and improve performance with movements that are applicable to life and sport.

Pilates EVO© is more than an exercise system, it is a way of life. A way to maximise your potential physically, mentally and emotionally.

www.facebook.com/chrishuntofficial.com 

 

 

Kim Kardashian: Keeping up with Pilates

Kim

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Anything that raises awareness of Pilates can only be a good thing, right? In today’s culture, it’s a fact that many people associate themselves with celebrities. It’s not my place to argue the rights of wrongs of this, I just accept it as a fact, and if just one person tries Pilates because of one of my blogs, then I consider this to be a success. If you want a technical Pilates discussion then please click on the link above to my website or my Facebook link below and let’s chat…

Yesterday Kim Kardashian was the latest celebrity to be photographed leaving a Pilates session. The 33-year-old stopped by a Pilates studio in Los Angeles to stay fit. The photographer was more concerned with her curve-hugging outfit for her workout, but that is what sells pictures right?

Kanye and Kim

The model, actress and American TV reality star rose to fame after a sex-tape was leaked with a former partner, and she is not considered to be part of the world’s most talked about couple with her partner Kanye West.

Kim is reported to like to train using a fusion of pilates, weight training and circuit training done to muscle failure with very little transition to keep the heart rate up. So not the purest form of Pilates as intended by Joseph, but then there have been many modifications over the years and regular readers of my blog will know that I totally endorse Pilates as only one part of any training regime. Whilst some of the more recent “Pilates” systems are in my humble opinion not Pilates at all, it is possible to create a system that stays true to the principles and teaching of Pilates, as I have tried to do with my system Pilates EVO.

As always, if you have any questions about Pilates, training, weight loss of diet, then please get in touch.

www.facebook.com/chrishuntofficial

Jennifer Anniston, “Friends” with Pilates

 

Jennifer

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Why such a fuss about celebrity Pilatistas? Because it helps to raise the profile of Pilates which can only be a very good thing.

Jennifer Anniston, actress, is a life-long devotee of Pilates. She describes why in her own words:

“I’m a Pilates person. It’s great. I had a hip problem. I had a chronic back, a pinched nerve and a hip problem and it’s completely solved all of it. I love it. It makes me feel like I’m taller.”

Jennifer touches on many of the benefits of regular Pilates, and it’s true that many people come to Pilates as a remedy for an injury or problem. But once you start and you feel the benefits, then you usually continue for life, rehabilitating the injury and making the body stronger and more flexible than it ever was before.

http://www.facebook.com/chrishuntofficial

– Jennifer Anniston