Pilates exercises are part of a fitness method started by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. This popular workout trend teaches awareness of breathing while focusing on the alignment of the spine. Pilates target back and abdominal -- or "core" muscles -- but is also effective for toning the legs, arms, shoulders and glutes.

The exercises are often performed on a piece of equipment called a reformer, but can also be done on a mat without equipment. During these Pilates classes, you'll perform non-weight bearing moves that use your body weight to tone your muscles. All Pilates exercises have numerous benefits, including increasing both strength and flexibility, while also improving lung capacity.

Pilates classes are available at most gyms. Still, finding the right instructor can be the key to success. Certified instructors will give clear and precises directions that focus on correct body positioning and breathing. It's the instructor's job to accurately demonstrate the exercises for you and to give you cues that make the movements easy to understand.

Pilates exercises are great for both beginners and advanced exercisers. Instructors should provide modifications for the exercises and offer some individual instruction to ensure you are performing the moves in a way that is both safe and effective. Injured students should be able to participate with these modifications, too.

Think Pilates might be right for you? Learn more about how Pilates gives the gain without the pain.

Ah, Pilates. The fitness system developed by trainer and gymnast Joseph Pilates focuses on controlling the core muscles to build strength and develop alignment and posture. Well, it isn't just limited to exercises done on a padded mat.

Here's the deal: the Pilates reformer is a machine used for an alternative to the typical Pilates mat workout. With the Pilates reformer, you can exercise standing up, sitting, kneeling or lying down. The contraption is essentially a sliding bed/platform with foam shoulder blocks, an adjustable headrest, straps/ropes, gear systems/break, springs/cords and a non-slip adjustable foot bar.

The reformer has a sliding platform with springs on one end that moves when you pull on the ropes or push off from the footbar. Instead of weights used in a typical Pilates workout, the springs are used for resistance. As for the swivel pulleys, since you can pull the ropes in any direction, you're able to alter the angles of resistance. Caps on the non-slip frame keep the frame in place while you're exercising and the adjustable headrest helps keep your movements smooth and elongated. On average, a brand new Pilates reformer may cost about $1,000 to $3,400.

If you're expecting, Pilates is the perfect workout.

Sarah Michelle Gellar leaving a pilates class. Photo: Bauer-Griffin

Many stars seem to bounce right back after having babies. And for the scores of celebs who do Pilates during their pregnancy, it's not surprising. Currently preggers, Jessica Alba and Sarah Michelle Geller both attend classes regularly. Other celeb moms who incorporated Pilates into their pregnancy fitness routines include Julia Roberts, Cindy Crawford and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Full disclosure here, I own a Pilates studio, and I've been working with pregnant clients since 1999. I, myself, did Pilates throughout my pregnancy. I'm biased, but I believe Pilates is hands down the best workout anyone can do while you're pregnant and here's why.

• Easy on the joints, but still a great workout. You might feel like your back is out of whack or your knees are wobbly, but Pilates will help you stay centered and balanced.
• Your abs stay strong. Did you know your abdominals can stretch up to 300 percent during your pregnancy? With Pilates, your abs will stay strong for as long as possible (eventually they will stretch and weaken, it's part of the process).

Photo: Torsten Mangner, Flickr

It's important to maintain a fitness routine while pregnant -- it helps keep weight gain to a healthy minimum and the post-baby slimdown on track. Plus, who doesn't need a little energy boost during all those months of pregnancy?

To keep your pounds in check and a bounce in your step, CafeMom thinks pilates is the way to go. It's low-impact, it strengthens the core, and most moves can be modified to fit your ever-changing body. Check out CafeMom's featured video, and you'll see Nisha from The 9 Month Club as she demonstrates two perfect moves for growing moms.

Then check out Florida Gator football wife Shelley Meyer -- she scored a healthy body during and after three pregnancies.

We can't all have Heidi Klum's genes, but we can look just as good in our skinny jeans! Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

Skinny jeans might be popular, but for many, they bring with them an unpopular side effect -- some extra pudge coming up over the top of those jeans.

A new workout is designed to change all that. The Skinny Jeans Workout, according to CNN, "concentrates on core muscles, balance and posture. A cross between ballet, butt-burning stretches and light weight lifting, the workout involves the entire body." Basically, everything that goes into the jeans (booty, thighs) or affects how you fit in the jeans (abs, back, shoulders) is worked, and those who attend the class regularly swear by it.

Class instructor Tracy Cherpeski Bannister told CNN, "In addition to sort of holding it in, we're also lifting and lengthening and, as we do that, we sort of set our shoulders into place." Hey, good posture makes everybody look 10 pounds slimmer, so it only makes sense that working on muscles that help posture would get you into some smaller, skinnier jeans.

Working core muscles and posture is a great way to combat the effects of rounding ones shoulders while driving or, ahem, hunching over a computer keyboard all day, even if you're not trying to fit into skinny jeans. Does your gym offer the Skinny Jeans Workout?

Have you always wanted to try Pilates, but never got around to signing up for a class? The Hundred is a classic Pilates move that will be sure to work your core muscles and flatten your tummy. Check out the video below to learn to do it correctly. And make sure to focus on your breathing and pulling your navel in tight!

Our private rooftop Core Fusion class. Photo: TropicanaOJ, Flickr

Nothing is quite as invigorating as trying a new class and getting a fantastic workout. Unless, of course, you're trying that new class on a grassy rooftop on a gorgeous Saturday morning, which is exactly what I had the opportunity to do last weekend.

I was in Chicago for a "Get Your Fruit On" weekend with Tropicana, and they set us up with Nicole Romano Uribarri from Exhale Spa for a customized Core Fusion® class on the roof of the PepsiCo Sustainability Center. Core Fusion is a mix of the Lotte Berk Method, core conditioning, Pilates and yoga, and is offered at Exhale locations in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and the Turks and Caicos.

While the location was amazing, the Core Fusion® class would've been a treat no matter where it was held. We did moves I'd never seen before (which is saying something, because I've done a lot of classes and videos). And somehow, we did each move just long enough or repeated it often enough to have me making silent negotiations. (You know, using your mind to will the instructor to stop, and if she'll just stop now, you'll never eat another cookie/drink, another beer/etc.)

No-slip Yoga Socks. Photo: gaiam.com

Let me know if this sounds familiar. You're in downward dog, in your living room, and you're really feeling it -- you feel centered, you're getting a great stretch, and then ... your sweaty feet start sliding around, and all of your concentration goes toward keeping your feet in place.

Ideally, a nonslip mat would solve the problem, but you don't want to be limited to that space, do you? Gaiam has another solution -- No Slip Yoga Socks. Sure, they look a bit like the slipper-socks you're given when you're in the hospital, but these socks have individual toes, so you'll experience the same toe-wiggling freedom as if you were barefoot. Added bonus -- less exposure to foot fungus, which is always a good thing.

They're available in two women's sizes, S/M or M/L, and you get two pairs of black socks for $19.98.

That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader. We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other. That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.

Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Adidas is giving gorgeous gym bags to each featured member. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Lauren Sapenoff

Age: 34

Occupation: Pilates Instructor

How often do you exercise? Pilates five days a week, cardio 3x a week

What type of exercise do you do? I do a little bit of everything from spinning to weights to bikram yoga and everything in between.

What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? Knowing how great I'm going to feel after I'm done and how awful I'll feel if I don't.

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First of all, let me be honest -- I am not a Pilates beginner. I'm not a pro or anything, but I've done my fair share of classes. And so, to help me review this DVD, I brought in my friend Blair, who is a new mom and also new to Pilates.

Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners is unlike most Pilates DVDs in a few ways. For one thing, it's very low-key. Filmed in a gorgeous outdoor setting with flowers and the ocean in the background, it focuses heavily on breathing and proper stretching. Something else that struck me was the fact that the instructor does speak as she does the moves -- the instructions are given via a voice-over, and truthfully, I found that really helpful. The instructions were detailed, and I swear she was watching me, because every time she reminded me to tuck my pelvis or release my shoulders, that was exactly what I needed to do, and Blair had the same reaction.

One thing I think I should point out, though, is that I don't find this workout to be any more conducive to weight loss than any other workout of similar difficulty. You can't do a Pilates DVD, eat pizza and cake, and then expect to drop pounds. But I assume you already knew that, so let's get into the review!

A little variety is always a good thing. When you add some variety to your workouts, you're more likely to stay motivated. After all, while you (of course) want your workout to be effective, it should also be fun! Fusion fitness keeps the fun alive by pairing two different activities and creating a whole new workout. Here are two fusion trends to try out:

Taking moves from extreme ends of the fitness spectrum, piloxing combines Pilates and boxing. Hilary Duff is a fan of this challenging workout. Duff said "It will definitely kick you into shape and it's so much fun!"



Yolett is another spin on two classic workouts. LB Kass, creator of the Yollet technique, combines moves from yoga and ballet. The class is fast-paced, and is great for both all-over toning and stress relief.



What do you think: What two workouts would you like to see combined?

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Fitz, I was wondering if you could give advice on how to train yourself for a move or pose that is too advanced for you. I understand how to work up to a particular weight or speed in weight-lifting or cardio, but I'm at a loss about things that seem 'all-or-nothing.' I'm thinking of things in fitness DVDs where they frequently have models for easy/moderate/advanced movements. Sometimes I can do the easier move without feeling challenged, but I can't do the harder one at all. I often don't see how continuing to do the easier one gets me closer to doing the more advanced one. I especially struggle with a variety of moves in yoga and pilates. Thanks! Your articles and videos are my favorite thing about That's Fit. Cecily

A. Hi, Cecily. Thanks so much for both the sweet feedback and the great question. I'm sure many people wonder the same thing. The first thing I want to tell you is that you should be struggling when you work out. Struggling means you are challenging your body and pushing it to be better. Wobbling, tightness and frustration are part of the deal when participating in yoga and pilates, for sure. This neverending journey to become more fit will hopefully always include great challenges, but I do have the secret to becoming more proficient in advanced skills.

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Our fitness expert Fitz sits down with the stars and digs out their great and not-so-great methods for staying healthy.

Megan Mullally is costarring in ABC's new sitcom "In the Motherhood" airing Thursdays at 8 p.m. and is totally fulfilling the role as a MILF. At 50 years old, she sounds happier in her skin than she's ever been, and you'll be amazed by her response to reaching this milestone. During this interview, Megan revealed her strange workout addiction, the meanest thing anyone has ever said about her body and her fun advice for looking and feeling your best.

Fitz: You look great, Megan! What have you been up to?

Megan: I've been doing pilates three to four times a week for about two years now and I love it.

Fitz: Mat or reformer?

Megan: I do it all! I use the Reformer, the Cadillac, the chair and mat. I like a little bit of everything. I remember hearing about pilates over 20 years ago, as it was used to help dancers rehab from injuries. I don't know why I never tried it before now, though. I wish I had.

Fitz: Do you have a great pilates wardrobe?

Megan: I think I looked like an old housewife with a button-down shirt the first time I took a class. I hadn't worked out in over 10 years while I was doing "Will & Grace," so I literally had no gym clothes. Now I have the perfect wardrobe from LuLuLemon.

Fitz: What's the strangest thing you've ever done to stay fit?

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In your neck of the woods, it might still be a little too cold and snowy to even think about getting outside and hitting the links. However, before you know it, you're going to start seeing that gorgeous spring weather that has you carrying your clubs around in your car at all times, just in case you get a chance to play.

But why wait until it's 70 degrees and sunny to start improving your game? STOTT PILATES® has a Pilates for Golf Power Pack designed to help you prep for Pebble Beach from the comfort of your living room, and I had a chance to check it out.

The Golf Power Pack includes a mat, two DVDs (Pilates on the Green, Level 1 and Pilates on the Green, Level 2), as well as a water-resistant, pocket-sized Warm-up Exercise Guide, so you can take your moves with you to the course. I've done a couple of STOTT PILATES® workouts before, so I was really curious to see how this measured up.