Up until two weeks ago i’m embarrassed to say it had been nearly three years since I had done a Pilates class. I have always recommended Pilates and Yoga to my clients as I truly believe they are of great benefit to the body. The only problem for me was I wasn’t good at it.  I’d tried a few classes and DVDs in the past but didn’t commit which I have always regretted.

What is Pilates?

“Pilates (or the Pilates method) is a series of over 500 mat or equipment based exercises inspired by calisthenics, yoga and ballet. Pilates improves flexibility, strength, balance and body awareness. It was introduced into America in the 1920s by physical trainer Joseph Pilates as a way to help injured athletes and dancers safely return to exercise and maintain their fitness. Since then, Pilates has been adapted to suit people in the general community.

Pilates can be an aerobic and non-aerobic form of exercise. It requires concentration and focus, because the body is moved through precise ranges of motion.” – Better Health

I frequently get asked what is the difference between Pilates and Yoga, to some people they are one in the same. This isn’t the case however. Pilates is partly inspired by Yoga but Yoga is a series of static postures (depending on what style you are performing) and Pilates puts you in unstable positions and gets you moving  throughout the exercise to challenge your body, for example in a hold position getting you to move your limbs whilst keeping the core tight and body still.

There are two types of Pilates, mat based – uses gravity and your body weight as resistance and equipment based – uses spring loaded resistance.

Last week I decided to give Pilates a chance, In the past i’d always used my work schedule as an excuse not to commit.  Like any exercise there is always going to be an excuse. I nervously set up my mat at the front of class (yep class nerd) and we started off with breathing and neutral spine positions etc. I thought oh no this is going to be a boring waste of time but then I was proved wrong. My core was challenged in a way I hadn’t pushed it…well…ever. simple exercises proved intense and I appreciated how to do small movements properly. Then all of a sudden we were doing downward dogs and push ups, hang on a second isn’t this Pilates?? Then we were told to grab a barbell and proceeded to do weighted forward squats and sumo’s! When on earth did Pilates include weights??? It was very impressive, I left feeling elongated and all muscles seemed worked out in a balanced way.

As I attended my second class I was expecting the same exercises, but everything was different. My bum muscles were worked out to a point of fist clenching pain and my obliques were rudely shocked by the surprise attack they received. As a trainer i’m always on at my clients about posture and it’s nice to go to a class where someone is telling me the same thing! Our posture is responsible for a lot of problems in our body, it’s worth the effort of getting it right.

Apart from improved posture Pilates offers a range of benefits, some of which include:

• Improved flexibility.
• Increased muscle strength, particularly of the abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the ‘core muscles’ of the body).
• Balanced muscular strength on both sides of the body.
• Enhanced muscular control of the back and limbs.
• Improved stabilisation of the spine.
• Greater awareness of posture.
• Improved physical coordination and balance.
• Relaxation of the shoulders, neck and upper back.
• Safe rehabilitation of joint and spinal injuries.
• Helps prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

I’m really happy with what i’ve experienced so far and I look forward to continuing with the classes.

Remember to always consult a health practitioner before starting any new fitness program. especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or have not exercised in a long time

For some Pilates exercises click here

 

Photo courtesy of Act Smart Osteopathy