What is Pilates (Pah-la-teez)?
Pilates is a full-body strength training exercise that focuses on developing strong core muscles. The core muscles are the muscles that support your spine and wrap around your torso and hips. With a strong core, you will have a strong and flexible torso and spine. For many people, Pilates will improve posture and make their backs feel better and stronger, and improve overall strength, flexibility, and balance.
How often do you recommend a Pilates workout?
"In 10 sessions you will feel a difference; in 20 sessions you will see a difference, and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body."- Joseph Pilates
With any form of exercise, consistency is key. In the beginning, your body is learning a lot of new information, and your mind/body connection is being established. The optimal recommendation is 2-3 times per week; however, once a week on a very regular basis can also be beneficial, providing you are doing some other exercise during the week.
How long does it take to see results?
Joseph Pilates said it best:
After 10 sessions, you'll notice a difference . . .
After 20 sessions, others will notice . . .
After 30 sessions, you'll have a whole new body!
However, every client is different, and your progress will depend on several factors such as your current fitness level, any existing injuries, other activities you participate in, and diet. Typically, you will improve your body awareness, learn to activate inactive muscles, and improve your postural awareness in your first few sessions. By 10 to 15 sessions, most clients feel significant positive changes in their bodies.
Who can participate in Pilates?
Pilates is appropriate for people of any age or fitness level. Pilates' unique approach to fitness allows any level, from a beginner to an athlete, to set their goals and work on their individual needs.
Will I lose weight from doing Pilates?
Pilates is designed to help you reshape your body and mind. Using different types of apparatus and the weight of your own body, the system helps tone your muscles and elongate areas such as the waistline and upper thighs, and arms. Adding Pilates to a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise can dramatically change your overall appearance.
How is Pilates different from yoga?
Joseph Pilates was inspired both by eastern and western forms of exercise and wellness principles while developing his method, so there are many similarities. The breathing is different; in Pilates, you are asked to scoop your stomach instead of allowing it to expand with the breath, as done in yoga. Pilates is more dynamic, focusing on movement rather than the holding of postures as yoga
What results can I expect from doing Pilates?
You can expect an increase in flexibility, mobility, balance, improved posture, and overall strength, as well as a decrease in back pain/other general body pains. Many participants report a reshaping of the body, elongation of the waistline and upper thigh regions.
What is Pilates equipment?
Reformer – The Pilates reformer is the most popular piece of Pilates equipment. It is a flatbed that slides back and forth, and the resistance can be changed by using more springs or fewer springs.
Cadillac – The Cadillac is a long table with springs attached to either side and bars that attach to the springs. Many therapeutic exercises are performed on this piece of equipment.
Chair – The chair is a small, versatile piece of equipment preferred by many gyms or home use.
