Pilates Q&A
Am I Pilates Ready?
If you’re reading this, then it is likely that you are considering taking up Pilates. But it can feel daunting to go to your first session, with unfamiliar equipment, new people and faces, and feeling unsure of what to expect.
There are many reasons why people might feel apprehensive about getting started, but Pilates can open your mind to a new way of getting and feeling fitter, as well as gaining increased mindfulness and becoming more aware of your body, regardless of the level of fitness you are starting from. It’s far more than simply getting more flexible, Pilates is about control, breathing and breath, stability and coordination, posture and balance, mindfulness and becoming more aware of your body.
Many of our attendees tell us that Pilates has left a positive and life-changing experience impact on their lives so the best way to experience what it has to offer is by seeing first-hand at one of our friendly and welcoming classes in Delamere and Kelsall by visiting CG Pilates for more information and a timetable of classes.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise, which aims to strengthen muscles while improving your posture and flexibility. You can do Pilates with or without equipment, such as resistance bands, balls, the reformer, and more - the movements you will perform are slow and precise, and you’ll be taught breath control.
Pilates moves tend to focus on your core, but the exercises will work on other areas of your body as well. While the moves are defined as exercises for your core or abdominal muscles, your core includes your entire trunk, including the abdominals, hips, thighs, and back. Some workouts may specifically target the glutes, the lower legs, or the arms.
So, do you feel ready for Pilates?
Let’s first dispel some myths… Firstly, we welcome members of all fitness levels, body types and ages so there is no prerequisite to getting started as you are. You do NOT need to be as flexible as a gymnast to do Pilates. Flexibility is only one component of Pilates. Everybody has some level of flexibility, and Pilates will help you improve upon that.
You do NOT need to be super-fit to start Pilates. It’s suitable for any fitness level and private classes can be tailored to help you achieve your goals as quickly as possible. Pilates is NOT just for girls! It is open to everyone, regardless of gender, and is as popular with men as it is with women. Regardless of your age, gender, flexibility, or fitness, Pilates can be a game changer. It is adaptable, safe, truly beneficial, and enjoyable to participate in.
What’s the difference between Pilates and yoga?
With a focus on breathing and low-impact exercise, Pilates and yoga are often considered to be quite similar. But there’s a world of difference between the two. It’s correct that both forms of exercise are low-impact and low-intensity and both have elements of stretching and breathing, but yoga is focused more on spirituality and breath, while Pilates concentrates on mindful movement and strength.
However, they both teach about the powerful combination of body, mind, and soul. In yoga, you will just use a mat to work on, but in Pilates, there is all manner of equipment to use, from simple ankle weights and Pilates balls to the reformer, which might look like a medieval torture machine but is a very pleasant machine to use. Both have a focus on breathing, but in yoga, breathwork is used to hold a pose and to promote relaxation, while Pilates uses breathing to help supply the muscles with more oxygen in order to exercise efficiently.
What can I do to get ready for Pilates?
There are some things you can do to help prepare for your first Pilates class, and make sure you’re warmed up, both physically and mentally. Stretch Stretching helps elongate particular groups of muscles, and while Pilates, by its very definition, involves a lot of stretching, the more limber you are before the class begins and the more warmed up your muscular-skeletal system is, the faster you will find your body gets into the flow of the movement.
Before you start stretching, move around a little, such as by taking a walk, rotating your arms, or climbing some stairs, only for around 10 mins, enough to get the heart pumping and the blood flowing, as long as this is safe to do so. Hold each stretch for around 30 seconds, and it shouldn’t be painful, but tight, sore areas need stretching out the most. Be gentle, and be wary of pushing too far.
Mental workouts
It’s as important to ensure you are mentally warmed up too, as being mentally prepared and ready to go can make a world of difference. Emotionally prepare yourself and feel ready to tackle anything! Be as flexible in your mind as you are in your body.
Keep in mind the benefits of Pilates and allow yourself to feel excited about achieving both your long and short-term goals, and consider the rewards of feeling more limber, with better posture, a stronger core, a fit, toned body and a calm mind.
Use the 10-Minute Rule
Tell yourself that you will make it to your first class and commit to at least the first 10 minutes. If you’re then feeling you can’t go on, then stop. This may feel counterintuitive, but it can really work.
Sometimes, thinking about a whole hour of exercise can make us feel anxious, but 10 minutes is much more manageable. Once you’ve committed and completed that first 10 minutes, few people quit at that point, and continue, maybe committing to another 10 minutes and so on. And if you do feel you can’t carry on after then, then you have gained the benefits of 10 minutes of exercise, which is always better than none, and you can try again for longer next time.
What to expect from your Pilates classes
Pilates will help get you moving and feeling better. But you can expect far more than that.
• Your instructor will provide support to help get you moving and find the best techniques for each exercise.
• You should be self-motivated and be prepared to work hard to learn new exercises, muscle activation and body movement, as well as be motivated to achieve your goals and make a positive change in your life.
• You will become more self-aware of your body, learn how to continually check in on yourself, and become able to focus and think about how each expertise feels as you move. With this improved self-awareness comes a greater understanding of your anatomy and your muscles.
• You will develop strong relationships and build trust with your Pilates equipment, such as the reformer, trapeze, foam roller, ball, and your mat.
As a Pilates beginner, you will start with simple mat exercises that will help make you feel comfortable and become more familiar with Pilates lingo and terminology. In group mat classes, you will still receive individual attention if needed to help build your confidence.
Gentle exercises in more advanced and/or reformer classes will help you learn and know all the different moving parts of the equipment and your body.
What to expect after a class
Pilates might not be a high-impact workout, but the routines and moves are. Pilates class can be fairly intense, and you may feel your muscles burning and even feel a little sore the next day. Pilates can often focus on small movements that intensely work the muscles involved, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can occur.
However, if your muscles ache don’t worry, as your body will get used to these new movements in time. Sore muscles the day after a Pilates class means that you’re working muscle groups that don’t often get much attention, or you’re challenging your muscles in new ways. However, keep in mind that post-workout soreness and DOMS are not something you should chase, and are not the marker of a successful workout.
Always make sure you have warmed up before a class if possible and go slowly and focus on your mind and body during a class. As with all exercise, slow and steady wins the race!
Ready for your first Pilates class?
If you feel you’re ready to take the first step into a new world of health and fitness and looking for Pilates classes in the Delamere, Norley, Kelsall, Tarvin ,Tarporley, Nantwich, and Knutsford areas of Cheshire, then visit CG Pilates for more information and a timetable of classes. Centre your mind, strengthen your body, nourish your soul, and become the best version of yourself.
