Benefits of Attending Regular Pilates Classes

They say doing physical exercises regularly is good for the health. However, you might find strenuous physical fitness programs as very tiring and exhilarating. If you want to take it slowly, surely, and relaxingly, you should instead attend regular Pilates classes. For sure, the gym or the fitness center nearest your address is offering regular Pilates sessions. Sign up now and have the following benefits that are reaped by people who regularly do Pilates exercises. Here are the top benefits of attending regular Pilates sessions.

Brief Look at Pilates Movements

It is just logical that Pilates is currently one of the most popular exercise programs. More and more people are getting into it because of the health and physical benefits it provides. Other than that, peer influence is also one important factor that helps make the popularity of the exercise program further rise.

Pilates involves a great deal of physical discipline. A person needs to be properly motivated to be able to conduct the tasks involved. The activity is also very relaxing. Many people assert that Pilates helps them achieve overall relaxation after a long day of work. Through proper breathing techniques along with required body movements in the exercise, people could achieve physical coordination, strength training, and relaxation at the same time.

Choosing a Pilates Instructor

Pilates is a highly detailed and scientific system of exercise. You should strive to learn from a Pilates teacher who genuinely understands the program and who effectively communicates with students. This is crucial because you certainly need to learn the basics well. You would not be able to attain the benefits from Pilates if you would not be able to learn doing the methods correctly.

Needless to say, there is an importance in choosing a highly qualified and competent Pilates instructor. Most Pilates studios make sure their teachers are qualified and are effective. However, there would surely be cases wherein a qualified and well-seasoned instructor may not be effective in handling beginners. You might not like the teaching style of a teacher.

So how could you choose the best Pilates instructors around? It would be helpful if you would checkout the following checklist. Make sure you evaluate the instructor very well before, during, and after the class. You have found a good Pilates teacher if you answer ‘yes’ to all or most of the following.

1.    Is the instructor a duly certified Pilates teacher? Before you enlist in a class, you have the right to check the credentials and the certifications of the instructor. If he/she has one, make sure the certification program is full and is credible. Take note that Pilates is an in-depth exercise system. Appropriate certifications should be required in instructors.

2.    Does the teacher greet the class before the session? It would help if the instructor has a positive and pleasant personality. Every Pilates class should be treated like an actual customer-service transaction. S/He should be approachable enough so you would not hesitate to ask questions.  

3.    Are the instructions clear? It is important that the teacher give out clear and non-confusing directions and instructions. In any way, you should learn the proper way of doing things.

4.    Is the instructor giving closer attention to students? Are you attaining individual attention? A good Pilates teacher cares about his students. He should make sure everyone is doing movements correctly. Thus, during the session, he should get attention of students who are doing the movements wrongly.

5.    Is the instructor confident, professional, and knowledgeable? You surely would not want to be under a teacher who lacks self esteem and who is unsure about what he is doing. He should be able to explain points and answer every important and relevant question from anyone in the class.

6.    Have you enjoyed the Pilates class? If you did, you would certainly notice that you feel good after the session. It is important that you enjoy the class.

7.    Do you have rapport with the instructor? If you do, that teacher surely also has good links with the others. There should be no communication problem during the session.

8.    Do you feel motivated overall by the instructor? You should. A teacher who fails to motivate his class should not be teaching Pilates at all. It is important that an instructor be able to convince the class to do well and keep on going.

History of Pilates

If you aim to understand the power Pilates has in strengthening your body, it would be appropriate to take a short glimpse at the history of the exercise program. You may have the impression that Pilates is like Yoga, which has been developed thousands of years ago. Be informed that Pilates was only developed in the 1920s, during the height of the World War I.

It was 1880 when a sickly baby was born in Dusseldorf, Germany. The boy was named Joseph Pilates. As a very young child, Joseph was contended in watching his friends jump, run, and play games. He was not able to do the same because his weak body was frail. That was when the methods of Pilates were conceived by the young Joseph.

Joseph was very determined to find ways to improve his physical strength, stamina, and overall health. He then set a lifelong quest for an appropriate fitness program and exercise. Joseph not only succeeded in overcoming his physical frailties. Eventually, he mastered them all. As he aged, Joseph stood to become an accomplished gymnast, boxer, skier, and yogi.

During the World War I, Joseph took an internship in England. There he worked as a male nurse, treating and attending to injured victims of the war. He was very convinced in his own belief that specific exercises could effectively help in the rehabilitation of badly damaged bodies. Most of the patients he handled were not really able to move. Joseph’s determination to help patients gain mobility and strength was undeterred.

He then rigged up hospital beds of war patients with springs and straps. At the same time, Joseph created several series of strategic exercises that aim to help move patients’ joints through great ranges of motion. Such exercises aimed to also help patients develop flexibility, endurance, and muscle strength. Surprisingly, most of Joseph’s patients were eventually able to finally get up and then move around on their own.

Joseph, together with his wife, moved to New York City in 1923. There, the couple opened a fitness studio that aimed to provide rehabilitation to injured dancers. Several famous dancers that became clients of the studio were Martha Graham and George Balanchine. Since then, word about the Pilates method spread like wildfire.

Soon the renowned Pilates method became an exercise of choice not just by many dancers but also by many professional athletes and entertainment icons. For many decades, Pilates was enjoyed exclusively by the elite community. It was a form of an exercise program that was enjoyed only by the rich and the famous.

However, in the past decade, Pilates found its way to reach more people. Many membership gyms and fitness clubs have started offering Pilates classes and sessions. Many people have since then discovered for themselves how Pilates could truly help them effectively gain flexibility, strength and body balance. Most of them have been awed by the fact that they need not spend more time at the gym just to attain desired results. Not surprisingly, Pilates emerged to become among the hottest trends in fitness and health.

Exercise Tasks in Pilates

Pilates is truly one of the popular physical fitness systems nowadays. Many gyms and fitness centers are now rolling out or offering Pilates classes for members. Pilates aficionados would certainly assert that the system is really helpful in providing balance for the body and the mind.

As years go by, mankind's lifestyle is fast changing. Contrary to the lifestyles of ancient people who are more inclined to physical labor, today's generation is different because most existing jobs nowadays are stationary in nature. Thus, people need to do other activities like exercises to keep their blood flowing smoothly, to burn calories, and to flex those muscles for resistance.

Pilates for Weight Loss

Pilates Weight Loss

These days, weight loss is a major issue that almost everyone is concerned about. That is because the sedentary lifestyle is catching up and making obesity part of modern living. Unfortunately, beauty and sexiness are often linked with having a fit and slim physique. Thus, weight loss is considered as very important for a person’s overall appearance and confidence. Liposuction is very popular these days as a form of instant and effective weight loss. But for people who do not like the idea of undergoing surgical procedures, Pilates could be a good surgery-free alternative.

Pilates is a form of an exercise program that was developed by a physical fitness guru named Joseph Pilates during the height of the World War I. It is an exercise program that was developed to focus on flexibility and core strength. Specifically, the exercise program could bring about more ideal muscle tone that in turn could lead to a ‘taller and streamlined’ appearance. The tasks involved in the exercise could help you engage your core muscles (comprising of abdominals) and inner back muscles (especially those in the mid-back and lower back section). Thus, it could help you improve your overall posture, keep your back stronger, and attain a better posture.

How to Prepare for a Pilates Class

Pilates Class

Are you planning to soon join a Pilates class? Be warned that walking into any Pilates studio could be daunting, especially if it is your first time. You would notice a variety of very odd-looking contraptions, which you could logically infer as ‘Pilates machines.’ Never worry. Whichever studio you go to, there surely would be a knowledgeable and friendly staff or personnel who would accommodate and orient you to Pilates sessions.

So how could you prepare for your first ever Pilates class? You might be truly excited. There is no need to be nervous or to be embarrassed. Beginners are always welcome to join such classes. Here are practical tips that would help you overcome your first-time jitters.

What you should bring

Remember that you do not need to take with you much when you drop by any Pilates studio. Generally, the studio provides every equipment and material you would need for the workout. However, you may prefer to workout using your own mat.

Pilates mats are commercially available in various stores. You should be lucky enough to learn that your studio might actually be selling such items. Take note that such mats are usually made a bit thicker than any conventional yoga mat. Ask your instructor about his recommendations before you purchase your Pilates mat.

It is important to make yourself properly hydrated prior to starting the workout. Thus, you would still need to carry with you a water bottle. You would not need to guzzle water during the workout just like what you usually do on your aerobic and cardiovascular workouts. But you certainly would feel a little thirsty at the middle of the session so keep a water bottle handy.

What to wear

You should not dress to impress when attending a Pilates class. It is very important that you make sure your clothes are comfortable. Wear outfits that would enable you to make movements and to fully stretch. Loose clothes are fine, but keep away from baggy clothes. The instructor should be able to see your body during the workout to see if your alignment is correct during movements.

Baggy clothes may tend to be too revealing especially because there are certain movements that are very complicated. As for the footwear, take note that Pilates should be done barefoot. There is no need to buy and wear fancy and fashionable shoes.

Avoid wearing excess accessories. Belts, long necklaces, and dangling bracelets are not only distracting; they could also pose dangers especially if they get caught up in the Pilates equipment. You surely would not want to strangle yourself. Also make sure your hair is tied back so it would not fall into your face and cause discomfort. You may also opt to wear hair bands. There would be no problem if your hair is cut short.

One last advice: do not wear strong perfumes and deodorants before going to the Pilates class. This is because many people are simply sensitive to strong scents. You need to be considerate of others.