Think Pilates isn’t for you?
Four reasons why you should give it a try!
What comes to mind when you think of Pilates?
Is it young twentysomethings doing the splits or sitting with their feet behind their ears without breaking a sweat? Does it strike you as all a bit new age-y and only something that ‘ladies what lunch’ do when they have nothing else to occupy their time? Or is it something that intrigues you but surely you have to be a size 6 and feel at home wearing the obligatory hot-pants-crop-top combo to even think about participating?
Social media reality distortion!
Type ‘Pilates’ into Google and take a look at the images that pop up. You’ll soon discover that there clearly seems to be a Pilates practitioner ‘type’: young, slender, flexible women predominantly. This is obviously a generalisation and whilst I think it’s fantastic that these people have discovered the wonders of Pilates, this stereotype does not exactly scream ‘accessible to all’ does it? It’s therefore hardly surprising that scores of people who could potentially benefit hugely from it immediately discount it as a viable form of exercise.
At Pilates In Your Home, we are on a mission to change this outdated image! The reality is that Pilates can truly be a life-changing addition to your routine irrespective of your age, gender or workout history.
Why should I consider giving Pilates a go?
There are a million reasons why I believe Pilates is a fantastic form of exercise to try but here are my top 4 reasons:
Builds strength & flexibility
I would be very rich if I had a pound for every time someone has said to me ‘I’d like to try Pilates but I’m not flexible enough’. Let me clear this up once and for all: you do not have to be flexible at all to sign up for your first Pilates class. In fact, if you start with limited flexibility, you’ll see the biggest difference it can make. The thing with Pilates is that regular practice will build your flexibility and strength beyond what you think is possible regardless of your age, even if you’re starting from scratch.
And when I say ‘regular practice’, I’m not talking 3 times a day, 7 days a week. You should start noticing a difference even if you practice Pilates just once a week on an ongoing basis. Obviously Rome wasn’t built in a day so it’s all about starting slow and gradually building up...before long you’ll really start to notice the benefits.
Why are strength and flexibility important anyway?
So many reasons! Maintaining good posture, injury prevention (as well as promotion of accelerated recovery from injuries), management of any pathologies you might have (e.g. disc conditions, arthritis, sciatica, osteoporosis, etc), improved balance, reduction of stiffness, aches and pains. The list goes on.
2. Boosts mental wellbeing
A perhaps lesser known but equally beneficial aspect of Pilates is the amount of brain power it requires. It’s not just a physical programme but can also provide a means of improving mental wellbeing as well.
Ask anyone who has been to a Pilates class whether they were able to concentrate on anything other than what the teacher was asking them to do and you’ll no doubt be met with a resounding ‘No!’.
As a practice, Pilates is completely absorbing and requires your full concentration. It simply isn’t possible to think about work or the kids or the general stresses of life when you’re continually moving from one exercise to the next.
Pilates = Physical headspace
That’s how one of our fab clients describes Pilates and we wholeheartedly agree!
Now more than ever, as we grapple with the far-reaching implications of the pandemic and the impact that it has had on every facet of life, Pilates offers a means of escape from these pressures, if only for a short while. It can reduce anxiety, improve your mood, boost your energy levels, make you feel calmer and more focussed. For an hour, you have no option but to park the worries and concentrate on you, your body and your breathing.
3. Accessible & affordable
This, to me, is the true beauty of Pilates. It really is something that anyone of any age, gender or fitness can try and is more affordable than you might think. That’s why it’s so frustrating that the internet would have us believe only a very specific aesthetically blessed demographic should be practicing it. Whether you are a teen going through a growth spurt or a new mum recovering from the effects of childbirth or an older gent getting a little unsteady on your feet, Pilates can really help you in whatever stage of life you’re in.
Prior to every class, we always say to our clients that you must take responsibility for your body, never work through any pain and listen to how you are feeling on any given day. Putting you, the client, in the driving seat is essential so you feel empowered to either try or not try an exercise depending on how you’re feeling.
Doesn’t need to cost the earth
Pilates is also accessible from an affordability perspective too. You can expect to pay roughly £7-12 per group class with many studios offering discounts the more classes you buy. At Pilates In Your Home, we strongly believe that pandemics and hardship should not get in the way of keeping healthy so we also operate a ‘Pay What You Can’ option for anyone finding it hard to make ends meet.
You also don’t need any expensive kit. In fact most Pilates props can easily be substituted with common household items (see accompanying photo!).
4. Progress is measurable
Joseph Pilates was once quoted as saying ‘In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference and in 30 sessions you’ll be on your way to having a whole new body’. With regular practice, it won’t be long before you start noticing improvements in how you feel.
Perhaps that perpetual ache across your shoulders from working at a computer all day will lessen. Or your back won’t feel quite so stiff when you wake up. Or people will start noticing your posture has improved. Or you can now touch your toes when once you couldn’t.
Every person’s yardstick is different but the vast majority of people who take up Pilates notice measurable improvements in the way they feel both physically and mentally. Seeing your progress is such a motivator and is regularly cited as the thing that keeps people coming back to Pilates for more.
And there you go, my top 4 reasons why Pilates is worth trying. Pretty compelling don’t you agree?
A final thought
As a parting word, I’d encourage you to start regarding your body like a rare, beautiful classic car. It’s going to need continual maintenance to keep it running smoothly and the more care and respect you give it, the more miles on the clock you’ll have to enjoy life. In this analogy, Pilates is like a highly skilled mechanic that can keep the motor ticking over like clockwork so you don't end up on the scrap heap! If that’s not enough to tempt you, nothing will!
Ali is co-owner of Pilates In Your Home with her friend and fellow teacher, Sarah. Together, Ali and Sarah are passionate about creating an inclusive, feelgood environment where anyone and everyone can practice Pilates on their own terms and (re)discover the joy of movement. If you would like to find out more, please visit www.pilatesinyourhome.co.uk.