Wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in. In saying that, you don’t want to wear loose-hanging shorts that you can see up or a dress, you’ll feel more at ease in some sort of workout pants and a t-shirt or a singlet. We also wear Pilates grip socks, for safety, hygiene & extra comfort. The only other things you should remember to bring is a towel & water.
Tell your instructor about any injuries, illnesses, sore spots or pregnancies; even if you don’t think it is relevant, still mention it anyway as it gives your instructor insight on how you & your body feel. It also guides them on how easy or hard you want to challenge yourself during your workout & what areas you need or want to work on.
Listen to your instructor, that’s what they’re there for. Pilates movements can be so precise, your instructor will tell you how to set your body up correctly so that you are able to engage the correct muscles for that exercise. There can be so much to think about, especially if you’ve only done Pilates a couple of times. So, open your ears, we are here to help, and to make your workout as enjoyable as possible.
“Breathe in through the nose, air into the ribs, not the belly. And breathe out through the mouth, letting the ribs float down to the hips”. As a general rule, in Pilates, we inhale on the easy part of the exercise, then exhale on the harder part (usually as we move against gravity). Breathing in this particular way, keeps the core and correct muscles engaged, and takes the pressure off our spine and pelvic floor.
In Pilates, we really do embrace that the slower we move the harder we work (and that’s exactly what we want, isn’t it). It might be tempting to pump out a quick 10 reps, especially if you’re a fast-paced person, but by moving slow and controlled we not only work the large muscles groups but also strengthen the smaller stabilising ones that keep our body moving freely and effectively. By slowing the movement down, we’re able to add extra resistance (provided by gravity) to make our workout harder and we’re also less likely to have jerky movements, which could lead to injury.
Take your time; Pilates isn’t just about going through the movements, it’s a chance to make a mind-body connection, so you feel not only physically stronger & stretched but also mentally clearer and re-energised. Your instructor will remind you about the spinal position, t-zone, when to move what body part, where you should be feeling it, oh, and don’t forget to breathe!
Like anything, the more you do it the easier it’s going to be, and the quicker you’ll feel results. Once a week, sure you'll feel it straight after class, but if you come three or more times, that’s where you will notice the changes in your body & how it moves. Daily pilates is best to set a strong foundation for your body to move effectively throughout the day and the more automatic the movements become. Pilates gives the body the tools it needs for our entire body to move, pain-free. So what’s a quick Pilates session every day so you can live life to the fullest?
Be kind to yourself, because we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We are all fun, supportive and accepting & Fun Fit Pilates is all about having fun, while getting fit! Each person starts for different reasons: relaxation, toning, weight loss, injuries, socialisation, strength or flexibility. So, whether you're brand new to Pilates or you’ve been doing it for a while, we’re all at different stages, all at different fitness levels, with different injuries. Your Pilates class is YOUR time to focus on YOU and what you are wanting to get out of it & either way we always have a great laugh & chat in every class to ground you.
Being sore after a workout is a very individual thing and depends on your fitness, injuries and how much you’re connecting to your body and making every movement count; not just going through the movements. There is that good pain, the working of the muscle working and being fatigued, but then there can be that bad soreness in the neck, the back or the joints that you don’t want. You should never feel any pain in these areas; if you do let your instructor know or take one of the easier options. The next day or two after your class you may or may not feel a little bit tender in your muscles. It’s always a good idea to get the body moving gently, by walking, riding, stretching or another Pilates session.
A healthy, positive attitude is so important to get the most out of your workout. Pilates is more than just about getting the body moving but getting the mind clearer & re-energised as well. If you aren’t feeling 100%, that’s okay, take the time out to slow down and focus on yourself for the session. We are so lucky to have such a supportive, social, genuine and accepting group, so coming every day with a smile on your face makes a huge difference not only for everyone else in class but also yourself.
