How Pilates Changed My Feelings About Fitness (2024)

I quit Equinox, tired of dreading the gym while paying hundreds of dollars for it. My problem wasn’t the place—I’ve started and stopped Blink, Crunch, and ClassPass since moving to New York City—but more a feeling of isolation and occasional intimidation that came with attempting to be a better version of myself, by myself. I craved a new fitness routine and the strength I used to feel in high school, when I was a soccer player and horseback rider with flat abs and toned calves.

I knew the next workout I chose would have to be something I could stick to, one that didn’t trigger my old social anxiety of being the last to finish an exercise in P.E., but still gave me the happy-tired feeling of being physically spent. As it was, I felt like a crumpled version of myself, sometimes literally: I found it so hard to get out of bed in the morning that after hitting snooze seven times, I’d leave the house with sheet marks still on my cheek.

An effortlessly athletic colleague suggested Pilates and Lisa Jones Pilates specifically. A longtime dancer who trained at the Martha Graham School before becoming a professional Pilates instructor, Jones has developed a roster of private clients who often rely on her to train them for their physically demanding jobs, whether they’re in sports, acting, or modeling. She has worked with Lauren Hutton and helped models like Lily Donaldson prepare for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

When the founder of the technique, Joseph Pilates, opened his Manhattan studio in 1926, the method gained traction in the dance community before going mainstream in the late ’90s. A low-impact workout that emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and alignment, it has a continued association with the long, lean muscles that dancers display. And despite New York magazine’s 2015 “Pilatespocalypse” story that reported the technique was fading as the boutique fitness market boomed, a quick search of Tribeca shows five Pilates studios in a four-block radius. When high-speed, data-informed workouts are overwhelming us from all sides, perhaps a slower form of fitness feels just right.

I worried I might not be the Pilates type. (I imagined that type to be the aforementioned perfect specimens, or simply a bean-thin woman with matching workout sets for every day of the week.) And, used to team sports or spin, I was skeptical that Pilates would give me the feeling of release I wanted in a workout. Still, I packed my best leggings and made my way to Lisa’s softly lit Union Square space.

How Pilates Changed My Feelings About Fitness (2024)

FAQs

How Pilates Changed My Feelings About Fitness? ›

I felt different early on. I started to notice which muscles carried me through the day. I felt a greater sense of stability while surfing, but also just while walking up the stairs from the subway. My shoulder pain faded, and a weird collarbone cramp that used to pop up on jogs stopped happening.

How has my body changed with Pilates? ›

From increased strength and flexibility to improved posture and better breathing, consistent Pilates classes can leave you feeling stronger, healthier, and more confident. You may even see and feel the positive effects after your first class.

How does Pilates make you feel? ›

By focusing on breath, Pilates improves cardiorespiratory capacity (11, 12). This stimulates feel-good hormones, oxygen flow, and blood circulation. Pilates achieves all of this and, due to its low impact nature, rarely leaves you feeling fatigued. Instead, it gives you a boost of energy.

How does Pilates help you emotionally? ›

The Mental Health Benefits of Pilates

Reduced anxiety and depression: The deep, controlled breathing used in Pilates can help reduce anxiety and depression by promoting relaxation and the release of endorphins.

How long will it take to see significant changes when using Pilates? ›

In summary, you can expect to see results from your Pilates practice within a few weeks to a few months, depending on various factors. Remember that consistency, quality instruction, and patience are essential components of your Pilates journey.

What kind of body does Pilates give you? ›

Health benefits of Pilates

increased muscle strength and tone, particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the 'core muscles' of your body) balanced muscular strength on both sides of your body. enhanced muscular control of your back and limbs. improved stabilisation of your spine.

How many Pilates sessions does it take to change your body? ›

Joseph Pilates has a famous quote: “In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you'll have a whole new body.” I committed to 30 sessions, which broke down to about three times a week over three months.

Why is Pilates so addicting? ›

The use of the Reformer machine and the variety of exercises it offers can make for a challenging and engaging workout that individuals may find addictive. Mind-body connection: Reformer Pilates emphasizes the mind-body connection, encouraging individuals to focus on proper alignment, breathing, and body awareness.

Does Pilates release emotions? ›

By releasing the tension in your muscles, you often release much of your emotional tension. Our clients find that through Pilates, they are able to let go of the emotional baggage they've been carrying around in their daily lives.

How long until you see results from Pilates? ›

Once you get into a steady workout habit, how long does it take to see results from Pilates? While individual results may vary, most people can see noticeable body changes within just three weeks. However, those who do Pilates less often may take up to eight weeks to see noticeable results in their bodies.

Why does Pilates make me happy? ›

Pilates makes you happier.

When our body is positively stressed, like when you go through a favorite workout, endorphins are released into the body that make us feel good.

What does Pilates do for your mind? ›

Physical activity, including Pilates, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while enhancing overall mood. The release of endorphins, the improvement of sleep quality, and the sense of accomplishment associated with exercise all contribute to these positive effects.

Why do people love Pilates so much? ›

In addition to lengthening and strengthening your muscles, improving your posture, stability and mobility, and assisting in recovery, Pilates has been shown to reduce stress hormones such as cortisol and increase endorphins (happy hormones), leaving your body feeling great and boosting your mood naturally.

Will Pilates change my shape? ›

In conclusion, Pilates offers a comprehensive way to change your body shape in a short time. It builds strength without bulk, improves posture, promotes weight loss, increases body awareness, and is adaptable to individual needs. However, like any exercise regimen, consistency is key.

How often should I do Pilates as a beginner? ›

Beginners should do 1 to 3 Pilates workouts per week to see results. Research shows improvements in balance, strength, and pain reduction with one to three Pilates sessions per week. Two days per week is better than one, and three is better than two, but beyond that, there's not much benefit.

Can Pilates change your body in 2 weeks? ›

Depending on the frequency and intensity of your Pilates workout, you can expect to see results fast. Joseph Pilates famously stated; “In 10 sessions you will feel a difference, in 20 sessions you will see a difference, in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body,” - Joseph Pilates.

How long does it take for Pilates to affect your body? ›

By the fifth and sixth week of regular pilates practice, individuals may begin to notice increased stamina and endurance. Pilates is a low-impact exercise that can be modified to suit any fitness level, making it an excellent form of exercise for individuals looking to improve their overall fitness.

Does Pilates actually tone your body? ›

Pilates, a form of exercise that emphasizes controlled movements, breath, and alignment, can indeed contribute to toning your body. By targeting specific muscle groups and engaging your core, Pilates can help you develop long, lean muscles and improve overall body composition.

Will 20 minutes of Pilates make a difference? ›

If you're following the right workouts, absolutely! 20-minutes a day is plenty to get you in Pilates shape.

How many times a week should you do Pilates? ›

Because Pilates is a low impact exercise, it can be done more frequently than other forms of exercise as it doesn't require as much recovery between sessions. If Pilates is your only form of exercise, we recommend 2-3 sessions per week, ideally with a mix of equipment Pilates and mat-based Pilates.

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