Pilates FAQ
I know you have questions about Pilates… Everybody has questions about Pilates. What is Pilates, how can it help me, why do people love it so much? So let me try and answer some of these questions…
How can Pilates help me?
Pilates is the perfect exercise for our busy, high-intensity, high-stress lifestyles. It does magic as an antidote to days spent hunched over a computer, driving in rush-hour traffic, carrying babies and heavy bags.
What is the secret of Pilates? Those in the know swear by it and once they discover the benefits, people tend to stick with it for life. And why? Because it works… Soon after you start practicing Pilates, you will feel and see the difference: a flatter stomach, improved posture and looser, more flexible joints. You will breathe better, feel muscles you have never felt before, you will feel in control of your own body like you never have before… And it’s an AWESOME feeling. Totally addictive.
Where can I practice Pilates?
It is best to start practicing with a trained instructor. You might want to start with a few private sessions if you have a specific physical issue you need to address, or haven’t exercised in a long time, are pregnant or have just had a baby. But if you feel confident, you will soon be able to join group classes.
And once you are used to the moves and principles, you won’t need to be in a studio or have special equipment to do a Pilates work-out: you can practice any time, any place, fitting it into your daily routine in the way that’s most convenient. And I highly recommend doing a short Pilates session as often as you can during the week!
I have never exercised in my life, is it too late to start?
No! It is never too late to start Pilates. Pilates is gentle, Pilates is open-minded and generous. Pilates was created to gently heal the body and help it regain the strength that’s so vital for a healthy and happy life. You will go slow at first, and you will be surprised how quickly results will become visible and how fast you muscles will learn.
Once I start, Should I dedicate myself only to Pilates?
If you are already sporty, no need to stop your other activities. Just add Pilates to your schedule, and you will quickly see that your performance in your other favourite sports will improve thanks to Pilates.
If you are new to exercising and want to get fitter and healthier, I always recommend adding a safe aerobic activity to your weekly routine as well as your Pilates classes. You could go swimming once a week, cycle to work, go for long walks on weekends…
How often do I need to do Pilates?
As mentioned before, go slow. Start with an hour of Pilates per week, and try adding to that 2 or 3 short sessions at home where you practice the basic principles. Then add to that depending on your needs. If you are trying to strengthen your body to recover from an injury for example, you might need to do more, or maybe do 2 sessions of 45min. Get in touch! Together we can decide on the best programme for you.
Can men do Pilates?
Yes! Anyone can do Pilates! Pilates is great for men too. I know I don’t offer classes for men at the moment but I can recommend instructors who do.
Men can (and often do) have bad posture too. They might have strong limbs but they often have a weak core, and Pilates is great for strengthening the core – which is crucial for good performance in many sports. Guys are often very tight at the joints and Pilates is great for loosening the joints. Men very often suffer from chronic back pain and Pilates is great to alleviate the pain…