Is pilates just a lifestyle? (Instructor POV)
“Pilates is probably just like yoga, with a lot of stretching. I doubt it’s gonna be a real workout.” I couldn’t be more wrong💀.
Coming from a HIIT background, I severely underestimated the difficulty level of reformer Pilates. And boy was I HUMBLED. 😶
I remember my first ever reformer class at SG Pilates studio, and I walked out of there SHAKING LIKE CRAZY. Granted it was my first workout in a really long time but as a previous HIIT instructor, that did bruise my ego a little 😂😂 especially given that it really challenged me.
Now that I’ve been practising pilates for almost 6 months, it’s crazy how much of a difference I see and feel in my body. And so if you’re considering starting on your pilates journey, these are multiple reasons you should definitely take that step! 💖
1. Balance and coordination ⚖️
For reformer pilates, you will realise in your very first lesson that it takes a lot of mind body connection and focus (plus listening skills 😅) to execute the exercises safely and accurately. This ensures you fully feel the effects and strengthen the various parts of your body.
After practising and teaching pilates, I realised there’s so much work that everyone (myself included) can do to improve the overall stability of our own bodies ✨
2. Strengthen and tone 💪🏻
• improved core strength ✅
• better posture ✅
• potentially reduce back pain 🙅🏻♀️ (based on feedback from students)
• potentially get abs 😉
Pilates is a low impact workout that trains your muscles to handle “time under tension” which I believe it’s one of the best ways to describe the slow burn of pilates. You may not feel the burn immediately, but give it 5more mins and you’re guaranteed to start feeling it 😝. With enough consistency, the exercises done during pilates is bound to build up muscles that you never thought existed 🔥
3. Improved aesthetics
While this may not be the key benefit of pilates, it’s definitely a plus point! Now I can finally say that I’m happy with the way my body looks. I think as girls we are naturally very critical of how we look, and of course we want to look and feel our best.
Although I was relatively strong growing up due to the sports I participated in, I always felt like I was a little too bulky for my liking, and I love that Pilates has given me that strength without the bulk 🥳 soooo YAY
Any questions you have about reformer pilates? Let me know! :)
One aspect that often surprises people is how Pilates impacts mental health alongside physical fitness. Regular practice not only tones your muscles but also encourages mindfulness and stress relief, acting as a natural mood booster. The focus required during reformer Pilates builds a strong mind-body connection, similar to meditation, which helps improve overall emotional well-being. From my experience teaching and practicing, Pilates also promotes functional strength that supports daily movements, reducing the risk of injury. With consistent sessions, you might notice improvements in your posture and reduction in chronic pain, such as lower back discomfort. It's interesting how these benefits align with the concept of 'Pilates as therapy,' where the exercises contribute to both physical rehabilitation and mental clarity. Another notable benefit I didn’t anticipate is the aesthetic improvement without bulk. Pilates sculpts a lean physique by training muscles to endure controlled tension, leading to a more defined and elegant body shape. The 'baby abs for the first time' feeling many experience comes from this gradual build-up, which differs from high-impact workouts that focus on speed or heavy lifting. If you’re curious about how to begin or what to expect from different Pilates studios or methods like Stott Pilates or reformer classes, it’s empowering to choose a place that emphasizes personalized guidance and mind-body awareness. It’s not just exercise; it’s an investment in your mental and physical quality of life, much more than a typical fitness routine.
hii! i did pilates once a week back in april-may but stopped due to starting my internship and also because its expensive on classpass i did the $65 one! as someone who has a past with runners knee and itb syndrome i find classes rather difficult esp with my knees however overall bodywise i felt great. not sure if pilates would help me strengthen muscles to help with my weak muscles but would u recommend me to start going again?