In autumn most of the studios and gyms get occupied and many of us are looking for the perfect, ultimate workout!
Couple of days ago while drinking a cup of coffee, my colleague was explaining how PILATES workout was her best choice ever. She has been attending pilates classes for the second season and her well toned muscles, flexibility of the spine, relaxation after every class were just amazing an seen on her body!
We are way too curious so we decided to google PILATES the same evening!
Plenty of amazing sites and photos of celebrities in impossible positions, tight clothing, sterile smilings on their faces are offering an amazing transformation… is this THE workout we want?!
What the hack…we tried so many workouts, so what is stopping us now?!
Here are 15 FACTS ABOUT PILATES, which will simplify your decision about visiting pilates class for the first time:
- CHECK OUT THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF PILATES INSTRUCTOR
The appropriate education in sports is acquired at the Faculty of Sport, and the current certification for obtaining the title of pilates practitioner/instructor is the certification program of the FŠ – Faculty of Sport, FZS-Fitness Association of Slovenia and GZS-Gymnastics Federation Slovenia, unfortunately, international licenses in SLO are not valid (26. Article of the Sports Act), but they present the added value of each pilates instructor! Also find out when the instructor was last on domestic / foreign education, training!
- WHICH PILATES METHOD IS THE RIGHT ONE
Pilates practice is an unregulated exercise method and a generic term since 2000. The methodology of H. Pilates’s exercises was continued by his first pupils (Lolita San Miguel, Mary Bowen, Romana Kryzanowska, Kathy Grant, Jay Grimes, Ron Fletcher, Maja Wollman, Carola Treir, Bob Seed, Eve Gentry, Bruce King and Mary Pilates. … nowadays there is a whole lot of pilates names: Contemporary, Modern, Classical, Traditional ….do you know the difference (more about this in the next article)? Do not be overwhelmed with expressions that are heard well but you do not understand them!
- FIRST IMPRESSION IS IMPORTANT
- INSTRUCTOR DOESN’T WORK WITH US
In most group workouts, instructors show their knowledge by practising with students and leave their souls on classes. Sorry, but that doesn’t work with pilates! Verbal cues and excellent knowledge of the terminology of Pilates require a complete focus on the Pilates class! The instructor corrects, directs, motivates and does not carry out his own training at the same time!
- GET TO KNOW ON WHICH APPARATUS THE PILATES WORKOUT WILL BE PERFORMED
Pilates exercise is not just workout on the mat, most exercises are carried out on pilates apparatus that resemble 50 shades of pilates 😉 these are reformer, cadillac, chair, barrels (click) … Training on apparatus creates greater resistance to your body, muscles and is another important part of the pilates training routine.
- MAT YES OR NO
Specialized studios are fully equiped with small and large props. Mats are always available! Mats, designed for pilates are thicker than yoga mats (min. 1 cm), as they must protect the spine during rolling, knees during kneeling, etc.
- HOW MANY LATES-ES ARE THERE
There is a whole bunch of practitioners offering hybrids of all kinds of workouts; unfortunately, they have a rather short shelf life, so carefully with the unexplored modern workout hybrids! Have you maybe heard of yogalates, piloxing, cyclelates, cardiolates, pop pilates, pilates bootcamp, spinlates, fusion pilates?!
- LOW PRICE IS NOT AN INSURANCE FOR HIGH QUALITY
Pilates is an individualized workout; in specialized studies, the prices of the classes are higher, as pilates is being performed in small groups (4-10 exercises), the instructors have special skills (pre-postpartum workout, seniors, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, rehabilitation after cancer, physiotherapy, etc.), the effect of pilates training is therefore much faster reachable! The price of the classes on mats varies between 10- 15 € / per visit, and the class on the reformers costs between 13-20 € / per visit. If you buy more classes, the prices for packages will be lower! The price of indi or semi indi class is higher, between 22,50-65,00 € / pervisit!
- 1 ON 1 OR MAYBE 1 ON 12
The studios offer group and individual classes! The first visit to the mat is free in most studios in Slovenia! For training on apparatus, we strongly recommend the purchase of individual introductory classes (at least 2-3), where the instructor introduces you to the system of handling apparatus. If an individual visit is too big financial bite, just be brave and join group classes on apparatus! Reformer classes are by far the most visited in the world! Circuit classes on apparatus are effective only for advanced pilates students!
- WE WORKOUT DURING THE SUMMER TOO
Make sure that your studio is open in the summer too! In the beginning of summer months, most group classes in fitness centers are finished or rapidly reduced. Pilates studies do not close at that time! The continuity of exercising is the key to an exceptionally well-formed body! Our stabilizers do not take holidays 2 months a year but are active 24 hours a day and every day of the year!
- NO THANKS FOR LOOSE CLOTHING, ZIPPERS, JEWELERY, LONG HAIR
The nightmare of every pilates instructor are students exercising in loose clothing! Posture-correct stance and activation of certain muscle groups are hidden in the garbage of clothes! Zippers, clips, jewelry can damage leather products and cushions. Get dressed in clothes that fit your body! T-shirt and sports tights are the perfect combination. 5 finger socks are mandatory as they are non-slipery and hygienic! Long-haired students wrap your hair in a pony tail!
- STOP TO PARFUMES AND CREAMS
During pilates clsss we often sweat and leave traces of creams, lotions, varnishes and perfumes on mats and apparatus! Slashes are therefore frequent! This is an unpleasant thing for the practitioners who attend an hour behind us! Let’s avoid it!
- DO NOT OVEREAT BEFORE TRAINING
Do not attend the class starving, but the major meals up to two hours before pilates class are also not recommended. Appropriate foods are with low glycemic index (GI), carbohydrate origin, with moderate protein and fat content (eg banana, yoghurt, hard-boiled fruit, avocado toast, fruit or green smoothie …). Belching after an excessive meal or emergency visit of the lavatory – during workout, can be a very unpleasant thing.
- MUSCLE FATIGUE AFTER TWO DAYS
The seemingly quiet, low to mid-intensive anaerobic workout reaches a peak in exercising when activating our core muscles. Abdominal muscles with strong activation often get into the ultra-burning state. Therefore, lactate usually appears after 24-48 hours! The worst decision is hibernation! Keep your body moving and re-enter the pilates class! Soon, lactate will be a past 😉
- HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD WE DO PILATES?
This is the most common question, which has been asked by the first time visitors! The week has 168 hours. Do you know what effect your body has from 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 5 hours a week? Joseph Pilates, the creator of Pilates, in his book Return to Life through Contrology states: “If you will faithfully perform your Contrology (Pilates) exercises regularly only four times a week for just three months, you will find your body development approaching.
One of the most famous Joseph Pilates quotes is: “In 10 sessions you will feel the difference. In 20 sessions you will see the difference. And in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body.”
The answer depends on your goals: getting rid of pain in the back, improving your posture, joining the marathon, improving golf swing, sports achievements, having sculpted abdominal muscles, recovering after childbirth , rehabilitation after injuries, improving the quality of movement and muscle tone, etc.
We can practice Pilates every day! Regular exercise at least 2-3x per week is definitely recomended!
See you on your favorite Pilates class!
