Positive Pilates stories please

I herniated a disc 23 yrs ago and started pilates about 6 months later. Completely life changing. I stopped the pilates about 10 yrs later, due to moving 3 times in short succession, but have continued with lots of the exercises, specifically relating to core tummy/back strength. Have recently had a v bad back diagnosis (hence the username) but can still more than function due to my v v strong and flexible back/core. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

this is so nice to read these stories, I love Pilates and trying to get feedback from others, so if you can fill in my survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TM3ZVPD

I just want to second AngryCat. Pilatesology is great! I really miss doing Pilates but there are no classes/studios near me and I can't keep it up solo. If there was a good Youtube instructor it'd help, so I'm definitely going to check out the recommendations. But most good instructors don't put up their work for free... :/

I started going pilates a couple of months ago for problems that I have with my SI joint and lower back pain. I also see an osteopath.

I use Jessica Valant on YouTube, she had a whole series of about 40 beginner videos, only 10-20 mins long depending which ones you go for. I do some every other day, it’s going to be a long slow road to recovery for me, but I have noticed a difference already. I like Jessica, as she is not too intense and gives you options if you don’t feel capable of doing a certain move

Body Control Pilates app - lots of explanatory stuff for beginners and 'essentials' series of mat based workouts.

Yes, me. Started it as a total beginner 18 months ago following several injuries that had left my body in pain and out of alignment and generally very weak.

It feels like an exaggeration to say its been life changing but...it has.

Totally worth doing. I'd recommend some 1-2-1 instruction though, classes didn't do much for me, there isn't enough individual attention. I think they're fine if you know what you're doing or just wanting to move more, but to overcome a problem and to ensure you're moving correctly then 1-2-1 sessions are important - even if you just do a few before going to group classes instead.

Cant emphasise how much even a single one-to-one session would set you up to get the most out of practice...... getting it right is the difference between it working for you and you wasting your time...and possibly damaging yourself!

Interested thread. I find Pilates painfully dull, but very effective. I'd got into the habit of going to a good weekly class and was feeling the benefits but then lockdown hit. Now I pay for a gym membership, but Pilates classes are usually full, so thanks for all the suggested resources and motivation.
I am determined to keep at it this time.

Pilates really helped me after a shoulder injury and helped my dh build good foundation strength to go on to do more strength training.

I rate Lottie Murphy. She's got some free on youtube to try out but dh subscribed to her paid channel which has a lot more content and some other teachers too, so you can structure more of a course from it. She also does zoom classes so you could get your form checked.

Ironically my back is currently worse than it ever has been. Something has clunked out of place big time, am off to see an osteopath next week but so far Pilates certainly hasn’t helped my back.

I go to reformer Pilates 6 times a week and have done for about 6 years. As I WFH it gets me out of the house! Love it - I have abs and am quite strong. I use a reformer as it’s important to do strength and weight training as you age. I see the same people all the time and there’s great camaraderie but it’s not cheap!

Mat based is probably just as good, especially if you do classes that use hand weights, balls and stretch bands. Loads of stuff online to follow and it’s easy to get started.

Claire Louise Pilates. Classes are based in NE but she also does Zoom and also online library of over 100 classes. It's about £10 a month to access as many videos as you like. She has about 30 years experience and is excellent. You can cancel any time. Have a look at her website. You can try a video for free.

(Sorry, I meant I don't think reformer Pilates - on a machine in a studio - was worth the money for me.)

I broke my arm two years ago and ended up with a frozen shoulder due to the sling. I had physio input but my shoulder couldn't do the exercises. I saw an osteopath - he gave me realistic expectations - then I started Pilates. I paid for a private reformer thing. Now I don't think this is worth the money so I swopped to zoom lessons. Just me, the instructor, a mat and a laptop. Amazing! I have kept it up because I had to pay upfront each month and I had to attend because it was just me and her. I couldn't make an excuse. I do it at 7am. Kids aren't even awake. Again, no excuses. This forced me to do it. But it then trickled over into change and I can honestly say I now try to exercise 5:7 days. I'm perimenopausal and I sleep well and am not anxious if I've exercised. Nothing mad. Could be a walk. I started wearing a kids fitness tracker and noticing my steps. I love Joe Wicks on YouTube: 20 mins and you are done. It's not all high impact - have a look. Best shape of my life. Pilates definitely underpins all this.

My advice is find a way you can't miss it even if this costs more. You will then do it and being 'forced' to do it for a few months will bring the habit in to your life.

Good luck x

Ok fair enough. Then I’d recommend one of Lynne Robinson’s introduction to Pilates DVDs. The early sessions are a lot of technique and not much exercising but it will stand you in good stead for later. Good luck!

Pilates changed my life after many years of back and joint pain. Saw osteopath during first pregnancy who helped but eventually told me I needed Pilates. I was able to do some 1:1 classes but also don’t have the luxury of time now for hour long classes. I like Robin Long’s workouts on YouTube. 15 minute sessions which can fit in any time round the kids and work - find short sessions every day works out better for me than the weekly classes did. Approaching 50 and fitter and stronger than I have ever been.

When I was in a similar situation, I paid for a one-to-one lesson at home to get me started; the instructor came to me. I think lots will do this if you explain the situation. Obviously it costs more but worth finding out how much, just for one to start you right. Alternatively, does your toddler ever go to nursery? Or how about going to a sports centre with a creche? I wish I had done this more when my kids were little.

Absolutely agree with this.

I had issues with my back and hips, and my consultant recommended pilates. 20 years on, it's a permanent fixture in my week. I love it.

I was told by, variously, doctors, an osteopath, a chiropractor and physiotherapist that I needed to do pilates because that was the best thing to help my back pain long-term. 6 kids read taken their toll on my body. Eventually, after years of making excuses about being too busy, I committed to it and it's made the world of difference. I have been to quite a few different in-person classes and online freebies. I really like this instructor - she does live online classes plus has a bank of recorded ones, and does a 14 day free trial. I don't think you have to give back details to do the trial. https://www.zoekennypilates.co.uk/

I have done it weekly for a couple of years now. My hips don't click anymore, my pelvic floor has improved massively and I believe my posture is much better. Oh and my stomach and lateral muscles are rock hard.

I think you need to at least start with a traditional class and a proper instructor. It is often the case with Pilates that you think “this is easy” and the instructor moves your arm half an inch to the right and suddenly you feel the burn…

as others have said, I think it’s useful to strengthen your body to age better. I have been doing 1:1 classes for about 2 years, and see that I hadn’t been hitting the right muscles at all going to a class. My separated abdominals and pelvic floor are much stronger, clicky back is gone. Also strengthened knees and ankles are stronger as I have sciatica and had fallen a few times. So I guess I don’t look much different but feel that I am keeping the bits strong that I need as I get older.

I’ve been doing pilates for 20 years and I would definitely recommend it but learn how to do it properly as others have said. I go to a studio and I’ve also done reformer classes in the past.

I also have the Fiit app and it is brilliant for short at home workouts but I haven’t actually used it for pilates.