Positive Pilates stories please

You could try the classes on the FIIT app. There are various durations and levels.

I've been doing Pilates for 10 years and really recommend it for building your core and helping with general musculoskeletal fitness. I used to have a chronic thoracic spine problem, but I don't any more.

But as PP said its very technical, you need to pay proper attention to form. There are some good online teachers out there, but I think a beginner needs to go to a studio (not your local gym) and be taught the basics by an experienced teacher.

I started going to a Pilates class at 58. It's made a massive difference to my dodgy back, which is no longer dodgy, and my overall posture, mood and well-being.

Wish I'd started decades ago!

I'm in my late 60s and have done pilates for about 20 years. It is good for posture and balance which are important in later life and develops muscle strength which helps support ageing joints. I believe it has made a big difference to me.

Don't specifically have pilates stories but for your schedule I can really recommend the Fiit app - it has loads of recorded fitness classes including pilates courses, and specific postnatal courses which include pilates. I work from home and bought the app on a whim and am now an 'exercise person'. Really good if you're short on time. I am evangelical about it because it totally changed my life being able to do proper exercise without all the faff of going to a gym.

I go to a Pilates class where the instructor is also a physiotherapist and it actually has worked wonders for me. After 3 children I had no many niggly pains and posture issues, which are all sorted. My core is far stronger. It’s made me feel a million times better.

I started pilates aged 47 I think, am 51 now and in the best shape of my life. It has changed my life. Have had lifelong back pain with regular flare ups but it's all much better now and my figure is much better too. I started with once a week then built up to 2, sometimes 3 classes a week, and after about 6 months realised I'd sprung into shape all over. This motivated me to keep an eye on what I ate; I counted calories for a while to understand what was happening. Lost 2 stone & have kept it off so far.
I agree with advice above - go for an initial in-person class & occasional top-ups to check your form. I train online since Covid and it does save time. Will dig out links later, but can't recommend it highly enough.

Same here.I really enjoy it (I also do yoga) and whilst I’m sure I’m more flexible due to the classes, I can’t say it’s done anything dramatic?

I love it. I go to a class once a week. It has improved my posture and my hip pain. I wish I had time to go at least twice a week though. I agree with others that staring in person is quite important to learn the technique.

Find a proper pilates studio, and reformer work is even better if you have one locally. It's really fixed my back issues so I love pilates.

@Grapefruittea

yes, there is a really excellent beginners program you can do on Pilatesology. They actually have a Pre Pilates program too, which is even more basic and lays some of the groundwork for activating your core before you start doing the “real” Pilates exercises.

I started a few years ago and it’s made a huge difference to the ankle, knee and hip pains I was having. I feel amazing after it, like I’ve had a really good stretch.

Girl With a Pilates Mat is very good. Believe she is BASI trained. I also like Flow With Mira (also BASI trained), and Jessica Valante (Polestar trained, and a physical therapist).

There is a lot of popular rubbish on YouTube that calls itself pilates which is really just “pilates inspired” and of dubious effectiveness. Pilates is so technical that you really need to do the moves properly, and the difference between doing the moves correctly or incorrectly is very subtle.

in your position I would pay for one private session with a classically trained instructor, and tell them that you will be practicing by yourself and want some advice on how to do the basic moves correctly, then you’ll know what it’s supposed to feel like when you’re doing it at home.

I also really recommend Pilatesology for online classes. It’s a subscription (20 USD a month), but has an excellent beginner’s progression which takes you through the basic moves, and then has a range of different classes you can do after.

I have done Pilates twice a week for nearly a year now. I enjoy it, not sure it’s made a difference with anything though.