Talk to me about Pilates

[alifromtheforest]

I've just booked my first ever class but I have little to no idea what it is! I go to the gym regularly but thought I'd sign up for a couple of classes for variety.

What do I take? What do I wear? Will I struggle being a total newbie?!

OP you need to turn up to the class 20 mins early and tell the instructor you're a beginner. I'd position your mat to the side of the class so you aren't the centre of attention, but can clearly see the instructor demo'ing the sequences. Don't go right to the back thinking it's better to be out of view, your instructor must give you more of the attention than people who know the right techniques.

If you already do the gym and other classes you will have a head start because you'll already have a base of fitness, you won't be starting from scratch.

@fabmabs. In my head that's me when I did yoga or pilates. I'd love to go back to either or both.

My physio has recommended Pilates for me, due to a back injury caused by a car accident, says it will help.

But due to said accident and back injury, I've got rather fat, can I do Pilates as a fatty?

Invisible Yes you absolutely can.

Invisible
You do not need to be slim to get the best out of ANY exercise
you just need to be willing to try
Watch this (and be ready to cry)

I’d tie your hair up really high (bun right on top), or really low (nape of your neck) as you might need to lie on your back and want your scalp to be comfy even if the rest of you is aching!

@InvisibleToEveryone

I'm a fatty with a back injury and previous surgery - it really helps me.

But have to tell every new teacher the saga so they can modify the exercise if needed ... some Pilates teachers are also physios and so I'd go to those if possible

I find Pilates class so good for core and back problems, have been going for several years now and still hopeless but my lower and upper back pain also posture has improved greatly.

It took me awhile to get the hang of what it was about (very different to gym) maybe that's just me being a bit dense.
Classes usually provide mats although many in ours bring their own thinner yoga mat to put on top - never bother myself
Wear leggings stretchy bottoms and just a t-shirt - not too loose or low as its an awful faff when in tabletop etc. I've made that mistake several times.
Most but not all in our class which is only 6 people do not wear socks but any that do wear yoga type ones with little sucker things on the sole.
Bring water as although the movements etc are slow and controlled its still demanding and I always need a drink about half way through class.
Only proviso I can give is make sure its taken by someone well qualified, take your time and build up slowly - at first couple of classes I would just sit and watch while she did the move before I attempted it.
Hope you enjoy

Pilates is amazing for your pelvic floor! I've been doing it a few years and did it all the way through my recent pregnancy. As a result my pelvic floor was in good shape afterwards despite a bit baby bouncing on it for 9 months

I'd start in a beginners class or at least make the instructor aware that you are new so they know to offer the lower level positions for you. You will indeed find whole new muscles you never knew you had. It's very different to Yoga in the sense that it focuses on strengthening your pelvic floor and core! It might not feel like you are doing much because you wouldn't work up a sweat as such but it's amazing for strength.

Enjoy!!!

I've been doing Pilates for almost 2 years now. I find it tedious and mind numbingly boring but it works, so I stick with it. I used to suffer from lots of back pain and sciatica but doing Pilates has sorted out those issues. I'll be doing it forever!

DH was given the option of spine surgery or Pilates
he chose pilates
he never needed the surgery

Dragonlight - you need to be careful doing it with pelvic floor issues, you definitely need to tell the instructor as some exercises can put a lot of strain on the pelvic floor. There are easy modifications to make it safe, a good instructor will be able to tell you what you need to do without flagging why to the whole class. I only ever go to small group classes because of old injuries including PF issues, I would worry that in a class of 30 they'd never remember who needed to do what modifications.

I love pilates.

I tried it once years ago on the advice of my physio. I had a bad back at the time. I loathed and despised every second and gave up after a few weeks.
Then a year ago I tried again because I have rheumatoid arthritis and wanted to try something that would retain joint movement and flexibility.
This was a different class and a completely different experience. I have made huge progress and can do all kinds of moves that seemed impossible at first.
The teacher is very good, she knows everyone in the classes and their health problems and always gives alternative moves. She goes to lots of rural village halls near me.
There is very little lycra worn, just comfortable loose clothes. A wide age and ability range.
I not only wear socks I wear thermal ones as I get cramp in my feet a lot. We are told to remove socks for certain moves.

The two Pilates teachers I have had were completely different so if you don't like it maybe try another. The one I disliked spent an uncomfortable amount of time making us lie on our front. Current teacher very seldom does face down stuff.
Hate yoga, although I might like it if the woo was removed. There is no woo in Pilates.

Exochorda
although I might like it if the woo was removed
Try Vinyasa Flow - not a lot of Woo in that style

@Ta1kinpeace agree no woo in a bit of vinyasa

I've been doing Pilates for almost 2 years now. I find it tedious and mind numbingly boring but it works, so I stick with it.

I'm impressed that you persevere funmummy48. I really tried, I almost managed a term, but eventually I couldn't stand the tedium any longer and had to give up. I found that one hour of Pilates went so slowly it was like entering another dimension of time. I used to be in an absolutely foul mood by the end of it, I was so desperate to leave. Sadly yoga has the same effect on me.

Lots of advice here, thanks! I'd almost talked myself out of going because I've never done it before, but I'll do as pp said and turn up early to chat to the instructor and see what they say.

I'm afraid that I'll find it boring, too....

@dragonlight I’ve got a cystocele and uterine prolapse (instrumental delivery of huge back to back baby) and started postnatal Pilates at 8 weeks postpartum. Both my urogynaecologist and the specialist continence nurse I see recommend it, as it helps you strengthen your pelvic floor in the context of your whole core, and use your breath effectively. However, my instructor is also a qualified physio who knows all about my knackered fanny, and helps me modify some of the exercises so I’m not overloading my pelvic floor (but as you get more familiar with it you can feel what you need to avoid - talk to your instructor and listen to your body and you’ll be grand)

I started going when I was diagnosed with diastasis recti after two big babies. I’m still pretty weak in the core but it’s helped massively.

Make sure you get a thick mat because thin ones are no good. TK Maxx always have them.

I never find it boring, but then it’s pretty much the only hour of me time I get all week. My teacher is great too - really supportive of everyone and does a good mix of stretches and strengthening.

Everyone else in the class is nice and normal as well. I would hate to be surrounded by “worthy” types like KeepServingTheDrinks describes. I also find Pilates refreshingly free of the woo-bullshit that surrounds yoga, even though there are lots of similarities

I'm another one that can't bear the woo in yoga.

the woo in yoga When I did yoga I use to itch to pack up and go when she started on the relaxation at the end. I swear some people only went for that part! I made the mistake of telling the yoga teacher that I did Pilates, though I never let on I had a preference. She was a bit peeved as she considered Pilates an inferior copy of yoga .

I do Pilates and Yoga flow. But I do HITT and cardio and Zumba and a couple of other classes too. Loads of people do both at the classes.

I agree about the woo in yoga too, I go to a class which I love apart from the woo, when we all have to lie down for the relaxation at the end I am itching to get up, get my trainers back on and head off out the door. None of that with pilates.

I wouldn’t say that I enjoy Pilates but it helps with my lower back pain more than anything else. If I have a break, my back pain returns. So I’m stuck with it!

Pilates is fab. I have been doing it for years. I am still fat but reasonably flexible and it helps with my crap back and stiffness.