To ask if Pilates is only for skinny people

[MrTrebus]

So background, had a baby 5 months ago, got 4 stone to lose but also feel really "stiff" and find it hard to move around too much I.e a long walk feels like I've pulled all the muscles/fat where my c-section scar is! And it then aches for a couple of days too.

I also keep pulling muscles in my neck, shoulders, legs etc and just feel like I can't walk like a normal non-pregnant woman anymore, still doing the pregnant waddle.

So Pilates was recommended to me but I know nothing about it, is it inclusive? Are fat stiff people allowed? Light hearted but seriously am I mad/ AIBU considering this in my current state?

Ours has all sorts. Old, young, men and women, fit and not so fit. Good for you!

I'm probably going to be shot down, but this is my opinion as someone who does cardio 5x a week and Pilates 2x a week and yoga 1x a week.

Pilates and yoga is not suitable for very overweight people. It's just not worthwhile for them.

You're best bet is to bite the Buckley and get stuck in to some cardio and cut down on junk. Lose two stone, you will still be overweight but 50% less so and I think you will find it more manageable.

I suspect that Pilates really makes overweight people feel overweight.

Absolutely not just for skinny people! There's all shapes and sizes at the class I go to. Pilates is brilliant for strengthening your core and your pelvic floor.

I am a great Pilates fan and it sounds as if it would be ideal for you to me.

Shop around for the most suitable classes as they can vary massively. All I have been to have been a mix of women from 20s-60s, with the occasional man. All normal sizes, and Pilates really helps get in shape. You can just wear a tshirt and tracksuit bottoms, you don't need skintight Lycra or anything. Might be worth expressly searching for someone who has done postnatal training as well as 'normal' as they will be able to adapt exercises appropriately.

If you want fast results try reformer (on a machine).

So Pilates is really hard, especially to start with, but brilliant and I am definitely not a super skinny Pilates goddess.

I'm a 5'5 size 14/16 and not sure how many stone overweight but a fair few. I'm sure I could do much better without the wobbly bits but I do more than enough to make a class feel worthwhile.

I'd definitely give it a go.

Excuse my Holiday I've just had a baby I've not been eating junk and I've already lost a stone, don't be so fucking rude. Also I do exercise as well, regular swimming, this is to stop me being stiff as well as tone and weight loss.

I go to lovely class. I'm quite overweight and the rest at are older ladies. It's perfect as it's run by a physio too and it goes at a gentle pace. I'm amazed at the difference it's made to my core strength and i'm pain free in my back and shoulders for first time in years

To clarify I'm currently a size 18 and 5ft9 so not morbidly obese, I can move about and have been exercising but as I said i struggle with the "stiff" issue which I thought swimming would solve but it hasn't.

Depends on the class you go to. My Pilates instructor is not slim, she says something like "I might be wrapped in a thick duvet but I have a firm mattress underneath". Don't pick an advanced class obviously. And any good instructor will talk to you first and find out what's going on with your body.
I do really gentle Pilates and always come away feeling more straight and all stretched out. It's lovely, I wish the feeling lasted all week instead of slipping back into slouching.

Pilates sounds as if it would be great for you. I go twice a week and am now in an advanced class but the teacher is trained in post natal and quite a number in the class are recovering from surgery but benefiting from the classes.

My partner is in his mid sixties and does pilates. He loves it and it keeps him supple.

Holiday - you are talking out of your ass

Our hospital does referrals to their own physio dept for obese patients to develop those core strength as kick start to becoming more mobile.

Pilates is for everyone you just need the right instructor who takes things at the right pace

I managed Pilates fine when I was 4 stone overweight

And yoga

And boot camp

And couch to 5k

And badminton

And Zumba

Can anyone recommend somewhere in Hampshire? Unlikely I know as you're probably all spread around the country/world. What's the other option to reformer? So reformer is a machine and the other option is on the floor? Like mats etc? Seriously I know nothing!

Metrebus

To be clear, you said you were 4 stone overweight. That is a lot, there is no denying that. And five months after giving birth, you've not "just" had a baby.

I came on and gave you my opinion. You would get a lot more out of it if you lost a couple of stone.

If you're feeling stiff, go for a jog and then spend ten minutes stretching.

But fair play, give it a go. I just wouldn't want you to try it and hate it and not go back to it, when in actual fact it is brilliant.

Oh god I'm a size 20-22 and I'm starting at Pilates for the first time this week! Am worried now...

I'm also starting to walk more to start to get fitter. I have run in the past but have got incredibly unfit and put on weight following a shoulder operation a few mo tha ago, so thought Pilates might be a good way to build up some core strength...

I managed yoga, pole fitness, aerial hoop, weight lifting, spin class... all at 4 stone overweight

There are all sizes at mine. It's run by a physio and is a small group. I did a few 1:1 sessions to get going. I know my instructor also does a specialist post-natel class one evening too.

Wow Holiday thanks for your opinion but honestly it's bullshit so I'll choose to ignore, 5 months is 'just' had a baby to most people especially after an extra long pregnancy with a massive baby and a massive c-section scar, pretty pleased with myself so far actually. Not as pleased as you clearly are with yourself though, off you go elsewhere thanks.

The main distinction is matwork/classical/flexible strength and reformer.

The former will be mainly on a mat, lying and standing, perhaps with small weights, Pilates ball etc

Reformer is on a torture rack, with straps to use on arms and legs and a carriage to push around. It is much much harder. And usually a lot more expensive.

I have done Pilates regularly for 10 years now, and can cope fine with an advanced matwork class. Beginners/internediate reformer is hard though!

I'd start with matwork

Please ignore the pp who is talking nonsense. Choose a beginners class and enjoy. Pilates has worked wonders for my back when I have been unable to run etc due to a back injury. I'm about 2 stone overweight and about a size 14. There are all shapes and sizes in my class.

OP Hampshires a big county! Try googling Pilates classes in your local area or nearest town, there's bound to be loads. Or if you're on Facebook, ask about locally for some recommendations.

All the best OP!

Would you ask an unfit person to hop on one foot 1500 times, then repeat on the other foot without expecting them to get injured? So why do we ask them to run a mile to get started.... (paraphrased from the new rules of lifting)

I found it one of the most thought provoking sections and prompted me to give up lengthy cardio which was doing nothing for me and focus on strength and flexibility including pilates alongside diet.

I would also suggest finding a teacher who is also a physio as they will be really in tune with movements which will be suitable for you postnatally.