What attracts you to exercise

[honalulu]

I am after some advice or direction as to what and how you suggest I start my new start in life. I have recently qualified to teach Pilates after previously working in the medical sector. Having had some time out of work and being a rather unconfident, introverted type of person, I am now overwhelmed by the prospect of actually putting myself out there to teach, (let alone the fact it was meant to provide a healthy income!).

I was thinking of offering individual lessons (or groups of about 3 friends), at client's own homes would be a less daunting start, but is there a demand for this type of thing? I realise it is hugely dependent on location and that will also dictate to some extent what I charge.

I am particularly interested in working with helping to improving sporting performance and postnatally too. Any pointers as to what attracts you to perhaps do Pilates, or any other ideas would be gratefully appreciated.

Bump. Any advice at all would be so so useful!

A friend of mine has a yoga teacher who came to her house & taught a group of friends - between 3 and 6 in the class. The price was fixed which meant it got more expensive the fewer people were there. This was in Putney in London. I went a few times when I was visiting, it was about a tenner.

I would look to pirates for core strength.

Haha pirates!

I think if you hire a village hall or similar and put posters around, you'll soon fill a class.

A class atmosphere will help you build your confidence and you'll be far less up close and personal, iykwim.

I do Pilates as I have a chronic back problem and I find regular lessons helps my condition.
I go to a group class specially for people with back problems.

I would love a Pilates class but there isn't one near me. I do attend 5 other exercise classes at local gyms though. Personally I wouldn't like one at someone's house it's not something I'd be comfortable doing. Also my gym membership is only £22 a month covering all classes, gym and swimming.
I agree that something in a local hall would be good. Also start on time, don't be clique-y and can I come?? Good luck.

I absolutely LOVE my Pilates mat classes. My teacher works alone as far as I can tell, and does classes in three locations around our town - some in the morning and on Thursday evenings.
She also has a studio in her home - I guess she does more expensive 1:1 equipment classes.

I use mine as a sort of body-mindfulness exercise - I've learned a lot about my body from attending, and I'm definitely stronger, especially in my core.

I live fairly rurally, not sure the visiting houses route would work here. Free parking (like at a school or village hall) is a definite plus point.

Sorry, I just read your last paragraph properly!

I would love to have 1:1 sessions with my instructor to help improve my running - hip and ankle strengthening etc etc but I can't afford it.

She also gave me really good tips during my pregnancy about how to gently recover from my elcs- an ante & post natal class would be very well received in the area I live.

I reckon if you do a class or two for absolute novices to try it out first, you'll get your arm bitten off.

There is something about Pilates particularly (sorry) that just makes me think it will be full of yummie mummies in lululemon gear sneering at anyone new/over a size when they all go for posh coffee afterwards.

Maybe your absolute beginners could then form a "set" of their own as they progress through the course? So they start and end together?

Shots I have friend who definitely thinks the same and sort of sneers at me because of that image.

What makes it funny is that I'm easily the youngest person in my class, and I'm mid 30s!

I've taken Pilates at my gym to mix thing up and then during my pregnancy I did a lot of videos on YouTube. I wouldn't spend money on one to one but I would of on a specialist pre or post natal group class. I've gone to my gyms yoga class religiously, we were a small group and the instructor was fantastic, he got to know us all individually and would ask us what we wanted to do each week. The new instructor didn't even bother asking out names, she was knowledgeable but not personable.

I exercise because it makes me feel good afterwards, burns calories, helps with toning and reduces my cellulite. I need to sweat to feel like I've done a proper work out. Pilates doesn't do that for me and I don't have time to do a Pilates class on top of my spinning classes.

I love my Pilates class.

All ages, shapes and sizes and not a ponce in sight.

In fact there's often giggling - usually when I fall off my foam roller

Thank you for all the comments. It's given me a few thoughts as to how to go about this in the most successful way.

Just one thing, do you think there would be an appetite for me to offer lessons at companies or organisations? Where this does happen do individuals usually pay or their employers? Just curious, because there are many proven benefits but is it really done during the working day? Would you be keen on this idea or do you like to separate work / exercise.

Hi some NHS trusts are offering exercise classes at lunch times and after work, lots of demand by staff, approach your local hospital Occupational health dept and see if it's a possibility for you to do this.

Proven benefits?! As a scientist that kind of claim much irks me.
I don't mean to list the things that put me OFF Pilates, though.

I guess for folk who enjoy it, it's something to do with non-aerobic quiet exercise. I would try it if you said you were doing a load of exercises to help prevent back problems.