Pilates - advice please

[DeedIDo]

I've been doing a weekly Pilates class for over a year now. I was looking to improve core strength, flexibility and balance. Well, it's done nothing for my balance yet. I've had another two falls in that time. I come out of the class feeling like I am walking on air and then the DOMS kicks in and lingers until the day before the next class.

I had also hoped it might ease my neck pain as a result of a nasty whiplash, but if anything it's made it worse and I now struggle to turn my head while driving, reverse parking etc.

I have always had problems with cramp in my feet and legs throughout the classes, which the teacher couldn't explain, but now I am finding everything harder and she is concerned that I am now starting to visibly shake in some positions.

I've no idea what is going on here, but I'm wondering if I should just stop this class, but I'm keen to do some structured exercise and I don't know what I could replace Pilates with.

Any thoughts?

Yoga is what helps my balance.

Actually I think having a strong core has helped balance (I do pilates too)

I think balance is about the weight distribution through your foot, core strength and stability through your trunk and then confidence, not worrying you're going to fall.

Have you tried yoga?

If it’s causing you pain, absolutely you should stop. Exercise shouldn’t hurt like this, and it sounds like because you’re in pain, your muscle groups are responding in the wrong way, and exacerbating the problem. If you can I’d see a physiotherapist for a proper consultation for the whiplash injury; is there a possibility that the balance problem could be an inner ear infection?

Try swimming instead.

I’m not a Pilates instructor but I’ve been doing it weekly since 2005. I shake if I’m not strong enough to do that particular exercise. Reducing the move to a lower level should help. Ie: do the plank on your knees rather than tip toes.

What you are describing sounds related to your health, not Pilates. Cramps are generally a lack of Magnesium. You can’t turn your head due to the muscles, if if was your spine you’d have numbness in your fingers (I have an injury on my C6-7-8 so the ring fingers and little fingers on both my hands go numb in certain positions. I also suffer with a frozen neck which, like you, prevents me from turning my head, that’s muscular etc)

The best suggestion I have is go see a physiotherapist.

Does the instructor offer modifications? I’m an instructor and if you were in pain afterwards for days I’d have you doing a lower level of each exercise.

Balance takes a while to improve but you should have seen improvements after a year.

Certain exercises (where you have to hold head/neck up) will exacerbate any existing neck issues. For these exercises I would modify and have you do them with your head down on the mat. Does she give you different versions of each exercise or are you all doing the same thing in class? The issue shouldn’t be getting worse. I’d recommend you see a physio too.