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Original poster

Positive Pilates stories please

40 replies

Grapefruittea · 14/05/2023 07:35

I've just turned 40 and had a daughter two years ago. Used to really be into my fitness but fell off the wagon. Have been in a very stressful job the past 3 years, where I worked 8-4.30 with half hour lunch break. I then picked my young daughter up after work leaving no time for exercise. (I'm a single mother with main caring responsibilities). I am starting a new job in a month and will be doing normal hours with an hour lunch break. This should give me more time to focus on exercise. My body feels quite broken and I want to make it stronger. I've heard Pilates is amazing for this. Has anyone been an absolute beginner and stuck with it and it has transformed their lives? I'd really like some inspiring stories. I won't be able to go to class but was wondering if anyone can recommend any good online courses or video to follow? I've just found girl with the Pilates mat and might give her beginner class a go this morning.

OP posts:
QuintanaRoo · 14/05/2023 07:40

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.

AngryCatFace · 14/05/2023 07:55

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.

Original poster
Grapefruittea · 14/05/2023 07:58

@AngryCatFace this is really helpful. On the paid for site do they have a paid for beginners programme I can work through

OP posts:
EVHead · 14/05/2023 07:58

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.

AngryCatFace · 14/05/2023 08:01

@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.

turkeyboots · 14/05/2023 08:03

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.

sakura06 · 14/05/2023 08:04

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.

MeetMyCat · 14/05/2023 08:04

QuintanaRoo · 14/05/2023 07:40

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.

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?

DivorcedAndDelighted · 14/05/2023 08:06

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.

DanceMonster · 14/05/2023 08:06

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.

FirstLaburnum · 14/05/2023 08:09

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.

CaptainMyCaptain · 14/05/2023 08:15

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.

Theeaglesoared · 14/05/2023 08:15

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!

DistractMe · 14/05/2023 08:17

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.

Lovetotravel123 · 14/05/2023 08:18

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

Snoopsnoggysnog · 14/05/2023 08:22

I’ve been doing pilates for 20 years and I would definitely recommend it but learn how to do it properly as others have said. I go to a studio and I’ve also done reformer classes in the past.

I also have the Fiit app and it is brilliant for short at home workouts but I haven’t actually used it for pilates.

LucyLatimer · 14/05/2023 08:26

as others have said, I think it’s useful to strengthen your body to age better. I have been doing 1:1 classes for about 2 years, and see that I hadn’t been hitting the right muscles at all going to a class. My separated abdominals and pelvic floor are much stronger, clicky back is gone. Also strengthened knees and ankles are stronger as I have sciatica and had fallen a few times. So I guess I don’t look much different but feel that I am keeping the bits strong that I need as I get older.

Dolphinnoises · 14/05/2023 08:29

I think you need to at least start with a traditional class and a proper instructor. It is often the case with Pilates that you think “this is easy” and the instructor moves your arm half an inch to the right and suddenly you feel the burn…

crossstitchingnana · 14/05/2023 08:29

I have done it weekly for a couple of years now. My hips don't click anymore, my pelvic floor has improved massively and I believe my posture is much better. Oh and my stomach and lateral muscles are rock hard.

Cornucopia55 · 14/05/2023 08:53

I was told by, variously, doctors, an osteopath, a chiropractor and physiotherapist that I needed to do pilates because that was the best thing to help my back pain long-term. 6 kids read taken their toll on my body. Eventually, after years of making excuses about being too busy, I committed to it and it's made the world of difference. I have been to quite a few different in-person classes and online freebies. I really like this instructor - she does live online classes plus has a bank of recorded ones, and does a 14 day free trial. I don't think you have to give back details to do the trial. https://www.zoekennypilates.co.uk/

Zoë Kenny Pilates

Pilates courses, lessons and full body workouts. Suitable for everyone from beginners onwards. Subscribe today and get started.

https://www.zoekennypilates.co.uk

Original poster
Grapefruittea · 14/05/2023 08:58

Thanks for all your help and advice.
As much as I would love to go to a class I don't have the time as a single mother looking after a toddler. I don't have the luxury of family living nearby to help watch my child for an hour whilst I go to a class xxx

OP posts:
JoanThursday · 14/05/2023 08:59

Dolphinnoises · 14/05/2023 08:29

I think you need to at least start with a traditional class and a proper instructor. It is often the case with Pilates that you think “this is easy” and the instructor moves your arm half an inch to the right and suddenly you feel the burn…

Absolutely agree with this.

I had issues with my back and hips, and my consultant recommended pilates. 20 years on, it's a permanent fixture in my week. I love it.

Cornucopia55 · 14/05/2023 09:21

Grapefruittea · 14/05/2023 08:58

Thanks for all your help and advice.
As much as I would love to go to a class I don't have the time as a single mother looking after a toddler. I don't have the luxury of family living nearby to help watch my child for an hour whilst I go to a class xxx

When I was in a similar situation, I paid for a one-to-one lesson at home to get me started; the instructor came to me. I think lots will do this if you explain the situation. Obviously it costs more but worth finding out how much, just for one to start you right. Alternatively, does your toddler ever go to nursery? Or how about going to a sports centre with a creche? I wish I had done this more when my kids were little.

Original poster
Grapefruittea · 14/05/2023 09:39

@Cornucopia55 I work full time and my toddler
Goes to nursery full time. I don't have much spare income. It's a tricky situation xxx

OP posts:
Whereareyourshoes · 14/05/2023 09:57

Pilates changed my life after many years of back and joint pain. Saw osteopath during first pregnancy who helped but eventually told me I needed Pilates. I was able to do some 1:1 classes but also don’t have the luxury of time now for hour long classes. I like Robin Long’s workouts on YouTube. 15 minute sessions which can fit in any time round the kids and work - find short sessions every day works out better for me than the weekly classes did. Approaching 50 and fitter and stronger than I have ever been.