Getting the Most Out of Your Pilates Class: Top Tips
Whether
you’re already regularly attending Pilates classes or are thinking about
signing up for your first session, it’s likely you have a goal or two in mind –
whether that’s toning up, boosting fitness levels, or stress relief. Whatever
your motivation, we’ve outlined some simple steps you can take to ensure you
are getting the most out of your classes to reach your goals.
Dress
Comfortably in Breathable Attire
An enjoyable and effective Pilates session
begins with getting the basics right – this means wearing suitable clothing.
Most importantly, your outfit needs to be comfortable. Avoid clothing with zips
and buttons that might dig into you as you lay on the reformer, or with hoods
or flaps that could get in your way. The last thing you want in your Pilates
session is to be distracted by discomfort. Instead, aim for breathable and
tight-fitting clothing. Pilates is an exercise that involves a lot of bending,
folding, stretching, and balancing, so wearing something that’s form-fitting is
the way to go.
Properly
Fuel Your Body
Like with any exercise, it’s important that
you fuel your body so you are able to push through your workout. However, you
don’t want to overdo it with a big meal immediately before your session as this
will likely result in you feeling nauseous. Pilates places a large focus on the
core, so a stomach full of food could prevent you from moving freely, therefore
harming your session.
Instead, make sure your pre-workout meal is
fairly light, made up of some protein and carbs. Alternatively, if you’re
attending a morning class and prefer to work out on an empty stomach, just make
sure to properly fuel after your workout with a balanced meal to replenish your
energy levels and aid your recovery.
Stay
Hydrated
Leading on from the last tip, it is
incredibly important that your body is properly hydrated for your workout.
Regularly drinking water is a great habit to maintain in general, but even more
important before and after your Pilates session. This is because it’s likely
that you’ll break a sweat during your class, which leads to electrolyte
imbalances. Drinking plenty of water allows you to replenish important vitamins
and minerals and avoid the unpleasant effects of dehydration.
Also, Pilates places a lot of emphasis on
mind-body connection, which means dehydration-induced brain-fog can further
impede your Pilates performance. Drinking water increases blood flow and oxygen
to the brain, which results in better brain function. This, in turn, will make
it far easier to practise the mind-body connection that is so essential in
Pilates.
Tune
into Your Body
When attending a Pilates class, it’s
important that you listen to your body and respect its limits. Often, when
attending a workout class, it’s tempting to fall into an all-or-nothing
mindset, which can sometimes do more harm than good. Of course, it’s natural to
want to push yourself and test your limits, but Pilates is about working with
your body – not against it. Pay attention to how your body feels during each
movement and modify as needed to maintain proper form and alignment. Remember,
progress in Pilates is measured not just by strength and flexibility gains, but
also by how well you can connect with and honour your body’s needs.
Follow
Your Instructor’s Guidance
Listening attentively to your instructor is
paramount for maximising the benefits of your Pilates practice. Instructors
provide valuable cues and corrections to ensure proper form and alignment,
minimising the risk of injury and optimising muscle engagement. Additionally,
they offer tailored modifications to accommodate individual needs, allowing you
to adapt the practice to your body and abilities. By following their guidance,
you can fully engage in each exercise and derive maximum benefit from your pilates reformer
classes.
The
Takeaway
By putting these tips into practice, you
will hugely increase your chances of having an effective and enjoyable Pilate’s
session. Wear suitable clothing, nourish your body adequately, stay hydrated,
tune into your body’s cues, and heed your instructor’s guidance to maximise
your results. Experience the difference these simple steps make and sign up for
a session at one of our Godalming or Guildford studios today.
Source:
https://thepilatesmovementstudio.co.uk/getting-the-most-out-of-your-pilates-class-top-tips/
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