So, You Just Started Pilates?
As a Pilates enthusiast, we welcome you to the Pilates circle at the Neervana Club!
When I first started Pilates, I had very little clue what I was doing, but very soon I fell in love with it.
Mostly because it allowed me to tone gracefully, understand my posture and much much more. So take your own time to find its meaning in your life.
In the meantime, here's everything I wish I knew sooner.
Will it help me lose weight and "tone up"?
Let’s get the "aesthetic" questions out of the way first:
Toning: This is where Pilates shines. Because it focuses on eccentric muscle contractions (lengthening the muscle under tension), it’s incredible for building lean, functional strength from deep within. You’ll find muscles you didn't even know you had! I am being serious here.
Weight Loss: On its own, Pilates is a low-impact strengthening exercise and so it’s not a high-intensity calorie burner. If your goal is weight loss, Pilates is a fantastic support system which helps build up the muscle that boosts your metabolism but it works best when paired with some form of cardio and a solid nutrition plan.
Breath Control Is Half the Workout
This one surprised me the most. I used to think breathing was just something that happened in the background while you focused on the "real" exercise. In Pilates, the way you breathe, usually inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth on the effort, actually helps you engage your deep core muscles properly. Get the breath wrong and you'll find yourself holding tension in your shoulders or neck instead of working the muscles you're supposed to. Get it right and moves that felt impossible suddenly clicks!
You Don't Need to Be Flexible to Start
I hear this one all the time from people who are hesitant to try Pilates. Flexibility is a result of consistent practice, not a requirement to walk through the door. Every single move can be modified to where your body currently is. If you can't reach your toes, you use a strap or a bent knee. If a full roll up feels impossible, you break it into stages. There is no expectation for you, and honestly, the people who show up stiff and leave a little bit more mobile each day is the ultimate goal.
YouTube vs. In-Person Classes: Is it worth the splurge?
This is a hot debate in the community. Here’s the honest truth:
YouTube is great for consistency. It's free, convenient, and there are amazing instructors who can show you a range of moves in the comfort of your own home, at your own time (shoutout to Move with Nicole and Lottie Murphy). I come back to them often when I want a guided lesson especially on those days when I don't feel like travelling all the way to the studio.
Why go to a Pilates Classes?
In a studio, an instructor can see and correct you, which is one of the main benefits of paying for classes. You get more explanation and hands on guidance. If your pelvis is tilting, or you're "pooching" your abs instead of engaging your deep core, your teacher can gently correct your form and give you a technique to fix it on your own.
Pilates teachers are trained to spot exactly where students go wrong. They're equipped with verbal cues and imagery to help guide you into the right position, something a screen simply can't do.
One of the fundamentals of Pilates is doing each move correctly, and that's hard to guarantee from a YouTube video alone. There's also the added benefit of joining a room of like-minded people who all have one mission that day: getting through the class without missing a breath (no pun intended).
The Verdict
If you can afford even just two or three beginner sessions in person, do it. It will teach you proper form so you don't waste your time, or hurt your back, when you go back to your living room mat.
But remember, consistency is key. Whatever you choose to do, do it with dedication and consistency and you will find your way there whatever is your goal!
Physical fitness and wellbeing.
