Lets Talk About Pilates

[*Infinity*]

Anyone else out there love pilates?

I've been doing mat work and equipment pilates for a number of years now and its becoming a bigger part of my life which is fabulous as I really enjoy it. I am currently training through the studio I practice with to be an Instructor and so far I've almost completed my Mat Pilates certification which will enable me to teach in the new year.

I thought it would be good to start a thread for people to share how much they like pilates, and how it has helped them? Or for anyone that has always been interested in trying pilates to ask questions and hear more about it.

I started mainly out of curiousity and to seek out a different exercise option to standard gyms (I just don't like the gym atmosphere) and I'd had my time with team sports. There was a local studio near where I live so I got involved in the Mat classes and shortly moved onto the equipment classes. I attend classes at least twice a week now and do a lot at home too.

The main benefits for me are increased flexibility, I am really strong and stable through my spine and core muscles. I have great balance and have noticed a real change in my body shape and musculature. I am definitely leaner than I was before I started 4 years ago. I continued all the way through my pregnancy and it really helped keep my energy levels up and prevented a lot of the common pregnancy niggles. I've also bounced back pretty quickly through my abdominal region post-pregnancy and my core muscles have remained strong.

I prefer the equipment classes and the trapeze table and ladder barrel are probably my favourite pieces of equipment. I like the Wunda Chair too. I also love hanging on the back inverter - I feel taller afterwards! Heck, there aren't really any aspects to it I don't like.

So all my fellow pilates lovers, feel free to share!

[Laranna]

I love love love Pilates! I started about 4 years ago. I had a sore lower back which I found a really great physio for and she basically got my pelvic floor working and a bit of abdominal strength built up. I had nothing which is why I was getting a sore back all the time. I wasn't even strong enough to start pilates, so once she got me improving with the pelvic floor, she suggested I start Pilates and gave me the details of a studio.

I went and have been going ever since. Only time I had off was when I dislocated my shoulder in martial arts training and when I had DS. I usually only go once a week. I started off with a few intro sessions on the equipment which helped me work out what muscles I was supposed to be using and then I moved onto the floor classes. I like the trapeze table too! Oh and the foam rollers are awesome for ironing out kinks! Even though sometimes they feel like torture! LOL

At the moment, I'm doing the pregnancy pilates mat classes and they are awesome. I feel the same as you - pilates has helped me recover ALOT quicker from pregnancy and c/s, appendectomy and it has helped me feel stronger. Still need to work on my flexibility though. I have really tight hamstrings and hip flexors.

I'd love to instruct one day, but not ready for it yet. I can see myself still doing pilates when I'm an old granny! LOL

[*Infinity*]

Eluned that's great that its helped your lower back issues. We have so much success in our studio with people who are in a lot of pain or have recurring injuries that won't resolve. It's great to see people make progress.

Im constantly amazed at how much people put up with though. We had a woman come through this week for an assessment who has been in constant pain for years, hardly sleeping and majorly stressed out, all stemming from a back injury that she's had no luck rehabilitating. Poor thing. I guess I hope to help a lot of these people when I start teaching next year.

Good old pelvic floor - its so important. And yep, the foam rollers, I hear ya. They are killer!

I'm hyper-mobile through a lot of my joints and very flexible naturally so I have to be careful not to overdo it. But the strengthening I get helps me keep things in check. During pregnancy with all those extra hormones, some days I felt like my hips and shoulders were all falling out of place LOL!

After I had my emerg c-section in June, I was devastated and thought it would take me ages to re-connect all the muscles and nerves that were cut through. I started back at pilates when DS was 8 weeks old and I was amazed at how much core strength I'd managed to retain. I'm getting even stronger now and it's given me a real boost in self-confidence.

[ladybird11]

I'm a Body Balance instructor by trade, but would love to try something like what you're talking about lollybaby - where abouts is the studio you train at? Im in the north east of Adelaide.

[*Infinity*]

Hey Leesa

The studio I go to is the Adelaide Hills. Feel free to PM me if you want more details.

Do you teach Body Balance in gyms or privately?

[diva det]

i go to a mum and bubs mat pilates class twice a week and love it!!!!!
makes a big difference to my migranes as well! Plus the biggest benefit is that bubs comes with me so no prob if he needs a feed at any time!!
GO PILATES!!!

[ladybird11]

At the moment I just do it myself at home - but otherwise I'd be teaching it gyms....

Unfortunately after Ds I was stretched to hell and back and it now really shows on my short frame...yep, some of its fat, but my ab's NEVER used to sit like they do now - its so embarrasing.

The core work used in Balance, is pretty much all Pilates now, but whats a 4 -5 min song compared to an entire class? Nuthin!

Hence my keen interest in Pilates now!

[Isadora]

I did a 10 week beginners course a month ago, with all intentions of going on to do pilates classes at the gym, need to get motivated again! However for the short time I was doing pilates, I loved it and really noticed my tummy beginning to slightly tone up, as I was doing the exercises at class too.

Eluned, do you mind me asking where in Perth you do pilates?

[HotI]

anyone know where there are pregnancy pilates classes in melbourne? (especially if in northern melbourne suburbs) alternatively, if you know of any pregnancy yoga classes in same area?

ta lots

[Laranna]

Eluned, do you mind me asking where in Perth you do pilates?

MadsMum, I do it at The Pilates Studio in North Perth (cnr Walcott & York Streets). They have a website, if you google them it should come up.

[Isadora]

Thanks I will check them out, wish there was somewhere closer to me though. All the good ones seem to be in the North Perth or South Perth area (as in the actual suburbs).

[Laranna]

Madsmum, I *think* they also have a studio in Willeton or somewhere around there.

[*Infinity*]

Leesa, I would definitely give some pilates classes a go if you're not happy with your tummy. Don't be too hard on yourself hun. These are our battle scars, if you like! I didn't have much weight to lose after my pregnancy, but from an abdominal point of view, everything got a bit saggy and out of condition. Since going back my abs have flattened out again really nicely so it truly does help. And yep, think about getting into some 1 hour classes a couple of times a week if you can. It really helps with consistency and achieving the results you want.

MadsMum - if you can I would highly recommend finding a studio dedicated to pilates and/or yoga. My experience with the pilates classes run through many gyms, is that they don't conduct the authentic pilates work outs and often the instructors are sort of winging it with no real pilates specific training. Of course there are exceptions to that, but you will get more specific attention at a dedicated studio and probably more satisfaction.

Det - mums & bubs classes are a great idea and so much fun.