Why Choose Pilates Classes?

In this world we are inundated with messages from the media about what kind of workout to choose.  There are the cardio machines and weight lifting pieces at the Gym.  There are fitness classes like pilates, yoga, aerobics, zumba, spin, and strength training.  There are the strength and circuit training activities like Cross Fit and P90X. There are the endurance activities such as running, cycling and swimming, and these endurance activities have also developed into things like obstacle course races and motocross. Then there are the team sports that are available everywhere.  There are also all of the hybrid fitness classes that are out there, strength and cardio, yogilates, piloga, bootcamp.  If this very incomplete list of fitness possibilities seems overwhelming, then imagine being in a room of trainers each vying for market share and telling you exactly why their form of exercise is THE BEST!

That’s what we are all doing right?  As fitness and movement professionals we are all selling a product.  Our method is the best…Our method is the most fun…Our method will get you into the best shape…our method will give you the best body…Our method of movement will make you the most sane…Now imagine that you are a person that doesn’t really like exercise, or you’re a person that is bored with one of the above methods, or some of your friends are also weighing in about their own preferences for movement and exercise…How does one choose what to do?  Really who hasn’t been faced with a decision about which kind of exercise to do, then, when faced with such an overwhelming choice, decided to do something much less daunting like watching tv, going for a drink, or reading a book.

Now as the owner of a Pilates Studio, what I’m about to tell you may seem in opposition to a goal of selling Pilates Classes.  If you are deciding to try a new form of exercise I want you to look at the following questions and once you answer these questions truthfully, the method of exercise that you might choose will seem much clearer.  Tune out all of the people who are telling you that what they are selling is the best.  The entire concept of “the best” is debunked when one takes into consideration the variance and diversity in the human population.  What is the best for one person may most definitely not be the best for the next person, and who’s to say that there is only one method that is “the best.”  After you answer these questions, then decide how strongly you feel about each question, and use this information to decide which activity is right for you.

Questions?

What is your schedule like?  - Fitting exercise into your existing schedule is much easier than changing your schedule to fit exercise

Do you crave connection with people or space from all of the people you are already connected to? Group classes might appeal to someone who wants to be around people where as a more solitary practice might appeal to those that need to relax after a lot of stimulation.

Have you enjoyed team sports in the past?

How do you feel about adrenaline?

Do you like to sweat?

Do you absolutely hate to sweat?

Do you love the outdoors?

How do you feel about inclement weather?

Is it easier for you to exercise if it’s a scheduled event?

Do you want to exercise with friends?

Are you recovering from an injury?

Have you gotten injured doing exercise in the past?

Are you looking for a cross training activity to balance another rigorous activity?

Are you training for a specific event?

Are you trying to lose weight?

Are you only looking into exercise options because you feel like you “should” exercise?

Now that you have answered these questions, your search for a method of exercise or activity will have more focus.  You want to find a method of exercise or movement that fits you, and gives you what you want.  And there is nothing wrong with what you want no matter what it is…We put so much pressure on ourselves to exercise without allowing ourselves to realize that exercise should reduce our stress not add to it.

Now let’s go back to that imaginary room filled with trainers from the previous paragraph.  If I were in that room, you better believe that I would be making a case for Pilates as an answer for any of the above questions, and in the next post that is exactly what I am going to do.  Not because I am like all of the dreaded traveling salesmen out there, but because I truly believe that the movement efficiency, strength, and flexibility in the Pilates environment is a powerful tool towards all of our desires of wellness.   I also believe that the proof is in the pudding, try and see for yourself.

Katrina Hawley C.M.A, R.S.M.E

Co-Director of The Pilates Studio

Core Strength Part II: What is the best way to add functional strength to the core?

 Core strength is the buzzword, and along with the buzz comes everybody’s favorite core workout.  In a previous post, I said, if you google core strength the plethora of entries fills several pages.  It’s been going on for years. (Does anybody remember abs of steel?)  So what is the best way to strengthen the core?  Google will tell me right? At The Pilates Studio, our instructors hold the position that there is no “best” way to strengthen the core. The infinite variations in musculature and strength along with tightness and weakness, means that developing core strength happens on a case-by-case basis.  To further this idea, let us all think back to middle school PE (If its too traumatic don’t think back just read the following as if it never happened to you)

In middle school PE, we had fitness tests.  This meant we had to test our flexibility and strength and our scores were compared to “the norm.” Now imagine me, in middle school an awkward ballet dancer.  Be sure not to picture Baryshnikov, picture a math geek with gigantic brown glasses in ballet class.  Yet, as it turns out the dancing math geek passed the fitness test with flying colors. I had the hamstring flexibility and I could do the push-ups, and most importantly I could do the sit ups.  You remember, those sit ups where someone holds your feet and you continue to sit up as fast as you possibly can for a minute.  So according to this fitness test, I had great core strength, but one would never know it when looking at my over tall middle school posture.  Did I stand tall and utilize my brilliant core strength?  Well NO, out of sheer spite and determination I could do the sit ups (more of them than most in fact) but I had no idea how to use this core strength functionally in the world.  I didn’t know how to use my core to protect my back.  I didn’t know how to use the core to improve my dance performance, and I didn’t know how to use the core to improve my posture.  Core strength is of no functional use to anyone if it is not accompanied with body knowledge.  Along with core strength a person must know how to use the core in everyday movement!     

This brings me to the previous post.  At The Pilates Studio, when a new client comes and says, “I need more core strength.”  I ask, “Why?”  Not because I think that core strength is bogus, but because the goal tells me how to approach the buzzword of core strength.  I previously gave four definitions of the core (this doesn’t mean that I think there are only four definitions of the core.)  This post includes one video that can begin the journey of functional core strength for most any person.  The following video is an example of one workout design that is geared towards the very beginner, and addresses core definition one. 

Core Definition I – I use this when I work with a client who comes to me and says, “I need to strengthen my core to relieve back pain.”

This video shows a beginner core workout that will help increase lumbo-pelvic stability. It has the following exercises. (If you have trouble viewing the video due to size, feel free to click the youtube link to view it there.)

1.     Pelvic curls – For Pelvic Floor strength as well as lower abdominals

2.     Leg Slides – Pelvic Stability

3.     Thigh Lifts – A Bartenieff Fundamental™ for Psoas Strength-

4.     Bridge – Lumbo-Pelvic Stability with Hamstring Strength

5.     Sidelying leg lifts – Gluteus Medius Strength

6.     Quadruped – Strengthening the Front of the Spine

7.     Abdominal Curls – More abdominal Strength

8.     Single Bent Leg Strength – This is a more complicated exercise for abdominal strength. 

In subsequent blog posts we will post other videos for furthering the functional core strength of the body, but if you are a beginner try these exercises for about two weeks so that the next step is easier and more fulfilling.

And always remember if you have a question about Pilates in general or other fitness opportunities in the Amherst-Northampton area, please feel free to CLICK HERE to ask.   We respond quickly and are happy to write a blog post geared towards you!

Katrina Hawley C.M.A, R.S.M.E

Co-owner The Pilates Studio