You have just signed up for Pilates, and you are not sure what to expect? Well, you are not alone. If you are going to walk-in thinking this to be a slow and easy workout you are in for a surprise. Pilates will target specific muscle groups to increase the core strength, flexibility and improve posture.
Pilates is great for a beginner, so don’t be overwhelmed especially if it is the Pilates reformed course that you have signed up for. You will be working with machines to add resistance and leverage other forms of exercises.
However, be it the reformer course of the slow movements that are supposed to perform slowly there are a few key points that you must keep in mind at all times before going for your first class. Sign up for the perfect training regimen at the Pilates Courses by Tensegrity.
Let us have a look at the rundown of what you must and mustn’t do while going for Pilates.
A reformer class isn’t the same as the mat class
You can forget the mat if you are going to a reformer class. You will be working on a machine which has a carriage that moves back and forth along a track. The carriage is connected to springs of varying resistance and is changed according to your specific requirements. This addition of resistance is the specialty of reformer classes and adds another dimension than lying down on the mat.
Always wear tight clothing
Always think form-fitting clothes. The tighter, the better! Go for fitting tanks and leggings or tight T-shirts and shorts. Tight clothing allows the instructor to assess the alignment of your body while performing the exercises. Loose fitting clothes might creep or ride up when you move your body in different positions.
The “grippy” socks and gloves
Socks and gloves with little rubber dots for extra grip were made for exercising purposes. Invest in gripped socks and gloves for your Pilates classes. The grips will provide you with the traction when you work on the machine especially when you start to sweat from the workout.
Springs are for varying the resistance
Your instructor will explain the workings of the machine and the different parts of it. Springs are what come into play when resistance needs to be varied. Yellow is the lightest resistance, blue is the medium, and the tightest is the red. Adding springs makes the exercise more challenging and reducing the number makes the resistance lighter. Your instructor will plan the resistance level according to your body type.
Listen to the instructions
If you are a beginner, you have to follow the instructions provided to you by your instructor. A trained instructor is an expert at exercise regimens and form/posture correction. Don’t try to start with the maximum resistance if you are a beginner. Get the feel of the low resistances first before going for the tighter springs. Listening to your instructor will give you a clear indication as to where you stand with respect to the overall fitness and strength.
Keep in mind these simple and basic points before going for your first ever Pilates. All the best.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
