1. What is Pilates?
Pilates is a style of exercise invented by Joseph Pilates to create balance between one’s strength and flexibility, while reinforcing structural alignment and spinal length. Pilates creates tremendous core strength with coordination of the upper and lower body.
2. How often should I do Pilates?
You should be doing Pilates a least twice a week workouts of strengthening and flexibility. Once a week of Pilates will give you tremendous information of how to workout correctly. Twice a week, the body will remember the new information of Pilates better. As many times a week that feels comfortable to you and your body.
3.What is Tower/Reformer?
Tower is a bed like Pilates apparatus/machine with weighted springs and bars to assist a person with the Pilates movements. The Reformer is a with a sliding bed with springs to create resistance. The moving bed creates more of a challenge to the body. There are over 300 variations on both machines.
4. What is the difference between mat vs. machines?
There are many differences between Mat vs. machines. First you should know that the Mat exercises and machine exercises inform one another so it is great to do both. Generally, mat classes are in a group setting any where from 6 to 16 participants, whereas machine workouts are usually private, semi-private or in a group class limited to 5 participants.
5. What are the benefits of Pilates?
People who do Pilates often claim they ‘feel taller’ after doing Pilates. Better posture and alignment, greater efficiency of movement, toned muscles, increased stability in the core muscles, and greater flexibility/range of motion in other parts of the body are all benefits of Pilates.
6.What should I wear?
Comfortable workout clothes that don’t restrict movement.
7.What is the difference between Pilates and other abdominal training?
Pilates works on developing the deepest layer of abdominals closest to the spine, known as the transverse abdominus. Other abdominal training works on developing the more surface abdominal layer, mainly the rectus abdominus, or what we recognize as the ‘six-pack’. The Pilates work believes that true core support is better achieved when these deeper layers of muscles are strengthened.
8. Is Pilates a form of rehab?
Yes it is. Movements Afoot physical therapists use Pilates as a low-impact form
of exercise for recovering injured clients.
9.When should I expect to see results?
Clients can often feel better about themselves almost immediately after
staring Pilates. Physical results can be seen after approximately
10 sessions. Obviously the more consistent one is with anything,
the faster one will see results.
10. What is the best way to get started with Pilates?
Movements Afoot offers an Introduction To
Pilates Package, which includes
three private sessions with a
senior instructor. ($75 savings)