6 Myths about Pilates

Here are 6 common myths about pilates

Myth 1: 'Pilates is for women'

In case you might be thinking that you might the odd one out rocking up to a pilates class, I can assure you that Pilates benefits everyone and my classes are diverse particularly in terms of gender and age.

If your job involves manual labour, or you body build in the gym, you do a repetitive exercise such as running or cycling, you will gain huge benefits from a regular pilates practice.

There are growing numbers who realise the importance of pilates to improve sports performance and to help them to avoid injury. As well as developing your core strength pilates focuses also on your mobility and flexibility, and strengthening all the muscles in your body in controlled movement which can be physically challenging.

Myth 2 - 'Pilates only works your core'

Pilates certainly works your core and with regular practice (and appropriate nutrition) you can develop strong and defined abdominal muscles. However the you will also be strengthening, and stabilising and mobilising the entire torso - back, shoulders, glutes, hips, hamstrings etc. As you progress you will also notice that your posture will improve along with your mobility and flexibility, and many express that they are walking taller when you leave a session. If you do pilates several times a week, you will be improving your strength and tone across your whole body.

Myth 3 'Pilates isn't a real workout'

Anyone who has actually tried pilates will realise that pilates can be very challenging on many levels - strength, mobility, flexibility and balance. Pilates is not a cardio workout but is a body weight practice and involves very controlled movement and sometimes a lot of repetition which can be challenging. We can all go through the motions of a workout but Pilates is great for helping us to reconnect with our bodies and to focus. With strong mind body connection, exercises can become very challenging.

Myth 4 'Pilates is too easy'

Similar to the previous point I challenge anyone to try pilates and see if they are still saying that after a session! Many people see exercise as involving a lot of jumping around. As a spinning teacher i related to this. I enjoy the buzz of a cardio workout. However, pilates stretches your body in a more holistic way involving strength, mobility and flexibility of the whole body. And to neglect focusing on moving and exercising the the body as a whole with control, opens us up to potential injury and muscular imbalances. This is why I love both kinds of exercise. I love a good cardio workout but I love also focussing on moving, stretching and strengthening my body as whole.

Myth 5 - Pilates is too difficult

Conversely there may be many of you who may be put off by pilates because you think that it will be too difficult for you. Perhaps you are returning to exercise after a long time, you worry that everyone else will be able to do complex moves, and you feel exposed. At the moment all of my classes are suitable for beginners.

There are a huge range of people doing pilates and so it's important not to assume you are the only one who might find a move challenging. We are starting very slowly and there are always progressions. When we start exercise there is so much that our bodies have to contend with and we need to be patient to give our bodies and nervous system a change to acclimatise. With regular practice you will notice how your mobility, balance, strength and flexibility will start to increase.

It's also important to remember that in a class everyone else is focussing on their own practice, they are not aware of you. So be kind to yourself. Remember that it is a journey and a practice and you will step by step, incrementally be improving every time you practice.

Pilates can be difficult. There are some advanced moves out there that won't suit everyone, especially if you are a beginner, but also if you have various physiological or medical conditions. If you are booking a class, check that it is suitable for beginners. All pilates teachers will be able to give you modifications and may have some classes that are more suitable for beginners than others.

Myth 6 'You need to be flexible to do pilates'. As you keep doing pilates you will notice that your flexibility increases (along with your mobility and core strength). But you don't need to be flexible to start. If you are feeling stiff and inflexible, i recommend that you get started as this may be affecting your posture and setting up imbalances that may start to give you aches and pains. There may be an anxiety that everyone else may be more flexible that you. This isn't true. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

I hope that this has been useful, and if you would like to discuss your experience of pilates with me, or any topic around your health and wellbeing do not hesitate to contact me on Sheila@thinkfitbefit.co.uk

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