FAQ
I already spend several days a week at the gym – I
work out my upper body one day, my lower body
another, and cardio work on other days. How often should
I do Pilates? Do I need to continue going to the gym if
I do Pilates?
For maximum results, we recommend taking Pilates two to three
times a week; However, clients do benefit from coming once a week. Pilates
offers an intense workout for the “normal-healthy person” yet
it can also be used for rehabilitation and therapy. Imagine
an exercise system that combines all those things you work on in
the gym but concentrated in a 50 minute workout. That is
what Pilates is…a total body workout. When learned
properly and executed one exercise after another, you will be challenged
both mentally and physically. Because of this, many clients
choose Pilates as their sole means of working out. You do
not need to continue at a gym; however, Pilates will be an asset
to you, should you choose to do both.
Since I have been going to the gym, I have found that
my muscles have gotten bulky and I feel even less flexible. What
can I expect from Pilates?
Pilates has been known to create a long and lean body, as compared
to most weight lifters tight massive muscles. Men and women
both enjoy being able to feel young and agile, not stiff and bulky. Instead
of weights, the Pilates system uses heavy duty steel springs as
resistance. The springs help the muscles lengthen and shorten,
in other words, stretch and strengthen. Working out with
weights can often make the body feel heavy, sore and tired. Pilates
facilitates a light, buoyant, and invigorating feeling.
Will I be sore from doing Pilates?
Because Pilates focuses on strength in combination with flexibility
and movement, many clients do not experience “pain” as
they once knew it when working out. Pilates assists the blood to
circulate and sends oxygen to the muscles with special breathing
techniques. This is essential in reducing cramps and soreness. Pilates
does not adhere to the “no pain, no gain” mentality. The
Pilates system is progressive, taking the client through a series
of exercises with the warm-up built in as well as the cool down. The
workout is a “balanced diet” of strengthening and stretching
while building stamina. Some clients may feel the muscles
activated and sensitive after a workout, and some may not feel
anything at all. This does not mean that the client didn’t
have an intense workout – just that the body is worked in
a vigilant, natural manner.
I noticed Pilates and Yoga are being marketed together…I
have even seen things called Yogalates. So, are Pilates
and Yoga really the same thing?
While Joseph Pilates did incorporate some teachings from Eastern
philosophies into his own progressive system, Pilates and Yoga
are quite different. Pilates exercises work within the natural
frame keeping all movements within your joints’ natural range
of motion. Pilates movements are rhythmic and constant throughout
the workout. In other words, you do not hold the positions
or stretches for more that a few seconds. While Pilates
stresses concentration, it does not focus on relaxation or meditation.
I have lower back pain that comes and goes. Would
Pilates be safe for me?
If you have an injury of any kind, it is always best to check
with your physician before beginning a new exercise program. That
said, pure Pilates done with a certified instructor is one of the
best things you can do for your back pain. Pilates training
builds strong abdominal muscles which are needed to support the
spine. Nothing you do in Pilates should ever hurt. It
is extremely important to begin your Pilates experience one-on-one
with a certified instructor, so that you learn to engage the proper
muscles without aggravating an injury or causing pain.
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