1. Is Pilates good for you?
YES!! Not just physically but it helps you mentally too. Many class members say they feel good in themselves after a class, more upbeat and energised ready to take on their day and week. A Pilates class is a way of drawing you into the present moment with focused breathing, being with your physical body unwinding and releasing tension there. Relaxation is one of the 8 fundamental principles of Pilates.
2. Is Pilates Cardio?
No, cardiovascular exercise is exercise that gets your heart rate up and increases your breathing often referred to as aerobic exercise such as running, brisk walking, cycling and swimming.
3. Is Pilates Good for Weight Loss?
Yes and no, this is a very common question and although Pilates is not cardiovascular exercise where you build up a sweat it is a form of exercise that tests your stamina another of the 8 principles of Pilates with a series of repeat exercise moves. If you do a regular cardio workout in conjunction with a regular Pilates class, eat and drink sensibly there is no doubt you will lose weight and tone up. With better postural alignment you develop in class you stand taller, lengthening you’re spine and are more open around the chest area. Your back and neck are stronger and you are able to hold yourself in an upright less forward position, this then naturally makes you look slimmer and toned.
4. Is Pilates a good workout?
Yes, Pilates is a good workout for all the muscles and joints. In each Pilates class we work around the body using for example; biceps, triceps, abdominals and gluteal muscles in various positions lying on our backs (supine), side lying, face down (prone) and in four point position (box position). We mobilise, stretch, strengthen and there are exercises that challenge your balance too. Light weights and bands are often used in the classes. Correct Pilates breathing through class is a good workout in itself for muscles such as the diaphragm, abdominals and obliques.
5. Is Pilates good for men?
Yes, Pilates is good for everyone, we all have the same core muscles, the pelvic floor muscles included. Pilates is the number one way to develop and maintain a healthy back and strong core. Pilates works well in conjunction with all activities and sports, you get more out of them, perform better and there is more chance that you remain injury free with the mobility, flexibility and strength you build up in class.
6. Is Pilates good for Sciatica?
Yes, regular Pilates classes practising specific, gentle moves at first that don’t overstretch the nerve will help ease Sciatica. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back, it is the largest and longest nerve in the body and runs to the hip and then to the leg and foot. If there is an obstruction, restriction or irritation to the nerve through injury you can feel pain, tingling and numbness anywhere along it. If we keep our back mobile, balance the pelvis and realign the hips with regular Pilates moves the left and right sciatic nerves will move freely through the body keeping us pain-free.
7. Is Pilates resistance training?
Yes, Pilates is a form of strength training because it incorporates resistance training through body weight and other equipment such as small weights or resistance bands. The resistance exercises build muscular strength, stability and endurance.
8. Is Pilates good for the pelvic floor?
Yes, the pelvic floor is one set of core muscles used in Pilates. There are a number of pelvic floor muscles some help stabilise the pelvis and support the organs of the lower abdominal cavity, such as the bladder and uterus in women. When pelvic muscles are not strong enough pelvic organ prolapse can happen in women. Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. It can be the womb (uterus), bowel, bladder or top of the vagina. You can think of the pelvic floor muscles as a web of interrelated muscles, tendons, and ligaments that form a supportive hammock at the base of the pelvic bowl. Another of the pelvic muscles goes around the openings of the urethra, vagina, and anus. When this pelvic muscle is damaged the integrity of these openings can be compromised leading to urinary incontinence in both men and women and erectile dysfunction in men. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can improve the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, help urinary incontinence and make sex better too. Everyone can benefit from doing pelvic floor exercises.
9. Is Pilates strength training?
Yes, we repeat strength moves x10 (often up to x20 in the intermediate classes) and there are resistance exercises to build up strength in the body like the plank and press ups but don’t worry there are different levels to each of these exercises so you develop your strength, stability and stamina through weekly classes over time.
10. Is Pilates hard?
No, it’s easy when you know how. You build up through the different levels of a Pilates move through the online Pilates classes and the terms. Why not give it a try? Get in touch at hello@janehamilton.co.uk
