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Pilates is very versatilewhile you certainlycando it in a gym or studio, you definitely dont need to.
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
you might make so many variations of the same exercises that it stays fresh.
Want to know what its all about?
Heres everything a Pilates newbie needs to know to enjoy their first class.
What is Pilates, anyway?
Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment andflexibility.
Pilates moves tend to target your core, although the exercises work other areas of your body as well.
Pilates is not restricted to specific body parts, Herbert says.
So expect a full-body workout.
(Example: thiscore and legs Pilates workout.)
What are the benefits of Pilates?
What is Pilates good for, you may ask?
Well, there are tons ofPilates benefitsyou should be aware of.
Pilates is a full-body exercise method that will help you do everything better, Herbert says.
Then there are the muscle benefitsespecially in the endurance realm.
Like other forms of exercise, Pilates has also been found to have a beneficial effect on mental health.
Ready to start a Pilates practice?
Here are a few things to keep in mind for your first class.
There are two types of Pilates: mat Pilates and reformer Pilates.
Regardless of what class you choose, confirm to let your instructor know youre a beginner.
While they are similar in some regards, theyre also different in some important ways.
First, the similarities: Both Pilates and yoga are low-impact workouts that emphasize the mind-body connection.
Both workout modalities can be done with just your bodyweight, though they can involve props as well.
(In the case of yoga, these can include things like blocks or straps.)
Joseph Pilates developed a systematic and purely physical practice focusing mainly on rehabilitation, Sabulis says.
While you do build strength in yoga, its focus is more on flexibility, says Sabulis.
There is an established set ofPilates exercisesthat are common in beginner classes, Herbert says.
In Rolling Like a Ball, a ring between your ankles can challenge your stability.
Dedicating your entire focus to even the smallest movements means that youll work the muscles that each exercise intends.
Its a more subtle soreness, where you sometimes find muscles that you didnt know you had.
Every workout frombarreto CrossFit has its own set of terminology, Pilates included.
Youre also likely to hear certain instructional phrases.
Cradle your head in your hands allows your cervical spine to be supported in your arms.
And finally, Slide your shoulder blades down, will help lengthen your back by opening up your shoulders.
Youll get used to these phrases with time!
Even if you typically prefer loose-fittingworkout wear, you may want to try more body-hugging options for Pilates classes.
Most studios have their own suggested protocol.
Your body needs a day or two torecoverfrom fatiguing resistance exercise such as Pilates.
You should also resist the urge to make Pilates youronlyexercise.
If you are a marathon runner, Pilates will help with off-dayrecoveryand injury prevention, says Estrade.
For those same reasons, it can be the perfect complement to free-weight training.
Ive seen how the core-strengthening and controlled, thoughtful movements of Pilates helps all that, she says.
For instance, start with a beginner class that will help you learn basic Pilates movements, says Estrade.
And, of course, like with any throw in of exercise, a proper warm-up is key.
The basics of exercise still apply: Start low and go slow, says Estrade.
