The 411 on our pilates classes

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Have you heard about the wonders of pilates – stretch and core classes that we offer at our Physio Inq South Penrith clinic? Are you thinking of taking up this form of exercise or just wondering what all the fuss is about? Read ahead as we offer some of the common questions when it comes to starting pilates. At Physio Inq South Penrith we offer matt based pilates – core and stretch classes.

What is this Pilates craze that everyone is talking about?
Our pilates – core and stretch classes are a low impact form of exercise. A lot of people don't realise that Pilates was developed by a man by the name of Joseph Pilate. Joseph Pilates emphasised the importance of the mind-body connection to combat injury, disease and unhappiness. Come forward to today and the Pilates method has evolved significantly with many medically-trained professionals, including physiotherapists, incorporating Joseph's Pilates principles into their care on a daily basis.

Did you think Pilates was just about core strength?
Joseph Pilates was well ahead of his time, referring to Pilates as a ‘whole-person' form of exercise. It is commonly believed, incorrectly, that Joseph focused on isolating specific muscles. As physiotherapists, our understanding of the human body has improved rapidly over the past years and whilst it may be sometimes necessary to focus solely on one area of the body (usually in the early stages of rehabilitation), the benefits are even greater when we consider the whole body in action.

Besides the core, what are some other benefits of pilates?
Through pilates you can also:
Optimise posture
Improve muscle strength and control
Improve and balance muscle tone
Improve flexibility
Mobilise joints
Improve coordination and balance
Improve body awareness and movement patterns
Improve breathing efficiency
Improve overall physical and mental wellbeing

Will I lose weight doing Pilates?
While there are some forms of Pilates that include a cardiovascular component, our pilates – core and stretch programs are not specifically designed for weight loss. Having said this, attending Pilates consistently will enable you to burn more calories, assisting weight loss goals. Regular pilates will also allow others to increase their overall activity levels, contributing to weight loss.

Am I suitable for Pilates?
Short answer; YES! Regardless of your age, fitness level or pre-existing injuries, our instructors can tailor the classes to suit your needs. So if you are ready to reconnect with your body on a whole new level then we would love to work with you!

Is Pilates OK if I'm injured?
It most definitely is! You may or may not be injured when you first come to. So if something happens and you find yourself injured, our instructors are more than able to modify your pclass on the day so that you can still attend and possibly even get some relief.

What should I expect during my Pilates – Core and Stretch class?
When you arrive for your class, you will be welcomed into the pilates area by your instructor. At first, you may feel as though you are concentrating very hard and leave your sessions more mentally than physically fatigued. This is completely normal, and in Pilates you don't even need to crack a sweat to reap the benefits. You may notice that different people in the class are working on different forms of the same exercise, some more difficult that others. From session to session, you can expect your exercises to change as your body and your brain thrive on variety. As you improve, your exercises will also progress in terms of difficulty.

How will I feel after the session?
Our aim is that you feel amazing, or at the very least, better than you arrived. Of course this depends on what is happening in your body on that day but some of our patients report feeling lighter, longer and more ‘switched on'. Our aim isn't to overly fatigue individual muscles (remember the ‘whole-person' philosophy) so most people feel good immediately after their session with minimal soreness the next day. For those with long term goals, our advice is to be prepared to play the long game. The first six weeks of any exercise program sees you entering a phase of learning and retraining – think of it as re-wiring your brain. But if you are prepared to invest the time into the program and into your health, you will see the benefits!

Feeling excited and motivated to come and try our Pilates – Core and Stretch classes? You can read more about them at the Physio Inq South Penrith website or give us a call to book your spot in our classes!

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