Pilates princess. Pilates body. Pilates arms.
They’re terms that are thrown around social media all the time. Think pink, think yoga pants, think cute grippy socks and most importantly think thin.
I fell in love with yoga and pilates at the start of the year. But sometimes I get embarrassed when I tell people that. Especially when I have to tell people that I can’t attend an event because I have a class booked for that evening. Yes, I have cancelled many plans to go to a Pilates class with my best friend!
But I certainly don’t have what anyone would deem as a “Pilates body”. When someone brings up Pilates or yoga I usually brush off my attendance. “Oh yes, I love to go to classes but I’m not very good at it. It’s just a silly hobby!”
Just because I don’t look like a fitness influencer, doesn’t mean that I’m not seeing the benefits of spending my evenings in the studio sweating in a plank.
Firstly I can get into a plank. Sure not for a long time but I can hold a pretty mean plank. I’ve definitely grown stronger and seen my stamina grow since starting taking classes. And of course, it has had massively positive impacts on my mental health. I’m literally bouncing out (okay, figuratively, I’m usually limping out) of the class. I feel lighter and better and am excited to book my next class.
I sat down with Ali Hayes, the founder of Cloud Pilates who shared her expert opinion on the benefits of Pilates outside of just changing how your body looks…
“Regular pilates can help improve balance, and strength and prevent injuries. As with all forms of fitness, it can have a positive impact on your overall well-being and mental health also,” she explains about the benefit of a Pilates class.
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“You may notice an improvement with posture and core strength which will help with other exercises and daily activities. As with all fitness classes, you might notice a positive shift with your overall well-being and mental health.”
If you’re ready to become a Pilates Princess, or a Pilates Gremlin like me, Ali also gives some advice about what to expect from your first Pilates class.
“Every fitness class is very different so always have a look on a gym/studio’s website or social media to see what you are signing up for! Generally with many Pilates classes you can expect a focus on core movements, mobility and alignment.”
So it’s safe to say that you should find the class that resonates with you first and if you don’t gel with it, don’t give up straight away. Pilates really is for everyone.
Ali adds: “My advice would be to choose a studio or teacher that is welcoming and encouraging for beginners. Many studios will offer specific beginner classes or if it is a mixed level class, the instructor will give helpful tips. Everyone is a beginner at some stage for everything in life so you need to just take that first step!”
And for anyone who is nervous because you might not feel the “part” for Pilates, Ali shakes this off.
“Pilates and fitness in general is for absolutely everybody who has been deemed medically fit to partake in it. As Pilates is a low-impact form of movement, it can be a good option for those who are beginners and those who do other forms of exercise as part of a well-balanced fitness routine.”
So put on your sticky socks and get to your mat or your reformer. You can start with at home workouts on YouTube before finding a studio that you’ll love. I promise, we’ll all be Pilates Princesses together!