If you are an exercise novice or have an injury, choosing the right workout is important. Pilates exercises are great for beginners because the practice checks if your basic movements are working correctly. This helps support your Full Body Movement system.
Pilates engages your entire body while focusing on core strength, flexibility, and alignment. Unlike other high-intensity exercise programs, Pilates focuses on correcting any underlying movement dysfunction many beginners may experience. Pilates exercises for beginners make sure you’re moving your body safely and correctly.
To show you just how effective Pilates is for beginners, let’s compare two totally different approaches to exercise. ProPilates is a Classical Pilates program, while Orange Theory is a boot camp style exercise program.
Is Pilates Good for Beginners?
Pilates is a full-body workout that uses a special apparatus created by health pioneer Joseph Pilates. At ProPilates, we evaluate your Full Body Movement System first. This helps to determine if there’s a dysfunction in your Primary Movement patterns.
Everyone has some dysfunction. Dysfunction is especially common if you have had any injuries, surgeries, or physical/ emotional trauma.
Once you determine the status of your system, the process of resetting and optimization begins. This is where Pilates challenges all the little muscles that fell asleep behind the wheel for one reason or another. As we go through this process, you will feel stronger, leaner, taller, and more flexible. You will also have better posture and more fluid movements during your day.
Pilates helps you feel, think, and focus better because you can only think as well as you feel. Your joints and muscles will feel supple and mobile, not stiff and sore from pushing your body into unsafe conditions. Pilates is also a better option if you are aware of your body and want to increase your results and protect your joints.
Is Orange Theory Good for Beginners?
Pushing your body too far is like driving a brand-new Ferrari on the railing of the road. Eventually, the railing breaks, you fall off the cliff, and you get injured. At Orange Theory, you are pushed to perform advanced and high-intensity exercises.
Weights are often added for an additional challenge, without considering how your body performs these movements. In other words, you are challenging dysfunction and not optimal function. This can lead to injuries, orthopedic problems, and chronic pain.
I am not telling you not to participate in programs like Orange Theory. However, if you are a beginner, start with ProPilates first. Pilates will help you optimize your basic movements. Then you can start challenging your optimal function at Orange Theory.
The ideal program includes ProPilates 2 times a week and Orange Theory classes 2 times a week.
Beginners Pilates: More Benefits of Mind/Body Movement
Pilates exercises for beginners help identify and correct any compensatory movements you may use during your training. Correcting dysfunctional movements enables you to avoid inefficient movement. Moving properly also helps avoid injuries, long-term pain, and dysfunction.
Pilates ensures your body/mind system works well to support your movement patterns. Performing the 8 Primary Movements, which are precoded in your DNA, can help you get stronger and leaner fast.
Other benefits of Pilates for beginners include:
- Improved posture
- Improved balance
- Increased flexibility
- Better coordination
- Reduced stress
Best Pilates Exercises for Beginners
As you start your Pilates practice, you’ll incorporate different movements. These movements help you engage your core muscles and support your entire body. You’ll also learn how to breathe properly. Some of the best pilates exercises for beginners include:
- The hundred: Strengthens the abdominal muscles and improves coordination.
- The roll up: Engages the abdominal muscles and improves spine flexibility.
- Single leg stretch: Strengthens the hip flexors and improves hamstring flexibility.
- Glute bridge: Engages the glutes, lower back, and hamstrings.
- The saw: Improves spinal mobility and flexibility.
If cannot do these movements when you get started, don’t panic. Your Pilates instructor will help you learn the correct form of every Pilates exercise as you practice. Do not worry if you have trouble with Pilates during your first class. You will need regular, consistent practice to build strength and flexibility.
Pilates Tips Beginners
Starting Pilates can feel daunting, but your instructor is there to help! As you get started keep these tips in mind to make the most of your experience:
- Start with the basics: Don’t sign up for an expert-level class as a beginner. You need to start at your skill level and learn the proper form.
- Be patient: You won’t immediately feel stronger and more flexible after your first class. You need time to improve your form and strengthen your body.
- Remember to breathe: Pilates isn’t easy, but you still need to breathe to help engage your core and make controlled movements.
- Modify and ask questions: If you have physical limitations or an injury, ask your Pilates instructor for help. They can teach you to modify exercises that don’t serve your body.
- Be consistent: You should practice Pilates at least 2 times a week for the best and quickest results.
- Hydrate: Your body needs water to function. Make sure you are hydrating before, after, and during Pilates to fuel your body.
- Don’t eat right before Pilates: Exercising on an empty stomach can help improve your results and make you feel less bloated.
How To Start Pilates as a Beginner
Pilates offers beginners a safe, effective, and beneficial exercise program. Starting a Pilates program can help you achieve your fitness goals and reduce injuries by learning proper movement.
Private sessions with an experienced Pilates teacher are an excellent place for beginners to start. A one-on-one session allows the instructor to assess your needs and movements. Your instructor can also make sure you move effectively and safely. Additionally, a customized workout session can increase your results and the speed you achieve them.
ProPilates Fitness Studio and Therapy Center is a Fort Lauderdale Studio that has helped Pilates beginners since 2000. Contact ProPilates today to start your private Pilates lessons!
