What is pilates and where to begin? What types of pilates exercises are best for the beginners? What is correct time for taking pilates lessons. If you are a beginner in pilates, we’ve collected the information which you need to know before starting the pilates classes.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a branch of sport or set of exercises to strengthen the body. It helps to support the main core and strengthens the body muscles. The founder of pilates sport branch is Joseph Pilates, a German physic therapist. He invented this branch to help people to recover after the medical treatments. Later he made several pilates equipment including the pilates reformer to treat the injured soldiers at the First World War.
Today pilates is very popular activity between all generations. Especially people with limited daily physical activities prefer pilates classes to keep fit and strong. There are plenty of pilates equipment today and all of them are customizable according the users needs.
Where to start?
You can start taking pilates classes at any time and at any place. Instructors do not recommend to start with high-temp exercises from the first day. Therefore it is better to start with warming activities and do it 2 or 3 times a week. After 12-16 lessons, you can start using pilates equipment under the control of instructor. The strength level can be adjusted with the appropriate spring set. After 3-4 months you can start to full exercises depending on your weekly lesson sequences.
Most people prefer to take pilates classes in the evening after finishing the working hours. It is suitable for the white collar people, however it is not recommended to go to the pilates classes with full stomach. Better nothing to eat just before the pilates lessons. Or waiting at least 60-90 minutes after the dinner before making any pilates exercise.
Some people prefer to take pilates lessons at the weekends. It is good option, as especially in the morning everybody feels energetic and it will affect the quality of the pilates lessons in a good way. However taking the lessons once a week is not enough for the complete fitness. Alternatively, an online lesson can be a good option especially for the busy people.