What is Pilates?

With its recent boom in popularity, you’ve probably heard lots of people talking about Pilates!

So, what is Pilates, and what can it do for you?

Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise which focuses on balance, strength, mobility, and flexibility. It’s not the kind that will get your heart pumping, but as it hits those smaller, harder-to-reach muscles, you’ll still get a great workout in!

Jump to:

• What happens in a Pilates class?
• What are the benefits of Pilates?
• Who can benefit from Pilates?
• What do I need for a Pilates class?

What happens in a Pilates class?

You can expect your whole body to be worked during a Pilates class. Similarly to yoga, there’s a big focus on breathing and core engagement, while muscles in the lower back, abdominals, glutes, hips, thighs, and pelvic floor are targeted too!

New to Pilates? It doesn’t need to be daunting; Pilates is a great option for beginners and seasoned class goers. Our expert instructors are always on hand to support and guide you throughout the class.

What are the benefits of Pilates?

More muscular endurance

Pilates focuses on slow, controlled movements that help stabilise and strengthen your muscles. With consistent practice, your muscles will gradually build the endurance needed to maintain tension for longer periods, enhancing overall strength and stability.

You won’t get the same kind of strength from Pilates as you would with something like weightlifting, but you’ll find there’s a more holistic approach to how Pilates targets your muscles, as the movements within the class are designed to hit multiple muscle groups at once.

Polish up your posture

The deep core muscles – the abdominals, back, and pelvic floor – help us relax our shoulders and neck, while alleviating pressure on hips, legs, and feet.

As these are some of the muscle groups that are fired up during Pilates, it puts you on the path to having better posture and alignment! If you suffer regularly from headaches, and shoulder and back pain, it’s worth giving Pilates a try.*

Boost stability and mobility

Precision and control are key to helping you nail the different movements you’re taught in Pilates. Let’s use a squat as an example, you eventually want to be able to perform a deep squat (and come back up from it!) with good form and a full range of movement with your joints. In time, this helps you become more stable and mobile.

Improving your stability and mobility can also help prevent injuries, and it all goes back to optimising your core strength. A weaker or disengaged core can mean other muscles have to work hard to compensate, which can lead to injuries like muscle strains or tears. At a number of our centres, we also offer a Clinical Pilates class which is focused on injury prevention, especially in high-impact activities.

Who can benefit from Pilates?

From beginners to regular class-goers, Pilates welcomes anyone! As there are many bodyweight exercises that are practiced throughout a class, Pilates provides a good introduction to improving strength and stamina, which can then be built on as you become more confident.

As many of the movement in Pilates aim to safely strengthen the core and pelvis, it can be a great exercise for people who are pregnant or postpartum too!*

We can’t forget athletes either! You may think many of them are busy on the track, at the gym, or in the pool when it comes to training, but professional athletes often use Pilates to improve their conditioning, control, and endurance. The principles and benefits of Pilates can be applied to a variety of sports and activities as well, whether that’s running, tennis, swimming, cycling – you name it!

 

What do I need for a Pilates class?

As Pilates involves exercises that encourage you to use your full range of movement, we recommend that you wear stretchy gym clothes. You’ll need to take off your trainers for the class, so you may find that wearing a pair of grip socks will help to keep you steady as you move too.

Even though Pilates isn’t the type of class to get you sweaty, make sure you bring plenty of water to the class so that you can stay hydrated throughout.

Don’t worry about equipment either, we’ve got you covered! Depending on your centre and the instructor, there’s a variation of equipment that will be provided for you to use in the class, such as mats, free weights, or a Pilates ring.

 

Ready to give it a go? Use our centre finder below to book a Pilates class at a place near you! The full list of memberships and timetables available at each centre are on the centre homepage.

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*Before starting any new exercise, it’s best to check in with a GP or physiotherapist. They can help you create a safe and manageable plan to build up your activity.

 

Sources: Pilates for beginners: Your Complete Guide to Getting Started (healthline) | Pilates: The Timeless Trend That Never Stops Stretching You (Les Mills) | Pilates for Athletes: More than 200 Exercises and Flows to Improve Performance in Any Sport (Sean Vigue)