An average Pilates workout session lasts 50 to 60 minutes — the perfect amount of time to warm up, strengthen and tone your body without getting overtired.
But just showing up to that workout does not guarantee that you will make the most of each of those minutes. Optimize your sessions by following these simple guidelines:
Before Your Workout:
Finish eating an hour before your workout. Showing up to your session with a full stomach will prevent you from fully engaging your powerhouse and moving with fluidity.
Build in a warm-up of 10 minutes BEFORE your workout to do some light stretching, focusing on your spine and legs, hips, and other areas in your body that hold tension. This will help you warm up more quickly and get the most from the exercises that are done early on in the session.
Other things you can do to warm up your body before your workout include taking a warm shower/bath or do some light walking, running or indoor biking.
Clear your mind of “busy” thoughts. Pilates exercises are greatly enhanced when you are fully focused on each exercise and how it feels in your body.
Be on time. Pilates sessions are best when done in a certain sequence and flow. Every minute counts.
During Your Workout:
Silence your phone or leave it in the car or another room. Concentration is key in Pilates. Don’t get distracted.
Inform your teacher if you have any concerns with your body that day. Your instructor can tailor your workout to accommodate how you are feeling.
Try and remember corrections from previous workouts and apply them. Pilates is a journey that builds upon your previous experiences with each exercise.
Take notice of any new adjustments that come up. That is an essential part of the journey.
Try to have one new takeaway from each workout. You will be surprised how these takeaways add up and enrich your next sessions.
After Your Workout:
Make a note of new connections in your body that you might have discovered during your workout. Try to incorporate them in how you feel and move when you aren’t in a session.
Congratulate yourself on taking care of your health!
