The Power Of Pilates
Annie Reilly
Ever get tired of your daily workout routine? Feeling unmotivated? Then now is the time for you to switch things up! Right before Christmas break, I hit a plateau in my motivation to go to the gym and knew that all I needed was to find something new that worked for me. I was going to the gym and doing the same workouts, listening to the same playlist, etc. I was tired of the repetitiveness and needed a switch. Over break I decided that I was going to try a few new workouts, one of them being pilates. From my first class, I was hooked!
The power of pilates is undeniable.
The first class I did was a mat pilates class at my hometown gym. I really was not expecting it to be challenging, but I was seriously working up a sweat. It felt so good to move my body in ways that I never had before and to target new muscle groups. I had never felt more in tune with my body during a workout before. After that first class, I looked into doing a reformer Pilates class. Unfortunately, my gym does not offer reformer classes so I went to a studio near me. The reformer class was even better than I had imagined. My core was on fire, but I loved every minute of it!! Both classes were about 45 minutes long, which was the perfect amount of time in my opinion. I walked out of the classes feeling energized, rather than feeling sore and run down. I was never a big workout class person before this but after experiencing the uplifting remarks from my Pilates instructors, I can totally see why people love them.
As much as I would have loved to do another reformer class, they tend to be pretty expensive. So for the rest of break, I stuck to mat Pilates classes that were included with my membership at my gym. There is not a better option to choose from when it comes to Pilates, they both have great benefits for your body, such as improving your posture and strength, so it is really a matter of preference. I would, however, recommend taking a mat class before a reformer class because mat classes help you learn the basic movements before getting onto the reformer.
As for doing pilates at Fairfield, the Rec Plex offers mat classes for all levels. Classes are 45 min long and are a great full-body burn. If going to a class seems a bit daunting to begin with, then try following along to YouTube videos in one of the fitness rooms on the lower level.* I have done that a few times since being back at school and I love it. Following along to a video allows you to go at your own pace and create your own level of difficulty. You can add some light hand weights to give yourself more of a challenge or you can keep it as a bodyweight workout. My favorite part about these videos is that you can do what works for YOU. There is also a Club Pilates studio in town which would make for a fun day with your friends.
So the next time you are looking to hit the gym, I strongly encourage you to consider signing up for a Pilates class or following along to a YouTube video. Switching things up is the best way to make life more interesting. You never know if you don’t try!
*Here is my favorite pilates instructor on YouTube, Move With Nicole, https://youtube.com/@MoveWithNicole