5 myths about Pilates, debunked.
There are a few myths surrounding Pilates. But luckily, I’ve debunked a handful of them to inspire you to start/continue confidently pursuing Pilates. When you’re done reading, make sure you book a class!
Myth: It’s not much of a workout.
Reality: To an outsider, Pilates may seem like it’s just stretching or that it’s too relaxed. But the calmness you experience during a session is where the magic happens! When we give our bodies/mind the opportunity to focus on specific movements, we tap into the connection needed to get stronger and move more efficiently.
2. Myth: It’s only for women.
Reality: It’s shocking that this idea is still out there. Pilates was started by a man named Joseph Pilates and although many women do practice Pilates, marketing may have you believe that Pilates is only for women. Men may be neglecting smaller muscle groups that are missed during other types of exercises, and Pilates is an amazing way to consciously build these muscles. You also might be interested to know that David Beckham, Hugh Grant, Lebron James and Tiger Woods have all talked about how Pilates has helped them!
3. Myth: Pilates is just a core workout.
Reality: The beauty in Pilates is that your core can be engaged in every single exercise, but it is so much more than just a core workout. Pilates emphasizes disassociation of body parts, which means that you challenge your body parts separately so that they work together more efficiently! Breath work is also very important, and when you focus on your breath (think: breathing out through a straw), you engage those deep core muscles.
4. Myth: You need specialized equipment to do Pilates.
Reality: If you become obsessed with Pilates ;) you may want to invest in a few pieces like a magic circle or other props but you truly only need a mat! The large pieces of equipment like the Reformer and the Cadillac that you may have seen are costly investments, and are not a requirement.
5. Myth: You can’t do Pilates if you're injured/in chronic pain.
Reality: You should always get clearance from a medical professional before starting any type of exercise and if you’re in acute pain then it’s best to wait. However, Pilates is a wonderful, low impact form of exercise used for rehabilitation: arthritis, postural-related pain, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, post-surgery and multiple sclerosis are just a few of the conditions that Pilates can help with, so don’t let that hold you back! If you’re unsure if Pilates can help you, feel free to send us a message, and ask!
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