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Top Questions I Get Asked About Pilates

Alright, here we go, the questions I get asked the most after people find out I am a Pilates Instructor. And, chances are you’ve had these questions too! If you don’t see your question below then please post it in the comments below.

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • July 30, 2019
Table of Contents

Top Questions I Get Asked About Pilates

Alright, here we go, the questions I get asked the most after people find out I am a Pilates Instructor. And, chances are you’ve had these questions too! If you don’t see your question below then please post it in the comments below.

1) IS PILATES LIKE YOGA? No, not really. As a lover of Yoga I think Pilates is as similar to Yoga as Pilates is to any fitness modality. I believe that it is not Pilates vs ____. It is Pilates and ____. Pilates helps you do everything you love (and don’t love) better.

2) PILATES IS ALL ABOUT ABS, RIGHT? Not at all! You center in Pilates often called your Powerhouse is more than just your abs. It includes your glutes, hamstrings, adductors, abductors, back muscles and the muscles around your shoulder girdle too! Basically, Pilates is about the WHOLE BODY!

3) IS PILATES FOR WOMEN ONLY? Pilates is for EVERY BODY! Athletes are loving how Pilates helps them prevent injury and work they underused muscles. Men should absolutely get down with Pilates. It was in fact invented by a man for men!

4) PILATES, THAT’S FOR DANCERS, RIGHT? Nope, see above. It’s for the whole body and everyone has a body.

5) CAN I GET THE BENEFITS OF PILATES WITHOUT GOING TO A STUDIO? Yes, just like those who do go to a studio you need to be consistent. Do you Mat Pilates work 4-5x a week! And, in a month you’ll really feel the benefits and see them. You can get started with my intro to Pilates classes and then work your way into my all levels classes.

6) WHEN WILL I SEE THE BENEFITS OF DOING PILATES? People like to quote Jospeh Pilates here, “In 10 sessions you’ll feel different, 20 sessions you’ll look different and 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body.” What they fail to say is that you need to do Pilates 4-5x a week and that Joseph Pilates guaranteed your money back. So, where ever you find yourself doing Pilates make sure you are doing your home Pilates practice in addition to your in studio sessions or classes.

7) CAN I LOSE WEIGHT DOING PILATES? I definitely did in the beginning. But, that’s because like any workout regimen it helps speed up your metabolism. If you want to lose more than a couple pounds though you need to work with a nutritionist and find a way of eating that you can sustain for the long haul. There are no quick fixes to weight loss. Well there are but they require going under the knife. But the benefits of Pilates are compounding.

8) WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES? SOOO many but here are my favorite:

  • Better Posture which equates to looking leaner, having better digestion, looking and feeling confident.
  • Flexibility
  • Strength
  • Balancing your asymmetries
  • Better Coordination
  • Less stress, it’s literally a movement meditation
  • and more!

9) DO I NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE, IN SHAPE, STRONG, INSERT WHAT YOU THINK YOU NEED TO BE, TO DO PILATES? Nope, come as you are. Pilates will meet you where you are. And as you grow it will challenge you. It’s never the same because you are never the same.

10) WHAT IS PILATES? Pilates is a strength based workout that will work your entire body out in one session. It tightens what’s loose and loosens what’s tight. It helps you do everything you love better. It’s a practice that you can take with you where ever you go!

Don’t see your question? Ask it below!

xx~LL

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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6 comments

  1. Hi!

    The question I have heard is, “Pilates is just the same as the Barre method, isn’t it?”

    Amie

    Reply

  3. Lesley I am finding rolling over a big challenge. What can I do? I have basically been experiencing back problems for at least two years on and off. I believe stress was a major factor. I am feeling so disheartened. HELP please. Kerry

    Reply

    1. Hi Kerry, first, thank you for writing in. I love helping people get more connected to their practice. And, that’s what Pilates is. A practice. So, if you are struggling with back pain due to stress then know that someday your Roll up will be there for you if you are doing your Pilates. However, if your back issues have anything to do with scoliosis, herniations etc then it might now be possible.

      If you’ve been using a strap and a poll on your mat (if you have those things) and still can’t get it then it’s time to do other Pilates exercises. We actually don’t get better at exercises by doing them on their own over and over again. We do them by doing all the other exercises. Do you have access to a Wunda Chair? Or what equipment do you have? Let me know and I can help. Also, our OPC members have access to a private FB group where you can share a pic or video of you doing an exercise and I can give you tips on where I see you are weaker or tight or even overworking.

      Let me know if you hvae any questions xx~LL

      Reply

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

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No props on the Reformer.

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>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

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TOPS 'N TAILS

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Tops ‘N Tails (or Tops & Tails) is a wonderful expression I grew up with! It means being ready-to-go…from top to bottom, front to back, end to end! Isn’t that exactly what Pilates does for our minds and bodies? It encourages us to ready for any adventure that comes our way because our workouts use variety to engage the whole body, and to focus our minds.

This month’s Reformer workout will have us exploring Tops ‘N Tails by working from the ends of The Order. We’ll alternate exercises from the beginning and from the end of our usual routine for a challenging time! You’ll need your reformer box and pole.

On the Wunda Chair and Mat we'll be focusing on working from the top half or the tail half of our bodies! While every exercise requires the whole body. Setting ourselves up for success from the Top to the Tail makes the most difference!

On the Cadillac/Tower we will work on how the top half of the body helps to support the bottom half and vice versa! Pilates allows us to use the whole body to help with strength from Top to Tail! Let's explore how the springs on the Cadillac/Tower make us connect to the whole body in each exercise.

xx-LL

MEET ME HALFWAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week we’re going to focus on how we use Abduction and Adduction to center ourselves, find our control, and harness our power. We’ll be working about halfway through The Order of Exercises on both the Mat and the Reformer with an Adduction - squeezing toward center - focus , then we’ll go back to the beginning and repeat those exercises with an Abduction - pulling away from center - focus. You’ll need something you can squeeze and something you can pull apart. So grab a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and meet me halfway!

See you in class,

Tami

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a resistance band, or just a magic circle and a mat!

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LEG PULLS ARE FUN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright so maybe they're not fun! But, what we think about an exercise does matter! And if you don't like an exercise or you tell yourself you can't do an exercise I promise you your brain and body will believe it!

So, I'm taking Leg Pulls (Control Push Ups on the Reformer) and making them fun! So we can ALL enjoy what is possible from these dynamic duos!

Have a squishy ball or stuffed toy nearby for our Leg Pull moments on the Mat. Reformer no props needed.

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a squishy ball or stuffed toy and a mat!

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CONTROL YOUR BALANCE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Alright loves, you may not like going overhead and you may not be able to…yet..

But this week on the Mat and the Reformer we will be ready-ing ourselves to Control our Balance.
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Think long legs, asymmetrical legs and maybe even a little single leg deadlift.

On the Mat, if you do struggle with balance go to a wall during the standing work or have a chair nearby. No extra props needed for the Reformer.

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SLINKY SPINE?

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I know you remember the slinky! So wouldn't it be nice if our bodies could move like that? Well, it's not necessarily good to be super bendy, but it is good to be able to articulate the spine when we are able. In the classes this week we will work through the articulation and flexibility of the spine, as well as pay attention to trying not to go too far. Finding your strength and connections in your flexion and extension is going to be the key! Hopefully, you will feel like a slinky here and there throughout the class!

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HORSES HORSES HORSES

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If you are a lover of the Reformer chances are you have little love for the Horseback. I don't blame you. It's not that fun. If you're on the Mat you probably have no idea what this means…

And that's ok! Horseback is like a seated Teaser but harder!

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Props: Mat, have light weights nearby

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>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

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FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS SKIP TORSO DAY!

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

I was thinking of arm days and leg days at the gym, and even the memes you see, which can go both ways. Either dragging yourself around the day after because you're so sore, or you have no muscles at all to hold you up because you skipped those days. Always the extremes with the memes (hey, that rhymed!), and that’s why we love them.

But this is what I love about Pilates - it’s the full body, the whole body. Everything is working together so one part is not overdoing it, while another part is doing nothing. The upper body, the lower body, and the side bodies are connected to our center, so that’s where our focus will be. Even when you think it’s about the arms or the legs, how can you ask a little more of your center to engage?

Props for the Wunda Chair: yoga block and long box for some exercises

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TOPS & TAILS

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Tops ‘N Tails (or Tops & Tails) is a wonderful expression I grew up with! It means being ready-to-go…from top to bottom, front to back, end to end! Isn’t that exactly what Pilates does for our minds and bodies? It encourages us to ready for any adventure that comes our way because our workouts use variety to engage the whole body, and to focus our minds.

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xx-LL 💋