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Top Questions I Get Asked About Pilates

  • Author: lesley.logan
  • July 30, 2019
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Top Questions I Get Asked About Pilates thegem blog - Online Pilates Classes

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.

Loving this Pilates exercise tutorial? Take weekly online Pilates mat classes with OPC Teachers.
Enjoying Lesley's teaching style? Willing to travel? Explore the world while maintaining your practice by joining Lesley on a Pilates retreat.

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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

  2. 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

    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

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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.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

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

NOT THE EXORCIST

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

It’s a week filled with ROTATION, but I swear it’s not the scary EXORCIST kind of rotation!

We’ll be exploring where we can add rotation to throughout our practice and how we can find our TRUE rotation in different areas of the body. No cheating!

Join me this week as we focus on spinal rotation to help ourselves stretch and strengthen, while also exploring internal and external rotation at the shoulders and the hips.

If you are a tactile learner, or if you like to be a bit more reflective about your practice every now and then, you’ll love class this week. We’ll slightly slow down to give ourselves an opportunity to listen to our bodies and maybe fine tune a little bit as we go along.

Mat: Resistance Band and yoga block [barrel is optional for Roll Over]
Reformer: Pole, small ball, and yoga block

See you in class,
Rachel Piper

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Resistance Band, yoga block [barrel is optional for Roll Over] and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Pole, small ball, yoga block and a reformer!

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


BOLSTER YOUR BACKBENDS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Grab your couch cushions, yoga bolsters, or stiff decorative pillows! We are going to be finding our longest extension possible this week.

Not a lover of extension? Do not skip this week. There's a lot more to a backbend than just a backbend. You've got to have a strong front and side too! So, feel free to find your tallest back when the exercises are extension and flow with us on the rest.

Mat lovers will need the props. Reformer lovers, I hope you do the Mat first or at least some point this week and then the Reformer so you can feel where we are opening up our chests. If you can't and can only do the Reformer, you're still gonna get your sweat on but I love to remind ya that the Mat is gonna make your Reformer stronger...hint hint.

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

PLANK YOU VERY MUCH!

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

Do you know how to stop time... Do a timed Plank!! So this month we will not be stopping time, but we will go though all of the points you should think about when you are doing a plank. There are many planks throughout the Mat and Reformer work. Working on these areas from head to toe and making them all come together for each Plank! Arm/back connection, Thass® connection, and how do we stay out of those wrists? On each apparatus we will help you find these areas and strengthen your Plank each time!

Tower/Cadillac - no props
Wunda Chair - optional mat
Mat - light weights and a magic circle
Reformer - no props

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

ABS, BACK, GLUTES, THIGHS

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

Todrick Hall’s song “nails, hair, hips, heels” came on during one of my playlists, and it got my brain thinking of how to turn this song and use it for Pilates, and boom, here’s this month’s theme - abs, back, glutes, thighs. With Pilates being a full-body workout, think of this as your checklist as you work out this month since these are all connected while we practice all of our exercises on all of the apparatuses.

Abs, back, glutes, thighs, check, check, check, check!

Props for Wunda Chair: yoga block (or a couple of hardcover books)

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

THE WALL WAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We're going to use our wall or something you can stand up against! I like using the wall because it lets us know where we are today, and where we are at the end of class. On the Reformer we will use our carriage like the wall!

It's important to give ourselves permission to be where we are today. Our bodies are different every single day - pat yourself on the back for showing up today!! Celebrate!

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

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


FALL IN LOVE WITH TEASER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Teaser is usually a love hate relationship for most people! What’s really interesting is that Teaser sneaks its way into lots of exercises on the Mat and Reformer. 

Through these classes, we will have a little fun adding Teaser into other exercises and also adding variations to help you build your Teaser!

Come fall in love with it again or maybe for the first time!

No props needed.

See you in class,
Mindi

CAN YOU KICK IT?

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

I'll spare rapping for you, but that's what this is about! All about the single leg kick and double leg kick. These exercises are super important for us to slay the last half of our Mat practice. They are entirely back body, so on the Reformer, they'll really support your Swan and all your other extensions. And if you've been struggling connecting to your seat, this is where it all happens! Can you kick it?!

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

    MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a mat!

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

    REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

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


    NOT THE EXORCIST

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    It’s a week filled with ROTATION, but I swear it’s not the scary EXORCIST kind of rotation!

    We’ll be exploring where we can add rotation to throughout our practice and how we can find our TRUE rotation in different areas of the body. No cheating!

    Join me this week as we focus on spinal rotation to help ourselves stretch and strengthen, while also exploring internal and external rotation at the shoulders and the hips.

    If you are a tactile learner, or if you like to be a bit more reflective about your practice every now and then, you’ll love class this week. We’ll slightly slow down to give ourselves an opportunity to listen to our bodies and maybe fine tune a little bit as we go along.

    Mat: Resistance Band and yoga block [barrel is optional for Roll Over]
    Reformer: Pole, small ball, and yoga block

    See you in class,
    Rachel Piper

    BOLSTER YOUR BACKBENDS

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    Grab your couch cushions, yoga bolsters, or stiff decorative pillows! We are going to be finding our longest extension possible this week.

    Not a lover of extension? Do not skip this week. There's a lot more to a backbend than just a backbend. You've got to have a strong front and side too! So, feel free to find your tallest back when the exercises are extension and flow with us on the rest.

    Mat lovers will need the props. Reformer lovers, I hope you do the Mat first or at least some point this week and then the Reformer so you can feel where we are opening up our chests. If you can't and can only do the Reformer, you're still gonna get your sweat on but I love to remind ya that the Mat is gonna make your Reformer stronger...hint hint.

    See ya in class,
    xx-LL 💋

    MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, couch cushions, yoga bolsters, or stiff decorative pillows and a mat!

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

    REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

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


    THE WALL WAY

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    We're going to use our wall or something you can stand up against! I like using the wall because it lets us know where we are today, and where we are at the end of class. On the Reformer we will use our carriage like the wall!

    It's important to give ourselves permission to be where we are today. Our bodies are different every single day - pat yourself on the back for showing up today!! Celebrate!

    See ya in class,
    xx-LL 💋

    UP, UP, & AWAY

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

    We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

    Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

    This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

    We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

    Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

    xx-LL