Pilates…..How Often Should You Do Pilates to Truly Make a Difference?

Pilates is a unique and fun form of exercise designed to:

1. Build strength
2. Improve flexibility
3. Enhance posture awareness
4. Rebalance muscles throughout the entire body
5. Leave you feeling better than when you started.

 

But how much is too much Pilates?

How many times a week is Pilates necessary to truly see a difference?

Does someone see better results with a  combination of different forms of Pilates?

Joseph Pilates was frequently quoted…..

”You will feel better in ten sessions, look better in twenty sessions, and have a completely new body in thirty sessions.”

Many instructors and Pilates participants would concur with this quote.  It takes about 10 sessions to begin to get the hang of the different exercises and begin to feel better.  One starts to actually SEE the results after about 20 sessions and by the 30th session you will likely be hooked on the Pilates method.  And not just because your jeans are fitting a bit better or you have started to see definition in your triceps, but because you are now starting to stand taller, move with “grace and beauty”, have fewer aches and pains.  Overall, feel better from the inside out.

When I am asked about how much is too much Pilates, I will usually state that it depends upon the individual as well as the instructor he/she is going to.  If the individual is recovering from an injury or illness, it is a good idea to start slow with one to two sessions per week lasting 30-60 minutes (depending on the individual’s endurance).  I say it also depends upon the instructor.  What kind of instructor is he/she?  Is the instructor a “classical” instructor or a contemporary one.  Is the instructor experienced enough to offer a variety of exercises sequenced differently so as to challenge the participant without creating repetitive stress to the body.

When someone comes to ABS Pilates, he/she undergoes a complete assessment on the first day.  The assessment is completed by myself, Amanda B. Smith.  I am a licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor with more than 25 years of experience.  This assessment enables me to first understand the participants goals and limitations.  It also gives me the opportunity to see how the client moves so that I am able to make appropriate recommendations in terms of:

1. Pilates classes vs. private sessions
2. Frequency of sessions
3. Types of Pilates – Mat, Reformer, Restorative Reformer, Tower, Jumpboard
4. Duration of sessions

 

I usually tell my participants that coming one time per week will MAINTAIN your level of fitness…Two times per week you will see improvements GRADUALLY…..3 or more times per week and you will feel and see the body TRULY CHANGE.

A variety of Pilates classes is highly recommended to challenge the body in different ways and to reduce the incident of participant “burn out”.  To optimize results, you should include the following types of Pilates classes weekly:

1. Reformer Classes – It uses the Reformer to improve strength, flexibility and posture.
2. Tower Classes – Focuses more on strength of the entire body and correcting muscle imbalances.
3. Mat Pilates – Focuses on floor-based Pilates exercises and abdominal strength.
4. Restorative Reformer – Focuses on flexibility, enhancing body awareness & balance.

 

ABS Pilates of Sunbury, Ohio, offers all of these types of Pilates classes and more.  ABS Pilates services Columbus and the surrounding areas including, but not limited to Sunbury, New Albany, Galena, Westerville, Gahanna and Blacklick.  All Pilates classes and sessions are lead by Amanda B. Smith, licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor with more than 25 years of experience.

Sign up today and start your journey towards a “whole new body”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda B. Smith

ABS Pilates, LLC

614-499-6770

238 South State Route 605

Sunbury, OH. 43074

www.a-b-s-pilates.com