Is There A Best Time Of Day To Do Pilates? (The Answer Is YES)
There are various health benefits associated with Pilates, such as increased flexibility and improved posture.
What makes it ideal, as well, is that it can be performed anywhere and at any time. All you require is some suitable clothing and adequate space, and you’re set for Pilates!
While you can generally perform flexibility exercises anytime throughout the day, you may be wondering when is the best time to do Pilates.
Well, morning, afternoon, and evening Pilates all contain benefits.
However, the best time of day would be in the morning, since it provides the most benefits.
Not only does that time of day provide fewer distractions, but it also gets your body up and money from a long night’s sleeping – getting you prepared for the day ahead!
You don’t have to be restricted to working out solely in the morning, instead exercising consistently- any time of the day – is better than the occasional morning Pilates session.
In this article, we’ll be taking a close look at the best time of day to do Pilates.
Benefits Of Pilates
There is a range of benefits to participating in regular Pilates exercise that doesn’t require any specific time of day you undertake it!
These include:
- Increased flexibility and strength
- Pilates is a low-impact exercise
- Helps to combat anxiety and stress
- Tones up your body
- Improves balance, posture, and body awareness
In addition to these benefits of participating in Pilates, it is also one of the most diverse forms of exercise.
Whether you’re using equipment, including resistance bands, or simply using a mat and your body weight.
Benefits Morning Pilates
Getting your morning fitness in as soon as you wake up can help you feel prepared for the rest of your day.
Building a routine that centers around the beginning of the day is the perfect way to begin your day.
Not only does it allow your body to wake up, but it will also make your whole body feel more energized.
In addition to this, the morning also ensures fewer distractions than your sometimes busy evenings which allows you to concentrate entirely on your Pilates goals.
In the summer, during the warmer, lighter months you can even take your Pilates sessions outside, especially if your work keeps you indoors, providing you with a bright and early morning relationship to the outdoors and nature.
Likewise, research has shown that early morning exercise is more effective when losing weight, whereby participants demonstrated higher levels of fat burned when morning exercises were carried out.
Although, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when participating in morning Pilates.
For instance, in the morning your body temperature is typically lower when you wake up; therefore, an extra warm-up may be required.
As the season progresses, you’ll find yourself waking up in half-light to eventually darkness, and when winter arrives around you’ll want to avoid practicality Pilates outdoors in the chilly temperatures.
If you’re looking for some morning Pilates workouts, there are plenty of videos that can be found online, such as on YouTube.
Likewise, first-thing Zoom classes are also available and they don’t even require you to leave your home! However, in-person sessions can be an extremely rewarding way to start your day, too.
Benefits Of Pilates In The Afternoon
After a hectic morning, the afternoon can be a great time to re-energize and reset your body.
Those who have stressful mornings with a lot on their mind can benefit greatly from shifting their focus to a Pilates class – providing them with a mental break from all the stresses.
Whether you work in an office or have to sit down for a large amount of the day, you may be familiar with the feelings of having to remain in a sedentary position, leaving you de-energized and stiff.
Creating time for a Pilates session, even a small one, can provide you with the relief of stretching your body while giving you a boost of energy for the rest of the day.
Research has shown that afternoon exercise is more effective for those with type 2 diabetes.
The difficult part about working out in the afternoon is finding the right opportunity to do so, especially if your facilities or job doesn’t allow it.
For some people, they can easily pop out of the office to their local fitness studio for a Pilates session; however, for most people, this simply isn’t an option.
Therefore, making it an awkward time of the day to practice Pilates for some.
Benefits Of Pilates In The Evening
For many people, the evening involves leaving the worries of work behind, spending time with friends and family, and being able to, finally, focus on yourself.
There are a range of exercise and Pilates classes available in the evenings, since this is generally the most convenient time for people to attend, whether you’re following a class or making use of the Pilates equipment.
Therefore, evening sessions are a great way to switch off from your stressful day and allow you to focus on yourself, with also the opportunity to see regular faces and friends.
While evening Pilates sessions are a great way to unwind from your day, you may find yourself struggling to sleep at night since your body temperature and heart rate rise, kickstarting your body.
You could potentially be left with that energized buzz you would have experienced earlier in the day.
You may be wondering, is it ok to perform Pilates before bedtime? Ensuring that the exercise warms your body up without feeling too energized, could be beneficial to your sleep.
The increased body temperature from your workout will decrease post-exercise which will allow you to fall asleep more easily.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a way to wind down in the evenings without getting too energized, then Pilates would be rewarding here.
Is There A Best Time Of Day For Pilates?
You can reap the benefits of Pilates at any time of the day, with the best days being the ones when you complete a full Pilates session.
The most important thing to do is to actually workout, you shouldn’t be put off exercising at the “wrong” time of day, fit some exercise into your day and gain the benefits of Pilates!
If you’re self-disciplined enough you should be able to follow along with a Pilates YouTube video at home, switching it on at whatever time suits you.
Alternatively, for those of you who struggle to complete workouts at your home, then it is highly recommended that you sign up for a Pilates class, whether this is online or in-person, they provide a fixed time; therefore, you’re more likely to meet your goals.
Final Thoughts
At whatever time of the day, you can gain the advantages of a Pilates workout, with the best time of day being those you’re able to fit a workout in.
Hopefully, this guide has provided you with an insight into the best time of day to do Pilates.