The Beginner’s Guide To Doing Pilates At Home

Finding the time to go to the gym or a workout class can be so difficult if you work full time and have a family.

You are constantly busy and when you do have time to yourself, you don’t want to spend it at the gym! Home exercising has become a staple for some people, but where should you begin?

Pilates is great for home workouts as you can create your routine and go at your own pace. Some people may think that it is impossible to do pilates without an instructor in person, but this is not the case, as you can learn how to tailor your workouts for you.

This article will explain the beginner’s guide to doing pilates at home so that you can make sure that you have your home studio all set up.

You can find out more below about what equipment you need and the basics for home pilates.

What Does Pilates Do?

Pilates works lots of different muscle groups so that you can become stronger and more flexible. As well as becoming stronger, you will also see an improvement in your posture, balance, and prevention of injuries.

As the workouts are low-impact, you will be keeping your body safe and taking it through slow movements that are working your muscles.

The slow movements in pilates are very beneficial to your body as they allow you to feel the burn that you would feel in any other strength exercise.

You can find different types of pilates that are more suited to you, you just need to find what you want to focus on and how you can work out to strengthen them.

The Basics

Lots of pilates classes have equipment for you to use, but it is not necessary to have it if you want to practice pilates at home.

Although you do not need the fancy equipment that some professional studios have, there are a few pieces of equipment that you will need to make sure that your workout is effective.

Find The Right Space To Work Out

Firstly, you will need to find a suitable space. The space should be well-lit and have flat ground to make sure that you can maintain balance.

Some people prefer to do pilates inside on hardwood floors or outside on a patio. If your space is bumpy, you may struggle to hold your poses.

A Yoga Mat

Next, you will need a yoga mat. Having a good quality yoga mat will keep you comfortable during your pilates sessions and give you a good base to work on.

As you will be working out on hard floors, you want a soft mat to provide support and to make your workout as comfortable as possible. If you lose balance, you will hit a soft surface instead of a hard one.

Workout Clothing

Having comfortable clothing to practice pilates in is extremely important. If you are not comfortable, you will not be able to focus on your workout and you will find it hard to perform the movements.

As pilates focuses on flexibility, you need to make sure that your clothing is stretchy so that you can go from one movement to another without any resistance.

What Is A Pilates Reformer?

A pilates reformer is used in pilates classes that looks like a massage table, but it is a machine that allows you to remain in control of the resistance.

They are very beneficial for improving your strength, but not everyone can afford to have one in their homes, which is one of the reasons why they attend pilates classes.

You can purchase pilates reformers for your home, but there are other alternatives that you can use that will be cheaper and just as effective.

Weights

Purchasing some weights to use during your pilates exercises is beneficial as it can help you to increase your strength.

It is important to make sure that you do not use weights that are too heavy for you as you do not want to cause an injury. In pilates, you will usually use weights up to 5kg, so it is good for beginners.

If you do not want to purchase weights to use at home, you can use some household items. Using water or wine bottles as weights works just as well, but you still need to make sure that you are not using anything too heavy for you.

Begin by just using your body weight and work up to using weights.

Sliders

Sliders are used to imitate a pilates reformer as they are attached to your hands and feet. They are shaped like discs and are flat so you do not need to worry about losing balance.

Lots of sliders have foam or cushioning on the base so that you can easily glide smoothly across the floor.

The sliders aim to create resistance that is similar to the resistance created by a pilates reformer. They can help you to become stronger and to focus on developing your muscles in certain areas.

The only downside to using sliders is that they do not work well on carpets or rugs, so you will need to move to a room that has a smoother surface.

Learn How To Breathe Correctly

One of the most important parts of pilates is the breathing method, so familiarizing yourself with it before a home pilates workout is necessary.

You should not be breathing into your stomach, you should be breathing into your ribs. This may feel unnatural for some people, but the more you practice it, the more at ease you will feel.

Place your hand sideways on your side so that your fingers are touching your front ribs and your thumb is at the back. Take a deep breath in and fill the sides and back of your ribs.

When you exhale, soften your front ribs and feel the movement of the air. It can take practice, but it comes easier with experience.

Familiarize Yourself With Modified Movements

When you begin pilates, you will find a lot of the movements quite challenging if you have never practiced them before.

If you repeatedly try to force your body into movements and positions that are painful or uncomfortable, you will injure yourself, so looking for modified movements for beginners is important.

You will still be taking part in the exercises, but at a level that is more manageable and comfortable for you.

Once you find the modified exercises easier, you will be able to practice the exercises how they are intended to work on improving your strength and flexibility.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, the beginner’s guide to doing pilates at home is important as it helps you to make sure that you are prepared for your exercises.

You need to learn the basic breathing techniques and ensure that you have the right equipment to get the most out of your pilates sessions.

It is important to avoid injuring yourself, so you need to be cautious. Always practice modified exercises if you find the normal ones too difficult, and do not use weights that are too heavy for you. Pilates helps you to build your strength, so work up to more difficult exercises in stages.