Pilates Myths Busted
It’s not uncommon to think that Pilates is a training style that seems ‘easy’, by name - we’ve all had this thought cross our minds too. Some even assume that it’s not a ‘real’ workout, but unless you have had first-hand experience of joining a Pilates class, we’re here to tell you it’s anything but easy.
In this blog, Coach Lisa Nicolaisen uncovers the truth about Pilates and breaks down the 5 most common myths and misconceptions about Pilates. Let’s take a closer look!
1. Pilates is 'easy'
This myth gets thrown around a lot and I can guarantee it’s only from people that have never tried Pilates before (if you know, you know) or it hasn’t been taught correctly. Pilates, when done properly can be one of the most challenging types of workouts you can do as it requires a lot of control, focus, and strength. It also comes down to the style of Pilates you are doing, the instructor, and what props are being used… and I can guarantee if you take one of my classes you will never be saying ‘Pilates is easy’ ever again.
2. Pilates is only for rehab
Some look at Pilates as ‘easy’ or targeted purely at those who are recovering from injury. But as I touched on above, Pilates is far from easy and isn’t just a ‘stretch’ class… It is a workout and is also used to help those who are suffering from injuries. Pilates is used to strengthen every part of your body (some parts you may not even know existed) but it isn’t meant to take place of your Physio, Chiropractor, or other wellness and health professional, however, it can effectively complement them as a safe way of developing body awareness, strength, and control.
3. You have to be flexible to enjoy Pilates
This is another popular Pilates misconception that is very untrue. Pilates will actually enhance your flexibility through elongated movements and stretches that are incorporated into the workout. So if you are wanting to improve your flexibility, then incorporating Pilates into your weekly training routine will only do your body some good.
Start with these five movements from Coach Lisa for a strong foundation:
4. Pilates is the same as Yoga
Pilates and yoga have a lot of similarities but the movement approach in both of these techniques varies. Yoga is a holistic discipline that emphasises the connection of the mind, body, and spirit and in a yoga class, you tend to hold and flow through deeper stretches. Whereas Pilates is a type of workout that places a strong emphasis on balanced muscles, proper posture, and core stability. They are two incredibly beneficial types of exercise that focus on proper breathing and a strong mind-body connection that will release stress and tension in the body.
5. Pilates is only a core-focused workout
A lot of people tend to think that Pilates will only help strengthen your core. While there is a strong emphasis on core work in a Pilates class, that is far from the truth. Pilates is a full-body workout and will leave you feeling strong in every part of your body and will also improve your posture, flexibility, muscle endurance, coordination, balance, and strength… need I say more?
The benefits of Pilates are endless, and we cover more on this here.
For a taste of what you expect with Pilates at MWU, here’s a Full Body Sculpt from Coach Lisa for you to try! We can guarantee you’ll be working up a sweat and feeling the burn, but let us know what you think.
If you're up for the challenge and ready to start incorporating Pilates into your training regime, then take a look at our 6 Week Pilates Program here.
