5 reasons Club Pilates may be your new "me-time" workout

Club Pilates offers a low-impact challenging workout appropriate for everybody - especially if you're over 40. Here's 5 reasons to try it and 5 things you need to know.

5 reasons Club Pilates may be your new “me-time” workout

May 7, 2019 Fitness, Health, YouTube Videos Comments (1)

“What makes you interested in joining Club Pilates?” asked the voice on the other side of the phone.

I’d seen an Instagram ad for a Club Pilates studio near my house opening. This conversation between the gym manager, Nicolette, and I, got me thinking.

I wasn’t really sure. But I knew the idea of someone telling me what to do for an hour sounded refreshing.

As a personal trainer and fitness instructor, I pride myself on coming up with creative, engaging, and dare I say, fun workouts. But I’ll also admit it’s hard to consistently come up with said workouts. Having someone tell me what to do sounded heavenly.

I’ve also performed mat pilates in the past and loved the physical results.

Why not give it a shot?

Check out my video below for a full recap, or keep reading below.

What is Pilates?

Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, the practice focuses on:

Alignment
Breathing
Developing a strong core, and
Improving coordination and balance.

You’ll see two main types: mat and reformer. Club Pilates offers the reformer style.

Why Club Pilates may be right for you.

1. It’s low impact

If you’re looking for a way to work your muscles, possibly get a sweat, but not tax your joints, this is the place. Do not think for one minute that because the classes are low impact, it is easy. It’s a strange feeling to be moving in small ways yet have your body tremor so much.

However, you may be pleasantly surprised to go to class and after run to the grocery store without grossing people out, like I often do. I find I don’t sweat as much. My hair is a different story. I can’t figure out how to keep it in a ponytail without becoming loose and looking like a fallen beehive.

2. Unique equipment

Club Pilates has a wide variety of equipment for its variety of classes. When you walk in, you’ll see the Pilates reformer, chair, Bosu balls, TRX straps, and many others. Don’t expect to use all in one class as the classes have a different focus.

3. Unique muscle utilization

Be prepared to be humbled. That’s ok. I walked in thinking because I performed planks, med ball situps, and v-ups I’d be ready. Then I looked up to see my feet shaking in the air during a Pilates 100 because my abs were so fatigued.

Your core is only one of the muscle groups strengthened. I’ve woken up the next day with sore arms, mini-muscles (which you know I love and talked about here), and calves.

4. Over-40

The first thing I noticed was the average age. Typically, new studios draw a young crowd looking for a new way to be tortured. I’m 44. Many of the participants are older than I.

It seems like once we hit 40, there’s always a physical issue. In the classes I run, just about everyone can point to their pain point. Right now I need three hands to simultaneously point to my elbow, rear, and feet.

My guess is this is what draws participants. The movements are completely low impact. There’s only so much damage one can do while horizontal to the earth.

However, that’s not to say all the participants are over 40. I’ve seen all ages; in fact one of the girls in my son’s 9th-grade class attends. A few college girls have shown up. Perhaps their moms recruited them and they’ve fallen in love as well.

While I was at the studio taking videos in preparation for this post, the manager, Nicolette, and I began talking about the demographics of participants. We explore this further in the video above. (And seriously, how adorable is she???)

5. Injury rehab or prehab

If you do have a physical issue, Club Pilates may be a great option. Everything is low impact and you control the workout. Because of my aforementioned elbow issue, I found myself modifying the movements last week. No biggie. If you don’t know how ask the instructor. She’s here to help you.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, I’ve recommended Club Pilates to several of my fitness clients. It’s also a great compliment to running or strength training. At the end of the day, I want what’s best for my girls. While I hope none of them read this and cancel their workouts with me, I respect everybody’s unique needs and physical stage.

Types of classes

You can check out the variety of classes offered on the Club Pilates website. My favorites are the Reformer Flow and Cardio Sculpt. Nicolette said the most popular class at our studio is Cardio Sculpt, which I’ve noticed fill up quickest. As stated on the website:

This high-energy, low-impact class is perfect for the cardio junkie. Use the Pilates jumpboard to facilitate plyometric movement against spring tension (rather than gravity) and experience an aerobic workout that won’t stress the joints.

5 things to know before you go

1. You’ll need grippy socks.

They sell cute ones that are worth buying if you plan on attending regularly. If you’re just visiting, dig through your child’s sock drawer for a pair purchased from a trampoline park. I began with the gloves-like kind with the toes cut out. I’m the kind of gal who will hastily paint the first three toenails because she doesn’t keep up with painted toes, so I ended up looking a little silly. Between colder weather and the toenail issue, I switched to more traditional socks.

2. Follow the instructor’s guidance on which springs to use.

More springs don’t mean the movement will be harder. Depending on the exercise, fewer springs offers a greater challenge to your core. Just trust her. She’s had 500 hours of training; she knows what she’s doing.

3. Many classes use weights.

The instructor will tell you if you need them or not. Keep in mind you won’t be maxing out your effort after eight reps. You’ll need lighter weights than what you do in the gym. I typically grab 5s or 8s, depending on my soreness level from previous workouts.

4. Remember to join the class in wiping down your equipment upon finishing.

Because you don’t want to be THAT person.

5. As with any instructor-led class, tell the instructor if you have an issue or injury you’re dealing with.

If you’re looking for something new, or just want to complement your current workout, give Club Pilates a try. Share this post with a friend and bring her with you…because as I’ve mentioned before, fitness is always better with a friend!

1 thought on “5 reasons Club Pilates may be your new “me-time” workout”

kelly says:
May 8, 2019 at 10:33 am
Informative video! Ive just joined and really agree with these points. These classes are great at working some of the smaller muscles that we often “leave out” of our workouts (unless you are in Amy’s class:)) but are key in keeping our flexibility and strength, help develop the ‘mind and body connection’ which will lead to more efficient training, and the variety of tools that are used keeps the classes interesting.
Thanks!
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