In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Mats Pilates for beginners so you can decide if the class is right for you (however, we’re going to tell you a little secret – it’s perfect for everyone)!
What Is Pilates?
The history of Pilates began with Joseph Pilates.
Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph spent his life exploring the limits of the human form. Although he was born a weak child, he defied expectations when he became a bodybuilder at a young age. He was fascinated by the body and explored a wide variety of fitness disciplines – from ancient Greek-style gymnastics to yoga and tai chi. He is also a professional skier, diver, boxer, and circus acrobat.
At the outbreak of World War I, Pilates lived in England, where he was detained for a time as an enemy alien. It was during this time that he began working as a nurse in a hospital, where he is said to have started using spring beds as resistance to help wounded soldiers regain their activities. This planted the seeds that eventually developed into what we call Pilates today.
In the early 1920s, Pilates moved to the United States with his newly developed Pilates equipment and regimens. Due to its suitability for treating injuries and emphasizing muscle-building performance, it quickly became popular with dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine.
Since then, Pilates has become a mainstream in the fitness industry.
What Is the Difference Between a Reformer and a Mat Pilates?
While Joseph Pilates was developing his Pilates workout routine, he also developed a type of gym equipment called the Reformer Machine. A reformer is a device that allows the user to resist using a spring. There are different types of reformer machines, one is a spring-loaded sled, another is similar to a massage table with spring-loaded handles all over it, another looks like a chair with spring-loaded footrests, and one resembles a bucket.
Luckily, especially with Mats Pilates, we don’t have to worry about all of that.
As the name suggests, mat pilates can be performed by simply placing the mat on the floor. Some teachers use tools such as fitness balls, yoga blocks, straps, and rings, but do not require the spring-loaded equipment of traditional Pilates.
Body Shaping Pilates is a type of Pilates that involves spring-loaded equipment and is usually performed under the close supervision of a trainer, while Pilates on the mat allows more people to work out together.
When choosing a Pilates type, it’s worth noting that both are very effective for building strength and flexibility, as well as aiding in injury recovery. Some fitness professionals believe that mat pilates is even harder than a reformer because it depends on your body versus gravity without adjustable support.
What Are the Components of Pilates on the Mat?
There are many different exercises that instructors use on mat Pilates, so we’ll cover just a few of them Xi so you can get an idea of what you might need for your lesson.
The Hundreds
“The Hundreds” is the name of a common warm-up exercise in Pilates.
To perform The Hundreds, you need to lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent at a 45-degree angle (this is called the “tabletop position”) or extended at a 6-degree angle. You lift your head, neck, and shoulders off the ground (if you can) and lift your arms slightly off the ground. Finally, you raise your arms up 8-100 inches and then down, for a total of 5 reps. The arm inhales 5 times per pump and exhales <> times per pump.
The purpose of this exercises is to warm up your core strength and connect your body to the breath.
C-Curve
The C-curve is the basic movement of Pilates. There are many parts to the C-curve, please be patient:
Start sitting on a yoga mat with your knees bent in front of you, your feet flat on the floor, and your back straight. Gently grasp the back of the knee and tighten the abs to pull them down the spine; This causes your spine to bend, forming a C-shape. Keep descending in the direction of the curve, but don’t let your body crumble. Once you reach the deepest point, hold the position for a moment and then resume sitting with your abdomen.
In a Pilates class, your instructor will walk you through how breathing works and how to make your back curves more advanced or less advanced.
Swimming
One of the exercises used in Pilates is called swimming, but no, you’re not underwater.
For this exercises, you will lie flat on your stomach with your arms and legs straight. You’ll use your back muscles to lift your limbs off the floor. From there, you’ll perform swimming moves, quickly lifting and lowering the other leg while switching back and forth between the sides. It’s supposed to be a bit like a swimmer in the water, that’s where the name comes from!
Who Is Suitable for Mat Pilates?
That’s the beauty of mat workouts – anyone can do it. Regardless of age, ability, or injury (in most cases), mat pilates is safe and easy to perform for most people.
If you’ve just been injured, or aren’t sure if Pilates is right for you, talk to your doctor first.
