Getting Fitter With Pilates
[Review & Giveaway]
I am starting to set goals for next year. I want to be fitter & healthier, thus I should be eating well & doing more exercises.
I have actually been going for Pilates-on-the-mat classes every week since 4 months ago. Then I started putting jogging once or twice a week into my weekly exercise regime. I love how things progressed thus far.
But wait! Here comes the haze, then the monsoon season. I haven’t been jogging outdoor for quite a while! And seasoned runners will know, jogging on the treadmill in the gym isn’t as fun as jogging outdoor.
Lo & behold! There came a 1-month Pilates trial sessions at Pilates Fitness! I can’t be more thrilled! No worries about thunderstorm any more! Rain or shine, I can carry on with my exercise regime, hurray!
Since then, I have been doing Pilates more intensively, up to 3 times a week. I like that it helps to develop my core strength and stability. Not only that, now that I am more aware of my body, I make a conscientious effort to pull in my stomach and drop my shoulders.
A flexible muscle is a strong muscle. A hard muscle may look nice but it is the flexibility that gives the balance and functionality I need for my body to function properly. A flexible muscle is all the more important as one ages.
Here are the reasons why I love Pilates:
Increased Muscular Endurance
With increased muscular endurance, our muscles are able to exert force for extended periods, so we are able to perform everyday tasks without feeling fatigue. Additional benefits include improved muscle tone as muscles are lengthened and strengthened without appearing bulky.
Increased Core Strength
Core strength increases our ability to generate power to our muscles and decreases the risk of injury.
Increased Flexibility
Improved flexibility reduces stiffness, soreness and the chance of injury. We can then perform everyday movements with less strain and fatigue.
Improved Breathing
Pilates workouts emphasize proper breathing. Breathing becomes deeper and less frequent, resulting in improved relaxation. I sleep a lot better these days (or nights)!
The Pilates I have done in Pilates Fitness is using Reformer machines. The reformer is a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs. The springs provide choices of differing levels of resistance as the carriage is pushed or pulled along the frame. The carriage has shoulder blocks on it that keep the user from sliding off the end of the reformer as they push or pull the carriage.
At the spring end of the reformer there is an adjustable bar called a footbar. The footbar can be used by the feet or hands as the user moves the carriage. The reformer also has long straps with handles on them that are attached to the top end of the frame. They can be pulled with legs or arms to move the carriage as well. Body weight and resistance of the springs are what make the carriage more or less difficult to move. Reformers parts are adjustable for differing body sizes and for differing levels of skill. (source)
Pilates Fitness has a wide variety of classes at different timing to suit individual needs:
1) Weight Loss
2) Body Aches
3) Flexi-Stretch
4) Abs-Burn
5) Cardio Jumpboard
In my 1-month trial, I have tried Weight Loss, Body Aches and Cardio Jumpboard. I like Cardio Jumpboard a lot because of its intensity (high) yet low in impact on the joints as I am not going with the gravity.
I do hope you will give Pilates a try too. It is really good for your bodies. And I have good news for you if you are keen. The kind folks at Pilates Fitness is giving away 1 trial class for anyone who may be interested to try Pilates on Reformer Machines. The trial class consists of a 30-minute Reformer Introduction Class & a 55-minute Weight Loss or Core & Body Aches lesson. All you have to do is email to joey@pilatesfitness.com.sg, with subject 'Redeem Free Trial Class' and in your content of the email, quote 'mylilbookworm'. Joey will contact you and arrange for a trial.
Pilates Fitness
Telok Blangah Branch
434, Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098854
Studio Mobile: 9184 7622
Studio Email: telokblangah@PilatesFitness.com.sg
Serangoon Garden Branch
85A, Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555981
Studio Mobile: 8322 9552
Studio Email: serangoon@PilatesFitness.com.sg
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 9.30pm
Saturday: 9am – 4pm
Open on public holidays except for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
PS: After the trial, and if you really like it, do take advantage of their promotion which is now on. Click this link here to check them out!
Many thanks to trainer Joey for the photos and videos.
I am starting to set goals for next year. I want to be fitter & healthier, thus I should be eating well & doing more exercises.
I have actually been going for Pilates-on-the-mat classes every week since 4 months ago. Then I started putting jogging once or twice a week into my weekly exercise regime. I love how things progressed thus far.
But wait! Here comes the haze, then the monsoon season. I haven’t been jogging outdoor for quite a while! And seasoned runners will know, jogging on the treadmill in the gym isn’t as fun as jogging outdoor.
Lo & behold! There came a 1-month Pilates trial sessions at Pilates Fitness! I can’t be more thrilled! No worries about thunderstorm any more! Rain or shine, I can carry on with my exercise regime, hurray!
Since then, I have been doing Pilates more intensively, up to 3 times a week. I like that it helps to develop my core strength and stability. Not only that, now that I am more aware of my body, I make a conscientious effort to pull in my stomach and drop my shoulders.
A flexible muscle is a strong muscle. A hard muscle may look nice but it is the flexibility that gives the balance and functionality I need for my body to function properly. A flexible muscle is all the more important as one ages.
Here are the reasons why I love Pilates:
Increased Muscular Endurance
With increased muscular endurance, our muscles are able to exert force for extended periods, so we are able to perform everyday tasks without feeling fatigue. Additional benefits include improved muscle tone as muscles are lengthened and strengthened without appearing bulky.
Increased Core Strength
Core strength increases our ability to generate power to our muscles and decreases the risk of injury.
Increased Flexibility
Improved flexibility reduces stiffness, soreness and the chance of injury. We can then perform everyday movements with less strain and fatigue.
Improved Breathing
Pilates workouts emphasize proper breathing. Breathing becomes deeper and less frequent, resulting in improved relaxation. I sleep a lot better these days (or nights)!
The Pilates I have done in Pilates Fitness is using Reformer machines. The reformer is a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs. The springs provide choices of differing levels of resistance as the carriage is pushed or pulled along the frame. The carriage has shoulder blocks on it that keep the user from sliding off the end of the reformer as they push or pull the carriage.
 |
| Sitting on the Pilates Reformer Machine |
At the spring end of the reformer there is an adjustable bar called a footbar. The footbar can be used by the feet or hands as the user moves the carriage. The reformer also has long straps with handles on them that are attached to the top end of the frame. They can be pulled with legs or arms to move the carriage as well. Body weight and resistance of the springs are what make the carriage more or less difficult to move. Reformers parts are adjustable for differing body sizes and for differing levels of skill. (source)
 |
| Arm exercise with long straps, legs on table top position |
 |
| Working on the inner thigh with the resistance ring |
Pilates Fitness has a wide variety of classes at different timing to suit individual needs:
1) Weight Loss
2) Body Aches
3) Flexi-Stretch
4) Abs-Burn
5) Cardio Jumpboard
 |
| Mermaid Stretch in Body Aches class Check out my instagram video here |
Video here. Click on pictures to view.
I was doing long stretch prep (top) and long stretch (below) here.
Videos here. Please click on pictures to view.
I do hope you will give Pilates a try too. It is really good for your bodies. And I have good news for you if you are keen. The kind folks at Pilates Fitness is giving away 1 trial class for anyone who may be interested to try Pilates on Reformer Machines. The trial class consists of a 30-minute Reformer Introduction Class & a 55-minute Weight Loss or Core & Body Aches lesson. All you have to do is email to joey@pilatesfitness.com.sg, with subject 'Redeem Free Trial Class' and in your content of the email, quote 'mylilbookworm'. Joey will contact you and arrange for a trial.
Pilates Fitness
Telok Blangah Branch
434, Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098854
Studio Mobile: 9184 7622
Studio Email: telokblangah@PilatesFitness.com.sg
Serangoon Garden Branch
85A, Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555981
Studio Mobile: 8322 9552
Studio Email: serangoon@PilatesFitness.com.sg
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 9.30pm
Saturday: 9am – 4pm
Open on public holidays except for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
PS: After the trial, and if you really like it, do take advantage of their promotion which is now on. Click this link here to check them out!
Many thanks to trainer Joey for the photos and videos.
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