If you are interested in trying out a Pilates class for the first time, you may wonder what you are signing up for.
- Is folding yourself into a pretzel a prerequisite?
- Do I need to be younger than thirty to attend class?
- Will I get a good workout if I go?
Pilates has become one of the most popular mind-body exercise trends in the last twenty years. It focuses on making slow, controlled movements by using your breath and core strength.
Some classes are taught on the Pilates machine, the reformer, while other classes are led on a yoga mat on the floor.
The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley. It is situated on eight acres and hosts a wide range of fitness facilities, including a junior-Olympic pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and studios with over 60 exercise classes taught each week.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know to attend the Introduction to Pilates class at the Paseo Club. You will learn about the benefits of Pilates, who can attend the intro class, how to prepare for it, and what to expect afterward.
What brings people to the Pilates intro class, and why do they come?
Pilates is a very popular exercise option because it targets the entire body. You get a great workout without the strain of lifting heavy weights or the joint stress from jumping and landing on hard surfaces.
Pilates is a core-based workout and can be an effective exercise for people with injuries, especially back issues.
Pilates has a way of making you feel taller, stronger, and leaner.
What are the benefits of Pilates?
The benefits of Pilates are many. The most noticeable one is improved core stabilization and strength.
- Increases bone density
- Improves brain function
- Reduces feelings of anxiety
- Boosts your immune function
- Increases your range of motion for greater flexibility
- Increases feeling calm and boosts your mood
- Strengthens both sides of the body to enhance muscle balance
- Enhances skills in other sports and physical activities when used to cross-train
- Reduces back, shoulder, and neck pain and headaches and improves posture
Who can come to the Pilates intro class at the Paseo Club?
Pilates is for everyone.
- It is a great mobility exercise for older people to help with everyday activities as the body ages.
- It helps athletes and sports fanatics with cross-training. They develop strength and coordination outside their specific sport and give the body ample time to recover and still stay fit.
- It is an effective rehabilitation program for those with injuries, especially back and joint issues, keeping the muscles working without strain.
Can the movements be modified or scaled?
All movement patterns can be modified to accommodate anyone.
There are many different positions that work the same muscle(s). If one movement is uncomfortable or aggravates a condition, then another movement is implemented instead.
The springs in the reformer adjust to create different levels of intensity. The heavier springs make movements easier, and the lighter springs make things more challenging.
How does a person decide whether to take a mat or reformer class?
The equipment is the most noticeable difference between a mat class and a reformer class.
Reformer pilates takes place on a bed-like machine with springs for resistance, straps, and bars.
Mat pilates uses prop equipment like blocks and blankets to assist in positioning the body. In mat Pilates the resistance comes from your body weight.
Some beginners choose the reformer because it can be gentler on the body than lifting your own body weight in a mat class.
But both classes require immense control of the movement patterns —there is no muscling or forcing through them. This is what makes Pilates so challenging and effective.
What should you know when you come to the Intro to Pilates class for the first time?
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your first Introduction to Pilates class.
- Come early to introduce yourself to the instructor and tell them about your experience — this will ease any anxiety for first-timers. The instructor will make you feel welcomed and reassure you.
- Communicate about any injuries. It will help the instructor to stop you from doing anything to aggravate an injury. The instructor can also use this knowledge to prepare modifications or other movement patterns to aid you in your recovery.
- Bring water and a towel. Pilates can be slow-paced and calming, but it is also deceptively challenging. You will get sweaty.
- Wear proper attire. Keep in mind your body will be in all different positions — legs lifted, butts up, body bent over, and legs stretched apart. The correct clothing will allow the body to stretch and bend into these positions. Stretchy fabric is better than loose fitting, which can bunch and get caught. You'll also want to keep private parts private. Non-slip socks are required to use on our reformers.
- Be hydrated. Water regulates your temperature and lubricates your joints. It helps transport nutrients to give you energy. If you don’t hydrate, your body can’t perform at its highest level.
Wha
t might a person expect after their first Intro to Pilates class?
Coming out of your first class can be exhilarating.
You feel lighter, taller, and stronger. You may experience better posture. Some people even feel a tingling sensation all over.
It is common to feel muscle tightness a day or two after class. But it is a good feeling, and you should not feel overly uncomfortable or limit your activities.
What is unique about the Intro to Pilates class at the Paseo Club?
The Intro to Pilates class is for someone who has never been on a reformer. The goal is to make them feel comfortable with the equipment and confident within themselves.
The new student will learn:
- An array of new vocabulary that identifies all the parts of the machine, from the bed or moving carriage to the straps, foot bar, white rails, and springs
- Many new anatomical terms for body parts
- Body movements and breathing in a whole new way
Does the first Intro to Pilates class cost extra?
No!
There is a free Intro to Pilates class every Sunday at 11:00 am. All are welcome. New members can purchase a special Pilates package of three reformer classes for $30.00.
Final ste
ps to attending the Intro to Pilates class
You probably have heard from a friend, a neighbor, or even a celebrity how great Pilates is for strengthening and toning your body and enhancing your flexibility.
But knowing what a Pilates class is like and understanding the new terms, equipment, and movements can be a mystery.
Now that you have read this article, we hope you feel confident attending your first Intro to Pilates class at the Paseo Club and that any concerns or questions have been resolved. Remember, Pilates is for everyone!
The Paseo Club offers a whole range of exercise classes that feature cardio, weights, high-intensity, low-impact, or mind-body connection. The choice is yours!
Pilates classes are taught daily. Members can choose All-Level Reformer, Level 2-3 Reformer, Mat Pilates, or (the very special once a month) Pilates and Pinot. To see when classes are taught and to sign up, go to the Paseo Club fitness calendar.
If you’d like to check out our Pilates studio, see a reformer, and the rest of the club, schedule a Paseo Club tour. Tours are available seven days a week.
To learn more about the mind-body connection, check out these articles:
