Wondering what’s the best way to begin a pilates practice? Excited to get started with us and wondering what would we recommend? Here’s our answer!
First things first… what is Pilates?! Pilates is a form of exercise that integrates your body with your breath. It takes complete coordination of the mind, body & soul. Many people call it a moving meditation because it so intricately makes you focus on your muscles it is challenging to focus on anything else! It is safe for all fitness levels and ages with the right experienced trainer who knows what to look out for and how to adjust appropriately. It can help improve your strength, mobility, flexibility, and decrease your joint pain along with many other benefits!
This article however is for once you have done your research and understand the benefits of pilates and you have found our studio Boston Body Pilates in Belmont. You may be wondering what is the best way to get started with us or what would we suggest? Here’s our answer!
There truly is not a cookie cutter approach on how to get started. It is so dependent on your age, current physical activity level, recent surgeries, pregnancies, joint replacements, and your personal fitness goals. At Boston Body Pilates Belmont we use equipment which has specific settings based on your flexibility and height. It is important you know those settings before you join our full group classes.
If you have any pain in your body, especially back pain, we often require you start with a private session. Ultimately if you continue to work out in improper alignment you will not obtain the benefits of pilates and you will further bring yourself into more pain.
Here’s just a few ways to get started with us:
Private Session scheduled at your convenience when we have a trainer available
All Levels Group Class held at dedicated times over 30 per week
Foundations Workshops held at dedicated times about once a month
You can find links directly to all of these offerings HERE
What is a private session?
A private pilates session is a dedicated 50 minute session with an instructor often times in a shared room with other clients also working with an instructor individually. In that session they will spend time watching you move, observing your mind body connection, and giving you constructive feedback on how to make exercises more effective in your muscles and less straining on your joints. Even the most advanced movers often need adjustments to work the proper muscles to prevent long term injuries you may not be aware are straining your joints.
What is the structure of the first private session?
The first 5 minutes we spend chatting understanding your fitness level, activity level, things you do in your daily life, and any relevant health history information. After that we spend 40 minutes getting you moving at an appropriate level of challenge and begin introducing the principles of pilates. We then spend the last 5 minutes in a stretch or cool down while discussing our recommendations for you to help reach your goals based on your current level.
If after your first private session the instructor determines it would be safe and beneficial for you to try our group class we can absolutely progress you along! This process is very individualized so we will not know until we observe you in your first session. After your private session you can absolutely start to take some group classes. In these classes you are practicing setting up your own equipment and safely achieving each exercise. Your instructor will let you know if you are ready to unlock our full schedule of classes labeled Intermediate and Invite Only.
Why do we recommend private sessions prior to unlocking our full group class schedule?
Pilates is truly a practice that even the most “simple” or “easy” exercises in the correct form and alignment need to be challenging. If you are unable to access challenge in our Foundations category classes, it does not mean the class is too easy, it means you do not contain the mind body connection needed to make the workout challenging or you do not have the right equipment settings. It is for your own safety that we require you to remain in these classes so we can give you the right corrections and adjust the equipment with you. Certain exercises are more challenging with heavier springs however others are more challenging with lighter springs! It can be very dangerous adjusting the springs if you are unaware of these subtle differences.
Have you already been a member at a different studio or are very familiar with pilates?
Fantastic! We still require you start with our All Levels Group or a private session and demonstrate to us you are able to keep up with our flow, stay connected to your body and your breath, and you can see if our style is the right fit for you as well. After your session we can absolutely chat if anything else is needed to unlock our full class schedule. Our full schedule of group classes are practically private, meaning we keep them small and our tight woven group of students have either been with us for over 10 years or they began with private sessions. This allows those dedicated classes to truly be Intermediate because everyone knows the flow and comes week after week for us to build on and take the class to the next level. We are a tight knit family and we look forward to welcoming you into it!
In summary we always suggest you start with the following steps regardless of your goals or fitness level:
Step 1: Buy your first private here
Step 2: Book your first private here
Step 3: Send us a quick email so we can get to know you! You can reach us at belmont@bostonbody.com
Step 4: Think about your goals and what you hope to achieve through pilates to share with your instructor. During your first visit they will help come up with a plan and frequency that works with your schedule and budget. Bring your schedule whether that’s a paper calendar or just a list of available time slots that would work for you for future sessions and classes.
Step 5: Visit us for your session! Review with your trainer your specific goals and questions. Immediately after the session review their recommendation for next steps and set your next visit with us to keep your progress.
Step 6: Continue to show up 2-3x per week! Let us handle all the programming and planning to help reach your goals! Get excited for how good you are going to feel!
Prefer to start with a group session? You’re going to want to start here!
Prefer to start with a Foundations Workshop? You’re going to want to start here!
Thank you for your interest in our studio and we can’t wait to meet you!
Jaclyn & the Boston Body Pilates Belmont Instructor Team
P.S. Visit our FAQ’s to help answer any further questions you may have!
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