Pilates for Beginners

Pilates for beginners: is it a good choice?

Yes, Pilates is good for beginners and can be started at any time and age.

Don’t be intimidated by pictures of ex-ballet dancers and athletes doing Pilates as you will be starting in the same place as them – learning the basics such as how to engage your core, how to align your body and how to move the body through all the beginner exercises. And although you will be at a beginner stage to start with, Pilates is progressive so you won’t stagnate. There are hundreds of exercises to master and all are adapted to your level. In the Men Do Pilates complete beginner programme you will learn the Pilates fundamentals in the 20 minute Pilates workouts over 4 weeks. After that, you can go on to the Intermediate programme or continue to practice the Beginner exercises. You can take it at your own pace and not be intimidated to progress too quickly. Furthermore, if you need more guidance and help with the pilates exercises for beginners, you can join the Men Do Pilates online Zoom class where Anaya will guide you and give you pointers. This class is free to members.

Check out this free 20 minute Pilates workout for beginners. In the free video, you will learn how to move your body through a series of beginner Pilates exercises and how to move your body safely and effectively.

How do I start Pilates?

You can start Pilates in a number of ways with Men Do Pilates.

1. Book a 1-1 lesson with Anaya which can be done over Zoom or in her studio in West Sussex, England. Contact Anaya
2. Sign up to the Men Do Pilates Membership and start the Beginner Programme. You can also join a Zoom class, which is free to members.
3. Join the Zoom class on Mondays 8-8:45pm and Fridays at 6:30-7am GMT and be guided by Anaya during the class.
4. Sign up to try out a free video below.

What you need to know when starting Pilates

Pilates for beginners, like any type of new activity, should be started when you are sure you aren’t suffering from any acute injuries or illnesses. Please consult a doctor if you are unsure. However, Pilates is often prescribed by medical practitioners as it’s low-load and extremely effective for your mind and body well-being. When starting Pilates, it’s best to take your time and not rush it. You might feel like you aren’t very good at it to start with and that’s ok because in time you will start to feel and see a difference in your body. This isn’t a movement practice that you just do for a month and it isn’t about being perfect. It’s about just moving and keeping going. You will find in time that being consistent and mastering the technique will pay off hugely in the long run. When you start seeing and feeling a difference you become hooked and wonder why you didn’t start Pilates earlier. That’s the beauty of this wonderful body-minded method – it takes a little time to learn the technique but the rewards are huge. 

As a beginner to Pilates you will learn how to work and challenge your core. Then you will learn how to stabilise your torso whilst your limbs move and how to align your limbs. Your spine is built to move so you will learn how to move it in all planes and lastly you will learn how to find good standing and seated posture. Other techniques such a breathing will be taught but don’t get too caught up in doing it all. After a class you will feel elongated, lighter, stronger, and more mobile and resilient to tackle your day. 

What Equipment will you need when beginning Pilates

All you really need is your body, a mat and perhaps something to prop up your head like a head cushion or rolled-up towel. If you struggle to kneel, then a cushion or rolled-up towel can be used. Likewise, if you struggle to sit on the floor, a block or a stool works really well. Check out our kit bag for all your small equipment needs.

There are so many mats on the market but the main things to look out for is the thickness and grip. Yoga mats tend to be thinner so when doing rolling activities on your back, some people can feel the mat doesn’t give enough support. But equally pilates mats can be too thick meaning they are comfy to lie on but when it comes to standing activity, it doesn’t feel stable or have enough grip. 

How often should a beginner do a Pilates for beginners workout?

At Men Do Pilates we advise doing our 20-minute workouts 3 times a week. This gives you consistency so you will see results quicker and it’s easy to fit into your busy schedule. Twice a week is also good as you will still get that muscle memory and build awareness. Once a week when you are a beginner to pilates won’t help you progress as quickly and therefore your results will be slower. But once is better than nothing. Our body is built to move and motion is your lotion to keep you strong and supple to fend off aches and injuries.