By Sally Hunwick
Well known (and loved) for its streamlining effects, Pilates is the workout of choice for models and A-listers. Don’t know much about it? Rescu. talks to Pilates instructor Kasia Lynch at Daily Pilates to ask her how we can get the body benefits too.
RESCU: How many times a week should we get to class?
Kasia Lynch: “To feel the range of benefits that Pilates promotes, two sessions per week is a good starting point”.
RESCU: What kind of results can we achieve?
Kasia Lynch: “People come to Pilates for a range of different reasons. The benefits will be unique to each individual’s situation, but most commonly they include enhanced posture, improved muscle strength, tone and flexibility”.
RESCU: Got any tips before we turn up to a Pilates class?
Kasia Lynch: “Always let your instructor know if you have an injury or have recently experienced any undiagnosed pain, so they can modify your program to give you a safe and effective workout”.
RESCU: Class or private tuition? Or should we mix it up?
Kasia Lynch: “For all newcomers, an initial Pilates assessment is an important starting point. This private consultation will allow the instructor to go through your health and fitness background, a postural assessment and then introduce you to the foundations of Pilates. Your instructor will then recommend if you should join studio classes or continue with private sessions”.
RESCU: What issues can Pilates help with?
Kasia Lynch: “Pilates is a safe and effective exercise method for all age groups and fitness levels. Common issues that bring people to Pilates include lower back pain, shoulder and knee injuries, headaches as well as neck and shoulder pain and stiffness. Pilates is also highly beneficial for pre- and post-natal women”.
RESCU: Will Pilates help shift excess weight?
Kasia Lynch: “There is no doubt Pilates can change the shape of your body by improving muscle strength, length and tone.
It can sculpt your body giving you a longer leaner look, but it is not a weight loss tool unless teamed with a healthy and moderate diet and regular cardiovascular exercise”.
RESCU: Will Pilates make us fitter?
Kasia Lynch: “Yes! Regular Pilates sessions will challenge your strength, endurance, stability and focus.”
RESCU: Should we incorporate Pilates with aerobic exercise, or is it ok on its own?
Kasia Lynch: “While Pilates certainly gives you a whole body workout, it does not substitute aerobic exercise.
Team your Pilates regime with 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three to four times per week. Activities such as walking, cycling, dancing or swimming are a great compliment to Pilates”.
RESCU: Why choose Pilates over weight training?
Kasia Lynch: “Pilates offers a safe and integrative approach to exercise and body conditioning that will leave you feeling invigorated – not achy and fatigued.
Rather than focusing on working single body parts, Pilates approaches the body as a whole and works many of the smaller muscle groups that weight training tends to neglect.”
Daily Pilates has two Melbourne-based studios in South Melbourne and Fitzroy. For more information, go to www.dailypilates.com or email info@dailypilates.com