How Often You Should Do Pilates

If you had asked me last year how often you should do Pilates, I’d have said one to three times a week. I’d always thought that Joseph Pilates’ suggestion of doing Pilates every day was extreme… but I’ve since changed my tune! I’ve been doing Pilates every day for the past month, and I’ve never felt better, and I still have time to do all the other things I love. 

I come from a background of teaching aerobics and spin classes, I run regularly, and strength train two to three times a week. I’d always taught my students to cross-train, take rest days, and not overdo things, and I’d never recommended doing any single type of exercise each day. 

Then something happened to change my mind about how often you should do Pilates. Well, two things happened. 

Thing 1: I Don’t Like Pain

Last year I was sidelined by pretty intense pain from heel spurs and associated plantar fasciitis, and let me tell you: it SUCKS when you can’t do what you love. It got so bad that I briefly thought that I may never run again. With the help of some professionals, patience, and Pilates, I am happy to say that I can walk and run pain-free now. But the memory lingers.  

If you’re active like I am, you’ll know the feeling of tight, sore muscles. Things like walking up stairs or sitting on the toilet can be painful after a good workout, and I’m not sure if it’s my age, but I find that I feel tighter more often these days. Then again, it could be that I’m more aware of it now and aren’t interested in living life that way anymore. 

Thing 2: Daily Pilates Works for Me

I think I started doing Pilates daily last month because I was afraid of ending up in pain again. I decided to give myself a mini “challenge” to do Pilates every day but didn’t put a time limit on my practice. Sometimes I do a few minutes of Pilates before I go to bed, and other days I do a full hour-long Pilates workout. 

After a month of moving my body with Pilates each day, I’ve noticed a huge difference in the way I recover from my other workouts and how I feel in general. It’s really working for me, and I often wake up in the morning feeling brand new. I guess Joseph Pilates knew what he was doing. 

Should You Do Pilates Every Day? 

I used to suggest that doing Pilates one to three times a week in the studio was more than enough. Even after my recent experience with daily Pilates, I still don’t recommend you come into the studio each day; but I will say you can do it every day. 

I love to see your smiling face in the studio, but I want you to be able to do Pilates for yourself like me. I want you to take it on vacation with you, do it at the gym as a warm-up, or before bed when you’re feeling achy. I bet you may even surprise yourself and realize you can do more Pilates than you think. 

Daily Pilates is For You If… 

• If you love to be active, sightsee on foot while travelling, walk the golf course for eighteen holes, keep your garden beautiful, walk your dog in the evening, and maybe even run a marathon, then Pilates is for you. 
• If you’ve had any setbacks or lingering pain this year, (plantar fasciitis, bursitis, IT band pain, sciatica, or shoulder, neck, or back pain), then Pilates is for you. 
• If you are tired of daily aches and pains and how it impacts doing the things you love to do, Pilates is for you.

With Pilates, you can work to build your strength, mobility, and flexibility up so you stop experiencing these pains. It’s important to recognize that most of these “injuries” don’t appear overnight. Unlike falling down or having an accident, these are things that have slowly been creeping up on you. With time and consistency, you can “repair” yourself and get back to feeling great again. You can even feel stronger and better than ever before! 

How to Do Pilates Every Day

How often you should do Pilates is up to you, and if you’re trying to fix specific aches and pains there will be ups and downs. I know firsthand because I had my own last year. I was so frustrated with myself for letting my consistency with Pilates and Strength training slide. I’m blaming the pandemic and the emotional roller coaster that we were all on. 

Now that I’m feeling great and enjoying the benefits of moving better, I’m excited to help you find your way to doing Pilates every day and making it part of your wellness routine, just like brushing your teeth. 

Join me from September 12 to 18, 2022, for a hybrid series called The Pilates Cure – Learn to Do Pilates Every Day. 

September 12 to 18, 2022 I’m hosting a hybrid series called the “Pilates Cure – Learn to do Pilates Every Day”. You’ll get strength, mobility, stretching, and community, all while learning how to incorporate Pilates into your daily life.

Get on the Waitlist Now!