Do You Need To Be Flexible To Do Pilates?

There have been many times over the years that people have told me that they want to try Pilates, but that they need to work on their flexibility first. Surprise! You don’t need to be flexible to do Pilates. That’s because one of the things Pilates does is help you get more flexible… and mobile, strong, and a whole lot more! 

The Main Goals of Pilates

If you are consistent with your Pilates practice, yes, you will gain flexibility – but that’s not the main goal. Pilates actually has a lot of components that come together to create the method.  

Control is one of our main goals in Pilates. In fact, Joseph Pilates called his method of movement Contrology. It was his clients who would say that they were going to Pilates’, as in, they were going to see Joe to do their contrology workout. After his death, the method took on the name Pilates.

Control is gained through building strength and correcting imbalances in strength throughout the body. The mind-body connection comes into this; as we do the workout we bring awareness to the breathing which helps greatly in finding control in most of the Pilates exercises. Also, focusing on how you are moving and where you are initiating your movements takes concentration. We work to find precision in the movements so that you are not moving haphazardly, which again takes control.

The final thing to add to your Pilates practice is flow. Flow does not mean fast or frantic; it includes being controlled but starts to pull all of the exercises together, with transitions connecting the exercises as if the workout is all one exercise. Yes, you might need improved flexibility to do some of these transitions and the more advanced exercises, but by the time you are doing these, you will have been practicing Pilates consistently for a long while.

Can You Be Too Flexible?

On the other end of the flexibility spectrum, there are people who have a bit too much flexibility, known as hypermobility. These clients often come to Pilates because they have pain in the back or hips, usually due to a lack of stability in the joints. In these cases, we use Pilates to help them to build the strength and stability they’re missing. These clients have no problem squishing up to do stomach massage on the reformer, reaching their leg up in the air for side kicks, or folding onto their laps in exercises like spine stretch forward or the push through. What we need to do as Pilates teachers is reel them in. We can help them to reduce their turn-out or find a more uniform bend through their spine so that they have to use their core, hips, or glutes. 

Pilates Will Even You Out

Your daily life, job, hobbies, and past injuries will no doubt create imbalances in your body. I see people all the time who have tight muscles, poor mobility, and who can’t touch their toes (no shame if you can’t!). As you practice Pilates consistently, all of these things can and will improve. Will you sometimes need to see a medical professional? Of course. When I suffered from plantar fasciitis, I needed to see a physiotherapist for extra help. One thing is for sure, though, if you work on your flexibility and mobility, you won’t need to see those specialists as often. 

And that flexibility? It will improve, too. No, you don’t have to do the splits, though it’s awesome if you can. It’s also awesome if you can’t; we are here to meet you where you’re at and help you with what your body needs.