Why An Introduction to Pilates Class is Important

Did you know that before someone starts Pilates with us, we have them do an Introduction to Pilates Class? Part of this is to get you comfortable with the studio, the instructor, and Pilates itself. That way, when you attend your first group class, you can focus on your workout rather than fussing with the apparatus or wondering what the heck the hundred is. Another big reason to do an Introduction to Pilates class is to help your instructor get to know you, your goals, and your potential limitations. 

Getting to Know You

At b.Pilates & Fitness, we offer a three-class Introduction to Pilates series. This gives us ample time to get to know one another. It’s always fun to find out we have mutual friends or hobbies, but what I really want to know is what brought you to Pilates. What are you hoping to get out of it? Often, people turn to Pilates to “fix” something. It could be to help them recover from an accident or surgery, or to help rectify pain that just won’t go away.

That means I want you to tell me about your health history! Have you had any major surgeries or medical conditions? I also want to know how you spend your days. Do you sit all day at work? Maybe you love to run most evenings. Learning about what you do for your job, your hobbies, and about your family and pets is a big help to your Pilates teacher. I’ve become very knowledgeable and good at reading between the lines, and can quickly tie your lifestyle to what could be physically bothering you or holding you back.

Getting to Know Your Weaknesses

If your hobby is causing you pain, don’t worry – I’m not going to ask you to give it up! We all have some imbalances and tightness in our bodies. From sitting too much, to using one side of your body more than another, to avoiding stretching, it all can play into injuries, tightness, or pain. There are even other reasons you might not think of that affect you, such as how you stand while working in the kitchen or while brushing your teeth. 

If a client says that they have recently had a baby or have several children, by knowing their ages, your teacher can start to piece together some of the reasons why the client might have a sore lower back, shoulder, or wrist.  

When a new client shares that they play a sport that involves using a racket, stick, or club, it’s easy to assume that they will have some imbalances from one side of the body compared to the other.  

And when a fellow runner comes into the studio, we can compare notes on things like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and low back pain. From my personal experience as a runner and working with run clubs, I know that many runners rarely stretch or have mobility work as part of their routine. Runners love to run for a variety of reasons, which means that convincing them to replace a running day with something else can be hard. Once they see how Pilates can improve their stride and stamina while also improving their running-related pain, though, they are sold. 

Supporting You To Do What You Love

Whether it’s running, playing with your kids, or simply feeling better every day, Pilates is designed to help you do more of what you love with better movement. The Introduction to Pilates Classes are so helpful in providing clues to the teacher, so they can help you achieve just that. When you move into a class setting, you will be doing the same exercises as everyone else, but your instructor will be watching you to provide appropriate cues and other exercise options to help you. 
If you love doing something, you should do it! However, you could change how you do it. You could take more breaks, be more aware of your posture, or add in exercises to support doing your favourite things. Pilates is a great way to improve your flexibility, strength, and mobility. So let’s get started! I’ll see you at the next Introduction to Pilates Class.