6 Beginner Pilates Mistakes You Want to Avoid
First of all, congrats on deciding to take the plunge and join the Pilates craze!
Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Pilates is the ultimate way to transform your body, without being too hard on it.
However, we’d be lying if we said Pilates was easy. Because it most definitely is not. Prepare to get your rear handed to you, but in the best way.
So before you step up on that contraption we call a Megaformer, it’s a good idea to learn some of the mistakes Pilates newbies make, and how you can avoid them.
We at Pilates Platinum want you to enjoy your first Pilates experience, so that you will come back and enjoy more. Your body and mind will certainly thank you.
(Speaking of your first Pilates experience, we have a fab deal going on right now — your first class with us is just $10. Click here to sign up now.)
1. Showing up to class on time (or late).
Normally showing up on time or even fashionably late is good.
However, that is not the case with your first Pilates class.
You want to show up about 15 minutes early so that you have time to get familiar with the Megaformer, because you’ve likely never used anything quite like it before. This machine comes packed with a number of bells and whistles, and you don’t want to hop on it without having a few moments for your instructor to walk you through all of its fancy glory.
Even if you’re standing there thinking “WTF” as your instructor is giving you the names for the different parts and you’re struggling to remember which is the front and which is the back, having just a bit of info that you’ll take with you into your first class will help ease your nerves.
2. Showing up to class empty handed.
Grippy socks are an absolute must for Pilates. Things will get sweaty, and the last thing you want is to slip on the Megaformer. Chances are good your studio will have socks for sale, but check ahead of time.
Also, hydration will get you through class, so be sure to bring a water bottle.
3. Racing through your workouts.
Pilates is all about the slow burn. And that type of burn is unreal.
The point of this exercise is to go slowly, to remain in complete control of your muscles. Doing this is what targets every muscle on its own, and is how you’ll really burn that fat, and replace it with long, lean muscle.
Are you familiar with the Pilates shake? If not, you will be soon. It will be your worst enemy, but also your best (fat burning) friend. By slowing down your Pilates movements and exhausting your muscles to the point at which they twitch, you are doing your body a major favor: you are taking it down the path to a strong and super toned look.
So keep it slow and controlled, and you will notice the difference pretty quickly.
4. Getting frustrated
There’s no way you’re going to know how to do everything in your first Pilates class — your first few Pilates classes, to be honest. All these moves are likely new to you, and it will take a while to get the hang of them.
When you start to feel frustrated that you don’t know what to do when the instructor calls out “catfish,” or when you can’t, for the life of you, figure out a plank to pike, don’t worry. You will get there in time.
Until then, the instructor is there to guide you, and your neighbor is always there for you to sneak a peek and see what they’re doing.
Your transitions will not be quick, and you will definitely struggle to get setup in the next move, but know that everyone who has ever taken Pilates has been in your shoes.
We were all newbies at one point!
5. Skipping workouts
Consistency is key with Pilates. We don’t suggest going every day, but we highly recommend finding a regular schedule and sticking to it.
Start off with maybe twice a week, and then work your way up from there. However, no matter what, make sure you show up to class those two times a week. This is the only way that you will be able to see the changes in your body, and get the results you’re after.
Also, this is the way you’ll get comfortable in class and is how you’ll learn to love it.
6. Working out too much
You can damage your muscles by jumping into Pilates and doing too much of it at first. Rest days are super important, especially when your muscles are adjusting to this new workout.
So, be sure to give yourself time to recover before you hop back on the machine again.
Whether you’re 100% ready to tackle your first Pilates Platinum class, or you’re feeling a bit nervous about what to expect, sign up for a class today. We promise you won’t regret it — in fact, you’ll thank us. Click here to get our intro price of just $10 for your first class, and start building your fab strong body.