Our Favorite Pre- and Post-Pilates Smoothies
As you’ve likely heard before, abs are not made just in the gym.
In order to get the abs and other muscles that you’re after, you need to pay attention to what you’re eating as well.
And while you may feel like you are eating healthy and giving your body the right nutrients, are you giving it the best things it needs right before and right after your workout to maximize the efficiency of the time you’re putting into your workout?
The majority of people would answer “no” to this.
Enter the smoothie. This food is the perfect thing to consume before and after your workout, as long as it has all the nutrients you need to fuel your workout, and to help you recover.
Here are our favorite pre- and post-Pilates smoothies that will have you feeling fab both before and after your workout.
Pre-Pilates
Green Monster Smoothie
This smoothie has all bases covered when it comes to nutrition — protein, fats, and carbs that will give you energy and keep you moving throughout your workout. The Green Monster is the right amount of food that won’t leave you feeling too full.
WHAT YOU NEED
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups almond milk
- ½ banana
- 1 apple
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- ½ T coconut oil
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Blueberry & Avocado Smoothie
Yes, the combination does sound a bit strange, but we guarantee this smoothie will quickly become a regular favorite of yours before heading into Pilates.
WHAT YOU NEED
- ¼ avocado
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ¾ T honey
- Juice from ½ lime
- ⅓ cup blueberries
- 2 T almond butter
- 2 T milk
Chocolate Almond Smoothie
We love a good excuse to sneak chocolate into our diets whenever possible, and smoothies are no exception. This pre-workout smoothie will have you feeling ready to rock it in Pilates.
WHAT YOU NEED
- ½ banana
- 1 dried date
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 T almond butter
- ½ T ground flaxseed
- ½ T hemp protein
- ½ T roasted carob powder or cacao nibs
Post-Pilates
It’s not only important to fuel your body for your upcoming workout, but it’s also important to restore your nutrients after putting your body through that hard workout.
When we exercise, our bodies produce free radicals that can end up causing inflammation. So, you want to work to reduce that inflammation, and can do so with the help of anti-inflammatory smoothies.
Here are our favorites to try after spending 55 minutes in the Pilates shake.
Banana Oat Protein Smoothie
The banana in this smoothie is packed full of potassium and will help you keep your blood sugar normalized post-workout.
WHAT YOU NEED
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 2 T rolled oats
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup almond milk
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 tsp honey
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 4 ice cubes
Acai Kale Smoothie
You won’t even notice the taste of the kale in this smoothie that is packed with delicious flavors. Plus the flax and help will be a great benefit to your body after working out.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 banana
- ⅓ cup blueberries
- ⅓ cup strawberries
- ½ cup kale
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 T ground flaxseed
- 1 T hemp powder
- 1 T chia seeds
- 1 T acai
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Green Warrior Smoothie
The hemp hearts are the star of this smoothie with all of its protein that will help you recover after Pilates. The other flavors in this smoothie will definitely have you reaching for more.
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup red grapefruit juice
- ½ cup kale
- ½ sweet apple, chopped
- ½ cup cucumber, chopped
- ½ stalk of celery, chopped
- 1 ½ T hemp hearts
- ¼ cup frozen mango
- 2 T mint leaves
- ¾ tsp coconut oil
- 2 ice cubes
These are just some of the fabulous treats you can have before and after your Pilates Platinum class. Whatever smoothie you choose to make your favorite, just be sure you remember that your abs are not just made in class — you’ve got to take the next step to the kitchen and take care of them in there too.