As a fitness coach and personal trainer in Dubai I often get clients asking questions about Pilates, the most common one being “Igor, is it the right choice for me as a beginner?” With eight years of experience motivating and creating fitness programs for people to get moving and stretching, I understand the apprehension and tentativeness in starting with something they have never done before. Let me allay that anxiety by explaining how Pilates is the right choice with multiple benefits for everyone, including beginners.
What is Pilates?
In layman’s terms, Pilates is a form of exercise that incorporates a series of routines that help you increase your mobility and gain muscle strength. The exercises combine workouts on a mat, some with light weights, and also on props designed for Pilates, such as balls and rollers. Other exercises are done for resistance training using bands and circles. A Reformer machine can be used for beginners, while more advanced exercise routines are done on other types of specialized equipment.
As a personal Pilates trainer in Dubai, I start with mat-based routines, even if the client already has some experience with Pilates as it is always best to start with the basics. It also makes my client feel relaxed which is essential for establishing a comfortable rapport between us.
Key Points to Know Before Starting a Pilates Training Routine
Initial interactive session
It is important for me to have an initial one-on-one session to help build a harmonious bond and be aware of any health issues you have had or are currently facing. Learning about your schedule, such as work timings, will also help us fix up a regular time for the workouts. A typical session will be about 30 to 40 minutes, twice or thrice a week.
I also need to know your goal in taking up Pilates. Perhaps you are keen to just get out of perpetual lethargy and are looking for an exercise routine that does not tax you too much, or you have an ambitious goal to lose weight. There are also safe routines for would-be mothers, senior citizens, and those with low bone density. Of course, like for any type of exercise, it is essential to first get the green signal from your Doctor.
The initial session will thus help me prepare a suitable and safe workout plan as per health issues, physique, personal daily routines, and other parameters.
Breathing Technique in Pilates Routines
Inhaling and exhaling come naturally to us. During a Pilates workout, you need to focus not only on getting the movements right, but also the breath, which in the case of Pilates consists of three types of techniques- lateral breathing, set breathing, and active breathing. It was Joseph Pilates himself who considered breathing very important (he is the one who started this beneficial form of exercise).
As your trainer, I will give you the relevant cues on how to coordinate your breathing pattern with the specific movement, that is, at what exact point in the routine you should inhale and when you should let it out. This plays a key role in making the exercise effective.
Modifications in Pilates Routine
When collaborating together to reach your goal through Pilates, I may need to modify some components of the routine. This may arise because of feeling some soreness or even pain, or you may feel extra tired on a particular day and would prefer something lighter than the earlier movements. It may also be the case that you find a particular type of workout was not as beneficial as you thought it would be.
As a professional Pilates personal trainer in Dubai, I recognize the necessity to create a change in the workout and adapt it to what is suitable for you. For example, if you feel discomfort in resting your hands on your fists, I can work on helping you to adjust with flat hands and if that is also an issue we could try resting your hands on a wedge.
Types of Pilates Routines for Beginners
Mat Pilates
Focusing on core and flexibility, it is on a mat that you first learn the fundamental techniques in movement and breathing that form the essence of Pilates. I may include the use of basic props but not heavy equipment. Strengthening the muscles in the legs and hips, giving relief in lower back pain, improving shoulder stability and many more types of mat routines are extremely beneficial. Both lower body and upper body routines are incorporated in mat pilates.
One thing I always tell my clients at the outset is to purchase a Pilates mat and not one which is used in Yoga. This is because the types of exercises used in Pilates require better cushioning than one which is provided by a thin yoga mat, and the former also are longer than the latter.
Reformer Pilates
Beginners can also get on a Reformer, a Pilates spring-loaded equipment which consists of a sliding foam-padded platform with handles, a headrest, a footbar, and a retractable rope system. The whole system rests on a sturdy frame.
Under my guidance, you will safely perform a range of exercises which will help to improve your posture and overall body coordination. The routines on the Reformer will be low-impact ones with controlled, fluid movements.
Clinical Pilates
This is a specialized form of Pilates, designed for people who are recovering from an injury or a surgery. The targeted exercises help to regain stability and the strength of affected muscles.
Conclusion
Any form of fitness routine is a learning curve, and this is the case with Pilates as well. As your personal trainer in Dubai, I will create a training program suited for your learning curve, modifying the routines when required without compromising on reaching your goal. Pilates is the right choice for beginners and not only for experienced fitness enthusiasts.
If you are looking for a personal pilates trainer in Dubai who specializes in pilates training, Fitness Supreme is the right option for you.
