There are many different methods of exercise. Some are for building muscle, some are for losing weight. There are methods to help keep the heart healthy and others gaining flexibility. Some methods are for strengthening specific areas of the body. Each type of exercise has its own purpose and each one has its own level of popularity. One incredibly popular method is pilates which targets both strengthening and flexibility. This is a great method for any level of experience, most body types, and many health levels. Pilates is also highly recommended for many patients as part of a post-physical therapy regime. If you are new to pilates, you may be having a difficult time knowing how to get started. Like anything else, it takes time to learn all of the ins and outs of practicing Pilates. This includes learning the different movements and poses as well as how to do them correctly. You will also need to learn where your local classes are or how to practice at home. You will find all of this information and much more to help you get started with pilates.
Before beginning any type of exercise routine, you need to talk to your physician. Everyone has different needs when it comes to exercise. Some people are prepared for hardcore, intense exercises while other people need to stick with low impact, gentle exercises. Beyond that, there will be different types of limitations to consider and different needs. Your doctor will be able to outline the various types of exercise that you can benefit from as well as tell you which ones to stay away from. Also, within a certain type of exercise, there may be certain types of movements that you need to avoid. If you are planning on taking a class and have specific needs, your doctor will be able to write an official outline that you will be able to give to the instructor. If you are looking for an exercise routine for after you finish physical therapy, be sure to consult your therapist about the types you are considering. He or she will be able to direct you to the best exercises for your recovery. Never start an exercise routine without first consulting a medical professional, preferably your physician or physical therapist.
Once you have the ok from your doctor to begin pilates, your next step will be to determine whether you are going to attend classes or plan on practicing only at home. There are benefits and downfalls of both, it comes down to preference. The benefits of studying in a class include being i a structured environment, having an instructor to correct mistakes, and plenty of space. As for the benefits of practicing at home, you do not have to worry about the clothes that you wear, you do not have to worry about messing up or not being able to do a specific movement, and being in a familiar environment. The downsides of a class include having to think about your clothes and how you look, germs, and the type of instructor you may get. Downsides of working at home are not having anyone to correct mistakes, no added guidance, and not having space or equipment. For some people the choice is simple, for others it is more difficult. There are some people that make the choice based off of whether they have to be around other people or not. For more information about the pros and cons, there is a myriad of information available online. One excellent source of information on all things relating to pilates is https://www.pilatespal.com.
If you have decided to practice at home, you will need to obtain some videos to learn from. There are many DVDs and Blu Rays available, but that is not your preference, there are tons of videos online. Youtube is an excellent resource, be sure to check there first when looking for any type of how to or learning video. If you do decide to use a video that you find online, you should always spend some time research the company or person that has created the video to ensure they are qualified to be teaching Pilates. If you are using YouTube and have a subscription to their premium service, download your chosen videos so that they will be available anytime you want to use them. The next thing you need to do is clear out space in your home just for practicing Pilates. Obviously, it is not always possible to have a dedicated area due to a lack of space, but there are a few things you can do regardless. For example, if you do not have enough space to leave an area ready for running a pilates routine at a moments notice, you can prepare a kit. In this kit will be your mat (if you use one), any tension bands or other equipment, and a towel. Store all of this in a container which you can keep anywhere you need to. Then, when