Power Pilates is a great way to get in shape and build muscle, but if you want to take your workouts to the next level, there are a few things you can do.
Get the right trainer
Make sure you’re working with a trainer who knows what he or she is doing. This person should have experience with power pilates and be able to give you advice on how best to approach your workout so that it’s effective and safe.
Check your form
Ensure that you’re using proper form when performing each exercise. This will help ensure that you don’t injure yourself while exercising.
Warm up before you work out
Learn how to warm up properly before starting your workout session and cool down afterwards. Warming up will help loosen your muscles and increase blood flow; cooling down allows your heart rate time to return to normal levels so that it doesn’t take too long for your body temperature to drop back down again from its elevated state during exercise (which can lead to dizziness or fainting).
Don’t skip the stretching
The importance of stretching cannot be overstated. Stretching is an important part of any workout routine, but especially one that involves strength training like pilates does. Make sure you stretch for at least five minutes before jumping into your exercises.
Use the right equipment
If you have access to a reformer, make sure you’re using it and not just doing resistance by pushing on your own bodyweight. The reformer gives you more stability and lets you do more repetitions than when working against gravity alone.
Pick up the pace
Instead of holding each pose for 30 seconds, try holding them for 45 or even 60 seconds (but only if your instructor says that’s okay). You can also increase your speed during the exercises—try speeding up each move so that instead of doing one rep every five seconds, you do one rep every three seconds (again, only if your instructor says it’s okay).
Set goals for yourself
If there’s something specific about your body that needs work or if you have an event coming up where you want to look particularly fit (like spring break), set goals for yourself based on those things during class each week so that by the time they come around again in reality, you’ll be ready for them!
Pilates trainers can also follow the tips mentioned above to help their students get the most out of pilates classes. If you own a pilates fitness studio, explore how a pilates studio management software like My Best Studio can help manage several important tasks of running your studio while you focus on what you do best.